The top 10 destinations with the bluest water in the world

Our planet is truly fascinating, brimming with a seemingly endless array of uniquely beautiful scenery, including water that comes in every possible shade of blue imaginable, from vivid cobalt to deep indigo.

Coastal lagoons, mountain lakes, and geothermal pools, we've put together a list of the top 10 destinations with the bluest water in the world, places to relax, unwind, and experience the immense beauty of the natural world.

The Maldives

The epitome of paradisical island beauty, The Maldives may be the smallest country in all of Asia (by landmass) but few places on earth boast such a wealth of pristine beaches, coral-rich waters and luxury resorts.

Comprised of over 1000 tiny islands, the archipelago is famed for the stunning blue shade of its Indian Ocean waters which are home to a diversity of marine life, and, with an abundance of world-class coastal hotels and overwater accommodation to choose from, there is no better place on earth for a tranquil island getaway.

Hotels in The Maldives

Ölüdeniz, Turkey

One of the most beautiful of Turkey's many picturesque destinations, the popular resort village of Ölüdeniz is situated on the country’s southwestern coastline and is best known as the home of the world-famous ‘Blue Lagoon'. With impossibly azure waters that sparkle under the rays of the Aegean sun, and a stunning white sand beach, the lagoon is a truly spectacular sight, whilst nearby the ‘Butterfly Valley’ nature reserve, is a stunning, untouched oasis, home to over 100 species of butterfly and a number of beautiful, secluded beaches.

Hotels in Ölüdeniz

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The South Pacific archipelago of Te Ao Maohi, or as its more commonly known French Polynesia, is truly captivating, and none of its 118 islands embodies its captivating beauty in the manner of Bora Bora. Picture-perfect white sand beaches, rainforest carpeted peaks, an array of world-beating hotels and resorts, and an utterly tranquil atmosphere, Bora Bora truly is the definition of island luxury, and the glittering lagoon waters that frame its coastlines, are among the most exquisite in all the world.

Hotels in Bora Bora

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye, is exquisitely beautiful, a tranquil paradise of picturesque white-sand beaches fringed by coconut palms and the sky blue waters of the Caribbean sea. Just half a mile off its eastern coastline the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second-longest in the world) is home to an incredible diversity of marine life, whilst nearby 'The Great Blue Hole', a 480 feet-deep underwater sinkhole, is considered one of the most extraordinary dive sites on earth!

Hotels in Ambergris Caye

The Yasawa Islands, Fiji

The South Pacific nation of Fiji is characterised by laid-back island charm and magnificent natural beauty, and few regions exemplify like The Yasawa, an archipelago of around 20 volcanic islands in the west of the country.

Made famous by the eponymous 1980 film of the same name, the ‘Blue Lagoon' that surrounds the island's picturesque coastlines is one of the most beautiful on earth and is home to a wealth of unique marine life including migratory manta rays, and numerous species of shark.

Hotels in the Yasawa Islands

Jiuzhaigou National Park, China

Situated in China's Sichuan province on the Tibetan Plateau, the UNESCO protected, Jiuzhaigou National Park is one of the country's most beautiful areas, a blend of wooded peaks and valleys, traditional Tibetan villages, and picture-perfect rivers, waterfalls and lakes.

The jewel in the park's crown, the breathtaking Five-Flower Lake features incredibly still, crystalline water that offers both perfect views of the fallen trees which line its bed and ethereal reflections of the surrounding mountains, trees and sky.

Hotels in Jiuzhaigou National Park

Rosario Islands, Colombia

This tropical archipelago off Colombia’s Caribbean Coast is truly captivating, comprised of 28 paradisiacal islands, everyone like a scene from the front of a postcard.

In typical Caribbean style, there are, of course, miles of pristine white beaches lined with swaying coconut palms and cerulean waters brimming with kaleidoscopic marine life, though there are also biodiverse mangroves, and, an 'Enchanted Lagoon', named due to its phosphorescent plankton which on a dark night, glows brilliantly when its surface is touched.

Hotels in The Rosario Islands

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Iceland certainly has no shortage of awe-inspiring sights, from sculpture-like rock formations to otherwordly valleys, waterfalls and rugged coastal cliffs, though few if any, are as iconic and beautiful as the Blue Lagoon. Situated in the southwest of the country this natural geothermal spa is so named due to the vivid shade of its mineral-rich waters, which are said to possess healing qualities, and, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the stunning surrounding scenery of this uniquely beautiful land.

Hotels near The Blue Lagoon

Palawan, Philippines

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful of the Phillippine's 7,640 islands, Palawan is renowned for its alabaster-white beaches, limestone cliffs, and crystal clear lagoons, which feature tropical reefs and a remarkable diversity of marine life.

A regular fixture on lists of the world's most beautiful islands, it is arguably, the closest place to paradise on earth, particularly during dusk when the prismatic hues of the setting sun reflect beautifully of its stunning coastal waters.

Hotels in Palawan

Plitvice, Croatia

One of the most unique and beautiful national parks in all of Europe, Plitvice is set within a striking limestone canyon in Central Croatia (around 1.5 hours drive from the popular coastal city of Zadar) and encompasses 295 sq km of stunning scenery, including, most notably, an intricate complex of vivid turquoise pools and waterfalls. A must-see when visiting the country, Plitvice's unique beauty was recognised by UNESCO who made it a World Heritage Site back in 1979, and thanks to a network of bridges, walkways and trails, it's easy to navigate on foot, and of course, capture some stunning photographs!

Hotels in Plitvice National Park