Harbour Island's pink sand beach stretches over three miles, runs north and south, and faces the blue water of the Atlantic Ocean. The sand gets its pink color from tiny microscopic shelled animals known as Foraminifera. These animals have a bright pink or red shell and they live on the underside of the reef that sits just off shore from Harbour Island. They are washed up on shore and over time have given the beach its famous pink hue.
Warm clear water provides excellent diving, fishing and boating while the outlying reefs provide safe swimming and snorkeling. Many of the seaside resorts offer dining and beach side amenities like horseback riding, lounge chairs and a few watersports options.