Lake Hillier Is Bubblegum Pink

Tucked away on an isolated island off the coast of Western Australia lies a remarkable natural wonder that looks like it belongs in a fantasy world. The water (Review) of Lake Hillier is a vibrant, solid bubblegum pink, creating a stunning contrast with the surrounding dark green eucalyptus forest and the deep blue of the Southern Ocean. This surreal landscape is not a trick of the light or the result of sediment; it's the product of a unique and resilient ecosystem thriving in the lake's hypersaline water, which is nearly ten times saltier than the ocean.

The incredible hue is created by a cocktail of microorganisms. A specific type of salt-loving micro-algae, Dunaliella salina, produces protective carotenoid pigments—much like the beta-carotene that gives carrots their orange color—to cope with the intense salinity and sunlight. It is joined by vast quantities of pink halobacteria and other extremophiles, whose own reddish pigments contribute to the overall effect. Unlike many other pink lakes whose color can fade with changing conditions, the microorganisms in Lake Hillier are present in such high concentrations that the water remains distinctly pink year-round, even when collected in a bottle, a phenomenon first recorded by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1802.