Beautiful Places & Crystal Clear Water P2

 Beautiful Places & Crystal Clear Water

 Around 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, and there's plenty of H2O to be enjoyed in most corners of the world. From lesser-known seas and mammoth lakes, to rivers that snake their way through the landscape, there are some truly awesome bodies of water just waiting to be discovered. And, thanks to the power of nature and preservation by humans, some of that water is clearer than you might ever have thought possible. Coming up are ten of the most beautiful places around the world where the water is crystal clear.

 Grüner See.

Also known as Green Lake, Grüner See got its name thanks to, you've guessed it, its green, but incredibly clear water. This lake in Styria, in the southeast of Austria, is home to the most spectacular emerald green waters you could ever imagine. The clean, clear water comes from the snowmelt from the Karts Mountains. Because of the water's origins, the lake is extremely shallow during the winter months, but the water levels begin to rise once the weather warms up and snow begins to melt faster. The lake used to be hugely popular with divers who would head there in droves to take advantage of the 50-meter visibility and the underwater meadows, footpaths, and benches. But, all water sports were banned in 2016 because experts worried that the sediment stirred up by divers was resulting in the clear green waters becoming murky.

 

Rio Sucuri, Brazil.

The Amazon might be the most famous river in Brazil, but those in the know will tell you that Rio Sucre is by far the most beautiful. Located in Bonito, four hours' drive from Brazil's capital, you'll find Rio Secure hidden inside the Riparian Forest. After a short walk, visitors are rewarded with a natural aquarium rich with aquatic plants and shoals of  colorful fish. The water is so incredibly clear because it originates from artesian wells. It then springs out of the ground to form pools with visibility of up to 18 meters, and Brazil's government is so keen to preserve the natural wonder, that the entire area is protected, being declared a national park.

 

The Philippines.

There are so many incredibly beautiful and crystal clear waters found in The Philippines, a few places from this beautiful country deserve a mention. First up, Palawan Island, which is perhaps the best-known place in The Philippines to swim in glassy ocean waters. The Palawan archipelago sits in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea and attracts over 1 million visitors every year with its reefs, wildlife sanctuaries, and UNESCO world heritage sites. One of the main draws to the area is the opportunity to scuba dive at the site of 12 Japanese shipwrecks from World War II. The Philippines is also home to the Hinatuan Enchanted River, which can be found on the island of Mindanao. The river's beautiful colors and its unexplored depths have bred many legends, including the theory that fairies add the blue tones to it when nobody's looking. In actual fact, the clarity of the water is due to its origins in the jungle's deep springs. But no visit to The Philippines would be complete without a trip to Bora cay Island. Its calm, clear turquoise bay, once hosted 2 million people each year, and this had a terrible effect on the paradise island, so the president shut it down for a thorough cleanup. The island reopened but with a new list of strict rules, including no beach parties, limited water sports, and no vomiting in public. Consider yourself warned.

 

Flathead Lake, Montana.

Flathead Lake in Montana is the largest natural freshwater lake in the west of the US and is known around the world by how incredibly clear its water is. Check out these photos of visitors floating on the lake's surface. The water is so clear it looks as though they're levitating. The lake is actually the remnants of a huge inland sea called Lake Missoula which covered a lot of the region around 13,000 years ago. It's actually 370 feet deep at its deepest point and is said to be the cleanest lake of its size in the world. The main reason that the water is so clear is that it originates from the surrounding Rocky Mountains and consists of pure snowmelt. Locals take very good care of their natural wonder and ensure that there's no chance of pollution whatsoever, which helps to keep the lake so pristine. Before I reveal the world's number one location for clear water, I have a couple of honorable mentions that are too spectacular to ignore. This incredible shot was taken by photographer Ian Coble for outdoor clothing manufacturer Mountain Hard wear. The shoot took place in Hoh Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington State. The Hoh River originates at the Hoh Glacier on Mount Olympus, and the glaciers grind rock into fine glacial flour which turns the river a slate blue color. The stillness of the water allows the glacial sediment to settle, which makes it crystal clear. This crystal clear lake in Sabah, Malaysia, also deserves a mention. Located in the northern part of Borneo Island, visitors can take advantage of the area's freshwater wetlands and spend the day paddle boarding on the flat and clear mirror-like water.

 

Blue Lake, New Zealand.

Blue Lake, also known as Rotomairewhenua, holds the title of the world's clearest lake. Located in Nelson Lakes National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, Blue Lake underwent scientific testing in 2011, and the results showed it to be the clearest natural body of fresh water known to man. Visibility is as high as 80 meters, which makes it almost as optically clear as distilled water. The spring-fed lake is so incredibly clear that local Maori tribes regard it as being sacred, so trying to take a dip could land you in big trouble. The national park is open for hiking, camping, and fishing though, so at least you can gaze upon the water's beauty from the lake's edge. To see it at its best, visit in summer, the higher position of the sun means that more light hits the surface of the lake, turning it a vibrant shade of blue. My oh my, the world is a beautiful place, I'm sure you'll agree. Which place would you most love to visit? And do you think we should be allowed to swim in these crystal clear waters? Let me know in the comments down below and thanks for watching.  (gently chiming bells)

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