Beautiful Colored Lakes

 Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Translating to “Red Lagoon”, this shallow salt water lake is home to water that has taken on a deep red-orange hue, due to the red algae and microorganisms that live in it. Dotted with large white pools that are caused by massive borax deposits and surrounded by rolling hills and mountains, this lake sets the stage for a spectacular landscape.

9. Lake Hillier, Australia

A saline lake that is perched on the middle island of the islands that make up the Recherche Archipelago is shockingly bubble gum bright pink. Scientists have argued for years over what causes the pink color, with some speculating that the color comes from the bacteria that live in the salt crusts. Unlike other pink lakes, Lake Hillier remains pink all year around and even when bottled it keeps its pink hue.

8. Lake Pukaki, New Zealand

With Mt. Cook standing tall in the background and the shimmering and vibrant jewel blue water stretching over 150 kilometers, it’s not hard to justify why this breathtaking lake makes the list. This alpine lake gets its color by the fine-grain minerals that come from the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers nearby.

7. Moraine Lake, Canada

Listed as one of the most spectacular lakes in the world, Moraine Lake in Banff is one of the most famous lakes in the Canadian Rockies. The glacier waters which are full of rock particle have turned this water into an amazing powder blue color. The shorelines are full of wildlife including moose, deer and bears.

6. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

A series of sixteen lakes connected by waterfalls all ranging in color from blue, green, grey and azure are perhaps the most interesting and awe-inspiring lakes on this list. The natural dams of travertine that are deposited by moss, algae and bacteria give the lakes their unique colors. This is a highly desired tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that will truly amaze every single visitor.

5. Lake Baikal

The world’s oldest and deepest freshwater lake is not only stunningly beautiful in the summertime with its deep blue waters and amazing mountains views, but becomes even more interesting in the wintertime. Lake Baikal does not so much take on a color in the winter but becomes a mirror of glass; so transparent and see through it is hard to believe one can actually stand on it.

4. Kelimutu Lakes, Indonesia

Three crater lakes are located atop the same volcanic peak, Kelimutu in Indonesia. Each is a different color and this phenomenon is the only place on earth where one can see this. Scientists have been baffled for centuries trying to discover why they spontaneously change color; and each changing a different color at that.

3. Emerald Lakes, Tongariro New Zealand

New Zealand’s oldest national park boasts our next amazingly colored lakes. The Emerald Lakes are seen on The Tongariro Alpine Crossing; the most popular one day hike in New Zealand. Theses lakes are shimmering green from the minerals that have leached from the surrounding rocks. You won’t want to get to close to them as they steam vents give off a pretty heavy sulfur smell.

2. Okama Lake, Mt. Zao Japan

Also known as the five colour pond, this crater lake was created in the 1720’s by a volcanic eruption. Known to change colour depending on the weather this is one of the most popular tourist spots in the area. The lake’s main color is a stunning teal but it has been known to change to a striking bright green colour, light or dark blue and even grey.

1. Lake Retba, Senegal

Known as Lac Rose by locals, this bright pink lake is similar in color to Lake Hillier in Australia; with one notable difference. Visitors can actually swim in this pink lake. The salina bacterium which is attracted by the lake’s salt content produces a red pigment in order to absorb the sunlight, thus turning the water red.