Spiaggia Rosa

Credits: Mirko Ugo. License: CC BY-NC-SA.

On Budelli an island, which is in the Maddalena archipelago, near the strait of Bonifacio in northern Sardinia, is the Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach). It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and gets its name from the color of the sand.

The sand gets its vibrant color from the coral, crystals, shells, and dead marine life that is washed to the shores from the Posidonia oceanica (Neptune grass) that lives in the Mediterranean Sea. Once on shore Mother nature takes over and breaks down what the sea offers, and the result is a beautiful pink color. Italian film director, Michelangelo Antonioni, used this island paradise for his 1964 film Deserto Rosso (Red Desert).

Do not make any travel plans to Budelli island in hopes of laying on the pink sand, because it is off limits. There was a surge in tourism that resulted in people taking the sand for a souvenir or to sell, which depleted the beautiful color of the beach. To help preserve the area and allow it to regain its brilliant hue the Italian government, made it illegal to set foot on the beach. You can admire the beauty of the Spiaggia Rosa from a distant.

Budelli island is one of four uninhabited islands within the Maddalena archipelago. The other three being Caprera, Razzoli and Spargi. The island does have a sole caretaker, Mauro Morandi, who watches over the area. You can join him and see all the beauty the island has to offer as he posts photos on Instagram and Facebook.