Al Suwih Oman's Stunning Pink Lake

Al Suwih, off the coast of Al Ashkharah, is one of Oman’s most unexpected and beautiful surprises. A pink lake that everyone will remember for the first vivid glace they get at it because, unlike Oman’s other lakes, this one doesn’t shimmer a beautiful turquoise or blue, but rather a stunning pink — as if someone had painted it into the landscape. It seems unreal that such a lake could exist, but the explanation of its colour is easily evident when you step into it, because unlike the soothing sand you might expect, you will find crunchy salt below the lake’s surface.

The lake’s unusual colour is not a constant. It may fade with the season and the salt concentration. Scientists studying it say that its vivid shade appears due to a particular type of algae found in the region and the high salt levels. But when you stand in front of it the logic of it falls away as youl witness a view unlike any other.

Getting to Al Suwih Lake is a bit of an adventure, as you have to get off the highway and make your way past small villages and open stretches of coastline until the signs—faded in the past—once again mark the path to the lake. It quietly sits just out of sight, waiting to surprise you.

We found the best time to visit is when the sun is high, especially on a day when the colours become more vivid and the contrast against the salty white crust around the edges is just breathtaking. However, the early morning light also makes for photos that seem almost otherworldly.

You can combine a visit to Al Suwih Lake with a stop at Suwih Fort, a traditional meal, and local cafés. It makes for a perfect day outing — a little bit of nature, a little bit of Oman.
Located in the wilayat of Jalan Bani Bu Ali, only a three-hour drive from Muscat, the lake is separated from the sea nearby by the main road that connects Ras Al Hadd and Al Ashkarah. While the colours may fade with the seasons, they usually make a comeback as the salinity rises again and the ecosystem regains its balance.