Pink Beach, known locally as Pantai Merah ("Red Beach"), is a pink-sand beach in Komodo National Park, East Nusa Tenggara. What makes it special is that the sand genuinely looks pink, especially along the shoreline where the waves come in. Pink Beach in Komodo National Park is counted among only about seven pink-sand beaches in the world. Within the park itself there are actually several patches of pink sand, but only two are visited as tourist destinations. The original Pink Beach sits on the coast of Komodo Island, and you reach it by boat from Labuan Bajo.
Why the sand at Pink Beach is pink
The pink colour isn't manufactured — it's a natural phenomenon. The source is Foraminifera, microscopic marine organisms that produce a red pigment on the coral reefs. When fragments of that red coral break down and wash ashore, then mix with the white sand, the result is a soft rosy hue. That's why locals call it Pantai Merah, the Red Beach.
The pink isn't uniform all day, either. The colour shows best when the wet sand catches the waves and the light is right, so don't be surprised if it looks more muted in some spots. It's really the combination — pink sand, clear blue sea, and Komodo's signature dry hills — that makes the scene at Pink Beach feel so unusual.
Where Pink Beach is
Pink Beach lies inside Komodo National Park, on the northeastern coast of Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara. It's roughly 40 kilometres by sea from Labuan Bajo, the town on the west coast of Flores that serves as the main gateway to the area.
It's worth knowing that the park actually has more than one pink-sand beach. The Pantai Merah on Komodo Island is the one that became popular first — the original pink beach that drew the crowds. More recently, the so-called Long Pink Beach on Padar Island, with a longer stretch of pink sand, has become popular too. Together they give Komodo National Park two of the world's handful of pink beaches. This guide focuses on the original Pantai Merah on Komodo Island.
Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) at a glance
- Location: Komodo National Park, coast of Komodo Island, NTT
- Distance: about 40 km by sea from Labuan Bajo
- Why it's pink: red pigment from Foraminifera + red coral fragments mixed with white sand
- What's special: one of about 7 pink beaches in the world (Komodo has 2)
- Main activities: snorkelling, swimming, photos
- Best time: April–November (dry season)
How to get to Pink Beach
Pink Beach can't be reached overland; the only way in is by boat. Almost everyone comes via Labuan Bajo. By speedboat, Pink Beach is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from Labuan Bajo, while slower wooden boats or a phinisi take longer.
One thing often causes confusion: the pink beach visited on a one-day open trip is usually the Long Pink Beach on Padar Island, not the Pantai Merah on Komodo Island covered in this guide. The Komodo Island Pink Beach is more often visited alongside the Komodo dragon trek. If you're already on Komodo Island — say after a dragon trek from the Loh Liang ranger pier — Pink Beach is only about 30 minutes away by boat, which is why many trips pair the dragon trek with a snorkelling stop here.
There are two common ways to fit Pink Beach into your plan. The first is a day trip from Labuan Bajo, leaving in the morning and returning by evening with several stops, Pink Beach among them. The second is a multi-day liveaboard, where you sleep on the boat and explore the Komodo area at a more relaxed pace. A day trip suits you if time is tight, while a liveaboard is better if you want to take in more spots without rushing.
What to do: snorkelling and photos
The draw at Pink Beach isn't only the pink sand but also what's underwater. The reef here is fairly shallow and the water is clear, which makes it good for snorkelling, even for beginners. Dip your head under and you'll see soft and hard corals that shelter plenty of fish. Beyond snorkelling, you can simply swim near the shore or take photos against a backdrop of pink sand you won't find in many other places.
This is exactly where the Komodo Island Pink Beach has the edge over the Long Pink Beach on Padar. The Komodo Island beach is rich in coral, so snorkelling here is far more rewarding. At the Long Pink Beach, by contrast, there's relatively little coral — almost none — so it's more about swimming and lazing on the sand. One thing to watch, though: the current at the Komodo Island Pink Beach can be fairly strong, so don't swim too far out, and follow your guide's advice.
Because Pink Beach is inside a conservation area, it helps to bring your own snorkelling gear if you have it, and to keep the place clean. One thing matters most: don't take sand or coral fragments home as souvenirs. Beyond harming the ecosystem, that's exactly what could slowly fade the beach's signature pink over time.
Tips and the best time to visit
The best time to visit Pink Beach is the dry season, roughly April to November, when the sea tends to be calmer and the skies clearer. Coming earlier in the day also helps you avoid the busiest crowds and catch better light for photos. Follow your guide and the national park rules while you're in the area, since this is a protected conservation zone.
If you're still building the bigger picture of the area, start with our guide to the location and map of Komodo Island. For getting to the gateway, there are also our guides on Jakarta to Labuan Bajo and Bali to Labuan Bajo.
To plan the wider trip — from trip options to the best season — start with our Komodo destination guide.
FAQ
Why is the sand at Pink Beach pink?
Because of red pigment from Foraminifera, microscopic marine organisms living on the coral reefs. Fragments of that red coral mix with the white sand to create the rosy colour. Its local name is even Pantai Merah, "Red Beach."
Where is Pink Beach?
Inside Komodo National Park, on the coast of Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara, about 40 kilometres by sea from Labuan Bajo.
How do you get to Pink Beach?
Only by sea. You typically take a boat from Labuan Bajo as part of a Komodo trip. From the Loh Liang pier on Komodo Island, Pink Beach is only about 30 minutes away by boat.
Can you snorkel at Pink Beach?
Yes, and it's one of the main attractions. The reef is shallow and the water clear, making it good for snorkelling, including for beginners.
How many pink beaches are there in the world?
Pink Beach is counted among only about seven pink-sand beaches in the world, and Komodo National Park has two of them.
When is the best time to visit Pink Beach?
The dry season, roughly April to November, when the sea is calmer and the skies clearer. Coming earlier in the day helps you avoid the crowds.