You Have to Swim in These Dazzling Crystal Clear Waters This Summer

Oh, Canada! Moraine Lake was without doubt made for the heart emoji. And if you’re hardcore Instagram nut, the lake is so picture-perfect you’ll run out of storage space on your phone almost immediately! Fun fact: the Canadians love it so much, they even put the place on their $20 bill. Stuck bang in the middle of the vast expanse of Banff National Park, the lake gets its startling shade of cyan thanks to the glacier sediment deposited by melt-water from the surrounding glaciers. Two words: Go now.

Lake Pukaki is such a brilliant shade of clear blue that it’s difficult to keep your eyes open. Solution: wear a pair of sunglasses. Why’s it so clear you ask? The lake’s wondrous hue derives from glacial flour, a sort of fine silt of smashed-up rock immersed in the water that reflects blue light. It’s this rock that gives the lake its luminous appearance. Oh, and they also filmed several scenes from The Lord of the Rings here. Just in case you were wondering!

Perfect for honeymoons, romantic getaways and the odd spontaneous escape, the Maldives is pure oceanic and clear-blue heaven. In fact, the water is so clear you’ll see underwater waterfalls, lost continents (almost) and the odd boat that looks like it’s levitating on the kaleidoscopic shades of turquoise blue. And if you go to the fabulous island of Vaadhoo, you’ll witness water that literally glows in the dark. The joy of chemical bioluminescence, eh?

This is one for everyone’s bucket list. The word’s largest living organism isn’t just clear – it’s a living, breathing world of absolute magic. From the air, you’ll see over 900 islands scattered among a glittering monochromatic blanket of serene blue. From Cairns to the Whistsunday Islands, expect the clearest waters and the whitest sandy beaches.

No matter where you go in the Seychelles, you’ll be greeted by spellbinding beaches and hypnotic azure H2O. With over 115 islands to discover, thousands of coral reefs, nature reserves and the occasional rainforest, there’s no time to be bored at all here. Oh, and they live by the phrase ‘hammocks for days’ in this part of the world. Why? The island nation is the epitome of pure relaxation. End of.

Nowhere does clear water like Greece. From emerald greens to deep turquoises, every shade of blue imaginable exists here. But there’s just something special about Navagio beach on the tiny island of Zakynthos that makes your Instagram explode. Secluded, protected , perfect and pure, the soaring cliffs and aquamarine waters make this one of the most beautiful spots on our big blue planet – great sunbathing too.

Ancient historical monuments, gorgeous architecture and unrivalled foods – there are many reasons to visit Italy, but what you really want to see is the shimmering coastlines. Where to go? Well, Lampedusa of course – Italy’s southernmost island. Whilst Rabbit Beach is the island’s most popular swimming spot, the crowds are totally worth it. Think total bliss.
Need more travel inspiration? Check out the cheapest places to go in Europe this summer!