Clearest Waters In The World To Swim In Before You Die

1. Linapacan Island – Philippines

Linapacan Island is a municipality in the province of Palawan and has some of the clearest waters in the world. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of just 14,180 people.

2. The Maldives Islands

The Maldive Islands, sit in the Indian Ocean and consist of twenty-six atolls. These atolls are spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 sq mi), making the country one of the world’s most geographically dispersed.

Its population of 328,536 (2012) inhabits 192 of its 1,192 islands. The waters are crystal clear and full of reef wildlife which attracts tourists from all over the world.

3. Bodrum – Turkey

Bodrum is a district and a port city in the southwestern Region of Turkey. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Bodrum Castle, built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archaeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year. The city had a population of 136,317 in 2012.

4. Cayo Coco – Cuba

Cayo Coco is an island in central Cuba and well known for its all inclusive resorts. It lies within the Ciego de Ávila Province and is part of a chain of islands called Jardines del Rey (“the King’s Gardens”). The island was named after the white ibis, locally called Coco (coconut) birds.

Still largely wild with swamps and scrubland populated by wild cattle, the islands boast about a dozen large international hotels spread out. Beaches are very good and the massive coral reef off the north coast attracts divers from around the world.

5. Cala Macarelleta, Menorca – Spain

The bay of Macarella and Macarelleta is on the south western side of Menorca and belongs to the Àrea Natural d’Especial Interès on Ciutadella’s southern coast.

Macarelleta is an idyllic cove with fine, white sand, where the sea is a calm pool of turquoise water. Sheltered by hills covered in pine trees and holm oaks, it is often warm enough to sunbathe, even in winter.

6. To Sua Ocean Trench – Samoa

To Sua Ocean Trench is a clear water pool located in Lotofaga village. To Sua means ‘big hole’ and has been converted into a large swimming area. A ladder is installed on side for visitors to access this 30 meters deep pool.

7. Sabah – Malaysia

Sabah is one of the 13 member states of Malaysia, and is its easternmost state. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. Beyond the coasts of Sabah lie a number of islands and coral reefs, including the largest island in Malaysia, Pulau Banggi which has become a huge diving attraction.

8. Jenny Lake – Wyoming

Jenny Lake is located in Grand Teton National Park in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The lake was formed approximately 12,000 years ago by glaciers pushing rock debris which carved Cascade Canyon during the last glacial maximum, forming a terminal moraine which now impounds the lake.

The lake is estimated to be 423 feet (129 m) deep and encompasses 1,191 acres (482 ha). Jenny Lake is considered to be a major focal point in Grand Teton National Park, with many hiking trails, scenic boat rides, and quick access to the major climbing routes onto the tallest peaks of the Teton Range.

9. Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil

Bonito is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. It is in the middle of a region which is being discovered as “Caribe do Centro-Oeste” (Caribbean of the Central-West) due to the unbelievable blue color of its waters.

Owing to the enormous quantity of limestone in the ground, the water of these rivers passes through a real natural filter where impurities are deposited at the bottom of the river bed, leaving the rivers to be some of the clearest and most transparent in the world.

A number of fish and plant species have adapted to this high calcium environment, so that all rivers teem with life and make for an amazing place to visit.

10. Calanque de Sormiou – France

Calanque de Sormiou is a protected area which is frequented by hikers and climbers who come from all over France to experience and enjoy such exquisite surroundings. The beautiful sea is crystal clear and continually changes tones from turquoise to deep dark blue.

11. Panari Island, Okinawa – Japan

Panari, also called Aragusuku, is one of the Yaeyama Islands. It is well known for being one of the world’s best diving destinations and has coral and marine life on a par with the Great Barrier Reef. (Over 400 types of corals, 5 types of sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and all kinds of tropical fish species all live around Okinawa.)

12. Puerto Ayora – Galapagos

Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador and is located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island. It is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands, with more than 12,000 inhabitants. Home to both the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts.

Tortuga Bay is a short walk from center of Puerto Ayora where you can view marine iguanas, birds, galapagos crabs and a natural mangrove where you can spot white tip reef sharks and the gigantic galápagos tortoise.

13. Lake Tahoe – Nevada

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and has a depth of 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second-deepest in the United States. Additionally, Lake Tahoe is listed as the 27th largest lake by volume in the world.

The lake was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern lake being shaped during the ice ages. It is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides.

Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both Nevada and California. It is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions.

14. Cayos Cochinos – Honduras

The Cayos Cochinos or Cochinos Cays are a group of two small islands and 13 more small coral cays situated 30 kilometers northeast of La Ceiba on the northern shores of Honduras.

The islands are a Marine Protected Area and is part of the world’s second largest coral reef system known as the Meso-American Barrier Reef. It is off-limits to commercial divers and fishermen, which has helped make the waters the most healthiest and fullest of marine life in the Bay Islands.

[DON’T MISS – Top 10 Scariest Rooftop Hotel Pools]

15. Primosten – Croatia

Primošten is a town in Croatia, and a part of the Šibenik-Knin County. It is situated in the south, between the cities of Šibenik and Trogir, on the Adriatic coast.

The largest beach in Primošten is called Raduča, and its smaller part, Mala Raduča, is voted one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Croatia.

16. St. George – Bermuda

St George is located at the eastern end of Bermuda and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The town is steeped with history and was the first permanent English settlement on the islands of Bermuda and is often described as the third successful English settlement in the Americas.

17. Hanauma Bay, Oahu – Hawaii

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Hawaii’s island of Oahu is a beginning snorkeler’s paradise. This well-protected bay boasts hundreds of tropical fish species, calm, clear waters and shallow depths allowing for great viewing.

So many people have come here for so long that the fish in this bay do not feel threatened by visitors, allowing for close up encounters. The bay was deemed a marine life conservation area in 1967 and has become more heavily managed each year since in an effort to protect the fish, corals, beach, and the bay itself.

18. Rio Azul – Argentina

The Blue River is a short river located in the region of Patagonia in the Republic Argentina. It is one of the colder rivers in the region because it is glacial fed, rather than lake fed which tends to increase the temperature of other rivers in the valley.

Because the Azul River has no lake at its source it is also prone to wild fluctuations in water level and is often the quickest river to respond to changes in precipitation. When the Azul is running it offers whitewater paddlers some of the best play features and scenery in the valley.

19. Corfu – Greece

Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea and is bound with the history of Greece from the beginning of Greek mythology. Its Greek name, Kerkyra or Korkyra, is related to two powerful water symbols: Poseidon, god of the sea, and Asopos, an important Greek mainland river.

The island’s history is laden with battles and conquests. The legacy of these struggles is visible in the form of castles punctuating strategic locations across the island. Two of these castles enclose its capital, which is the only city in Greece to be surrounded in such a way. As a result, Corfu’s capital has been officially declared a Kastropolis (“castle city”) by the Greek government.

Corfiotes have a long history of hospitality to foreign residents and visitors. The North East coast has largely been developed by a few British holiday companies, with large expensive holiday villas, while package holiday resorts exist on the north and east coasts.

At the other end of the island, the southern resort of Kavos also provides tourist facilities.

20. Aitutaki – Cook Islands

Aitutaki is one of 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands. It has a population of approximately 2,000. and is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands.

21. Koh Phi Phi Don – Thailand

Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi Islands, in Thailand and is the only island in the group with permanent inhabitants. Like the other islands in the group, Ko Phi Phi Don is a non-volcanic island largely made of limestone.

Ko Phi Phi Don is now squarely on the tourist map, and tourists from all over the world flock to the island. Accessible from Phuket and mainland Krabi province, all tourists must arrive by Ferry and this has essentially turned the island into a rush of day trippers who overpopulate the island from 11AM-3PM.

The island still holds much charm that can be enjoyed in the hours that the flocks from Phuket are not there. While in former times, Ko Phi Phi Don was a serene paradise, parts of it has been exploited for tourism.

22. Playa Blanca – Colombia

Playa Blanca (the white beach) is actually located on the island of Baru about 1 hour or so by boat from the main port of Cartagena. It is a beautiful, clean beach that fits the picture of the Caribbean paradise perfectly. The water here is calm and warm making it a great place to snorkel and swim.

23. Arnensee – Switzerland

Arnensee is a lake in Canton of Berne, Switzerland and is used as a reservoir by Romande Energie. This blissfully secluded spot offers an idyllic getaway for a refreshing swim, a spot of angling or a hike taking in a picnic lunch at one of the barbecue sites.

24. Tioman Island – Malaysia

Tioman Island is a small island located 32 km off the east coast of Malaysia in the state of Pahang. It has eight main villages, the largest and most populous being Kampung Tekek in the north. The densely forested island is sparsely inhabited, and is surrounded by numerous coral reefs, making it a popular scuba diving spot. There are also a lot of resorts and chalets around the island which has duty free status.

The marine area around Tioman Island and eight other nearby islands have been declared as marine parks and marine reserves.

25. Belo Sur Mer – Madagascar

Belo sur Mer is a pleasant Vezo fishermen village located some 80 km south of Morondava. Visitors that come here are greeted by a wonderful kilometer long beach of bright white sands and an amazing transparent sea of emerald waters. But as everywhere on the Western coast of Madagascar bathing can be certainly risky due to the strong tides…

26. Dog Island, San Blas – Panama

The San Blas Islands, located off Panama’s southeastern coast, is the best kind of Caribbean island: postcard perfect white-sand beaches, extremely friendly locals, a chance to experience indigenous life with the Kuna Yala tribe, and just enough infrastructure (electricity is provided via generators) to provide simple comforts while keeping the tourist machine at bay.

27. Culebra Island – Puerto Rico

Culebra is a popular weekend tourist destination for Mainland Puerto Ricans, Americans and residents of Vieques. Because of the “arid” nature of the island there is no run-off from rivers or streams resulting in very clear waters.

Culebra has many beautiful beaches including Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco), the beach extends for a mile of white coral sand and is framed beautifully by arid tree-covered hills. The beach is also protected by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources as a Marine Wildlife Reserve.

28. Bora Bora

Bora Bora is an island located about 230 kilometres (143 miles) northwest of Papeete and is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the centre of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks.

Bora Bora is a major international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts. Over the last few years several resorts have been built on motu (small islands, from Tahitian) surrounding the lagoon.

Snorkeling and scuba diving in and around the lagoon of Bora Bora are popular activities. Many species of sharks and rays inhabit the surrounding body of water. There are a few dive operators on the island offering manta ray dives and also shark-feeding dives.

29. Exuma – Bahamas

With sapphire-blue water everywhere, The Exumas are an exotic collection of dream destinations. Footprint-free beaches and ultraexclusive resorts and islands fit for celebrities make this tropical paradise an absolute gem. Here, nature outnumbers man, coastlines remain flawless and private homes play host to some of the world’s most famous stars. The Exumas truly are the ultimate escape.

30. Torch Lake, Antrim County Michigan – USA

Torch Lake stretches 19 miles (31 km) and is Michigan’s longest inland lake. Several villages and hamlets lie along its shore, including Alden, Eastport, Clam River, and Torch Lake.

The lake is known for nature activities including hiking, canoeing, fishing and diving. Due to the low amount of boat activity, it is a nature-lovers paradise. Torch Lake is much quieter than most Michigan lakes and is not friendly to “partying.” on the North side of the lake. However, the Sand Bar hosts boat parties every weekend during the Summer.

Noted for its exceptional beauty; its waters are unusually clear and exhibit a bright turquoise hue, often resembling Caribbean waters. This quality has made the lake a popular spot for the development of resorts and second homes with notables including Kid Rock and Michael Moore owning vacation homes on the lake.

31. Comino Island – Malta

Comino is an island between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea. Named after the cumin seed that once flourished in the Maltese islands, Comino is noted for its tranquility and isolation. It has a permanent population of only four residents and is currently a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

Comino is home to transparent, cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon which frequented by large numbers of tourists and tour boats daily. The Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay with a white sandy base and rich marine life. It is popular with divers, snorkelers and swimmers.

It is a popular location for filmmakers and has appeared in the movies Troy, The Count Of Monte Cristo and Swept Away.

32. San Andres Island – Colombia

San Andres has a charm as powerful as its beaches are attractive. The landscape is not only dotted with palm trees, but also with mangroves, ceibas, and a number of species of colorful wildflowers. And the corals in the sea offer an impression on the eye that will never fade with time.

This dream-like landscape is home to blue and black crabs, turtles, iguanas, chameleon-like and green lizards, dozens of species of birds, and amazing numbers of fish.

Dive into this seven-colored sea, and discover that in reality there are more than a thousand colors under the surface; lilac and yellow corals, silvery, red and blue fish, green algae, and countless tiny colored animals. The coral formations of the Archipelago are the second largest in the Americas, and the voluptuous form they take the driver’s breath away.

33. Sardinia – Italy

Sardinia is situated off the western coast of Italy and is a beautiful Mediterranean island with stunning beaches and panoramic views of the mountains and sea. Its southern tip faces Africa, while its north shore lies just a few miles from Corsica. Sardinia, despite becoming an exclusive, luxurious holiday destination in recent years, remains unspoilt by tourism. With its turquoise seas, granite rock formations and lush vegetation, the island is a jewel in the Mediterranean.

34. Bahia de las Aguilas – Dominican Republic

Bahia de las Aguilas (Eagles Bay) is an 8 km long beach along the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic near the southernmost part of the border with Haiti. The bay is part of the Jaragua National Park, and it is considered by many Dominicans ( and visitors as well) as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The bay is a protected area as is the surrounding park, hence there is an abundance of seal life just feet off the beach within its waters.

The thing that visitors like the most about this beach, is that it is totally isolated. 323 km from Santo Domingo and approximately 25 km from Pedernales (the nearest town) this beach is a true oasis in the middle of the deserted steppe of the park.