Pink Sand Beaches

Though rare, several pink sand beaches can be found in countries around the world, including Greece and Indonesia. As if turquoise seas weren't stunning enough, pairing them with blush-colored sands makes for a photo no Instagram filter can rival.

Pink sand beaches get their color from thousands of broken coral pieces, shells, and calcium carbonate materials left behind by foraminifera (tiny sea creatures with red and pink shells) that live in nearby coral reefs.

Rather than the fairy-floss pink that your mind might conjure up, beaches famed for their pinkness are likely to exhibit a blush rather than a full-throttle, cherry blossom pink.

Another source of pink sand is the vivid kind seen on social media images, tinted that way by Instagrammers indulging in a moment of extravagant fantasy. The fakery is especially prevalent in images from the Bahamas, don't go with high expectations unless you're wearing rose-coloured specs.