About this tour
Santa Cruz Island off Zamboanga City has one of the world's few natural pink sand beaches — the color comes from crushed fragments of red Foraminifera coral mixed with white sand. The lagoon inside the island is a protected marine area with excellent snorkeling.
The tour is well-organized: the Zamboanga City Tourism Office issues permits (included in your tour fee), and a police escort accompanies all tourist visits to the island — standard procedure for the area and completely safe for tourists. The crossing by outrigger takes 15 minutes. The beach is stunning, the lagoon snorkeling is excellent, and you will almost certainly have it to yourself.
Highlights
- ✓Pink sand from crushed red Foraminifera coral
- ✓Lagoon snorkeling in a protected marine area
- ✓Permit and police escort arranged for you
- ✓Almost no other tourists
- ✓Short boat crossing from Zamboanga city center
What's included
- ✓Outrigger boat
- ✓Island permit
- ✓Police escort fee
- ✓Snorkel gear
- ✓Guide
Frequently asked questions
Is Zamboanga safe for tourists?
The city center and tourist areas are safe. The Santa Cruz Island tour is escorted by police as standard procedure — follow your guide's instructions and enjoy the beach.
Why is the sand pink?
Tiny single-celled organisms called Foraminifera have red shells. When they die, their shells accumulate on the beach and crush into pink-tinted sand over time.
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