Top 12 Places in the World With the Clearest Water

Top 12 Places in the World With the Clearest Water

For travellers who dream of diving into crystal-clear waters or capturing that perfect turquoise horizon, some destinations stand out for their exceptional clarity. From hidden lakes to famous beaches, these places offer water so transparent you can see straight to the bottom.

1. Maldives

Known for its stunning lagoons and coral reefs, the Maldives boasts some of the clearest waters on Earth. The turquoise shallows around islands like Maafushi and Dhigurah are perfect for snorkelling and spotting colourful marine life.

2. Lake Tahoe, USA

Straddling California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is famed for its deep blue colour and visibility that can reach up to 21 metres. Summer brings calm waters ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding.

3. Exuma, Bahamas

Exuma’s beaches and cays are surrounded by vibrant, clear waters where you can swim alongside pigs at Pig Beach or explore hidden sandbars.

4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora’s lagoon offers incredible clarity and shades of blue that look unreal. Overwater bungalows give guests direct access to the warm, transparent waters.

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5. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

This UNESCO World Heritage Site features a chain of terraced lakes connected by waterfalls. The emerald-green water is so clear you can spot fish from the walking trails above.

6. Crater Lake, USA

Formed by a collapsed volcano in Oregon, Crater Lake is the deepest in the United States. Its clarity is a result of being fed only by rain and snow, with no incoming streams.

7. Jiuzhaigou Valley, China

This scenic valley in Sichuan province is home to colourful lakes like Five Flower Lake, where the water is crystal clear, revealing submerged trees and rocks.

8. Isle of Pines, New Caledonia

Often called “the closest island to paradise,” the Isle of Pines features calm, transparent lagoons surrounded by white-sand beaches and tall pines.

9. Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Fed by glacial waters from the Southern Alps, Lake Pukaki has a striking milky-blue colour and exceptional clarity, with the backdrop of Mount Cook.

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10. To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

A natural swimming hole connected to the ocean by lava tubes, To Sua offers clear, turquoise water in a dramatic setting surrounded by lush gardens.

11. Devil’s Bay, British Virgin Islands

Accessible only by boat or a short hike, Devil’s Bay rewards visitors with calm, transparent waters framed by giant granite boulders.

12. Blue Lake, New Zealand

Holding the title of the clearest natural fresh water in the world, Blue Lake in Nelson Lakes National Park has visibility of up to 80 metres, rivalling distilled water in purity.