15 Places With the Clearest Water in the World

Based on the exact mix of sediments, minerals, and nutrients in the water, lakes, bays, oceans, and rivers range in color and clarity. And while crystal-clear blue water may be synonymous with luxurious tropical getaways—like the scenery you’ll find in places like the Maldives or Turks and Caicos—the truth is, there’s gorgeous glass-like water all over the world. Travel to Switzerland, and you’ll be stunned at how its rivers glimmer in the sunshine. Take a boat out on Lake Tahoe on a summer day and marvel at the limpid blue water. Plan a snorkeling trip down to Belize and you’ll never want to swim anywhere else.

Below, with the help of a few travel experts, we put together a list of 15 places with the clearest water in the world.

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos

According to Annie Jones, luxury travel advisor and owner of Telos Travel, Turks and Caicos—specifically, Grace Bay—is the type of destination you see on postcards in gift shops. “The most beautiful, clear, turquoise blue water with pristine white sand beaches is exactly what you’ll find in Grace Bay. Because the water stays relatively shallow, you can keep walking further out and never lose sight of your toes in the sand,” she says. Grace Bay is also, unsurprisingly, frequently named one of the best beaches in the world.

Ratua, Vanuatu

You might have to board a long-haul flight to Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific, but all those hours on a plane will be worth it once you see the shockingly blue hues of the ocean around the island of Ratua. “Sheltered by other nearby islands, the calm seas around Ratua Private Island Resort offer extraordinary clarity,” says Don Jones, senior vice president and general manager at Andrew Harper. “Early mornings are ideal for paddleboarding or kayaking, when it’s easy to spot the occasional sea turtle gliding through the aquamarine water. When the sun is higher, the island’s reef glows with color. If you snorkel a few feet off the beach, you’ll discover a rainbow of tropical fish, gently undulating sea anemones and pastel-hued corals.”

Prassa Beach, Kimolos, Greece

You won’t have a hard time finding clear blue water in Greece, but there’s one island in particular that stands out: Kimolos, home to Prassa Beach. Named by Florida Panhandle in 2023 as the beach with clearest water in the world, this slice of paradise is rustic (read: no luxurious lounge chairs)—but that’s part of its charm. Bring your towel, water, and plenty of sunscreen, and enjoy the brilliance of the pristine ocean views.

Roatán, Honduras

Scuba divers flock to the reefs around the island of Roatán, as they’re part of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest barrier reef system in the world—but you don’t have to strap on a bunch of diving equipment to enjoy the clear water. “With snorkeling available right off the beach, each swim is a new adventure, and you don’t need to be scuba-certified to enjoy the abundant marine life. With the incredible visibility, you can spot everything from sea turtles and colorful tropical fish among the coral, to sharks and bluefin tuna at the drop off,” says Annie Jones.

The Maldives

One of the best ways to enjoy clear blue waters is by staying in an overwater bungalow or oceanfront villa—and you’ll find quite a few of them in the Maldives. Mario Del Duca, managing director at Nuba, a luxury travel agency, suggests Velaa Private Island, where, he says, you’ll find a “dreamy setting with turquoise waters that feel surreal.”

“The clarity and calm of the lagoon make it ideal for snorkeling, diving, or soaking in the views from an overwater villa. The reef teems with marine life, from colorful reef fish and sea turtles to manta rays, making every swim feel like a private aquarium,” he explains.

Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada

“I think we sometimes forget that you don’t need to fly to the warm waters of the Caribbean to see clear blue waters,” says Annie Jones. “One of the most surprising clear water destinations is right out our back door in Lake Tahoe. While Lake Tahoe is going to be a bit more chilly to swim in, even in the summer, the views really can’t be beat.” In 2023, in fact, a report found that the lake’s waters are the clearest they’ve been in 40 years; this change in clarity was attributed to the lake’s native zooplankton that eat the particles in the water that make it cloudy.

Pine Cay, Turks and Caicos

When you wake up at Pine Cay, one of the best resorts in Turks and Caicos, you’ll look out upon some of the bluest, clearest water you’ve likely ever seen. Located on an 800-acre private island of the same name, Pine Cay is just a short ride from Providenciales—but you’ll feel like you’re in one of the most remote destinations in the world. Guests also have the option to embark on a daily catamaran trip to an offshore barrier reef for snorkeling.

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Iceland is a country that’s filled with natural beauty—and you’ll find a good chunk of it in Thingvellir National Park. “Dramatic fissures cut through the landscape in Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Hardy sorts can snorkel or scuba dive in the glacial meltwater that partially fills the Silfra fissure, where visibility extends some 300 feet,” says Don Jones, who adds that you might feel “unsettlingly exposed to the raw power of the earth here,” but it’s still a “perfectly safe” experience.

Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy

The Costa Smeralda in northern Sardinia is known for glitz, glam, and turquoise waters—hence the name, which translates to the “Emerald Coast.” To experience all that this part of Italy has to offer, Del Duca recommends staying at Hotel Cala di Volpe, an iconic retreat that has long drawn celebrities. “The water here dazzles with emerald and sapphire tones,” he says. “It’s the kind of place where you might charter a vintage Riva yacht to explore hidden coves, followed by a sunset aperitivo curated by an onboard private sommelier.”

Zurich, Switzerland

“I am always taken aback when I see the crystalline Limmat River,” says Don Jones. It starts at Lake Zurich and flows northwest to the Aare, and those visiting the city of Zurich should make a point to walk alongside it, admiring both the clear water and the architecture on the riverbank. “From a balcony of the Storchen Zürich hotel, in the heart of the city, you can see right to the river’s rocky bottom. Well over 400,000 people live in Zurich, but the Limmat may well be clearer now than when the area had nothing more than a few huts,” he adds.

Maundays Bay, Anguilla

The Caribbean has an impressive roster of beaches with clear, shallow waters, but Del Deca says Anguilla’s Maundays Bay is one of the best. “Often described as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Maundays Bay offers a serene crescent-shaped shoreline ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, or just floating,” he says. The bright blue water also provides a magnificent contrast against the white, domed Greco-Moorish villas of Cap Juluca, a resort he describes as “the epitome of tranquil luxury and barefoot elegance” and a place “where privacy is paramount and every sunset feels like your own private show.”

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Anyone with a taste for diving or snorkeling should be familiar with Ambergris Caye. Belize’s largest island, this is a destination that’s become popular for exploring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere) and seeing a range of wildlife—from turtles and stingrays to nurse sharks. Most travel guides will, rightfully so, tell you to head to Hol Chan Marine Reserve to witness the richest areas of the reef, but you should also take a day trip out to the Great Blue Hole if your schedule allows.

Raja Ampat, Indonesia

For what Del Duca calls a “truly once-in-a-lifetime experience,” board the Aqua Blu cruise ship to explore Raja Ampat, an archipelago off the northwest end of Bird’s Head Peninsula in West Papua. “The water here is otherworldly in its clarity and boasts ample marine life,” he says. Just aim to visit in the dry months, from December through February, when the water will be at its clearest.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Blue waters may surround the Bahamas, but a report from Florida Panhandle found that some of the clearest aquatic scenes can be found on Half Moon Cay. A private island owned by the Carnival Cruise brand, it’s only accessed via a Carnival or Holland America ship. Upon arrival, you can park yourself in one of the hammocks tied to palm trees or under a beach umbrella. There are also floats and snorkeling gear available to rent—if you really want to immerse yourself in the spectacular water—as well as kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis.

Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

While China’s Jiuzhaigou National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and World Biosphere Reserve, may be incredibly landlocked, it also boasts a lake with crystal-clear water of varying shades of blues and greens. Five-Flower Lake is arguably the park’s most well-known attraction, tempting travelers with its still waters that reflect the surrounding trees and showcase those trees that have fallen into the lake floor.