11 Exquisite Beaches With The Clearest Water in The World (MAP Included)

Clear water beaches are some of nature’s most spectacular wonders, with vibrant turquoise hues and pristine shorelines that allow you to see right to the sandy bottom.

You may think that all the clearest beaches in the world can only be found in the dreamy tropical islands of the Caribbean or South Pacific, but that’s not the case at all. There are places with clear water beaches all over the world, from Europe all the way to the southern tip of Africa.

Just take a look at the map below.

Map of The Best Beaches With Clear Water

A map of the world with the locations and images of 11 of the world's most beautiful clear water beachesOur selection of the best beaches with clear water are found all over the world.

I’ve compiled a collection of 11 of the best beaches with clear water, but do take note that there are many many other equally exquisite beaches out there. The beaches in this list were chosen based on my own travel experiences as well as those of fellow beach-lovers.

These are spots where the water clarity is out of this world, and nearby attractions offer even more to explore.

So get your sunglasses on and let’s dive into these 11 beaches with the clearest water in the world.

A collage of eight exquisite beaches with clear water from around the world. These are just some of the world's best clear water beaches.Some of the best beaches with clear water in the world in order from left to right: Anse Source d'Argent, PK9, Porto Katsiki, Tropea, Camps Bay, Punta Mita, Entalula Island, Pink Beach

Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

View of Lanikai Beach, Oahu, one of the best beaches with clear water in the world

Located on Oahu’s eastern coast, Lanikai Beach is known for its calm, crystal-clear water and picture-perfect scenery.

Lanikai itself is quite a peaceful area, lacking facilities, but it’s only a short drive from the laid-back town of Kailua, where you can find plenty of restaurants, cafes, and beach shops.

If you enjoy getting out into the ocean, kayaking out to the nearby Mokulua Islands is a popular activity. Snorkeling here will also give you the chance to swim with green sea turtles and vibrant fish just offshore.

Don't forget that Oahu has plenty of stunning beaches, so be sure to read our Oahu beach guide to help you decide which ones to visit.

Getting there: Lanikai Beach is fairly close to Honolulu, about a 30-minute drive away. Parking can be tricky since it’s a residential area so it’s best to arrive early or mid-week to avoid the crowds. You can spend the morning here before grabbing lunch in Kailua or exploring the island further.

Shoal Bay East, Anguilla

A stunning clear water beach in Anguilla

Anguilla is right up there when it comes to Caribbean beaches, and Shoal Bay East is perhaps its finest offering. It’s a long, lovely stretch, known for its striking contrast of white sand and turquoise waters.

This is a beach for pure relaxation and bliss, with several beach bars and restaurants right along the sand. Nearby is Little Bay Beach, which is also worth visiting for some snorkeling and exploring.

Getting there: Anguilla is accessible by ferry from St. Martin. It’s a bit more exclusive than its neighbors but making the journey here is definitely worth it. Once on the island, it’s easy to either rent a car or bike to get around and explore the various beaches Anguilla is famous for, including Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, and Rendezvous Bay.

Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles

Anse Source d'Argent is a beach in the Seychelles with some of the clearest water in the world

This is easily the most famous beach in the Seychelles, and quite possibly one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Known for its iconic granite boulders and slightly pinkish sands, Anse Source d'Argent is a breathtaking spot on La Digue, one of the smaller (and most laid back) islands in the Seychelles.

The water here is incredibly clear and shallow, making it ideal for families or anyone who just wants to wade in the water. One of the best ways to explore La Digue is by bicycle. We criss-crossed the entire island by bike when we visited and it was a fantastic experience.

The sequence of attractions generally went something like this:

Local village, Beach, Beach, Beach bar, Local village, etc

You may also want to visit the Veuve Reserve, a sanctuary for the endangered Seychelles paradise flycatcher.

Getting there: From the main island of Mahé, it’s easy to reach La Digue by ferry. Most of the locals and tourists use bicycles to get around the island, which is a relaxing and eco-friendly way to experience the stunning surroundings.

Punta Mita Beach, Mexico

Punta Mita beach in Mexico viewed from above

Located on the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico’s west coast, Punta Mita Beach is not nearly as busy as the popular Puerto Vallarta area. The beach offers the typical sparkling blue water and white sand you’d expect from one of the clearest beaches in the world.

Besides lounging on the beach, you can book a boat tour to the nearby Marietas Islands, where you’ll find incredible marine life and the hidden Playa del Amor (or "Love Beach"), only reachable by swimming through a tunnel.

Getting there: Punta Mita is around an hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta, which is pretty well connected by air. Accommodation options in the area are varied, so you’ll easily find something to suit your budget.

Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

View of Camps Bay beach from the road in Clifton, Cape Town

Cape Town has its fair share of stunning beaches, but when it comes to the clearest beaches in the world, Camps Bay Beach stands out as the city’s shining or should I say, sparkling star. A combination of clear, cool Atlantic waters with beautiful views of Table Mountain make this beach a must-visit when in the city.

Camps Bay is found along Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard, an affluent part of the city home to a fair share of glitzy hotels and exquisite beaches. Our illustrated Cape Town map is worth taking a look at if you want to better understand the city's layout and best spots before visiting.

The water may be chilly here, but it’s what you need on a hot summer’s day. After some time in the sun, head up to the Camps Bay strip for a vibrant dining and nightlife scene. And since Camps Bay is so close to Table Mountain National Park and Lion’s Head, you don't need to go far for a lot of great hiking options.

Getting there: Camps Bay is a quick 10-minute drive from central Cape Town, easily reachable by Uber or car. You can also visit Camps Bay and the neighboring suburbs along the Atlantic Seaboard as part of the hop-on-hop-off red bus route, which actually makes for a good way to see the city’s main sights if you don’t have much time to explore on your own.

Tropea Beach, Calabria, Italy

View of the main beach in Tropea, one of the clearest beaches in the world

Tropea is quickly emerging as one of Italy’s next big coastal destinations. Just a few years ago it wasn’t to be seen on the tourist trail, however, that’s changed a lot since then. It’s still a lot quieter than the Amalfi Coast and most visitors are locals so if you want to visit, now’s the time.

What makes Tropea so unique and spectacular is the way the town is set on a steep cliffside overlooking the turquoise beach below. Add to that the Santa Maria dell’Isola Monastery on the promontory with breathtaking views of the beach, and you’ve got an absolute gem on Italy’s Calabrian coast. The beach itself is calm, clear as can be, and great for swimming.

We last visited in 2022 and it was as gorgeous as ever. The town itself is also quite charming and is the perfect spot to try some of the local dishes made with the famous red onion of Tropea.

Getting there: You can fly to Calabria’s Lamezia Terme airport from a number of Italian cities as well as a few international ones. It’s the closest airport to Tropea, at about an hour’s drive away. Taking the train is also possible, but just note that the high speed train doesn’t reach this far south so the last leg will be on a slower regional train.

But hey, who doesn’t want to take it slow in southern Italy!? It’s a place to savor and explore at a leisurely pace.

Porto Katsiki Beach, Lefkada, Greece

Lefkada Beach Horizontal

Lefkada is an emerald gem of an island, part of Greece’s Ionian Archipelago. The island has many beaches but one truly stands out above them all – it's the beach of Porto Katsiki, one of the bluest and clearest beaches in the world.

Accessible via a scenic mountain road, Porto Katsiki is a beach worth traveling a long way for. It’s a place of mesmerizing blue water and sheer cliffs. The beach is popular with both swimmers and snorkelers, and it’s possible to rent a small boat to visit the hidden coves nearby.

Lefkada also has a few charming villages worth checking out, like Agios Nikitas and Egklouvi, where you can soak in that wonderful Greek hospitality and authentic cuisine.

Getting there: Porto Katsiki is about a 45-minute drive from Lefkada town, which is connected to mainland Greece by a bridge, so it’s easy to reach by car. This is one of the few Greeks islands you can visit without needing to travel by ferry.

Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia

Aerial view of the magnificent Whitehaven beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia, one of the places with clear water beaches

Whitehaven Beach is truly out of this world, especially when viewed from above. The pure white silica sand and impossibly clear blue waters easily earn it a spot in this list of the best beaches with clear water.

Australia’s Whitsunday Islands are famous for sailing, so it’s common to join a boat tour or even stay on a yacht for a night. Hill Inlet, at the northern end of Whitehaven Beach, offers a beautiful spot for viewing the swirling sand patterns that shift with the tides — this is one of Australia’s most photographed spots for good reason.

Getting there: Most visitors take a boat from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island, both of which are easy to reach from Queensland’s major cities. It’s probably best to book a day trip or longer tour to explore the endless beaches around the islands.

PK9 Beach, Fakarava Island, French Polynesia

A view of the famous PK9 beach in Fakarava, French Polynesia

PK9 Beach on Fakarava is one not many people have heard of, and that’s no doubt because the French Polynesian island of Fakarava doesn’t get a lot of attention, or visitors.

Most tourists to French Polynesia just park off on Bora Bora and call it a day, but the Tuamotu Archipelago offers so much in the way of natural diversity and authenticity. The island group includes around 75 atolls and numerous coral reefs scattered across an area of over 2 million kilometres, or 1.2 million miles!

Fakarava is one of the most exquisite islands to visit here, with soft sandy palm-fringed beaches and excellent snorkeling. It’s especially known for its untouched ecosystems and rare sealife, which is a big part of the reason it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

You can see blacktip reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and vibrant coral reefs in the famous “North Pass” dive site.

Getting there: Fakarava is not the closest destination for most of us but it’s the kind of place that definitely warrants at least one visit. In my books a trip here is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You can fly direct to the island via Tahiti from a number of North American cities.

Fakarava’s not only a good choice for eco-conscious travelers, but also snorkeling and diving fans, as well as those looking for a castaway experience.

Entalula Island Beach, El Nido, Philippines

A stunning clear water beach in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

Entalula Island Beach is a private paradise in El Nido. With towering karst cliffs, lush vegetation dotted across the rockface and tropical palms lining the dazzling white beaches, the setting here is incredibly unique and unlike any of the Caribbean and Indian Ocean islands.

The sand is powdery soft and the brilliant clear blue water reveals the underwater coral ecosystem below. The nearby Bacuit Bay offers endless opportunities for island-hopping and snorkeling, with other hidden gems like Secret Beach and Big Lagoon.

El Nido is the perfect place for a tropical beach escape, so if you’re thinking about a trip to the Palawan Islands, Entalula Island is definitely worth considering.

Getting there: Your journey begins with a flight into Puerto Princesa, followed by a drive about 5-6 hours north to El Nido. From there, you can join a boat tour that includes stops at various beaches and lagoons around the area.

Pink Beach, Komodo Island, Indonesia

Pink Beach on Komodo Island, one of the best beaches with clear water

Komodo Island is one of those rare places home to incredibly unique wildlife (the Komodo dragon), a great selection of arguably world-class beaches and some really stunning landscapes. Making up just under 400 square kilometres or 150 square miles in area, the entire island falls under the protection of the Komodo National Park. The landscapes here include not only forests, which you would expect in this part of the world, but also savannah and dry volcanic hills.

If I had to choose a place Komodo Island reminds me most of, I’d pick Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

Pink Beach is one of only seven pink sand beaches around the world. But it’s also one of the world’s best beaches with clear water. The turquoise water and pink sand color combination complement each other so well that this beach simply had to make it onto this list of the best clear water beaches. Besides swimming in the clear water, you can also enjoy some of Indonesia’s best diving in and around Komodo Island.

Getting there: Pink Beach is best visited on a day trip from the town of Labuan Bajo on Flores Island, which has an airport. You can choose from a variety of tours that include snorkeling, diving, and dragon-spotting for a truly unique adventure.

And that concludes our selection of the best clear water beaches in the world. Let us know how many of these beaches you've visited!

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