Bermuda Beaches

Bermuda is famous for its turquoise waters and miles of pink sand beaches. What makes the sand that lovely color? Don't be hoodwinked into thinking it is ground up bits of coral, as many folks will try to tell you (including concierge at the Southampton Princess, who should know better). The distinctive color of Bermuda's sand is single-celled animal called a foram, which grows in profusion on the underside of rocks. These animals have bright red skeletons, which when the foram dies, are eroded by the waves and mixed with the other matter that makes up Bermuda's sand (clam shells, snail shells, and coral -- which are all white) to give the sand a pinkish hue.

Many visitors are surprised that all the sand they see isn't the famous pink color. In fact, much of it isn't. You'll see patches with more red particles here and there (we've found Warwick Long Bay to have the most consistent supply). But instead of mourning the lack of pink, we recommend that you enjoy what is consistent about Bermuda's sand -- a wonderfully fine, smooth and silky texture, that is almost like walking through powdered sugar.

Site Directory: