Lake Hillier is located on the edge of Recherche Archipelago’s largest island in Australia. Scientists are unsure why its waters retain their rose pink color but believe it may be from a dye created by the organisms living in the lake – Dunaliella salina and Halobacteria.  Another theory proposes that the pink color might be  attributed to the presence of red halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts.  What they do know is that the bright pink waters are no illusion.

It is estimated that Lake Hillier was first discovered in 1802, when a team of explorers reached the region. The lake is about 650 yards long (600 meters) and is separated from the Southern Ocean by a narrow strip of sand dunes covered with vegetation. The waters are indeed safe to swim in.