Winter will soon be here! Are you already looking for a sunny slice of paradise to help keep you warm and toasty? If your idea of paradise is sugary, soft sand ‘neath your feet, sunshine on your shoulders, and crystal clear turquoise water then look no further, fellow travel buffs.

These beaches have some of the clearest water you have ever seen. Thus, without further ado, we present for your paradisial perusal 15 beautiful beaches with the clearest water on Earth.

15 Beaches with the Clearest Water on Earth

1.  Hvar Island, Croatia

Do a little Googling (or Binging) and you will quickly discover that one of the key ingredients to stunningly hued water is sunlight. Situated just off the distinctive Dalmatian Coast, the island is roughly 68 kilometers long and located between the islands of Vis, Korčula, and Brač, Croatia’s Hvar Island gets more than enough of that.

Indeed, on average, this iconic isle enjoys approximately 2,700 sunlight hours every year. Statistically speaking, that is actually more than any of the other Croatian islands and makes the encompassing Adriatic Sea shine a bit brighter.

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Koh Lanta, Thailand

Travelers will find balmy Koh Lanta just west of mainland Thailand. More importantly, there are also a number of great beaches complete with clear, shallow water here at this exotic location. Indeed, the Andaman Sea is certainly something to see.

In fact, veteran visitors confirm that even the most popular deeper diving spots are clear. This is a favorite spot for scuba divers and snorkelers because of the incredible views of the local fish, coral reefs, and interesting underwater caves.

Lefkada, Greece

Lovely Lefkada, also known as Leukas, Lefkas, or Leucadia, is a noteworthy Greek island located in the sparkling Ionian Sea on Greece’s west coast. It is currently connected to the mainland by a floating bridge and a long causeway. Lefkada’s west coast offers visitors a unique combination of striking beaches ranging from soft white sand to pebbles. What is, perhaps, even more important is that all of them face the clear water of the Ionian Sea. Travel writers say it is actually one of Greece’s “most breathtaking” islands. 

Con Son, Vietnam

Con Son, also known as Côn Lôn, is the largest and sole inhabited island of the entire Côn Đảo archipelago. The archipelago, located just off the coast of southern Vietnam, consists of 16 individual islands. Travel journalists recommend spending time on Nhat Beach.  

Here visitors can enjoy a pristine stretch of soft sand and surprisingly crystalline water. Need more? Check out the jungle-covered mountains and massive granite cliffs. History buffs may also want to see the recreated tiger cages at the War Remnants Museum located in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda is the second-most populous and third-largest British Virgin island. It spans an area of 21 square kilometers. The highlight here is Devil’s Bay National Park. Those who truly wish to avoid the typical tourist trade will be happy to know that the beach here is very difficult to reach.  

Nevertheless, those who have been there report that the rugged, rocky landscape makes it a “ one of a kind” spot. The arches, grottos, and numerous tidal pools provide the clear water here with a picturesque backdrop. If you get lonely and want to mingle with the locals, take a trip to Spanish Town in the southwestern section of the island. It is the main residential and commercial area there.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

You will discover Ambergris Caye northeast of mainland Belize. It is the largest isle being roughly 40 kilometers in length and nearly 1.6 kilometers in width. Perhaps more importantly, it is also close to the western hemisphere’s largest barrier reef.  

The coral reportedly contributes to the clarity of the water and makes it a great place for snorkeling. Here you can see fish, turtles, eels, and (gasp) even sharks. The famous explorer Jacque Cousteau specifically claimed that the popular Great Blue Hole was “one of the best diving sites” on the planet.

Andaman Islands, India

The Andaman Islands are an exceptional archipelago found in the northeastern Indian Ocean almost 130 kilometers southwest from the coasts of the Ayeyarwady Region of Myanmar. Here on Havelock Island, you will find Radhanagar Beach.

Experience strolling across the superfine sand that slopes gently into the attractive azure water of the well-known Bay of Bengal. Of course, in order to reach this remote island, you will need to travel via seaplane or ferry. The extra travel time is worth it though in order to engage in such exotic experiences as snorkeling with elephants and seeing the rare marine one can only catch a glimpse of there.

The Maldives, Asia

The archipelagic state of Maldives in the Indian Ocean is situated southwest of India and Sri Lanka. It’s roughly 700 kilometers from mainland Asia. It consists of 1,190 islands amidst numerous crystal clear lagoons. As regular readers know, the luxurious overwater bungalows are popular here because guests can get up close and personal with the tropical sea life. Indeed, the water is so popular here some resorts feature underwater restaurants where you can dine surrounded by an abundance of festive fish and other sea creatures.

Exuma Islands, Bahamas

Have you ever seen a pig swim? No, not your overweight neighbors enjoying their pool, but a real honest-to-God pig? If you would like to, then that is yet one more reason to visit the exciting Exuma Islands.  

Here you will have your choice of 360 islands that all offer awesome 360-degree views of shining cerulean seas. Here the beaches are pristine because, as some travel journalists put it, nature outnumbers the tourists. A favorite of frequent flyers is the Tropic of Cancer Beach which not only has translucent green-blue water but also the longest span of soft, white sand. But again, be sure not to miss the swimming pigs!

Zamami Island, Japan

Japan’s Zamami Island is located in the East China Sea in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the popular Kerama Islands group. The hot spot here for clear water is at Furuzamami Beach.  

Its color is unique and inspired the color Kerama Blue. Need more? It is also quite secluded. Indeed, travel experts confirm that you can only reach this place “by hiking up and over” a specific hill, along a notably “narrow tree-lined” trail.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Cocos Island is an uninhabited isle situated in the Pacific Ocean right off the coast of Costa Rica and about 550 kilometers southwest of the mainland. This official UNESCO World Heritage Site is fairly famous for scuba diving. Here you can actually go swimming with schools of dolphins, rays, tuna, and even sharks. In fact, you might even see several different endangered species of sharks, further proof of the quality of the water here.

Los Roques, Venezuela

The lovely Los Roques archipelago is made up of 350 cays, islets, and islands with an area totaling almost 41 square kilometers. It is located 128 kilometers north of the well-known port of La Guaira. What’s more important, however, is that just offshore from impressive Madrizqui Beach at the popular Los Roques Archipelago National Park is an exceptional array of marine life and coral. In fact, the park was established in 1972 specifically as a way to help protect the impressive biodiversity and luminous waters here.

Jaco Island, East Timor

Stunning Jaco Island is actually an uninhabited and unclaimed island in the territory of East Timor. The Timorese consider this place to be sacred. Thus, they believe they must never set foot upon the isle. Luckily for travel fans, the local fishermen are happy to ferry people across the somewhat shallow channel to enjoy the serenity and solitude the island offers.

El Nido, The Philippines

El Nido is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines in the pretty province of Palawan less than 420 kilometers southwest of Manila. It is world-famous for its limestone cliffs, coral reefs, and white-sand beaches. It is also known as the unofficial gateway to the attractive Bacuit archipelago. 

El Nido is presently slotted in at number four on the renowned Condé Nast Traveler’s official list of “20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World.” Unsurprisingly, there are over 50 different wonderful white-sand beaches here. They feature fine sand, distinctive limestone formations, and crystal-clear water. If you get the urge to see more of this area, sign on for an island-hopping boat tour.

La Digue Island, Seychelles

Travel to lovely La Digue Island. It is west of Felicite Island and east of Praslin. Be sure to visit Anse Source d’Argent which is one of Seychelles’ most famous beaches. In order to get there from any other country, you have to fly into the city of Victoria and then take a ferry. It is worth the effort though since it features seemingly undulating granite boulders, stunning scenery, and truly translucent water.

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