Pantai Merah, also known as Pink Beach, located on Indonesia's Komodo Island, has been recognized as the world's most beautiful beach for 2025 by the British travel company Explore Worldwide. This accolade places it above other notable beaches like Le Morne Beach in Mauritius and Boulders Beach in South Africa.
The beach's distinctive rosy hue is a natural phenomenon resulting from the mixture of crushed coral fragments and microscopic marine organisms called Foraminifera, which have red-pigmented shells. Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Komodo National Park, Pink Beach is also celebrated for its vibrant underwater ecosystem, offering excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving amidst rich coral reefs teeming with marine life. Komodo National Park is recognized as one of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots and is part of the Coral Triangle, known for its exceptional marine biodiversity. The optimal visiting period is between May and October, offering clearer skies and less rainfall.
The Indonesian government has identified Labuan Bajo, the gateway town to the park, as a key tourism destination. Visitor numbers to the area have quadrupled between 2019 and 2024, indicating a significant increase in appreciation for this unique locale. However, this surge in popularity presents challenges in balancing tourism with conservation efforts. Discussions regarding potential partial park closures in 2025 are underway to manage the impact of increased visitor numbers and to allow for ecosystem restoration.