15 Places With the Clearest Water in the World

To help you find some inner peace, and maybe catch a few waves and rays while you’re at it, we’ve put together a list of places with the clearest water in the world. These lakes, seas, and bays range from light turquoise to deep navy — some you can swim in, while others are protected to ensure they remain clear and free of pollutants so future generations can enjoy them, too. Whether you prefer to take a dip or are content to enjoy the view from afar, each of these beaches will certainly help you reconnect with the magnificence of nature.

• Best tourist destination: Ambergris Caye, Belize
• Underrated hidden gem: Palawan, The Philippines
• Best for families: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
• Best for couples: The Maldives
• Best for solo travelers: Egremni Beach, Lefkada, Greece

Read on to see our full list of recommendations.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

A short boat ride from the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere, Ambergris Caye in Belize 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 the Great Blue Hole. You’ll also find some of the world’s top resorts here, like Six Senses Belize, set to open in 2025, where you can book an overwater bungalow and start each day with a dip.

Palawan, The Philippines

Although it’s only a quick hour-long flight from Manila, Palawan feels worlds away. The sparsely populated Philippines archipelago is made up of jungle-filled islands surrounded by stunning teal waters, complete with 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 at Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Just 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, the forest is home to 16 turquoise blue lakes and the innumerable waterfalls that connect them. A wooden walkway winds through the park’s upper and lower lakes, allowing visitors to wander alongside and over the tops of these crystalline waterways and falls. Swimming is not permitted, but with some of the best beaches in Croatia just a few hours’ drive away, you should still pack your swimsuit.

The Maldives

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, alongside talcum-soft white-sand beaches. Visitors can spend their days exploring the coral reef, visiting an underwater playground, or relaxing in a luxurious spa, like the one at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Egremni Beach, Lefkada, Greece

It’s hard to find a beach on the island of Lefkada that does not have spectacular views of the crystal-clear Ionian Sea. But Egremni (also called Egremnoi) Beach, located on Greece’s west coast about a five-hour drive from Athens, is particularly stunning. Reaching the sand requires a boat ride or a steep hike down about 300 stairs if you make the drive, but you’ll enjoy the view the whole way down. While you will have to climb back up eventually, it’s worth the effort to spend all day swimming in the turquoise waters and sunning on the sugar-white sands — just remember to bring along your best pair of swim goggles.

Crater Lake, Oregon

The deep blue waters that fill the caldera of the sunken Mount Mazama volcano are what make Crater Lake one of America’s most beautiful lakes. There are no incoming streams or rivers to interfere with the clarity of the water. With an average depth of 1,943 feet, it’s the deepest lake in the U.S. Visit this national park in Oregon to walk along the Rim Trail, where you’ll be able to see and appreciate the natural wonder in all its glory. Keep in mind that swimming is only allowed seasonally at the access point along the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which typically opens in late June.

Blue Lagoon, Portland, Jamaica

The Blue Lagoon, located about a 15-minute drive east of Port Antonio in Jamaica, is a perfect place to explore and recharge. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Jamaica with some of the clearest water in the world. Its color ranges from turquoise to royal blue depending on the time of day, as the lake itself is fed by a mix of underground freshwater springs and saltwater from the Caribbean Sea. Many legends have surrounded this enigmatic body of water, from tall tales of resident dragons to rumors that it is bottomless, although its depth of roughly 200 feet has been confirmed.

Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Sometimes it feels like the best views are the ones you have to earn — and it does take some work to reach Devil’s Bay National Park on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. After scrambling 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 spend some time relishing the clear turquoise Caribbean waters.

Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

Spectacular waterfalls tumble into the brilliantly blue lakes at Jiuzhaigou National Park, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site in China’s Sichuan province. Its most famous attraction is Five-Flower Lake. Here, 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 that 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 Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, home to some of the best beaches in India. It’s not easy to reach, but is worth the trip for anyone who craves sugar-white beaches, aquamarine waters, and snorkeling far, far away 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 del Rosario, Colombia

Off the coast of Cartagena lies a tiny archipelago known as Islas del Rosario, or, the Rosario Islands. The white-sand beaches here are lined with mangroves, while the brilliantly deep-blue waters are home to one of Colombia’s largest coral reef systems. Most hotels are located on Isla Grande and can arrange a boat to take you island hopping so you can 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, accessible via a 3.94-mile hike, where most postcard-worthy shots of the gem-colored water are taken. Intrepid visitors can also hike to the lake, check out the glacier, and restore sore muscles with a relaxing soak at nearby Banff Upper Hot Springs.

To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

Known as the “Giant Swimming Hole,” the To Sua Ocean Trench in Samoa is one of the South Pacific’s best natural wonders. To enjoy the translucent teal water, visitors must first hike through a lush forest, set in the lava fields outside Lotofaga village on Upolu Island. From there, it’s a long climb down a steep ladder — or for the bravest, a quick jump — into the hole, which is nearly 100 feet deep. The water comes from lava tubes that connect it to the ocean, so this gorgeous local swimming spot never dries out.

Prassa Beach, Kimolos, Greece

On the tiny Greek Island of Kimolos, Prassa Beach is best known for its clear water and white sand, often attributed by locals to the island’s history as a chalk mine. The 820-foot stretch of sand can be reached via an hourlong ferry ride from the adjacent Cycladic Island of Milos, followed by a short drive from the main dock on Kimolos. Near the cement pier on the southern end of the beach, you’ll find hot thermal waters, while the northern side, also called Agios Georgios Beach, is where you’ll get the best views of the Aegean Sea.

Schoolhouse Beach, Washington Island, Wisconsin

According to a 2023 survey, the clearest water in the U.S. can be found at Schoolhouse Beach, located on Washington Island in Wisconsin. Part of scenic Door County in the northern part of the state, Schoolhouse Beach once served as the island’s original shipping port. Today, it’s known for its rocky limestone shoreline and Washington Harbor views. The beach is a popular swimming spot during the warmer months and makes a pretty place for a waterfront picnic any time of year.