Gazing into the sea’s swirling blue or turquoise water is known as a calming, inspiring, and even healing experience for the mind and body. It turns out, the secret to happiness just may be found in the clear blue water of the ocean or sea!
If you’re looking to melt away as the sound of gentle waves relaxes you, check out our list of 10 of the most beautiful waters and beaches in the world. These destinations promise to help you find the inner peace that only the sand and surf can bring.
Turtle Island, Fiji
No list about places with clear water would be complete without a mention of the Turtle Island Fiji resort. While the nation of Fiji is the undisputed champion of clear blue water and heavenly beaches, Turtle Island is the crown jewel of the destination.
This private island tropical paradise is located on the shores of the Blue Lagoon in the Yasawa Island Group and boasts 12 private beaches that are only available to 14 couples at a time.
The warm turquoise water and immaculately white beaches provide the height of romance, privacy and relaxation. You and your special someone will love the pristine backdrop of this sought-after destination.
Unlike many oceanside destinations, where you are limited to a single tourist-heavy resort, here you can wander and explore. You won’t feel like you are part of a structured program, and this enables you to enjoy each of Turtle Island’s beaches in seclusion so that you don’t miss a single sight.
Revel in the warm hospitality of the local community staff and immerse yourself in the ancient Fijian culture. Enjoy culinary delights prepared from freshly caught seafood and island-grown fruits and vegetables to make your stay at this private island sanctuary complete.
Of course, you may want to remain in your fully serviced and catered beachfront villa. Even if you decide to step out only occasionally, you can go horseback riding on the beach, snorkeling and scuba diving in the turquoise ocean, windsurfing, or mountain biking. For the ultimate private island experience, you are welcome to rent the island today and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Anse Source d’Argent beach, La Digue island, Seychelles
This gem lies just off the coast of the East African island of Seychelles and is this island’s most famous beach. It features gigantic granite boulders. These natural works of art sit on white powdery beaches enveloped in lush palms on one side and crystal blue water on the other.
This mixture of palms, fine-grained sand, and blue and turquoise water is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. The beach is public but needs to be accessed through a National Park, which charges a daily fee.
Activities that holiday-makers can take part in at this beach include swimming, snorkeling, visiting the seaside restaurants and fruit stands, and snapping pictures of the unique sites that change hues as the day progresses.
The Maldives
This popular destination for celebrities is an island nation that lies between the Indian and Arabian seas. With over 1,000 coral islands all set in what is arguably the clearest water in the world and surrounded by talc white beaches, it is not a surprise that the Maldives is a popular bucket-list destination. Stylish over-water bungalows ensure that you’ll never have to lose sight of the clear blue ocean during your stay
When you aren’t taking in the views, you can treat yourself to a spa day at one of the many decadent resort spas on the island. If you’re hungry, enjoy a meal six meters below the water line at the underwater playground. Once you’re relaxed and fortified, spend the afternoon snorkeling as you explore the island’s robust, fabled coral reefs.
Eleuthera Island, Bahamas
This long thin island in The Bahamas archipelago is best known for its pink blushing beaches that invite The Bahamas’ world-famous clear blue water to dance across it. As the fourth most populous island in the Bahamas, Eleuthera offers well-developed resorts and multiple beaches with a distinct allure and charm.
Perhaps most alluring is the beach at Pineapple Fields, which offers a unique vantage point. You’ll see the local pineapple farmers and the beautiful clear ocean.
If you have the itch to ride the surf, you can go North to Surfer’s beach, the hottest spot for surfers. If you head to Cape Eleuthera to the Lighthouse beach, you can enjoy the island’s pink-tinted and unspoiled beaches and admire its old architecture.
Diani Beach, Kenya
This long stretch of beach is located on the South Coast of Kenya. The idyllic turquoise ocean runs a dozen shades of blue and contrasts beautifully with the sandy white beaches dappled with coconut palm trees. It is not uncommon to occasionally find your relaxing beach day interrupted by colobus monkeys swinging through the trees and scampering across the beachside villas.
The plethora of water sports available in Diani include kitesurfing, snorkeling, skydiving, and deep-sea fishing. And if these are not your idea of a day at the beach, you are welcome to visit the Colobus Conservatory or the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest.
Above all, don’t miss an opportunity to catch the stunning sunrise on a morning walk on the beach as the warm waters lap at your feet.
Whitehaven Beach, Australia
This award-winning seven-kilometer beach is located on the largest Whitsunday Island. Its brilliant white silica beaches are perfectly complemented by the crystal blue water making this a picture-perfect sanctuary. Because the island falls within the World Heritage-listed area of the Great Barrier Reef, there are no restaurants or hotels located along the beach, making this destination perfect for a pure beach day. Exfoliate your feet on some of the most virgin sand in the world, frolic in the warm, clear ocean water, and build sandcastles to your heart’s delight! Don’t forget to pass by the lookout at Tongue Point, to get one of the best views of the swirling sands of the Hill Inlet embracing the ocean, finally home.
Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Initially, a break on the trip between Bangkok and Malaysia, this beloved island has become a stand-alone destination, and it is not difficult to see why.
This idyllic escape will make your concept of time evaporate completely. These islands are filled with lush jungles and chalky beaches surrounded by blue ocean water that is teeming with exotic sea life and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling; it even has sunken wrecks that you can dive to explore. Visitors can kayak between secluded coves or whittle their time away, drifting on the clear ocean in blissful relaxation.
Each island offers a plethora of activities, each appealing to different budgets. Depending on your budget, you will want to head to Besar Island if you want the A-List, exclusive tourist experience, and Kecil Island if you want a simpler, natural experience, perfect for the backpacking escapist.
Sardinia, Italy
The second-largest island in the Mediterranean sea after Sicily is an unexpected feast for the eyes featuring calmly expansive turquoise water that laps at beaches of powdered sugar. These sandy dunes and beaches vary so much in topography that almost every type of beach traveler can find their favorite activity catered to in this European paradise.
From the shallow family-friendly clear ocean water of Tuerredda beach to the climbers’ haven at Cala Goloritzè beach to the kitesurfer’s dream at Is Arutas, Sardinia indeed does not disappoint or leave you wanting for more choices, only more time away from work.
For those in search of a scenic photoshoot, the S’Archittu beach with its cliff bridge and the nearby lighthouse will give you the perfect backdrop for that “we can’t do it” Instagram moment or a more sentimental family album snap.
Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
New Zealand’s smallest national park proves that size is irrelevant when it comes to paradisal destinations.
Its inviting sandy beaches fill the spaces between trees and the clear blue ocean water and your toes. Granite and marble formations hug the native forest treeline that sometimes spills onto the golden sand, and crystalline streams tumble down mossy valleys to join the ocean.
This jungle-ringed collection of bays and beaches will leave you torn between a jungle hiking incursion and a day spent joyfully kayaking with playful dolphins and seals surrounded by unique seabirds.
Similar to Whitehaven beach in Australia, this island also provides sanctuary to some of the endangered aspects of the ecosystem, including seal breeding grounds and the native forest.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
This is Belize’s largest island and is surrounded by clear aquamarine water and astounding reefs that are home to striking, colorful sea creatures, coral, and sponges. Frothy white waves break the turquoise water at the reef where divers delight in the Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Blue Hole, a 120m deep marine sinkhole made of limestone that teems with unique marine life.
Beyond diving, the island is also known for its other water sports and pristine Caribbean beaches that frequently host free live festivals and music.
To further compliment this pristine, natural beauty, Belize is a cultural melting pot with about ten distinct yet prominent cultures. This includes Creole, Maya, and East Indians, which are famous for the extraordinary hospitality that almost all but ensures that a one-time visit becomes a lifetime entanglement.
The Bottom Line: Treat Yourself, You Deserve It
When you’re ready to treat yourself to a once in a lifetime retreat, you can’t go wrong with any of the destinations on this list. Turtle Island Resort would be the ideal place to start. After all, nowhere on Earth has better clear blue water beaches and experiences than Fiji. There’s something for everyone, and especially your special someone. Book your stay today!
