The 10 Clearest Waters in the World

 

How many times has it happened that you go to the sea or the lake in a place with excellent reviews and find out, with great disappointment, that the water is not as clear as you expected? It happened quite a lot, right? Too bad…

But why are some waters so clear and others not? This depends on many factors. One of them is that turbid waters are rich in sediment and organic material which is moved by the troubled waters until we cannot see what is on the bottom. In some parts of the world, there’s little or not at all rising to the surface of the water.

Regardless of the scientific reasons, clear and pure water is appreciated by anyone. And, if you are one of those who want to go to places where the water is crystal clear, here’s a list of the 10 clearest waters in the world and their exact location.

10. Maldives, Indian Ocean

The Maldives are made up of 1.192 crystalline islands distributed over about 90.000 square kilometers, which makes this area one of the most dispersed in the world. Apparently, this dispersion brings many benefits, since the population of about 340.000 people is well distributed on 192 islands, favoring the permanence of a clear and clean sea which attracts millions of tourists from all over the world every year.

9. Bodrum, Turkey

A district and port city in southwestern Turkey, Bodrum is famous for hosting the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders belonging to the ancient world. Another very interesting attraction is the Bodrum Castle, which overlooks the harbor and houses the Museum of Underwater Archeology. Bodrum has a clear sea and a coast full of numerous caves to explore. And, let’s not forget the amazing beaches, among which are the famous Akyalar and Gumbet.

8. Cala Macarelleta, Menorca, Spain

The bay of Macarella and Macarelleta is located in the southwest of Menorca and belongs to the natural area of ​​the Área Natural de Especial Interés. Specifically, Macarelleta is a dream cove with fine white sand and a sea like a pool of calm and turquoise water. The temperatures are pleasant all year round, so it is often possible to sunbathe even in winter.

7. Rio da Prata, Bonito, Brazil

Thanks to a high concentration of underground limestone which acts as a natural filter, the streams in this area are very transparent. The Rio da Prata has one of the clearest waters in the Bonito area and is the favorite place of many snorkelers: for example, you can admire the yellow-finned Piraputangas and the Golden Dorados.

6. Sabah, Malaysia

Sabah is one of the 13 member states of Malaysia and is the easternmost one. Near its coasts, there is a long series of islands and coral reefs, including the largest island in Malaysia, Pulau Banggi, which is the headquarters to many dives. The sea is clear and crystalline.

5. Algarve, Portugal

Apart from being an easily accessible destination for Europeans and a very cheap one, the sea ​​waters are crystal clear and there is a series of beaches and coves, mostly ignored by the main tourist guides.

4. Exuma, Bahamas

Each of the islands of Exuma (the largest is Great Exuma, about 60 km long) is surrounded by clear blue water. The color, clarity, and temperature (an average of 27 ° C all year round) of the water are truly exceptional. When the tide comes, the excitement increases and hidden white sandbanks show up. Also, water sports that are practiced here are very famous.

3. Zamami, Japan

Zamami has become a very popular tourist destination over the years thanks to its small size and clear and brilliant water. One of the busiest beaches is Furuzamami, where you can dive while admiring coral reefs and fish. Tourism has developed to such an extent that over 90% of the approximately 1.000 inhabitants work in this sector.

2. Lakes of Fusine, Tarvisio, Italy

This is a very quiet place, with two lakes of glacial origin, located about 1 km from the Italian-Slovenian border. Although the water is generally too cold for swimming, the two lakes attract thousands of tourists who want to admire the depths each year thanks to the extremely clear water. And, that’s why there are many rowboats available for rent. From there, you can follow the surrounding paths and climb up to have a breathtaking view of the Julian Alps.

1. Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador

The city of Puerto Ayora is located in the center of the Galápagos, on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island. With about 12.000 inhabitants, it is the most populous city on these islands and home to the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park. A few steps from the center of Puerto Ayora is Tortuga Bay, where you can admire marine iguanas, birds, typical Galápagos crabs, white sharks, and the famous giant tortoise. Needless to say, the sea is exceptional.