Sardinia’s Pink Beach 09/04/2021 – Posted in: Discover Sardinia – Tags: La maddalena pink beach, Mediterranean best beaches, Pink beach national park, Pink Beach Sardinia, Pink Sand Beach
Spiaggia Rosa: The Fading Beauty and Mauro Morandi’s Tale
Nestled within the captivating National Park of La Maddalena’s Archipelago lies a spectacle that beckons curious onlookers. A daily procession of boats forms a queue, each eager to capture the essence of a specific bay on an island renowned as “Spiaggia Rosa” or Pink Beach in Italian.
The distinct pink hue of this beach is owed to a microscopic organism known as Miniacina Miniacea, visible to the naked eye. These tiny, branched organisms thrive in the Mediterranean Sea, imparting their unique color to the beach’s sand. Found on the roots of seagrass just beyond the bay, when these organisms wash ashore, they mingle with the fine white sand, creating a mesmerizing effect.
Yet, the Pink Beach’s fame and charm have faced challenges over the years. In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, massive tour boats unloaded hordes of visitors daily, attracted by the beach’s on-screen fame (“Red Desert“, by Michelangelo Antonioni). Unfortunately, not everyone respected the environment, and souvenir hunters would snatch a piece of the precious pink sand.
By the late 90s, rampant sand theft led to the Pink Beach losing its natural color, undergoing a gradual bleaching process. In 1998, recognizing the urgent need for preservation, the National Park made the tough decision to close access to the beach, hoping nature would restore its former glory.
In the midst of this ecological drama, an unexpected guardian emerged – Mauro Morandi, also known as Mauro da Budelli. Fate led him to Budelli Island in 1989 when his boat broke down. Coincidentally, two days before the previous guardian resigned, Mauro found himself taking over the role and deciding to call the island home.
Living in a hut behind the Pink Beach, Mauro became the unofficial custodian of its precious sand. His unpaid duty began the day access to the bay was restricted. While the island faced a potential threat, Mauro’s presence was a reassuring constant.
However, the plot thickened in 2016 when the island was auctioned, shifting ownership to the National Park after thwarting a resort development plan. Mauro’s status as the guardian remained intact, though his age (now well over 80) prompted discussions about his continued role.
Today, Mauro Morandi stands as a living legend, having spent more than three decades on the island. He chronicled his solitary life in the book “La Poltrona di Ginepro,” and thanks to modern technology, enthusiasts can follow his unique story on Instagram.
In a somewhat unromantic turn of events, the National Park has expressed a desire to replace Mauro with surveillance cameras due to his advanced age. The fading pink sands of Spiaggia Rosa, once a vibrant spectacle, are now not only a testament to the impact of unchecked tourism but also to the evolving narrative of conservation in the face of changing times.
(2024 update)
Mauro has since relocated to La Maddalena island, and the National Park has enlisted new guards to take over his role, ensuring the continued protection of the beach. However, a notable drawback is that the assigned working hours exclusively span daylight, leaving the night shift unattended and vulnerable to potential oversight.
(2025 update)
Sadly, Mauro passed away on January 3rd at age 85. Although he started dying the day he was sent away from the Pink Beach, he was experiencing health problems due to diabetes.
