50 Shades of Blue: Finding the Clearest Water on Earth

We all chase it. That “pool water” look. The kind of water where boats look like they are levitating. Water clarity is determined by three things: lack of sediment (no rivers), white sand (reflection), and protection from waves.

In 2026, if your goal is to see your toes in 5 meters of water, these are the islands to book.

1. The Exumas, Bahamas

  • The Color: Electric Blue / Neon.
  • Why: Shallow sandbars and zero runoff. The “Exuma Blue” is visible from space.
  • The Spot: Staniel Cay or the sandbars at Pipe Creek.

2. The Maldives

  • The Color: Cyan / Aquamarine.
  • Why: It is a coral atoll nation. The islands are made of coral sand, which is heavy and sinks fast, keeping the water clear.
  • The Spot: Almost anywhere, but Baa Atoll is exceptional.

3. Aitutaki, Cook Islands

  • The Color: Turquoise / Sapphire.
  • Why: A massive, enclosed lagoon. The water is calm and protected.
  • The Spot: One Foot Island. It creates a blinding contrast with the white sand.

4. Palawan, Philippines (Coron/El Nido)

  • The Color: Emerald / Teal.
  • Why: Limestone karst formations dissolve slightly, giving the water a jewel-like green clarity.
  • The Spot: Kayangan Lake (Coron). It is brackish water (mix of salt and fresh) and claims to be the cleanest lake in Asia. Underwater visibility is insane.

5. Lefkada / Paxos, Greece

  • The Color: Milky Blue / Neon Blue.
  • Why: White limestone pebbles (not sand) reflect the sun upwards.
  • The Spot: Egremni Beach (Lefkada) or Voutoumi (Antipaxos). The water looks like Gatorade.

6. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

  • The Color: Fifty shades of blue.
  • Why: The lagoon varies in depth, creating stripes of color from deep indigo to pale mint.
  • The Spot: Matira Beach.

7. Sardinia, Italy (La Maddalena)

  • The Color: Crystal clear.
  • Why: Granite rocks don’t create dust. The water is famously transparent.
  • The Spot: Cala Coticcio (Tahiti) on Caprera island.

8. Zanzibar, Tanzania (East Coast)

  • The Color: Powder Blue.
  • Why: Massive tidal changes wash the sand clean.
  • The Spot: Paje or Kendwa. Note: Paje has seaweed farms, but the water between them is flawless.

9. Turks & Caicos

  • The Color: Impossible Blue.
  • Why: The islands sit on a limestone plateau.
  • The Spot: Grace Bay. Consistently voted the world’s best beach.

10. Perhentian Islands, Malaysia

  • The Color: Gin Clear.
  • Why: Far from the mainland rivers.
  • The Spot: Turtle Point. You can see the turtles grazing on the bottom from the boat.

How to Get the “Levitating Boat” Photo

  1. High Noon: You need the sun directly overhead (11 AM - 2 PM) to penetrate the water. Morning/Evening light reflects off the surface.
  2. Polarizer: Use a polarizing filter on your camera to cut the glare.
  3. Calm Day: Wind creates ripples. You need a windless day for the glass effect.

11. Menorca, Spain (Cala Macarella)

  • The Color: Neon Turquoise.
  • Why: White limestone cliffs and pine trees reflecting in the water.
  • The Spot: Cala Macarelleta. Go at 8 AM before the boats arrive.

12. Lampedusa, Italy (Rabbit Beach)

  • The Color: Transparent.
  • Why: It is located closer to Africa than Italy. The white sand seabed is shallow for hundreds of meters.
  • The Spot: Spiaggia dei Conigli. You have to hike down, which keeps the water pristine.

Protecting the Clarity

Clear water is fragile.

  • No Feeding: Feeding fish bread increases algae growth, which clouds the water.
  • Boating: Anchors destroy the seagrass meadows that filter the water. Always use mooring buoys.

13. Zamami Island, Japan (Kerama Islands)

  • The Color: “Kerama Blue.” It is a specific shade of deep, rich indigo.
  • Why: Protected national park waters.
  • The Spot: Furuzamami Beach. The contrast between the green hills and the blue water is stark.

14. Menjangan Island, Indonesia (Bali)

  • The Color: Royal Blue.
  • Why: Vertical walls drop 40 meters. You can look down into the deep blue abyss while floating in calm shallows.
  • The Spot: The “Pos Two” snorkeling site.

15. Cayo Coco, Cuba

  • The Color: Milky Teal.
  • Why: Extensive sandbanks along the Jardines del Rey archipelago.
  • The Spot: Playa Pilar. Named after Hemingway’s yacht. The water is shallow for hundreds of meters.

Clear water is nature’s swimming pool. Dive in.