Indonesia’s Pink Beach
1st February 2018
It’s been a couple of years since Indonesia was added to the list of regions you can visit on board a traditional tall ship sailing with Star Clippers. Sailing aboard the Star Clipper on a roundtrip out of Bali, the smaller size of the ship provides a unique opportunity to visit a range of isolated paradise islands that are generally inaccessible to larger vessels. There are two itineraries available – eastbound and westbound respectively out of Bali – as well as a number of sailings that also incorporate the luxurious metropolis of Singapore.
There are many sights to see and landmarks to explore on board all three of these itineraries, but perhaps one of the most interesting islands of all is the one that inhabited by large reptiles. Komodo Island is, as the name suggests, home to the world’s only natural habitat for komodo dragons and you can embark on a walking tour that will enable you to admire these creatures up close. A national park was established on the island to protect these creatures in 1980 and it later became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1986. It is worth pointing out that the komodo dragons are also the main occupants of the island, with 2,500 of these reptiles living here alongside only 2,000 people.
Although this is the main draw, there is much more to see and do on this unique island. A short journey along the coast will unveil a dazzling pink colour reflected in the sands – part of a natural landmark that you will only see in six other places on earth. Pantai Merah – or Pink Beach – gets its distinctive colour from microscopic marine creatures known as Foraminifera.
These single-celled, microscopic organisms live in shells consisting of a red-coloured calcium carbonate. When these creatures die, their shells drop to the ocean floor and are collectively washed to the shore. The dye of the shells mixes with the seawater which, in-turn, mixes with the sand to give the beach its distinctive shade of pink.
The colour of the beach offers a contrast to the calm turquoise waters, which are more than ideal for water-based activities – so much so, in fact, that this is widely considered to be the best area for snorkelling on the island. The pink beach indicates an abundance of coral life activity and you would not be mistaken, with pygmy seahorses, blue-ringed octopus, various species of rays and many more creatures awaiting your discovery. If you decide to instead relax on the beach, though, you will be rewarded with views of the gorgeous scenery and surrounding lush-green hills. Alternatively, a guided hike up one of these hills will provide you with fantastic views of the island and offers a great vantage point from which to admire the komodo dragons.
If this blog has inspired you to embark on a tall ship sailing with Star Clippers, why not get in touch? You can contact our friendly sales team via the Freephone number above or chat to an advisor instantly online.
