The word “lagoon” has its roots in the Italian term “Laguna, and loosely means “lake” or “pond.” It essentially means a shallow body of water that is separated from another larger body of water by a comparatively narrow body of land, like a barrier island, a barrier peninsula, an isthmus, or a reef. There are a couple of different classifications of lagoons.  

They are atoll or island lagoons and barrier or coastal lagoons. Atoll lagoons are created when an entire island sinks into the ocean and leaves a coral ring that expands upward. Coastal lagoons are born upon slightly sloping coastlines. They are oft’times more shallow than island lagoons.

Beautiful lagoons can provide travelers with a truly ideal tropical vacation. Beautiful lagoons are a great place to mentally and physically recharge because they are generally confined, shallow, warm, and surrounded by lovely lush landscapes. So, without further ado, here are the top 15 most beautiful lagoons on Earth.

The Top 15 Most Beautiful Lagoons On Earth

1. Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands 

Awesome Aitutaki Lagoon is a noteworthy natural wonder and it’s close to the coast of the sunny South Pacific Ocean. Some sources refer to Aitutaki as an “almost atoll.” It features 15 islets in the lagoon adjacent to the main isle.

The total land area is over 18 square kilometers. The lagoon itself spans an area that fluctuates between 50 and 74 square kilometers. The island itself is a big tourist attraction and it is reported to be the Cook Islands’ official second-most visited island.  

The islands include azure water, coral reefs, golden-white sand, and beaches lined with palm trees. Veteran visitors can confirm that this place will simply “take your breath away” the moment you get there. It’s great for folks into photography, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

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Lord Howe Lagoon, Australia 

You will find this lovely lagoon on Lord Howe Island which is situated 600 kilometers east of Australia’s mainland. The island in the Tasman Sea is part of the state of New South Wales and is an abnormally crescent-shaped remnant. Experts state the Island is an exceptional example of an ecosystem born of underwater volcanic activity.  

Because it is obviously not part of the mainland, this attractive isle is home to a unique variety of flora and fauna. The lagoon itself is a semi-enclosed sandy sheltered coral reef located along the west coast. While tiger sharks have been reported off the cliff side of the island, there are no dangerous daytime sharks here or poisonous plants or snakes.  

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Nanuya Levu Lagoon, Fiji

Nanuya Levu is actually a privately-owned island. It is owned by Richard Evanson, an American businessman who bought it over four decades ago. Part of the Yasawa Islands in beautiful Fiji, it is also where frequent flyers find the well-known Turtle Island Resort.  

The resort is best known as a sustainable luxury resort. Some travel writers refer to this ultimate honeymoon destination as a “tiny piece of heaven.” Nestled amongst lush tropical vegetation and peaceful palm trees, and white sand beaches, this balmy beautiful blue lagoon is arguably most famous for being the setting for the successful 1980 motion picture, The Blue Lagoon. If you’re a film buff who’s getting married, be sure to include this place in your wedding plans.

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The Milnerton Lagoon and Beach, South Africa

The palm tree-adorned Milnerton Lagoon is found where the Diep River enters the ocean and ripples between Milnerton Mainland and the well-known Woodbridge Island, even reaching magnificent Milnerton Beach. This lovely lagoon is a great place for such activities as birdwatching, canoeing, and swimming. Be sure to check out Milnerton Beach too.  

It is nigh-famous for its pure white sand, views of Cape Town, and even Table Mountain way across the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a great place to go surfing. Take the time to see the Milnerton Lighthouse too. The best time to visit, if you enjoy watersports, is during the height of the summer since the water is often a bit chilly. Assorted eateries are conveniently close too!

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Pileh Lagoon, Thailand

Popular Pileh Lagoon is the next entry on our list of beautiful lagoons. It slots in here for both its beautiful scenery and the crystal clear water which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Part of the Phi Phi Islands, you must travel through a tiny inlet on Phi Phi Leh Island.  

It is conveniently close to Maya Bay and Lo Samah, thus you can board a boat and see all three in one day if you are strapped for time. Enjoy the views of the steep limestone cliffs and deep blue sea. Here in this surreal spot, you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming.  

Feeling less energetic? No problem. Relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of the water gently striking the rocks.

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Chuuk Lagoon, Oceania

Journey to Oceania’s subregion Micronesia. It is here you will discover Chuuk Lagoon. Chuuk Lagoon is surrounded by a rugged reef that shields it from strong currents and is a favored spot for scuba diving. It is an exceptional spot for wreck diving. 

The wrecks here have been here for over six decades and are pretty much covered with coral growth and are generally intact. Some of the wrecks are deeper than others, it is also an ideal locale for technical divers. Scuba divers are able to enter some of the wrecks, locating ammo, artillery pieces, engine rooms, tanks, torpedoes, vehicles, and even enemy aircraft. Scuba diving at a few of the outlying reefs allows you to appreciate the migratory marine life as well.

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Venetian Lagoon, Italy 

The Venetian Lagoon runs from the rushing Sile (River) in northern Italy to the Brenta (River) in the south. It has a total water surface area of almost 550 square kilometers. It is the Mediterranean Basin’s most significant wetland.  

As the name implies, this lagoon is mainly located in Venice. Historically, it was once just a part of an entire system of estuarine lagoons from Roman times that once ran from Trieste to Ravenna. The lagoon is joined to the Adriatic Sea by a trio of individual inlets.  

They are the Chioggia, the Malamocco, and the Lido. Interestingly enough, while the level of pollution here is a concern, bottlenose dolphins still sometimes enter the lagoon to feed. Visit the nearby Marano-Grado Lagoon, as well.   

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The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Not to be confused with the fictional lagoon of motion picture fame, this manmade Blue Lagoon located not far from the fishing town of Grindavik in a lava field in front of the volcanic mountain named Mount Þorbjörn on Iceland’s well-known Reykjanes Peninsula is very real. More specifically, it is less than 20 kilometers from the busy Keflavik International Airport. It is a geothermal spa and one of the nation’s most visited attractions.

The Blue Lagoon is aptly named as the water here is a pleasing turquoise color. A local geothermal power station keeps the temperature of this water at a relatively constant temperature somewhere between 37 and 39 degrees Centigrade. This lagoon is also an exceptional spot to view the world-famous Northern Lights.  

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Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

The Laguna Colorada or in English, Red Lagoon, is situated southwest of Bolivia’s high tableland at 14,000 feet above sea level. It is part of the awesome Andes Mountain range. It is a small scarlet salt lake just a couple of hours from the popular Uyuni Salt Flats.  

This tourist stop is breathtaking. What makes it unique is, obviously, its striking red water and the hundreds of stunning pink flamingos simply standing there just waiting to gain fame on social media. In actuality, flocks of flamingos find their way here to feast on the fortifying plankton present here.

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Kasegaluk Lagoon, USA

Head to the United States’ 49th state, Alaska. It is here, in the western part of the state, that you will find the cool coastal lagoon called Kasegaluk Lagoon. It is arctic Alaska’s largest coastal lagoon network.  

This American lagoon is also home to many wild animals including (but not limited to) beluga whales, black brant, and spotted seals who all bed down on the Chukchi Sea Coast. This particular lagoon also attracts a more diverse group of seabird colonies than any of the state’s other arctic lagoon systems. It provides a much-needed breeding habitat for the common eider or Cuddy’s duck. You may even be able to see some polar bears not far from here.

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 Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands

The impressive Marovo Lagoon is the most distinguished double-barrier enclosed lagoon system. This double-barrier lagoon is the product of many, many years of volcanic activity initiated by the submarine volcano known as Kavachi. It is approximately 25 kilometers off the southwest shore of the Solomon Islands’ Vangunu Island.  

The Marovo Lagoon is bordered to the north and east by a group of rugged barrier islands created from tall reefs. Experts note they vary in elevation “from sea level to 25 meters above sea level.” But you don’t need all the scientific data. You just need to know it’s one of the most beautiful lagoons on the planet.

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Ko Olina, USA

Hawaii, America’s 50th State, is on many travelers’ bucket lists. Arguably, the island state’s most beautiful lagoon is nestled in Ko Olina on the southwest shore of the island of Oahu, less than 24 miles from Honolulu. The top tourist attraction here is its quartet of artificial lagoons that come complete with white sand beaches that are family-friendly.  

Development here started back in the 1980s. Today you will be able to enjoy four different resorts and an assortment of stores and eateries. There is a five-mile hiking trail that joins the resort and the seashore lagoons. Thus, you can swim in these lovely lagoons, and also enjoy such other activities as snorkeling, stand-up paddling, and sailing as well.  

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Giola Lagoon, Greece

Voyage to the Greek island of Thassos. For it is there, on its southern coast, that you will find the Giola Lagoon. This little natural pool is cut right into the rock there. Veteran visitors say it is “breathtaking.”

The Giola Lagoon is comparatively small. It is less than 50 feet in width and 65 feet in length. This lagoon is mainly a place for swimmers. There is no beach for sunbathing and it is surrounded by rocks.  

Greek mythology reports that Zeus built Giola, or the “Tear of Venus”, as a special swimming pool for his beautiful daughter, Aphrodite. Thassos is a prominent setting in classic Greek mythology. It’s the infamous Isle of Sirens, mysterious mermaid-like sea creatures whose voices mesmerized the numerous sailors who passed their way.

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Puerto Balandra’s Lagoon, México

This lovely lagoon in Puerto Balandra, Puerto Balandra, Baja California Sur is but one highlight of this beautiful coastline that also includes eight beaches and red mountains. The lagoon’s crystal-clear turquoise water generally hits 30 degrees Celsius. It’s an ideal spot for scuba diving as you can get up close and personal with a variety of colorful fish and corals. Of course, if you aren’t feeling up to anything athletic and just need a little break from the excitement of nearby La Paz, you can just go wading, or kick back on the stunning white sand.

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The Comino Lagoon, Malta

Comino is the third-largest island in the archipelago nation of Malta. It is situated between Gozo and the main island of Malta. It covers a land area of three and a half square kilometers.

Malta reputedly has some of the best tourist attractions in Europe. This picture-perfect lagoon on Comino’s west coast between Cominotto and the main isle is a small beautiful bay that includes shallow, azure-tinted water, fine white sand, and an ample serving of shimmering Mediterranean sunshine. Also known as “the Blue Lagoon”, this intimate sheltered inlet is reported to draw “hundreds of tourists” each day during the bustling summer months. Only a few people live here and most travelers who visit consider it a day trip.

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