Stunning Bodies of Water Around the World

Morning Glory Pool, Utah

If you’re planning a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, don’t miss out on seeing Morning Glory Pool and every other hypothermal basin in the park. Due to the bacteria, which live in the hot water, each basin becomes a vibrant Technicolor pool.

Dead Sea, Jordan

As one of the densest seas on earth, the Dead Sea is the perfect place to relax and float — sans inner tube, of course. Due to its composition, the water in the sea also has many healing properties for the skin. While you float and heal, take in the amazing desert and mountain views that surround this body of water.

Laguna Colorada, Bolivia

Laguna Colorada is a shallow salt lake in the southwest of the altiplano of Bolivia, within Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve and close to the border with Chile. This Bolivian lagoon is nothing less than stunning and like no body of water you’ve seen before. Due to sediments and algae found in the water, the Laguna Colorada has a vibrant red hue. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains and often frequented by the rare Chilean and Andes Flamingoes, this body of water is a must-see destination.

Mono Lake, California

Mono Lake is a large, shallow saline soda lake in Mono County, California, formed at least 760,000 years ago as a terminal lake in an endorheic basin. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake.

Abraham Lake, Canada

Abraham Lake is an artificial lake on North Saskatchewan River in western Alberta, Canada. Abraham Lake has a surface area of 53.7 km² and a length of 32 km.
This lake nestled in Banff National Park is a stunning sight any time of year. In the summer months, the view of this lake’s clear blue water surrounded by mountains and forest is nothing short of amazing. In the winter, when Abraham Lake freezes over, millions of ice bubbles appear right under the surface creating a breath-taking landscape.

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake located on Eil Malk island in Palau. Eil Malk is part of the Rock Islands, a group of small, rocky, mostly uninhabited islands in Palau's Southern Lagoon, between Koror and Peleliu.

Kelimutu Crater Lakes, Indonesia

Kelimutu (pronounced [kəliˈmutu]) is a volcano, close to the small town of Moni in central ... The volcano contains three striking summit crater lakes of varying colors. Tiwu Ata Bupu (Lake of Old People) is usually blue and is the westernmost of.

Each year, thousands of tourists travel to Indonesia and sleep near the mouth of a volcano just to see the stunning Kelimutu Crater Lakes at sunrise. The 3 bodies of water that make up the crater lakes are housed in the mouth of a volcano, and are exposed to sulfurs and acids, changing their color. Due to its acidic locale, each lake has a different vibrant hue of red, green and blue.

Lake Hillier, the Pink Lake in Australia

There’s no need to don rose-colored glasses when visiting Lake Hillier — it’s naturally pink! Located in Western Australia, on an island in the Recherche Archipelago, this amazing tropical lake is the perfect place to host a luau.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Plitviče Lakes National Park is a 295-sq.-km forest reserve in central Croatia. It's known for a chain of 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls, that extend into a limestone canyon. Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water, and a Lake Kozjak ferry links the upper and lower lakes. The latter are the site of Veliki Slap, a 78m-high waterfall.

Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico

While the Bioluminescent Bay is a sight to see during the day, it shines at night, literally. Due to the delicate eco system of this bay, this body of water actually glows in the dark. So, whether you plan on taking a midnight paddle or even a dip, expect nothing less than to be amazed.

The 13 Most Amazing Bodies of Water on our Planet

Grand Prismatic Spring, USA

The multi-coloured Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park in the USA. It is 90 m across and over 50m deep.
The mineral-rich pool has concentric bands of vibrant colours from red to green, due to different sets of heat-loving pigmented bacteria in each band. The brilliant blue central part is extremely hot with temperatures reaching up to 87°C.

Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park (Credit: Frank Kovalchek, CC by 2.0)

Spotted Lake, Canada

This is an alkaline lake rich in minerals, particularly sulphates, and contains small doses of silver and titanium. The circular spots appear during summer when most of the water evaporates.

Located in British Columbia, the lake is locally called Kliluk, and is considered sacred. During World War I, the lake's salts were used to make explosives.

Spotted Lake, British Columbia, Canada (Credit: All Canada Photos / Alamy)

Lake Retba, Senegal

Resembling a giant pool of strawberry pink lemonade, Lake Retba has very high levels of salt, so it is easy for people to float on its water. It also attracts salt harvesters.
The lake is near Senegal's Atlantic coast. It gets its brilliant pink colour from salt-loving microalgae called Dunaliella salina, which produce a red pigment to help absorb sunlight. The colour is especially prominent during the dry season.

Lake Retba, Senegal (Credit: Jeff Attaway, CC by 2.0)

Blood Falls, Antarctica

In the frozen wastes of east Antarctica, a bright-red cascading waterfall flows out of fissures in the Taylor Glacier. The water comes from a hyper-salty lake, which has been trapped beneath the glacier for 2 million years.

As the iron-rich water flows out, the iron reacts with oxygen in the air to form rust, giving the waterfall its vivid red colour. The ancient community of microbes in the lake could provide clues to life on prehistoric Earth and other planets.

Blood Falls in east Antarctica (Credit: Mike Martoccia, CC by 2.0)

Caño Cristales, Colombia

During a brief period between September and November, this river changes from ordinary clear water to a rainbow of colour. The vivid hues of red, blue, green and orange are caused by an endemic plant, Macarenia clavigera, blooming in the water - as well as mosses and algae.

The river is located in a remote part of the Serranía de la Macarena mountain range. It was closed off until the mid-2000s due to guerrilla activity.

Caño Cristales, Colombia (Credit: Tom Till / Alamy)

Boiling Lake, Dominica

This lake literally boils and breathes out steam. It is located high up in Morne Trois Pitons National Park, and is accessible only by an arduous hike.

The lake is constantly heated by molten lava underneath, which vents steam and hot gas through an opening into the lake. Swimming here can be deadly.

Boiling Lake, Dominica (Credit: George H. H. Huey / Alamy)

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

This 10,582 sq km site is the world's largest salt flat. Hexagonal mesh-like patterns of salt, intermixed with salt mounds, dot the landscape.

During the wet season, the salt desert gets flooded by water from neighbouring lakes and transforms into a giant mirror reflecting the sky. The area is a major source of lithium.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia (Credit: Cultura RM / Alamy)

Pamukkale Travertine Terraces, Turkey

Turquoise pools of water fill up limestone terraces, which were once deposited by flowing, mineral-rich hot springs.

Also called the Cotton Castle, the Pamukkale terraces lie next to the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis. Together, the terraces and city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pamukkale Travertine Terraces, Turkey (Credit: RooM the Agency / Alamy)

Pitch Lake, Trinidad

The black and viscous La Brea Pitch Lake is the largest natural deposit of tar or asphalt in the world. The lake is thought to lie between two faults, through which underground oil seeps up.

Tiny water droplets suspended in the tar are home to many microorganisms. The lake is also a treasure chest of fossilised animals that became trapped in the sticky asphalt.

Pitch Lake in Trinidad (Credit: Shriram Rajagopalan, CC by 2.0)

Loktak Lake, India 

This lake is speckled by phumdis: large, circular masses of intertwined vegetation, soil and other organic matter. The largest phumdi covers over 40 sq km.

Rich in biodiversity, the lake is home to threatened animals like Indian pythons and hoolock gibbons. It also supplies water to a hydropower project.

Loktak Lake, India (Credit: Neill McAllister / Alamy)

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Within a forested national park in Croatia, a series of 16 interlinked lakes cascade into waterfalls. The lakes are separated by natural limestone dams.

Declared a National Park in 1949, the Plitvice Lakes are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has rich biodiversity, including rare animals like lynx, European polecats, and wolves.

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia (Credit: Nino Marcutti / Alamy)

Kelimutu Crater Lakes, Indonesia

Atop the Kelimutu volcano in Indonesia lie three crater lakes, each a different colour. The lakes are next to each other within the crest of the same volcano. They change their colours periodically, ranging from blue to green, red, black, and even chocolate brown or white.   

The three lakes have different temperatures and chemical compositions.

Kelimutu crater lakes, Indonesia (Credit: StockTrek Images, Inc. / Alamy)

Champagne Pool, New Zealand

Like in a glass of champagne, carbon dioxide gas constantly bubbles through the Champagne Pool. The hot spring formed about 900 years ago, and has a surface water temperature of about 74°C.

The vibrant orange edges of the pool are rich in silica, with deposits of arsenic and antimony sulphides. There are also deposits of mercury, thallium, gold and silver in the surrounding rocks.

Champagne Pool, New Zealand (Credit: macronix, CC by 2.0)

Goa

North Goa

Calangute

Calangute is the most popular Beach with cautious thousands thronging it in both the peak and off-season. The waves rise high above as you wash away your city blues, though swimmer need to be a trifle because of the sudden drop and the rising waves.

 

Baga Beach

 Compared to Calangute, Baga is quieter and also more isolated. The creek, the Retreat House perched on the hill, and fewer tourists, all contribute to its unique beauty. Want to enjoy the thrill of extreme water sports or go fishing in the sea? This is the Beach for you!

Vagator Beach

This most photographed Beach of Goa forms a bay that curves from the headland to the hillock crowned by the Chapora Fort.This beautiful arc of sand.

 

 

Anjuna Beach

Anjuna was made famous by the ‘flower power and peace’ generation of the sixties and early seventies. And later by the ‘trance’ parties. Located about 18 kms from Panaji, the Beach is known for its breeze-catching palms, soft sand, and the unusual rocky formation overlying a cove of whitish sand.and black rock that juts into the sea.

Sinquerim Beach

With its magnificent 17th century fort which has now been converted into a prison, Sinquerim is one of the finest Beaches in Goa, offering international class facilities for water-skiing, parasailing, fishing, scuba-diving and wind-surfing.

 

Candolim Beach

Candolim is the first Beach that can be approached from the city of Panaji and is like a gateway to the other more famous Beaches. Though individual accommodation is available here, there are only a few hotels with restaurants attached. One highlight of Candolim is the parasailing and water skiing facility, besides other water sports.

 

Morjim Beach

The VIPs on this Beach are the Olive Ridley turtles that come to nest here helped by a group of volunteers who guard the nests and help the hatchlings get into the sea.

 

Arambol (Harmal) BEACH

This is also a foreigners’ haunt with a large number of Tai Chi, non-permanent mehendi or henna, tattoo, yoga and meditation centres. Further up near the hill is a pool with soft yellow clay, which is said to have healing properties. Beauticians buy the clay as do the innumerable massage parlours in the area.

 

Miramar BEACH

This beautiful ‘urban’ Beach, akin to Chowpatty in Mumbai. Miramar is very much both a family Beach and a meeting point for young people. It is also a hot spot for fitness fiends and walkers.

 

SOUTH GOA

Palolem Beach

Palolem is a cosy Beach of white sand facing a blue bay between two headlands. The little wooded islands on the northern headland look alluring and you could try and persuade one of the fishermen — this is also a fishing Beach — to ferry you across. They also offer to take you out to spot dolphins.

Agonda Beach

If you continue driving towards Panaji from Palolem, the next Beach is Agonda.
It’s long and lonely, fringed with palms and casuarinas and dominated by a large hill to the south.

It’s not safe to swim out too far on this Beach. There are very few facilities available here and you are needed to carry all the essentials.

Varca, Cavelossim and Mobor Beach         

Varca, Cavelossim and Mabor are a trio of the most alluring Beaches south of Benaulim. These Beaches are much cleaner and quieter than most of the other more famous Beaches of Goa. There are numerous Beach shacks offering a variety of Goan dishes and seafood at reasonable prices.

Betalbatim Beac

North of Colva is Betalbatim Beach which begins a long string of Beaches with Majorda, Utorda, Arossim and Velsao at the north. It is a ten kilometre stretch of white sand which is not very crowded.

Colva Beach

This is the most important Beach in the South circuit, equipped with all modern amenities like air-conditioned resort complexes, tourist cottages, discos, besides several stalls, eateries and guest houses—all of which have expanded the village enormously

 

Majorda Beach

This small stretch, about 5 kms north of Colva Beach, is as pretty as a picture, studded with several hotels, the most prominent being the starred Majorda Beach Resort.

Bogmalo Beach

This Beach, dominated by a 5-star hotel located right on its edge, is cut apart from both the North and South Beach circuit. Just 4 kms from the airport at Dabolim, it is a favourite among the elite classes and has an air of exclusivity.

 

Benaulim Beach

Less than 2 kms south of Colva is the more tranquil Beach of Benaulim, is one of the few places in Goa where one can glimpse handicrafts typical to this area. The best of the traditional rosewood furniture is made here. Also, mythically Benaulim is famous as the place where the legendary Parashuram's arrow landed by which Goa was created.

Betul Beach

Betul is an important fishing port where all the mechanized boats and deep sea trawlers bring in their catch. Here headlands from the slopes of the Western Ghats protrude into the shore, imparting an imposing backdrop.