The Most Beautiful and Cleanest Lakes in the World
The most stunning parts of nature are often those left untouched. Clear lakes are especially captivating, with their pristine waters inviting you to explore and admire them. Here’s a list of the 10 cleanest lakes in the world, including the beautiful Flathead Lake.
1. Blue Lake, New Zealand
Blue Lake, located in Nelson Lakes National Park, is recognized as the clearest lake in the world. Its water is so pure that you can see up to 80 meters deep, all the way to the lake bed. The lake holds cultural importance as well, being sacred to the local Māori people, which adds to its natural beauty.
2. Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal in Siberia is the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake, famous for its incredible clarity. The water is so clear that you can see stones and fish up to 40 meters deep. In winter, the lake’s ice is astonishingly transparent, creating stunning scenery.
3. Crater Lake, USA
Crater Lake in Oregon is known for its striking deep blue color and clear water. Formed in the crater of an ancient volcano, it’s the deepest lake in the United States. The water is so clear that you can see up to 30 meters down. The lake stays clean because it only gets water from rain and snow.
4. Flathead Lake, USA
Flathead Lake in Montana is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. It’s known for its crystal-clear water, with visibility up to 12 meters deep. The lake stays clean thanks to minimal human impact and a natural filtration system provided by the surrounding forests and wetlands.
5. Lake Tahoe, USA
Lake Tahoe, located on the California-Nevada border, is famous for its clear waters. With a depth of 501 meters and visibility of about 20 meters, it’s one of the cleanest lakes in North America. Ongoing efforts to preserve its clarity focus on controlling pollution and managing invasive species.
6. Lake Malawi, Malawi
Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, is known for its clear, warm waters and incredible biodiversity. It has more species of fish than any other lake in the world, many of which are found nowhere else. With visibility up to 20 meters, it’s a great spot for snorkeling and diving.
7. Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia
Lake Titicaca, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world. Its clear waters and beautiful alpine surroundings make it a special destination. With visibility up to 15 meters, the lake is not only known for its clarity but also for its cultural significance to the Inca civilization.
8. Lake Matheson, New Zealand
Lake Matheson, located near the Fox Glacier, is known for its stunning mirror-like reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. The lake’s dark brown waters, tinted by natural organic material, are remarkably clear, creating beautiful reflections and offering a picture-perfect setting.
9. Lake Annecy, France
Lake Annecy, located in the French Alps, is often called Europe’s cleanest lake. It features stunning turquoise waters with visibility up to 14 meters. The lake stays clean thanks to strict environmental regulations and ongoing efforts to prevent pollution.
10. Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand’s South Island is known for its dramatic scenery and clear waters. The lake has a unique seiche phenomenon, which makes its water level rise and fall. Its clarity and purity make it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
11. Melissani Lake, Greece
The Cave of Melissani on the island of Kefalonia is a memorable sight with its two distinct chambers. One is dark and filled with stalagmites, while the other is bright, thanks to a large opening to the surface. Although the caves and the underground Melissani Lake were discovered centuries ago, they only opened to the public in the early 1960s. Since then, many travelers have enjoyed rowing through its beautiful blue waters. For a relaxing stay, consider the Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa, located near a secluded beach oasis in southern Kefalonia.
12. Lake St. Clair, Tasmania, Australia
After swimming in the clear blue waters of Lake St. Clair, the deepest freshwater lake in Australia, explore the beautiful forests surrounding the 11-mile-long lake. Tasmania’s Lake St. Clair is a popular spot for hiking and bushwalking, with chances to see unique wildlife like wallabies, platypuses, quolls, and wombats. For a memorable stay, spend the night at Pumphouse Point, a remote retreat with just 18 rooms, blending perfectly into the wilderness.
13. Lake Natron, Tanzania
This salt lake is stunning to look at, but its extreme 120-degree temperatures and dangerously low pH levels mean you can only admire it from a distance. However, there’s a major benefit: the large amount of red algae attracts millions of flamingos, making it one of their key breeding spots.
14. Lake Kayangan, the Philippines
Lake Kayangan, known as the cleanest lake in Asia, is a popular tourist spot with its crystal-clear, emerald waters. The lake features impressive granite rock formations rising out of the deep water, making it a top photography location in the Philippines. Located on Coron Island, Lake Kayangan can only be reached by boat, and you’ll need to climb a steep set of steps for about ten minutes, but the view is definitely worth the effort.
15. Lake Eacham, Tropical North Queensland
Located in Crater Lakes National Park in Queensland, Lake Eacham is a volcanic crater lake formed by groundwater explosions. The lake, over 200 feet deep, is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. Its beauty makes it perfect for a walk around the nearly two-mile track that circles the calm, blue lake. While walking, you might spot local birds or small musky rat-kangaroos.
16. Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake, located about a four-hour drive south of Portland, is the deepest lake in the United States, with a depth of 1,949 feet. It’s also one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake’s clear, intense blue water comes from glacial runoff and rainfall.
17. Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Just a 40-minute drive south of Zurich, Lake Lucerne is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland, located at an elevation of 1,424 feet in the central part of the country. Surrounded by a beautiful fjord landscape, the lake enjoys a mild climate. In the warmer months, visitors can take a relaxing steamer cruise on its calm waters. The Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, established in 1873, is a luxurious wellness resort where you can enjoy spa treatments with views of the lake below.
18. Lake Saimaa, Finland
While countries like Italy and France are famous for their glamorous lakes, Finland has some stunning lakes you might not know about. Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake, is known for its incredibly clean water, tree-lined shores, and waterways dotted with around 14,000 small islands. The Kanava Resort, located by Lake Saimaa, offers summer canoe trips for visitors to explore the lake.
19. Sørvágsvatn, Faroe Islands
Lake Sørvágsvatn, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, looks like it’s floating high above the ocean, but this is just an optical illusion. In reality, the lake is in a deep depression about 90 feet above sea level. The steep cliff in front of the lake and the high camera angles create the illusion of it floating, showing just how unique the Faroe Islands are.
20. West Lake, China
West Lake and the Hangzhou area, known as the “West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou,” has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. This designation is due to its inspiration for poets, scholars, and artists since the 9th century. The freshwater lake spans about 2.5 square miles and features many beautiful temples, pagodas, and islands on its surface.
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