Some say that lakes are actually one of nature’s “most stunning expressions.” Indeed, few things are more peaceful than a calm, clear blue lake in the middle of the verdant wilderness. Mind you, there are a plethora of lakes on this planet, and while some lakes are pretty and pristine, others are worth little more than passing. Thus, without further ado, we now present 15 incredibly clear lakes and an explanation of why they’re so clear.

15 Incredibly Clear Lakes and Why They’re So Clear

1. The Blue Lake, New Zealand

New Zealand is famous for its abundant natural beauty. The moment you leave any city there, you are surrounded by lovely lakes and memorable mountainous terrains. Ah, but New Zealand is also known as the country with the world’s clearest lake. Blue Lake’s visibility depth is between 70 and 80 meters (roughly 230 to 260 feet).  

This lake is also the world’s “clearest body of natural freshwater.” Experts report Blue Lake’s water is similar to distilled water. Researchers who have studied the lake say its clarity is due to a specific underground passage that filters the water as it comes in from Lake Constance. That’s also why its natural color, blue-violet, shows through here. 

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Lake McKenzie, Australia

Australia’s Lake McKenzie, a.k.a. the “Jewel of the Fraser Island,” is so clear you can see your reflection in it. This is a popular perched lake. It was formed by sand slowly cementing aluminum, iron, and assorted organic matter into an individual layer of material above actual sea level.

It is also important to note that the lake is acidic. Thus, it is not a suitable environment for all species. In fact, it hosts a fragile ecosystem and is therefore a difficult place for healthy aquatic life. The visibility here reaches a maximum of 50 meters. It is so clear because of the lake’s impermeable bottom layer.  

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Torch Lake, USA 

Located in Michigan, Torch Lake is well-known for its green-blue, crystal-clear water. This fjord-like bay was originally carved out by glaciers during the last ice age. The color of this clear water is due to its geology. Tourists often comment that it resembles the Caribbean Sea complete with several sandbars. The formation of the sandbar across the lake’s mouth separated it from Lake Michigan a long time ago. Today it is the state’s second-largest lake.  

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Lake Tahoe, USA

The freshwater lake known as Lake Tahoe straddles the state line between Nevada and California. It is one of the clearest lakes on the planet. Visibility here reaches 100 feet.  

Its clarity is due to the fact that 40 percent of the falling raindrops land right in the lake. The other 60 percent drains through nearby marshes that filter the water. Here you can see shipwrecks from the 1920s and the 1930s sitting in a boat right on the lake’s surface.

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Lake Baikal, Russia

Lake Baikal, in Siberia, is well-known for both its depth and significant surface area. Indeed, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake and it is also the world’s “largest freshwater lake by water volume.” The Lake is also one of the world’s cleanest and the water is also some of the clearest on the planet.  

The lake’s underwater visibility is between 30 and 40 meters. If you go sailing on this lake, you can easily see the ecosystem alive inside it. The resident plankton actually filters the water by consuming various sediments and minerals, making the water consistently clear. You may even be able to spot the lake’s resident freshwater seal species endemic to this area.

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Crater Lake, USA

Oregon’s clear Crater Lake is the world’s ninth deepest lake. Situated in the south-central section of the state, it is also famous for its beautiful blue color and is one of Crater Lake National Park’s main tourist attractions. Born from the collapse of massive Mount Mazama 7,500 years ago, the clarity of the lake can be attributed to the rain and snow from whence the lake water originates. Its rich hue remains consistent because there are no other waterways or entrances to the lake and therefore no debris or mineral deposits flow through it.

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Lake Mashū, Japan

The endorheic crater lake known as Lake Mashū is located in the memorable Akan Mashu National Park on Japan’s Hokkaido Island. The local residents refer to it as “the Devil’s Lake” perhaps because it was actually formed in a potentially active volcano’s caldera. It is not only a very popular tourist destination but also an official UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Some travel writers refer to Lake Mashū as a superb example of the splendors of nature. It has also been called “the clearest lake” on the planet. Its clarity is due to a number of different factors. The lake has no truly significant inlets and no outlet. It is therefore free of debris potentially carried by local rivers and is mainly fed by rainfall.

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The Five-Flower Lake, China

The famous multi-colored Five-Flower Lake is a shallow lake that has a bottom crisscrossed with fallen, ancient tree trunks. The dominant colors of the lake are blue, green, and yellow. It is located in the Jiuzhaigou National Park, in Sichuan.  

Visit whenever you wish as it does not freeze in the middle of the winter, and during the summer months, the water level does not rise. The little, crystal-clear lake stays the same regardless of the seasonal heat or a lack of rain. The water is so clear you can see the previously-mentioned tree trunks along the bottom. The clarity of the water is the result of calcium carbonates and hydrophytes in the lake. The residents often say the lake is “a piece of mirror that fell from a goddess’ hands.”

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Melissani Lake, Greece

Charming Melissani Lake flows through Melissani Cave. It is nestled on the isle of Kefalonia northwest of the town of Sami and is quite famous for its clear water. Veteran visitors remark that it is so clear that boats there appear to be floating in the air. According to classic Greek mythology, this caverned place is actually a nymph’s den. On a nice day, the reflection of the sun actually reflects off of the clear sea-green water and creates a striking effect.

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Flathead Lake, USA

When measured according to the surface area, the famous Flathead Lake is the largest in the state of Montana. It is also the cleanest lake. This lake’s renowned clarity is the result of little nutrients that actually enable algal growth.

Are you a fishing fan? This lake is well-known as the home of northern pike, sturgeon, trout, whitefish, and yellow perch too. If you’re looking for a sandy spot to kick it or are interested in watersports, then hit the neighboring tree-lined beach. Here you can enjoy fishing, powerboating, sailing, swimming, waterskiing, and more!

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Moraine Lake, Canada

Majestic Moraine Lake is in the heart of the verdant Valley of the Ten Peaks in the craggy Canadian Rockies. The lake basin is solely fed by glaciers. It is well-known for its clear blue hue that changes depending on the season, the angle of the light on the lake, and the time of day. Some say it’s best to visit Moraine Lake during the summer. For it is then that the lake exhibits a strikingly clear blue reflection as the natural light refracts from the deposits on the lake’s floor.

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Lake Blausee, Switzerland

Arguably Switzerland’s most famous crystal-blue lake, Lake Blausee is fed mainly by multiple underground springs. The water is tinted blue-green and totally transparent. More than 12 meters underwater, you will see boulders and sunken tree trunks too. The water’s clarity is generally credited to the “mineral-rich mountain spring water” found here.

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Lake Bacalar, Mexico

Habla Espanol? It might be helpful when you visit this lovely lake or freshwater lagoon found in the state of Quintana Roo. This is the country’s second-largest lake and comes complete with a sandy white bottom.

It is fed mainly by a number of different underground rivers. The lake changes color from indigo to turquoise throughout the day. Hence, it is nicknamed the “lake of seven colors.” 

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The Attabad Lake, Pakistan

The awesome Attabad Lake was actually the result of a truly tragic event. It was formed following a powerful landslide in northern Pakistan back in 2010. Attabad was buried, but this striking lake was born. Visit in the spring or summer when the great glaciers melt and give the clear, pristine lake a vivid shade of blue.

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Lake Malawi, Mozambique, And Tanzania

The narrow Lake Malawi stretches across two African nations, Tanzania and Mozambique. Despite being one of the world’s deepest lakes, it still has clear water. This is because the lake is meromictic. Its layers do not mix and all the sediments remain on the bottom. Thus, the water remains clear.

These are 15 incredibly clear lakes. Did we include your favorite clear lakes? Let us know!

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