Five Clearest Lakes Around The World

Blue Lake

Located in the top half of New Zealand’s South Island, Blue Lake is said to be the clearest lake in the world. Its waters are fed by another lake that sits above its height of 1,200 meters above sea level. Its underwater visibility is believed to extend to 76 meters (249.3 feet), which is comparable to the clearness of distilled water.

Blue Lake. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Avenue via Creative Commons)

Lake McKenzie

Sand around this Australian lake is composed of white silica and its waters are so pure that conditions are unsuitable for many species. Lake McKenzie is a perched lake, sitting on Fraser Island near the country’s east coast.

Lake McKenzie. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Sensenmann)

Torch Lake

As Michigan’s longest inland lake, Torch Lake is also distinguished by its clear, blue waters. They are known to have a turquoise hue, and are noted as resembling caribbean waters. Much of the water’s appearance is connected to its lakebed, which is heavy in clay.

Torch Lake. (Credit: Flickr User David McSpadden via Creative Commons)

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is one of the most famous lakes in the United States and was formed after the collapse of a volcano thousands of years ago. It is the main attraction of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, boasting a clarity near 150 feet.

Crater Lake. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons User Wolfman SF)

Lake Tahoe

This large freshwater lake sits in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at an elevation of more than 6,000 feet. It is the biggest alpine lake in North America and a prominent tourist attraction. Recent Secchi disk monitoring finds its clarity reached 70 feet in 2013.

Lake Tahoe. (Credit: Mariana Wagner via Flickr)