Many Greek beaches have been distinguished and recognized internationally for their beauty and special characteristics. Crystal clear waters and golden sand make up exotic landscapes in which everyone would like to be found even for a few days of vacation. In this category of special locations belongs an impressive Greek beach that has pink sand. It is located in Crete and is called… BalosI’m sure you’ve heard of it.
The Greek beach with the pink sand
White fine sand and turquoise waters are the first images you’ll see when you get there. If you pay a little more attention, of course, you’ll find that the sand is not only white but also… pink. This magical image of the crystal clear waters of the sea and the pink sand is seen only on one more beach in Crete, the one on Elafonisi. It is a distinct colour of sand which has been created because of the thousands of broken shells.
In fact, responsible for the pink sand, in particular, are some tiny crustaceans called Foraminifera, which, when they complete their life cycle and die, they leave behind their red shells that remain in the water and are crushed in the sand, which in turn acquires this impressive hue.
In fact, Ballos is a lagoon in the northwest part of Crete, on Cape Gramvousa. It is located just 56 km away from Chania and offers you an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. Beyond the rocks you will see on the beach, the waters are deeper and colder, ideal for diving with a mask. Like the surrounding area, they are part of the Natura protection programme, with rare species of flora and fauna.
Access to the beach is either by boat from Kissamos or by car, but by a bad dirt road so you have to be prepared.
Ballos is surely and not unfairly the most photographed beach in Crete. It is famous for its turquoise waters, wild their natural beauty and its wonderful exotic landscape. In summer, the beach is flooded daily by hundreds of visitors. If you are in Chania, then this special Greek beach with pink sand awaits for you.
Photo Source: cretanbeaches.com
For the record, the other six beaches in the world where there is pink sand are:
1. Pink Beach, Komodo National Park – Indonesia
2. Pink Beach, Harbor Island, Bahamas
3. Pink Beach, Bermuda
4. Pink Beach, Santa Cruz Island – Philippines
5. Budelli Island, Sardinia – Italy
6. Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Island, Caribbean
External photography source: neakriti.gr
The Greek island that was a pirate kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Ballos is a stunning Greek beach with pink sand located in Crete, specifically in the northwest part of the island on Cape Gramvousa. It is situated just 56 km away from Chania and is easily accessible by boat from Kissamos or by car through a dirt road.
The pink sand at Ballos beach is created by thousands of tiny broken shells from crustaceans called Foraminifera. When these organisms complete their life cycle and die, they leave behind their red shells which are crushed into the sand over time, giving the beach its distinctive and impressive pink hue.
No, Ballos is not the only beach in Crete with pink sand. Elafonisi is another remarkable beach in Crete that also features the magical combination of crystal clear turquoise waters and pink sand created by broken shells.
Ballos beach is special for its turquoise waters, wild natural beauty, and exotic landscape. It is a protected area under the Natura programme with rare species of flora and fauna. The beach offers an unforgettable experience with opportunities for diving with a mask in deeper waters beyond the rocks, and it is the most photographed beach in Crete.
There are at least eight beaches in the world known for their pink sand. Besides Ballos and Elafonisi in Crete, Greece, there are six other notable pink sand beaches: Pink Beach in Komodo National Park (Indonesia), Harbor Island (Bahamas), Bermuda, Santa Cruz Island (Philippines), Budelli Island (Sardinia, Italy), and Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean Island).
