30 Pink Lakes in 22 Countries
Pink lakes, a captivating natural phenomenon, draw worldwide attention for their startling shades ranging from a soft pastel pink to vibrant hues of red. While they are popular for their photogenic qualities, they are also of scientific interest. They serve as natural laboratories for studying extremophiles and halophiles—organisms that thrive in high-salt environments.
What is a pink lake?
These unique bodies of water get their distinctive coloring primarily from a combination of high salt content and the presence of salt-tolerant algae such as Dunaliella salina or bacteria like Halobacterium salinarum or Halobacterium cutirubrum. These algae produce carotenoids, which are organic pigments that contribute to the pink and red coloration observed in pink lakes.
It is not the same for pink sand beaches, where the color comes from a micro-organism called Foraminifera.
Map of Pink Lakes Around the World
You can find the most pink lakes in Australia, which is 15 if we only count the larger ones. But there are 41 pink lakes in 22 countries worldwide.
Please note the pink color in many lakes are temporary. The intensity and shade of pink or red can fluctuate based on factors like temperature, salinity, and the presence of microorganisms, making each pink lake a unique ecosystem. The weather has to be dry and hot to turn many lakes in the list a dark shade of pink.
The Great Salt Lake, Utah, US
The Great Salt Lake’s North Arm astonishes visitors with its pink waters, a stark contrast to the typical blue-green of the South Arm. This unique hue emerged after a causeway built in the late 1950s divided the lake, increasing the North Arm’s salinity to about 30%, double that of the South Arm.
The Spiral Jetty, near Rozel Point, is a famous 1,500-foot-long earthwork sculpture created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970. It is also great location to enjoy the pink lake without the crowds since it is a remote spot.
Lake Retba, Senegal
Lake Retba, or Lac Rose, is situated approx. 20 miles northeast of the Senegalese capital, Dakar. This salt-laden lake supports a local industry that involves salt harvesting, which is a crucial aspect of the region’s economy. Swimming is allowed, but note
Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia
Hutt Lagoon, situated on the drive between Port Gregory and Kalbarri in Western Australia, offers a kaleidoscope of colors from bubblegum pink to lilac and sometimes red, especially stunning before sunset. Accessible via a six-hour drive from Perth along the Indian Ocean Drive or a quick 30-minute journey from Kalbarri, it also features scenic flights from Geraldton for an unparalleled view.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Located at an altitude of 4,278 meters, Laguna Colorada within the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve is a marvel of nature. Its distinctive pink-red waters, due to algae and sediment, create a vital habitat for the James’s flamingo, one of three flamingo species found in the area.
This high-altitude wetland, sprawling over 714,745 hectares, is a biodiversity hotspot in Bolivia’s Potosí Department, featuring over 190 plant species and a sanctuary for endangered wildlife like the Andean condor, fox, and puma.
Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo refers to the salt flats in Puerto Rico, where shallow waters turn various shades of pink due to the concentration of salt and microalgae. These salt flats are not only a fun thing to do, but also an important economic resource for the region.
The Cabo Rojo Salt Flats reaches to more than 500 hectares. It is also an important birding location, hosting a total of 28 shorebird species and a three storey lookout. The park is under the protection of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Les Salins d’Aigues-Mortes, France
In the Camargue region of France, Les Salins d’Aigues-Mortes showcases varying shades of pink. Microorganisms thriving in the saline conditions are credited with giving the lake its distinctive color.
Similar to the pink lake in France, Les Salins d’Aigues-Mortes also offers an approx. one-hour train ride around the site. The price is EUR 13 for adults, and EUR 9 for children between 5 and 13 (2024 prices).
Aralsor, Kazakhstan
Aralsor Lake, found in Kazakhstan but lies close to the Russian border, features a pink hue attributed to its saline waters and the presence of algae that thrive in this high-salinity environment. It is between 48-77 sq mi.
Lonar Lake, India
Lonar Lake first turned pink in 2020, but since then it turned back and force depending on the weather conditions. Scientists researched the reasons and found that lake also has a high number of single-celled algae called Dunaliella salina. When water conditions are favorable, the algae is green, if not, it turns pink.
Rottnest Island, Western Australia
Wadjemup / Rottnest Island boasts a unique ecosystem, with 12 salt lakes covering over 200 hectares, making up 10% of the island. These lakes are four times saltier than the Indian Ocean.
The island’s flora, adapted to high salt levels, thrives around these lakes. The area, featuring microbialites and diverse plant life, offers a network of trails for exploration.
Las Coloradas, Mexico
Las Coloradas Tourist Park in Yucatán is a visual feast beyond its famous pink salt lagoons. The vivid blue skies, pristine white sands, and the varied hues of the salt ponds create a stunning natural palette. Salt production is important to that area and the huge salt mountains are adding to its scenic beauty.
The color spectrum of the lagoons changes with production and weather so check with the tourist park. The area’s rich biodiversity, including pink flamingos and turtles, enhances its charm and making Yucatán a destination not only to explore cenotes and Mayan ruins.
Lake Natron, Tanzania
Lake Natron in Tanzania is a striking example of an alkaline, or soda lake, characterized by high levels of sodium carbonate which contribute to its alkalinity, with a pH around 10.5. Due to it high salt content, swimming is prohibited. To compare it with ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) that has a pH of 10.09, and causes skin allergies, eye damage, or skin damage among others.
Walvis Bay, Namibia
The Salinas de Walvis Bay is located between the mouths of the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers in Namibia and are renowned for their extensive salt pans, which play a significant role in the country’s salt production.
With over 150,000 migratory birds flocking here during the summer, this location is a haven for birdwatchers. The area boasts more than 150 recorded bird species, making it a vibrant and diverse habitat for avian life.
Lake Hillier, Western Australia
Lake Hillier, discovered in 1802 by Matthew Flinders, is famed for its vivid pink color, visible even when water is taken in a glass. Situated on Middle Island, Western Australia, this small lake, 600 meters long and 250 meters wide, is fringed by eucalyptus and paperbark trees. Although it was once used for salt extraction, it is not anymore.
Lake Tuz, Turkey
Lake Tuz (also known as Tuz Gölü), located in central Türkiye near Cappadocia, is the country’s second-largest lake, spanning 1,665 square kilometers. Known for its high salinity, the lake undergoes a remarkable transformation during summer, turning bright pink due to algae that produce a red-orange pigment in response to increased temperatures and salinity.
Lake Tuz is part of a Special Environmental Protection Area due to several reasons. One, 70% of salt is Turkey produced here. Two, it is the habitat of endangered flamingos in Europe.
Lake Bumbunga, South Australia
Lake Bumbunga, located near Lochiel, 80 miles north of Adelaide, offers a striking visual treat with its bubble gum shores. This lake is nestled between the Clare Valley and Yorke Peninsula tourist regions, known for their scenic beauty and Australian riesling wine.
To visit, drive north from Adelaide via Port Wakefield Road towards Lochiel. But visitors should not drive on the lake itself.
Kealia Pond, Hawaii, US
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Hawaii is the latest addition to the list of pink lakes since it turned pink at the very end of 2023. Staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been monitoring this occurrence since October 30, collaborating with academic institutions to understand the cause.
Koyashskoye Salt Lake, Ukraine
Koyashskoye Salt Lake is a shallow saline lake characterized by its pink to blood red color, in Crimea, Ukraine. The lake is more than 2.5 miles long and 1.2 miles wide. It separated by a thin strip of land from the Black Sea. The striking hue results from the Dunaliella algae reacting to the lake’s salt.
It is a destination off-the-beaten path, not widely known outside Ukraine. But locals often visit the lake, drawn by the belief in the therapeutic properties of its mud, which is thought to have healing powers.
Lake MacDonnell, South Australia
Lake MacDonnell, located near Penong on the Eyre Highway, is a striking natural wonder. Known for its former salt mine and as Australia’s largest gypsum mine, it’s particularly famous for its vibrant pink and blue waters divided by a road (aka Watermelon Avenue), creating a stunning visual contrast.
The colors result from algae and bacteria interacting with the lake’s high salinity. Best visited after rain for its most vivid hues. The lake offers no facilities, so visitors should plan accordingly and respect the delicate environment.
Lake Elton, Russia
Lake Elton, located in the Volgograd region near the Kazakhstan border, is one of Europe’s largest mineral lake with 58 sq mi surface area. Originally, it was a salt mine that operated between 1747 and 1865. The lake’s salinity is higher than the Dead Sea’s, making it a valuable resource for health treatments in the nearby sanatorium.
The Elton Salt Ultra is a unique ultramarathon in Russia, hosted around Lake Elton. It was last organized 2021, when it celebrated its 9th season.
Las Salinas de Torrevieja, Spain
In Spain’s Costa Blanca region, Las Salinas de Torrevieja stands out for its bubblegum-pink hues. Its coloration is thanks to halophilic bacteria and algae that flourish in high-salinity environments. It is a place for salt production with artificial lakes and large salt hills.
You can take a one-hour train ride around the site for a fee of EUR 9.50 for adults, and EUR 8.50 for children between 2 and 12 years (2024 prices). Alternatively, you can take a guided or unguided walk around the lakes. Please note that swimming is not allowed.
Lake Grassmere, New Zealand
Lake Grassmere (also known as Kapara Te Hau) in New Zealand is known for its salt production. Situated in the Marlborough region, this shallow coastal lake undergoes natural evaporation in summer, leaving behind crystallized salt. The process is enhanced by the addition of seawater, producing large quantities of salt annually.
Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda), South Australia
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, located in South Australia’s Outback, is the country’s largest salt lake with a total area of 4,281 square miles. It is actually two lakes connected with a canal called Goyder Channel.
It offers the best views, when flooded by rain. When it does, the lake has an extraordinary color change to pink, due to salt-loving algae. It stands in contrast with the glittering white salt crust.
Lake Hart, South Australia
Lake Hart is a large salt lake approx. 40,000 acres near Woomera, in South Australia. It is usually dry but can fill with water partially when it rains. When it does, the water may turn a light pink color.
The lake doesn’t have major rivers flowing into it. Instead, it collects rainwater and run-off from smaller local creeks and streams. The pink hue comes from algae and salt-loving organisms that thrive in the saline water.
Lake Lemuria, Ukraine
Lake Lemuria, nestled in Ukraine’s Kherson Region, boasts an extraordinary pink hue due to the micro-algae Dunaliella salina, which thrives in its waters with a salinity reaching up to 35%, higher than the Dead Sea.
The entire salt reserve of Lemuria Lake exceeds 200 million tons, highlighting its significant natural resource. This spectacle, along with the region’s rich biodiversity and historical landmarks like the Askania Nova Reserve, marks Kherson as a great destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Lake Crosbie, Becking, Hardy, and Kenyon, Victoria
The Murray-Sunset National Park in Victoria is home to the Pink Lakes, including Lake Crosbie, Lake Becking, Lake Hardy, and Lake Kenyon. These lakes get their pink hue from the algae and halobacteria that produce beta-carotene, a pigment also found in carrots, which flourishes in the high salt content waters especially after winter and spring rains.
Loch Iel, Dimboola, Victoria
Pink Lake, near Dimboola in Victoria, is set within the Wotjobaluk Aboriginal cultural landscape. The Traditional Owners, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagalk Peoples, maintain a strong connection to this land. Located just off the Western Highway, north of Dimboola and Little Desert National Park, the lake is a photographer’s paradise, offering a surreal landscape that changes in color with the seasons.
Lipar Pink Wetland, Iran
The Lipar Pink Wetland, covering about 4,000 hectares near Chabahar, Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, is noted for its pink hue due to planktons.
Situated just 200 meters from the Sea of Oman and close to the village of Lipar, it’s a vital habitat for aquatic birds like flamingos and marine life. This unique ecosystem, enriched by the rivers, draws tourists and photographers, especially for its boat tours and hiking opportunities along the scenic Chabahar Beach.
Lake Tyrrell, Victoria
Lake Tyrrell in Victoria is Australia’s largest salt lake, offering spectacular views, especially at sunrise and sunset when its surface reflects the sky. It is popular for stargazing and photography, due to its mirror-like qualities under certain conditions. There is also significant cultural site for the local Indigenous community. The name of the lake also comes from the Aboriginal word “Tyrille” meaning sky or space.
Westgate Park, Melbourne, Victoria
Westgate Park in Melbourne, located beneath the Westgate Bridge, is known for its temporarily pink lake. The lake turned dark pink in 2020, but as of now, the lake has returned to its usual color. Although the pink coloration was not permanent, the park remains a popular spot for its natural beauty and continues to attract visitors for its flora, fauna, recreational spaces and city views.
Maharloo Lake, Iran
Maharloo Lake, near Shiraz, Iran, is a seasonal salt lake that turns pink due to the proliferation of algae and bacteria suited to its saline conditions. The intensity of the pink color can be seen especially in the summer months.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.