With their unreal, yet entirely natural color, pink lakes are fascinating.
Scattered across several continents, from Australia to Iran, via Mexico and Spain, these bodies of water with their surprising hues, ranging from pastel pink to deep red, seem straight out of a painting or a retouched photograph. Yet, no filter or human intervention is responsible for this spectacle: nature alone is at work.
This striking hue is due to the presence of microorganisms, primarily algae and bacteria, which produce red and pink pigments. When sunlight hits the water's surface, it reveals this unique color, creating a truly spectacular visual display.
Here is our selection of the most beautiful pink lakes to discover around the world.
Lake Hillier – the iconic
Lake Hillier deserves its place among the world's most fascinating and unusual landscapes. Its isolation and striking contrast with the ocean create an almost surreal image. When included in a Western Australia itinerary, it can become one of the highlights of a trip. Located on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, this lake intrigues travelers and scientists alike: its color is not simply a play of light, but rather the result of microorganisms adapted to highly saline environments.
The most popular way to discover it remains the scenic flight departing from Esperance. It is from the air that one fully appreciates the spectacular contrast between the pink of the lake, the light sand, the eucalyptus forest and the ocean.
Depending on the season, the weather and the permits in force, some maritime excursions in the Recherche archipelago also allow you to get close to it.
Lake Las Coloradas – the history
Las Coloradas is a small village located in the state of Yucatán, in southeastern Mexico.
The Yucatán Peninsula is renowned for its white sand beaches, Mayan ruins, islands, and the diverse range of activities it offers its visitors.
Visiting the pink lake of Las Coloradas is one of the region's must-do activities. It's best to go in winter, during the dry season, when the lake displays its most intense color. In summer and autumn, however, the pink often fades, sometimes turning a light brown, due to the regular rains that stir up the lakebed.
Hutt Lagoon – the ideal
On the west coast of Australia, not far from the small town of Port Gregory, lies Hutt Lagoon, a salt lake that changes color throughout the day, shifting from pale pink to bright red depending on the light. As with Lake Hillier, this coloration comes from the presence of the algae Dunaliella salina , which is harvested here commercially for the production of beta-carotene.
Unlike Lake Hillier, Hutt Lagoon is accessible by road, making it one of the easiest pink lakes to observe up close. However, a flight in a small plane remains the best option to fully appreciate the extent of its pink and red hues, which are particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset.
Lake Maharloo – the secret
Located about forty kilometers from Shiraz in southern Iran, Lake Maharloo is a salt lake little known to Western travelers but very popular with photographers. Its pinkish hue, due to the concentration of salt and the presence of microorganisms similar to those found in other pink lakes, varies greatly depending on the water level and the season, with some times of the year even revealing a white salt crust.
The lake is easily accessible by car from Shiraz, making it possible to combine it with a visit to the city and iconic sites like Persepolis.
Lake Masazir – the exotic
Not far from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, Lake Masazir is a small salt lake whose water, depending on the season and weather conditions, takes on hues ranging from pale pink to deep red. Less spectacular than its Australian or Mexican counterparts, it remains a popular natural attraction for Baku residents seeking a quick escape from the city.
Its proximity to the capital makes it an easy excursion to integrate into a stay in Azerbaijan, especially for travellers curious to get off the beaten tourist track.
