By Melissa Locker, Travel+Leisure
Sometimes
all it takes to re-center and refresh your mind and body is a good day
(or week—who are we to limit you) staring off into a tranquil blue sea.
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To help you find your inner peace, and catch a few waves and rays
while you’re at it, we’ve put together a list of some of the bluest
waters in the world. These lakes, seas, beaches, and bays have vistas
that range from brilliant navy blues to the lightest, clearest
turquoises imaginable. Needless to say, they are the perfect places to
re-connect with nature, family, and yourself.
Egremnoi, Greece
It’s
hard to find a spot on Lefkada Island that doesn’t have spectacular
views of the crystal clear Ionian Sea, but Egremnoi (or Egremni) beach
on the west coast is particularly stunning. The beach requires a steep
hike down some ersatz stairs, which thins the crowds, but once you’ve
made the descent, the white sand stands in stark contrast to the
turquoise water making it ideal for spending the day relaxing in the
sun.
Crater Lake, Oregon
The deep blue waters that fill the caldera of the sunken volcano Mount Mazama help make Crater Lake one of America’s most beautiful lakes.
The deep blue waters are almost crystal clear thanks to the fact that
there are no incoming streams or rivers to make the water turbid. All of
this makes it ideal for scuba divers willing to brave the chilly water.
Crater Lake, located in Southern Oregon, is also the deepest lake in
the United States, plunging to depths of 1,943 feet, with sunlight
extending 400 feet down.
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Con Son, Vietnam
Granite
cliffs outline the crystalline water on Con Son, the only inhabited
island in the barely populated 16-island archipelago of Con Dao, one of
the best secret islands on Earth.
Located 110 miles off Vietnam’s southeastern coast, the unspoiled
island’s beaches are lined with golden sand and gorgeous blue water. For
the most breathtaking views of the turquoise sea, head to the
remote Dam Tre Bay lagoon.
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Devil’s Bay, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Sometimes
it feels like the best views are the ones you have to work for, and it
does take some work to get to Devil’s Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British
Virgin Islands. After you scrabble through the gem-colored Baths,
you’ll emerge on the tiny, picture-perfect slice of white sand known as
Devil’s Bay. It’s worth the effort to get here just to snorkel in the
clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean or simply sit back and admire
the surroundings.
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Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Two hours from the industrial capital city of Zagreb lies a natural wonder—Plitvice Lakes National Park.
The woodsy park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since
1979, is dotted with 16 turquoise blue lakes that are a staggering
display of some of Mother Nature’s best work. A wooden walkway winds
through the parks upper and lower lakes giving visitors the chance to
wander alongside and even over the tops of crystalline waterfalls, while
boat tours give visitors a closer look at the deep blue waters.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
A
short boat ride from the largest barrier reef outside of Australia,
Belize’s Ambergris Caye is a scuba diver’s and snorkeler’s paradise.
Head to Shark Ray Alley to snorkel among nurse sharks and stingrays;
visit Hol Chan Marine Reserve to get up close with eels, turtles, and
colorful fish; or explore the underwater caves of Blue Hole. When you’re
not in the water, admire its warm glow from a hammock on the beach.
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Five-Flower Lake, Jiuzhaigou National Park, China
Spectacular
waterfalls tumble into the brilliantly blue lakes at this UNESCO World
Heritage Site in China’s Sichuan province. The park’s most famous
attraction is the crystalline Five-Flower Lake—the startling blue water
offers a window-like view to the bottom where fallen trees make a
lace-like pattern on the lake floor. The water is so still and clear it
mirrors the surrounding mountains and trees as well as the sky above.
Havelock Island, India
This
far-flung island paradise is part of the chain of Andaman Islands in
the Bay of Bengal. It’s not easy to reach, but it’s worth the trip for
anyone who craves snow white beaches, aquamarine waters, and snorkeling
far, far from any crowds. Havelock Island is a great getaway for a
tropical idyll that is completely off the grid. For true paradise among
the palm trees, head to the translucent turquoise waters of Radhanagar
Beach (Beach No.7) at sunset.
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Islas de Rosario, Colombia
Off
the coast of Cartagena lies a tiny chain of mostly-uninhabited islands
called the Islas de Rosario. The white sand beaches are lined with
mangroves and the brilliantly deep blue waters are home to the
Colombia’s largest coral reef, which is home to over a thousand
different tropical critters. Most hotels are located on Isla Grande and
can arrange to have a boat take you island hopping to explore the
wonders of this area
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Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada
This
lake in Banff National Park owes its brilliant blue hue to the icy
meltwater and silt from the Peyto Glacier and the Wapta Icefields. The
sapphire-blue lake is best viewed from the Bow Summit near Alberta’s
Lake Louise, which is where most of the postcard shots of the
gem-colored lake are taken. Intrepid visitors can also hike down to the
lake and to the glacier. You can always rest off sore muscles at Banff’s
natural hot springs.
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The Maldives
As one of the world’s best islands,
it’s no surprise that the Maldives are a favorite destination for
celebrities. You can find this low-lying island nation in between the
Indian and Arabian seas has luxuriously appointed bungalows set over
dazzling blue waters and surrounded by talcum-soft white sand
beaches—basically everything that bucket lists are made of. When not
simply admiring the view, visitors can spend days exploring the coral
reef, visiting an underwater playground, or relaxing in one of the world’s best spas.
Palawan, The Philippines
Although it’s just a quick flight from Manila, Palawan
feels like it’s a world away. The sparsely-populated archipelago is
made up of jungle-filled islands surrounded by stunning teal waters
teeming with fish and coral reefs and an incredible array of lagoons,
coves, and secret beaches. Explore the waters of El Nido, where tropical
fish swarm around the coral reefs, go diving in the azure ocean off of
Linapacan Island, or bravely swim through the world’s longest underground navigable river.
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To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
Known
colloquially as “The Big Hole,” this local swimming spot in the South
Pacific is a natural wonder. To enjoy the translucent teal water,
visitors must hike through a lush forest in the lava fields outside of
Lotofaga village on Upolu Island in Samoa. From there it’s a long climb
down a steep ladder—or for the bravest, a quick jump—into the hole that
is almost 100-feet deep. The water comes in from lava tubes that connect
to the ocean, making sure that this downright gorgeous swimming hole
never dries out.
