Zamboanga City in the Philippines is home to a special and rare beach – Great Santa Cruz Island. While white sand beaches are common in the Philippines, pink sand beaches like this one are very rare. Great Santa Cruz Island is one of only a few places in the world that has pink sand!
The pink color comes from tiny pieces of a special red coral called Organ-pipe coral. When the waves crash, the coral breaks apart and mixes with the white sand, creating a beautiful pink beach.
In March 2024, Travel+Leisure even listed Great Santa Cruz Island as one of the “11 Most Beautiful Pink-Sand Beaches in the World.”
To get there, visitors need to take a 15-minute boat ride. However, before going, they must get permission from the local tourism office. Since the island is a protected area, there are some important rules visitors must follow. For example, there is a strict no-plastic policy, meaning plastic bottles and snacks are not allowed. These items are taken away before visitors board the boat.
The fees for visiting the island are very affordable:
- Entrance fee: ₱20
- Environmental fee: ₱5
- Terminal fee: ₱5
You can also rent cottages or pavilions on the island for a nice rest. Prices range from ₱100 for a small cottage, ₱200 for a large cottage, and ₱500 for a pavilion.
The island is only open until 2 p.m. because it is a protected area, and there is a limit to how many people can visit each day. This helps keep the beach clean and safe for everyone.
While you’re there, you can also take a tour of the mangroves around the island. You’ll get to see interesting sea creatures like starfishes and learn fun facts about the mangrove. If you’re lucky, you might even get to pick and eat fresh seagrapes!
Great Santa Cruz Island is a must-see for anyone who loves beautiful, unique beaches and nature!
