Pink Lake discovered in the UAE
A gorgeous lake, the colour of candy floss pink has been discovered in the UAE. With photos and videos of this Pink Lake in the UAE going viral on social media, there is a lot of curiosity surrounding where it’s located, how can you get there and why it’s pink! We’re going to answer all that for you in this post – so, read on.
ABOUT THE PINK LAKE IN THE UAE
The curiosity of a student led to the discovery of something exceptionally beautiful. Acting on hearsay, Ammar Al Farsi – a 19-year-old Emirati student of medicine in Sharjah, headed out in search of the Pink Lake in the UAE.
“I did not think twice. Armed with my camera and drone, I went to the lake alone, travelling about an hour and a half from my place,” says Farsi.
What he managed to capture after that, blew up on the internet with everyone just talking about the newly discovered lake in Ras Al Khaimah. But it’s not just the lake’s colour that makes it interesting.
According to Ammar Al Farsi, the lake appears to be natural, formed in a cavity that runs approximately 10 metres wide and 40 metres long. When taking the shots, Farsi says he could clearly see the salt layers beneath the surface of the lake.
WHERE IS THE UAE PINK LAKE LOCATION?
This Pink Lake in the UAE is located on the Saraya Island in the Al Rams area of Ras Al Khaimah. The lake is nestled in a natural cavity approximately 100 metres inland from the coast.
To get to the UAE Pink Lake location, you need to first reach Saraya Island, RAK. Use the location plus code: V2P7+HR Ras Al-Khaimah, Ras al Khaimah – United Arab Emirates for accurate directions to the island.
Reaching Saraya Island from Dubai International Airport can take around 1 hour and 20 minutes. The journey from Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi can take almost 2 hours. Those travelling from Sharjah SAIF Zone can reach Saraya Island in an hour via E311.
WHAT GIVES PINK LAKE IN RAS AL KHAIMAH ITS COLOUR?
For all those wondering why the Pink Lake is pink, Dr Saif Al Ghais – the director-general of the Environment Protection and Development Authority has some answers.
According to him, Pink Lake RAK may get its colour from the presence of red algae in the water. Like most living organisms, the red algae usually appears and reproduces in a particular season every year, which causes the change in the colour of the water.
Dr Al Ghais says there are more than 4,000 discovered species of such algae on the planet. The proliferation, often termed as blooming of the red algae is also known as the red tide phenomenon.
“The red tide phenomenon appears twice a year and has no negative impact on the marine environment,” says Dr Saif Al Ghais.
While the red tide may have caused the water of the lake to turn pink, the assumption is not conclusive.
“We need to take a sample from the lake water, and then analyse and study it in a scientific way to explain the colour change.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS PINK LAKE RAK THE ONLY PINK LAKE IN THE WORLD?
No, there are other pink lakes located across the globe. The most popular ones are the
- Lake Hillier in Australia
- Lake Macdonnell in Australia
- Lake Masazir in Azerbaijan
- Lake Retba in Senegal
HOW MANY PINK LAKES ARE THERE IN THE WORLD?
Other than Pink Lake, Ras Al Khaimah, there have been around 29 pink lakes discovered across the globe so far.
WHICH ARE THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE PINK LAKES?
The UAE being the latest addition, other countries with pink lakes include:
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Senegal
- Spain
- Canada
- Bolivia
- New Zealand
- Mexico
ARE PINK LAKES DANGEROUS?
So far, there have been no instances of pink water causing skin damage or any other harm to the people who swim in them. However, the type of bacteria (algae) that gives the lake its colour comes in over 4,000 different forms and not all of them may be safe.
That’s all we have for you for now. We’ll be bringing you more on this beautiful natural phenomenon as further discoveries are made about the lake and its safety for people. Till then stay tuned.
The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is a wonderful escape for any nature and adventure aficionados out there. Whether you’re into nature hikes, kayaking or camping – you’ll find plenty of things to do in Ras Al Khaimah.
If you’re looking for beautiful natural escapes in the UAE, you might want to explore the Shawka Pools in Wadi Shawka, Ras Al Khaimah. Maybe you want to combine nature with adventure? If your answer is a big yes, then Jebel Jais is the place for you, offering an excellent mix of thrill and easygoing outdoor fun.
Outside of Ras Al Khaimah, you can also explore the wadis in Fujairah, which offer breathtaking views and mesmerising experiences of nature. Looking for natural beauty in Dubai? Check out the stunning Swan Lake in Hatta.
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