13 Places With the Clearest Water in the World (2024)

To help you find inner peace, and maybe catch a few waves and rays while you're at it, we've put together a list of some of the clearest waters in the world. These lakes, seas, and bays range in hue from light turquoise to deep navy. Some you can swim in and others are protected to ensure they remain clear and free of pollutants. Whether you prefer to take a dip or are content to enjoy the views from the side, each of these places can help you reconnect with the magnificence of nature.

Egremnoi, Greece

It's hard to find a beach on Lefkada Island that doesn't have spectacular views of the crystal-clear Ionian Sea, but Egremnoi (or Egremni) on the west coast is particularly stunning. Reaching the sand requires a steep hike down a long set of stairs, but you'll enjoy the view the whole way down. You will have to climb back up eventually, but it's worth it to spend all day swimming in the turquoise waters and sunning on the sugar-white sand.

Crater Lake, Oregon

The deep blue waters that fill the caldera of the sunken volcano Mount Mazama make Crater Lake one of America's most beautiful lakes. There are no incoming streams or rivers to interfere with the clarity of the lake, the deepest in all of the United States at 1,943 feet. Visit this national park in Oregon to walk along the Rim Trail, where you'll be able to appreciate the natural wonder, but know that swimming is allowed only at the access point on the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which opens in late June.

Blue Lagoon, Portland, Jamaica

Many legends have surrounded this enigmatic lagoon in Jamaica, from tall tales of resident dragons to rumors that it is bottomless —although its depth of about 200 feet has been confirmed. Still, all agree it is one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica because it boasts some of the clearest water in the world. The lagoon, just east of Port Antonio, is a perfect place to explore and recharge. The water's color can range in shade from turquoise to royal blue depending on the time of day, and the lake is fed by a mix of underground freshwater springs and saltwater from the Caribbean Sea.

The road to the Blue Lagoon has been closed since 2022 while work is underway to upgrade facilities to meet increasing tourist demand.

Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Sometimes it feels like the best views are the ones you have to work for, and it does take some work to get to Devil's Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. After you scrabble through the gem-colored Baths, a scenic point where large boulders form picturesque caves, you'll emerge on the tiny, picture-perfect slice of white sand known as Devil's Bay. Pack your snorkel and enjoy the clear turquoise Caribbean waters.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

A two-hour drive from the industrial capital city of Zagreb lies a natural wonder in the middle of Croatia— Plitvice Lakes National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, this forest is covered with 16 turquoise blue lakes and the innumerable waterfalls that connect them. A wooden walkway winds through the park's upper and lower lakes giving visitors the chance to wander alongside and even over the tops of crystalline lakes and waterfalls. Swimming is not allowed in the lakes, but with the beaches of the Dalmatian Coast not too far away, you should still pack your swimsuit.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

A short boat ride from the largest barrier reef outside of Australia, Belize's Ambergris Caye is a scuba diver's and snorkeler's paradise. Head to Shark Ray Alley to snorkel among nurse sharks and stingrays; visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve to get up close with eels, turtles, and colorful fish; or explore the underwater caves of Blue Hole. You will also find some of the world's top resorts on the Caye, where you can book an overwater bungalow and start every day with a dip.

Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

Spectacular waterfalls tumble into the brilliantly blue lakes at this UNESCO World Heritage Site in China's Sichuan province. The park's most famous attraction is the Five-Flower Lake — the startlingly blue water offers a window-like view to the bottom where fallen trees make a lace pattern on the lake floor. The water is so still and clear it mirrors the surrounding mountains and trees as well as the sky above.

Swaraj Dweep, India

This far-flung island paradise is part of the chain of Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It's not easy to reach, but it's worth the trip for anyone who craves sugar-white beaches, aquamarine waters, and snorkeling far, far from the big tourist crowds. Swaraj Dweep, formerly known as Havelock Island, is a great getaway for a tropical idyll that is completely off the grid. For true paradise among the palm trees, head to the translucent turquoise waters of Radhanagar Beach at sunset.

Islas de Rosario, Colombia

Off the coast of Cartagena lies a tiny chain of mostly uninhabited islands called the Islas de Rosario. The white-sand beaches are lined with mangroves and the brilliantly deep-blue waters are home to Colombia's largest coral reef. Most hotels are located on Isla Grande and can arrange to have a boat take you island hopping to explore the wonders of this area and enjoy the clear waters to the fullest.

Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada

This lake in Banff National Park owes its brilliant hue to the icy meltwater and silt from the Peyto Glacier and the Wapta Icefields. The sky-blue lake is best viewed from the Bow Summit near Alberta's Lake Louise, which is where most of the postcard shots of the gem-colored lake are taken. Intrepid visitors can also hike down to the lake and the glacier and restore their sore muscles at Banff's natural hot springs.

The Maldives

With some of the world's best islands, it's no surprise that the Maldives is a favorite destination for travelers who want to be surrounded by the clearest water in the world. This island nation, located between the Indian and Arabian seas, is known for luxuriously appointed resorts with bungalows set over dazzling blue waters with talcum-soft white-sand beaches. Visitors can spend their days exploring the coral reef, visiting an underwater playground, or relaxing in one of the world's best spas.

Palawan, The Philippines

Although it's just a quick flight from Manila, Palawan feels a world away. The sparsely populated archipelago is made up of jungle-filled islands surrounded by stunning teal waters and offering an array of lagoons, coves, and secret beaches. Explore the waters of El Nido, where tropical fish swarm around the coral reefs, go diving in the azure ocean off Linapacan Island, or bravely swim through one of the world's longest underground rivers.

To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

Also known as the "Giant Swimming Hole," this place in the South Pacific is a natural wonder. To enjoy the translucent teal water, visitors must hike through a lush forest in the lava fields outside of Lotofa*ga village on Upolu Island in Samoa. From there it's a long climb down a steep ladder — or for the bravest, a quick jump — into the hole, which is almost 100 feet deep. The water comes from lava tubes that connect it to the ocean, so this gorgeous local swimmingspot never dries out.