Looking for the best places with the clearest water in the USA? From beaches to lakes and springs, your list is endless. I personally love places such as Ginnie Springs, Dry Tortugas National Park, and the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Hawaii.
Help find your inner pace, catch a wave, relax on the shore, or enjoy a water sport in these clear waters. The lakes, seas, bays and springs range in colors: you’ll see turquoise blue and deep navy!
One thing these locations have in common is that they feature the best clear water in the USA, no matter where they are. So create a packing list and a road trip guide and go visit the best of the best. And as a side note, I personally think the Florida springs has the best of the best for clear water, so don’t be shocked to see many of those on this list!
1. Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs has some of the clearest water in Florida! As one of the best springs Florida, this places is a bucket list location. The gorgeous blue color of the water brings in tourists every day. And the area is large, so you can spend your time camping and enjoying the scenery!
It does get busy though! Because drinking is allowed, guests flock to the springs on weekends and holidays. So make sure to plan accordingly. This way you can enjoy all the recreation in the water and not worry about it getting too busy.
2. Cinnamon Bay, USV
The best clear beaches in the USA just so happen to be the clearest water in the Virgin Islands! At Cinnamon Bay, this beach and the waters is the longest beach in St. John. It includes facilities that allow you to go camping, and enjoy snacks and features souvenir shops.
Don’t forget the watersports and snorkeling gear rentals too! This beach ranks amongst the most beautiful and pristine beaches within the national park itself. The towering palms are breathtaking, and the white sand adds to the blue water. Don’t forget about the small clay you can explore too!
This is also one of our favorite beaches in the Caribbean!
3. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a giant freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It straddles the border between California and Nevada, and is fairly famous for its beaches and ski resorts. In fact, of all beaches, this is one of the top best clear water beaches in the USA!
Guests love places like the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. This features the Sand Harbor Beach and Spooner Lake, which I closed to the long-distance hiking trail of Tahoe Rim Trail. With so many things to do and explore here, guests love to hike, and then enjoy the cool water after. With over 122,160,280 aces, this lake is the largest alpine lake in the USA!
4. Barton Springs, Texas
Barton Springs isn’t necessarily a beach, but it does feature some of the clearest water in America, specifically the clearest water in Texas. The four natural water springs are located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin.
The flowing water of this spring is a popular relaxation destination. Not only does the pool measure over 3 aces in size, but it offers year-round swimming. And it is home to tons of endangered species– like the Barton Springs Salamander. Depths of the pool range, making it perfect to explore. The area is protected!
5. Schoolhouse Beach, Wisconsin
I love this location! Talk about one of the cleanest beaches in the USA and you know Schoolhouse will be there. The clearest water in Wisconsin is here, and so are stunning photo ops! And the perfect places for relaxation! This scenic lakeside destination is popular due to its clear water.
But beyond this, the smooth, limestone rocks are also worth seeing. They have been polished with glacier waters for thousands of years. Each are geological treasures! Sadly, you cannot take them from the beach anymore. There is even a fine to stop this. Nevertheless, this beach offers great swimming in marked areas with diving rafts. This protected harbor area is worth seeing.
6. Cayo Icacos, Puerto Rico
Cayo Icacos is a tiny, uninhabited island in Puerto Rico. It is known for its white sands and perfect turquoise water: it truly matches an ideal Caribbean vibe! This island helps form part of the La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve. It is a popular destination for honeymoons and relaxation trips!
Due to the island being close to Fajardo, and the easy access of getting to this island, guests love visiting year round. The tropical weather and gently crashing waves is worth the visit. But know you cannot stay overnight! Swimming and snorkeling highly suggested– the exceptional beaches are some of the best white sand beaches in the USA!
7. Dry Tortugas National Park
I love this national park. More than anything and everything! Not only does it offer the insight to some of the clearest water in the USA, but the group of islands is totally worth exploring. As a national park, the 100-mile square radius of Dry Tortugas and seven islands are truly paradise.
Nature is quiet here, and its bond with the history of this location makes it so special to visit. I will admit, getting here is not the easiest or cheapest thing to do. But the area is remote and worth the exploration. So hop on a Ferry or a seaplane, and spend HOURS exploring this stunning park.
8. John Pennekamp State Park, Florida
The clearest water in Florida is featured at John Pennekamp State Park. Located in Key Largo, this par is about 25 miles in length and extends over 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. With park amentities such as picnic tables and barbecue grills– as well as being pet friendly– this is the place to visit!
Enjoy walking on the trails, explore tropical hammocks, picnic and swim at these beaches. All activities offer a great view of the crystal clear water in America. So take a day and go! It cost $8 a vehicle to get in, plus 50 centers a person. It is open year round from 8 am until sunset.
9. Lake Superior
The Great Lakes are obviously a destination spot! But whether you want to see this as a bucket list item, or as a “bluest water in the USA” item is up to you. Either way, this large freshwater lake is known for its cold, clear water.
The agate beaches will leave you memorized. And the nearby towns, like Duluth, makes this lake feel like a sea rather than a lake. The relaxed vibes will have everyone and enjoying the water and shore. And with the depth going upward of 406 meters, the recreation activities are so worth it! This is one of the clearest lakes in the USA!
10. Destin, Florida
I know we’ve already talked about Florida, but where else are you going to find the bluest water in the USA?! The Sunshine State, of course! Destin is a city in the Northwest Panhandle. The Gulf of Mexico beaches are vibrant and blue, and there are tons of things to do.
In fact, the boardwalk is famous! Nature trails pass through sand dunes, and the coastline has pine and oak trees that shelter the natural areas. There are also many golf courses, and even a water park– Big Kahuna– that features tall slides and pools. It is a perfect vacation spot!
11. Trunk Bay, St. Johns (Virgin Islands)
Trunk Bay is a body of water on St. Johns, which is located in the Virgin Islands. It is a part of the Virgin Islands National Park, and its recognizable name is based off of a a Leatherback Sea Turtle, which you may see here! I love the quarter mile of beautiful white sands here.
You can see through the water, so underwater snorkeling is highly encouraged. You’ll see tons of sea life and coral! There is also facilities that offer snorkel gear rentals, chair rentals, restrooms, guards, and snack/bar and grill. There is a reason this is St. John’s most famous and photographed beaches.
12. Havasupai Falls, Arizona
The clearest water in America isn’t always in a beach. In fact, the Havasu Falls in Arizona are just that- a waterfall! It is the fall of the Havasu Creek, which is located in the Grand Canyon. It lays within the Havasupai tribal lands. Guests live the turquoise pools and the remote location.
The stunning beauty brings people to the falls quite often. From June to August, the trials may close due to flooding or extreme heat. Hiking to the falls is a lot of work, so be prepared, and make sure to reserve a campground of a lodge before you go. The lodge and reservation includes your stay, a permit and and other taxes and fees needed for this visit– because you can’t just walk up, nor can you only stay a day! This is true crystal clear water in America.
13. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
As one of the cleanest beaches in there USA, the east Oahu beach of Lanikai is a perfect representation of a Hawaiian getaway. Take a dip in the warm water and enjoy the calm aqua-blue waters. The serenity alone of this place will make you want to stay forever.
After all, Lanikia means “heavenly ocean!” So, wash your worries away. Listen to the waves crashing on the shoreline. And if you can, go to the Kanikia Pillboxes to get panoramic views of the whole beach. Guests also love seeing the sunrise here, and some travel to the Mokulua islands off the coast for more exposure to stunning sands.
14. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hawaii
Of all the beaches with the clearest water in the USA, it’s not surprising that Hawaii has two that feature stunning waters. Hanauma is a marine embayment. It was formed within a “ring” on the southeast coast of Oahu. It Is a super poplar destination due to its pristine marine ecosystem.
When visiting, all guests have to watch a 9-minute video that serves as a crash course on how to save our oceans and goes over safety rules. While the bay is protected by vertical crater walls and a peripheral reef– which is great for snorkeling and smelling– we have to protect this bay! Over-tourism has threatened it often.
15. Devil’s Den, Florida
Although this is not a spring, and although it does not feature the best clear water beaches in the USA, Devil’s Den is a must see. I personally think Florida springs has some of the clearest water there is! Formed by a karst window with a “roof” this pre-historic spring is the go to stop for scuba diving and snorkeling.
You can also lodge here, or visit the nearby two Hammock area, or even the Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens of the Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve. Explore a new world under crystal clear water here. But book in advance! It gets busy!
And there you have it, folks. The clearest water in the USA! Whether you’re traveling the nation exploring beaches, lakes, springs, rivers, and more, visiting the best clearwater beaches in the USA, or the best clearwater water in general, is worth it. Dip your toes in and enjoy some relaxation time!
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