We have said it many times: it is not necessary to travel to the ends of the Earth to witness unique natural spectacles. In this sense, Spain is well stocked with incredible alternatives that make up a squad worthy of envy. Taking this for granted, we will now talk about one of its most exclusive exponents, the Laguna Rosa de Torrevieja .
Get to know the Pink Lagoon of Torrevieja
This chromatic delirium, integrated into the Natural Park of the Lagunas de la Mata and Torrevieja , occupies more than 1,400 hectares in the heart of Vega Baja del Segura . The fluvial mass acquires its characteristic pink color due to the action of a bacterium that generates a pinkish pigment in certain extremely salty waters (in this case 350 grams per liter).
Regardless of its heritage value, there is its practical objective: it is the most productive salt lake in Europe. In fact, each year around 800,000 tons of salt are extracted for industrial purposes, which are eventually exported to the north of the continent and to the United States.
Salt is to blame
As we said, the salt is largely to blame for that particular Boomer tone, which reaches fuchsia in some regions of the lagoon.
The high concentration of salt favors the development of halobacteria and microalgae (reddish). These have carotenoid pigments, and are the main food of brine shrimp, a crustacean of minuscule proportions that… guess what, it’s also pink.
It should be noted that this phenomenon also occurs in other parts of the world . An example is found in Dusty Rose Lake, in Canada. We also have Lake Hillier, in Australia, and the pink lakes of Las Coloradas, Mexico.
Not suitable for bathing
Although the mere sight of its dreamlike waters invites you to dive into this pink universe, bathing is not allowed. If you take a look at social networks you will see that many people skip the ban, however, in order to maintain the quality of the ecosystem , the authorities beg visitors to avoid the temptation to bathe.
In addition, there are other security reasons. Let’s not forget that the extraction of salt is carried out through the use of agricultural machinery. Then the barges take care of picking it up. This production process puts the physical integrity of bathers at risk, so choose another place on the coast to cool off.
We will always have culture
Okay, you can’t take a bath, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day full of entertainment. After taking the first photos, you can take one of the many routes on foot or by bicycle that will be recommended to you at the Interpretation Center of the Natural Park . The main attraction is the sighting of flamingos and other wintering birds, such as ospreys or gray herons.
Likewise, you can also enjoy environmental awareness activities with your children, recycling workshops, and guided tours to learn more about the flora of the region (made up of more than 150 species cataloged to date). Learn more about each of them while you teach the smallest of the house the value of contact with nature.
What is the best time to visit the Pink Lagoon?
Without a doubt, at sunset is when the beauty of this humid landscape reverberates most. Especially in the hot months, the Lagoon is splendid, and its color is even more intense than during the winter season.
And you know, do not stop contemplating the Laguna Rosa de Torrevieja with your own eyes. A natural spectacle without competition just 50 kilometers from Alicante .
