Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary

The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of only four areas in the world where Flamingos breed. Pekelmeer means “salt lake” in Dutch. Pools appear pink against the white salt flats because an abundance of tiny rosy brine shrimp live in the water. The Sanctuary is located on the vast salt pans at the southern end of the island and home to over ten thousand flamingos. Tourists are not allowed in the sanctuary, but the birds can be watched with binoculars from the road or nearby Pink Beach. The Caribbean flamingo is the most colorful of all species of flamingos, due mainly to the red carotenes in their diet. The refuge also attracts dozens of other species, including osprey, cormorants, heron, frigate birds, and other marine birds.