21 gorgeous beaches with the clearest water in the world

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are so gorgeous because of their pristine, almost transparent water. Sadly, in today’s hyper-polluted world, beaches with water this clear look almost otherworldly – but they do exist! There are still plenty of stunning places worldwide where the clarity of the water is downright breathtaking. Fair warning: they’ll make you want to pack a beachbag and book a trip!

The American territory of Guam is filled with stunning jungles, breathtaking mountains and of course, stunning beaches. While the island is filled with incredible hidden gems, Ypao Beach is easy to access and in close proximity to Tumon’s vibrant cityscape. Despite the plethora of nearby amenities, this long, luxurious beach is the perfect hideaway from the nearby hustle and bustle of the city. Snorkelling in Tumon Bay can’t be beat, and there is both a sandy paradise and grass-covered space on the shore to enjoy any beach-day activities you could want. Guam is also home to the Mariana Trench.

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Set in the middle of the island’s National Wildlife Refuge, this stretch of coastline, formerly known as Blue Beach, is a true paradise in the heart of Puerto Rico. This beach won’t be overcrowded – the only access points are 21 tiny turnoffs on an unpaved road far off the beaten path. It’s a great spot for snorkelling and walking along the sandy coastline, and it’s well known for its incredible gradient of blues.

Voted the world’s number one beach in 2021 by TripAdvisor, Whitehaven Beach, in the heart of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, is an earthly paradise.

Protected by national park, this unspoiled beach stretches for seven kilometres and is washed by swirls of turquoise, blue and green water. Taking a dip in the clear ocean is possible all year round as the tropical waters average a temperature of 25°Celsius. The sand is 98 per cent pure white silica which gives it its brilliant, almost luminescent colour and unlike regular sand, does not retain heat.

As well as swimming, the beach has several walking tracks. The most famous hike is to the viewing platforms which overlook Hill Inlet.

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If you’re headed to Fiji, Seagrass Bay in Laucala Island is a must-see, but there’s only one way to see it. This beach is part of a private island, less than an hour’s flight from Fiji’s main island, Nadi. In order to experience the breathtaking magic of Seagrass Bay, you’ll need to stay at the all-inclusive, truly spectacular COMO Laucala Island. This private island experience is billed as an alternate universe, and it has earned a rare perfect rating on TripAdvisor.

In the heart of the Cascade Mountains in Southern Oregon, USA, Crater Lake National Park is an incredible traveller’s paradise and great along a national park road trip. But its namesake, Crater Lake, is definitely the crowning jewel. This beautiful lake can often be covered by clouds, so be sure to check out one of the live webcams of Crater Lake before you start hiking out to know what conditions will be like.

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The oldest national park in Croatia is well known for its series of turquoise lakes split up by vibrant green barriers. It’s truly one of the most stunning views on earth. Reaching these waters requires a bit of a hike, but when do you ever find the most perfect paradise spots directly on the beaten path? While most lovers of these lakes recommend going in summertime, winter visits still offer breathtaking views … just with a bit less foliage.

How have we made it this far down the list without a visit to Thailand? The entire country is known for its breathtaking tropical beaches, and Banana Beach on Koh Hey Island is no exception. Perhaps the vibrant green jungle that serves as the background for this beach makes the water look even bluer, but that doesn’t mean the crystal-clear waters aren’t spectacular in their own right. The name comes from the prevalent banana boat rides available here, and the beach is also a great place to go swimming or try snorkelling or sea kayaking. There’s a single restaurant on the beach, but despite the incredible adventuring potential, this beach is generally much less crowded than many of Thailand’s popular tourist spots.

Next on our travel bucket list? Five Flower Lake. The valley that this lake calls home is part of a UNESCO heritage site, and we can definitely understand why! The lake is almost five metres deep, but with crystal-clear water, you’ll have no trouble spotting the bottom. It’s considered holy by the locals. A hot spring that feeds the lake means it doesn’t freeze, even in the coldest winter months. While most of the time this lake is a clear, sapphire blue, the colour changes, and on various trips to this shore, you may find the water looking emerald green, amber, or even coral.

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Travel North to the Canadian Rockies to find this gem of a lake, tucked away in Banff National Park. An easy six-kilometre round-trip hike will get you to these stunning blue waters near the Icefields Parkway. The best time to visit this lake is in the summer, when glacial rock flour flows into the water, creating its unique turquoise glow.

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