Are you dreaming of escaping to a sun-drenched destination that boasts some of the world’s clearest, most alluring waters on Earth? These spots are sure to fit the bill and then some, offering picture-perfect backdrops of crystal-clear water. From dreamy beach destinations in the Caribbean to remote tropical islands and a faraway getaway in Egypt, pack your camera and head to these top places to find the most transparent water in the world.
The Exumas, Bahamas
The Exumas comprise over 365 islands or cays, and remarkably clear waters surround every one of them. The water’s clarity, color, clarity, and warmth make it heavenly to swim in. When the tide recedes to reveal hidden, white sandbars, it offers the chance, at least temporarily, to claim your private island. One of the best destinations in the Bahamas, on Big Major Cay, you can view quite an unforgettable sight: a group of tame pigs and their piglets that live freely in the area and often swim right out to greet boats and their passengers in the hopes of scoring a treat. The swimming pigs have become one of the most popular attractions in the remote Exumas, and they’re adorable lounging on the beach, soaking up the Bahamian sun and treading through the clear azure waters.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are located between Hawaii and New Zealand in the South Pacific. Scattered across the sea, these shimmering jewels boast rare beauty and an idyllic climate that makes for the ultimate island paradise. This beautiful Pacific Island destination is one of the world’s smallest nations, made up of just 15 small islands, but each one is surrounded by some of the most stunning crystal clear waters in the world. Photos can’t truly capture just how striking Aitutaki is, with its famous lagoon filled with remarkably clear, warm turquoise-hued waters, renowned as one of the best spots for snorkeling on the planet. It’s also a wonderful place to swim, dive, and kayak. And inside that lagoon is One Foot Island, home to a beach that’s been voted the best in the Pacific Ocean.
Maldives
This chain of some 1,200 tiny islands and coral atolls in the Indian Ocean is ideal for seclusion, with strikingly white sandy beaches along with an incredible underwater world unlike anywhere else on Earth. The crystal clear, warm waters make spending your days snorkeling over coral reefs and gazing at the multitude of marine life that includes thousands of species of fish, turtles, whales, and dolphins, some of the best you’re likely to enjoy in your entire life. Of course, you don’t have to jump in. You could indulge in lounging on the soft sands and take in the extraordinary, luminous cyan-blue waters from one of the luxury resorts with a refreshing tropical drink in hand.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Whether you’re looking for exciting activities, relaxation, or a little of both, Koh Lanta, which lies in the Andaman Sea to the west of the Thai mainland, is sure to fit the bill. It offers several fabulous beaches with remarkably clear water, attracting divers and snorkelers worldwide. Popular dive spots boast outstanding visibility, brilliantly ornate coral reefs, colorful fish, and even hidden underwater caves. Turtles, octopuses, barracuda, clownfish, and even giant morays are just a few marine creatures you might encounter. On land, head to Koh Lanta National Park on the southern tip of the island, where you can walk through the jungle and meet up with resident monkeys.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands comprises a collection of smaller islands, each with its unique topography and island vibe, including Virgin Gorda. This third-largest island is famous for “The Baths,” a unique natural wonder on the island’s southwest coast. The area is unlike anything else in the Caribbean, with white sandy beaches framed by gigantic granite boulders. The pools and grottoes created by these ginormous boulders, along with remarkably clear waters, make it the most photogenic spot in the region. By following the rocky trail to the caves on the south side of Devil’s Bay, snorkelers can view cup corals and multi-colored sponges in reasonably shallow depths of 12 to 15 feet.
Lake Pukaki, South Island, New Zealand
Lake Pukaki is the largest of the three almost parallel alpine lakes found on the South Island of New Zealand. The waters are other-worldly shades of blue, so much that when you first see the lake, you might think it was computer-generated and simply plopped right onto the landscape. Not surprisingly, it’s been used as a backdrop for scenes in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” film trilogy. But it didn’t take special effects to create these unearthly blue lake. Its hue is derived from glacial flour, which is a fine silt of pulverized rock suspended in the water that reflects blue light and gives the lake its luminous appearance.
Marsa Matrouh, Egypt
Located about 180 miles west of Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh is famous for its picture-postcard beaches of soft white sands that sit at the edge of crystal-clear water. Protected from the high seas by a series of rocks forming a natural wave breaker, surreal Agiba beach is sure to leave you speechless. A true slice of paradise, this is one of the most unspoiled beaches in the world. The roughly 132-foot stretch of pristine sands is sandwiched between the cliffs, and by climbing up you can enjoy jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean, contrasted against the striking white shores. Of course, you won’t want to miss taking a dip in the irresistibly vivid, turquoise waters either. Nearby, there is a lot to explore, including the drowned city of Julius Caesar, the ruins of the Temple of the King, Pharaoh Rameses II, and Rommel’s Hideout: a cave hewn from the rock where Rommel drew up plans of his military operations which has been converted into a military museum.
Cala Macarelleta, Minorca, Spain
One of five islands that make up the Balearic Islands, Minorca may be small and not as well known as the others, but it’s scattered with more breathtaking beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza combined. The rolling landscape boasts cozy, secluded coves and some of the clearest waters you’ve ever seen, along with beaches like Cala Macarelleta, one of the least populated stretches of sand in all of Spain. This stunning beach on the southwest coast is covered with fine, white sands and the sea is a calm pool of clear, azure waters. Sheltered by hills covered in pine trees and oaks, it is often warm enough to sunbathe, even in winter. Getting here requires a trip over a rough, narrow road, or a boat, but outside of the peak summer months, once you reach the island, you’ll be able to enjoy it practically all to yourself.
Los Roques National Park, Venezuela
Los Roques National Park, created in 1972 to protect a marine ecosystem of exceptional natural beauty and ecological value, is dominated by coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Made up of more than 350 islands, no matter which one you choose to visit, you’ll be blinded with white sands spread across exceptionally stunning beaches and clear, shallow waters filled with a wealth of marine life. The coral reef is home to some of the most magnificent underwater fauna and flora in the Caribbean. The entire region is an enormous playground for water enthusiasts, including snorkelers, divers, fishermen, and anyone who just wants to enjoy splashing around.
Rio da Prata, Bonito, Brazil
As the high concentration of underground limestone acts as a natural filter, the rivers that surround Bonito, Brazil are nearly transparent. This area is a treasure trove of natural wonders, with its many alluring caves, magnificent waterfalls, and lagoons, along with the crystal clear rivers like Rio da Prata, one of the clearest of all, which allows snorkelers to easily spot the glistening scales of golden Dorados and yellow-finned that swim by. In addition to snorkeling, the region offers the chance to enjoy scenic hikes, outstanding bird watching, rappelling, rafting, and even diving in the caves and lagoons.
