Top 11 Stunning Lakes with Crystal Clear Blue Water

Few landscapes foster calm like clear, cerulean waters, and you don’t have to head to the coast to enjoy Mother Nature’s bright blue eye candy.

Lakes around the world shimmer in all shades of blue, from turquoise alpine fresh water to jewel-hued waters that double as mirrors for the forests that flank them. Many of the world’s bluest lakes can thank minimal amounts of algae and other substances for their eye-popping colors, according to LakeScientist.com.

Whether you’re admiring the colors from the shore or jumping in head first, here are 11 of the world’s bluest lakes to add to your travel list.

01. Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

Towering mountains, alpine valleys, and turquoise water so perfect it looks dyed — these are among the many draws of Lake Pukaki. According to the Christchurch, New Zealand, tourism board, Lake Pukaki brims with silt particles, known as glacial flour, which remain suspended in the water. This silt absorbs purple and indigo wavelengths, and the water absorbs red, orange, and yellow, leaving the dazzling blue-green water that allures hikers, bikers, and lakeside strollers.

02. Lake Malawi, Malawi

Lake Malawi is one of the world’s most biodiverse lakes, featuring over 1,000 known fish species, with many yet to be discovered. These animals, largely cichlids, inhabit pristine cerulean surroundings. Moreover, Lake Malawi is meromictic, meaning its water layers don’t mix, allowing the sediment to remain on the bottom while the crystal-clear top shines all tints of blue. Tiny islands, like the private Mumbo Island, dot the water body, promising tropical vibes along with on-site snorkeling and scuba diving.

03. Crater Lake, Oregon

America’s deepest lake is perhaps its most enchanting. Crater Lake, with a depth of 1,943 feet, is so impressive, the government built Oregon’s only national park around it. This body of water, carved by a volcanic eruption, rests alongside the snow-flecked Cascade Mountain range. A deep, blue shade is its signature attraction, coming from snow and rain, as it has no inlets from other water bodies. Consequently, it stands among the world’s cleanest lakes, with designated spots for swimming — if you’re brave enough to endure the chilly temperatures (it’s 60 degrees Fahrenheit at its warmest in summer).

04. Lake Baikal, Russia

If you think Crater Lake’s deep, turn your attention to Lake Baikal in Russia, which reaches depths exceeding 5,300 feet. This wild and wondrous body of water is packed with superlatives: It spans nearly 400 miles, features 27 islands, and hosts 1,500 animal species, including the nerpa, the world’s only freshwater seal, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Furthermore, Lake Baikal — the most voluminous freshwater lake on the planet — provides a stunning display of varying hues of blue. It changes from navy to cobalt to teal depending on the season, sky, and blooms within the water.

05. Lake Tahoe, California

Many lakes earn their cyan shades from the clarity of the water; in Lake Tahoe, the intense jewel tone results from the water’s algae, according to research from the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. Sediment dictates the water’s clarity, while algae concentration controls the color. Moreover, the cobalt lake is cleaner than it has been in decades, thanks to a massive effort by the nonprofit Clean Up the Lake, whose divers recently completed a lake cleanup, removing nearly 25,000 pounds of litter.

06. Lake McKenzie, Australia

Queensland’s Lake McKenzie, located in Great Sandy National Park, is a classic for summertime swims, but it also boasts several superlatives, starting with its pure silica sand. The paper-white sand enhances the lake’s azure tone. The lake, no more than 20 feet deep, is ideal for snorkeling, paddling, and swimming — particularly given the water temperature hovers around 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

07. Torch Lake, Michigan

Michigan’s longest inland lake is also one of its most attractive. Travelers flock to the 19-mile-long Torch Lake for its renowned jewel-toned waters and lounge-ready sandbars. The lake, located roughly 45 minutes from Traverse City, is separated from Lake Michigan by a quarter-mile-wide sliver of land. It is a popular destination for boaters, sunbathers, and beachcombers; it is also an ideal getaway for houseboat trips.

08. Moraine Lake, Canada

Bookended by striated peaks and emerald pines, Moraine Lake is one of Canada’s most breathtaking bodies of water. Add the mirror-still turquoise water, and this Banff National Park escape seems almost too good to be true. June to October is the best time to visit; the lake, at 6,183 feet high, remains frozen over the rest of the year, according to The Banff Blog. You can access this beloved water body via a park-and-ride shuttle, private guide, hike, or bike.

09. Gokyo Lakes, Nepal

Peaks aren’t the only jaw-dropping wonder in the Everest region. Gokyo Lakes, a series of six emerald water bodies, lie beneath the sawtooth summits of the Himalayas, creating a high-elevation scene that overwhelms with awe. The lakes, located in Nepal’s Sagarmatha National Park, sit at elevations ranging from 15,400 to 16,400 feet. This is the world’s highest freshwater lake system, reachable via trek or flight.

10. Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled is Slovenia’s most popular tourist attraction — and for good reason. The deep, blue water surrounding Bled Island, along with its signature Church of the Mother of God, creates a scene that resembles a fairy tale. Local legend suggests fairies built this enchanting lake; while science dates its origins back to the Ice Age, it’s hard to dispute the water’s magic. Beyond its color and stillness, the lake delights with warm summer temperatures — nearly 79 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Trafalgar. Furthermore, Slovenians have banned motorboats here, which means the lake provides another rare delight: tranquility.

11. Lake Pehoé, Chile

From serrated mountaintops to deep fjords to vast glaciers, Patagonia offers stunning landscapes — and Lake Pehoé in the famous Torres del Paine National Park is no exception. This sapphire stretch of freshwater provides a breathtaking mirror image of the spiky Cuernos del Paine peaks towering above it. In addition to its pristine glacial waters, the lake is an excellent spot to watch for guanaco (a relative of the llama) and, if you’re exceptionally lucky, Patagonia’s elusive puma.