Earthly Paradises: Visit These Jewel-colored Lakes and Rivers

7 September 2025

Ever seen water so vibrant it looks like a box of crayons melted into a lake? Or a river so colorful it seems like Mother Nature accidentally spilled her smoothie into it? Yeah, we’re talking about those rare, downright magical places you’d think only exist in fantasy books or screensavers from 2004. But guess what? They’re real. And better yet—they’re begging you to pack your bags and dive (carefully) into their shimmering depths.

So buckle up, fellow wanderlusters, because we’re about to take a quirky, wet 'n’ wild tour of some of the most dazzling, jewel-colored lakes and rivers on this green (and very blue) Earth.

Lake Louise (Canada) – Instagram’s Favorite Cloud Mirror

Let’s start with a classic. Lake Louise in Alberta, Canada, might as well be Cinderella’s mirror—it’s that clear and enchanting. This glacial-fed beauty flaunts a milky turquoise hue thanks to the glacial silt suspended in its waters. And come on, with the Rockies towering in the background like proud parents at a school concert, the whole scene feels like Mother Nature just showed off her Pinterest skills.

What makes Lake Louise a real showstopper? Its color changes depending on the season and weather. On sunny days, it morphs into a bold turquoise, while cloudy days make it appear teal or icy blue. Honestly, it’s like mood rings…but for lakes.

Pro tip: Visit in early July when the ice has just melted and the lake’s jewel tone hits maximum wow-factor. Also, bring your camera. This one’s basically asking for a photoshoot.

Laghi di Fusine (Italy) – A Hidden Gem in the Alps

Italian lakes aren't just about Como and Garda (sorry George Clooney). Tucked away near the Slovenian border, the Fusine Lakes (Laghi di Fusine) are two glacial lakes—one greenish, one more bluish—nestled among the Julian Alps like a surprise double scoop of sorbet.

The colors? Unfiltered enchantment. In the morning, you'll see a mirror-like reflection of the pine trees, while by late afternoon, it looks like the lake borrowed a blue filter from Instagram. And despite its cinematic look, the crowds are pretty light—probably because they haven’t figured out how to pronounce "Fusine."

Why you should go: It’s like stepping into a watercolor painting, minus the wet socks.

Caño Cristales (Colombia) – The Liquid Rainbow

Okay, stop everything. This river has FIVE colors. No kidding.

Known as the "River of Five Colors" or the “Liquid Rainbow,” Caño Cristales in Colombia turns into a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, green, blue, and black between July and November. Why? Because of an aquatic plant called Macarenia clavigera. Fancy name, fabulous work.

You’d think someone threw a rave for algae, and the result is this mesmerizing spectacle that sparkles under the sun. Let’s just say this is what you’d get if a unicorn sneezed on a river.

Heads up: You need a guide and permits to visit, but trust me—this isn’t your average river float. It’s more like tripping out (legally and naturally) in the jungle.

Lake Hillier (Australia) – The Bubblegum Wonder

Imagine standing on a beach and seeing what looks like a strawberry milkshake in lake form. That’s Lake Hillier, baby.

Located on Middle Island off the coast of Western Australia, this lake is unmistakably, unapologetically pink. Like, cotton-candy, Pepto-Bismol, Barbie’s bathroom pink.

And no—your eyes aren’t fooling you. The color comes from a combination of halophilic (salt-loving) microalgae and bacteria doing their colorful thing in the salty water.

Fun fact: Even if you scoop the water into a bottle, it stays pink. Pure sorcery.

Only catch: You can’t get too close unless you have a boat or take a scenic flight. But lemme tell ya, the aerial view is basically every travel influencer’s dream.

Jiuzhaigou Valley (China) – Nature’s Kaleidoscope

You know those dream sequences in movies where everything turns sparkly and magical? Jiuzhaigou Valley in China is like that, but real.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is packed with over 100 lakes, each doing its own impressive impression of a jewel. We’re talking sapphire blues, emerald greens, and aquamarines that could make a mermaid weep.

The standout? Five Flower Lake. It’s only around 16 feet deep, but the water is so crystal clear, you can see the fallen tree trunks crisscrossing like a pickup sticks game played by giants.

Best time to go: Autumn. The combination of colored leaves and neon water is basically visual candy.

Moraine Lake (Canada) – The Underdog with a Big Voice

Lake Louise’s scrappy younger sibling, Moraine Lake, doesn't get as much attention—but it should.

Deep in Banff National Park, this lake looks like the setting of a fantasy novel. The color? Absolutely electric blue, like your computer crashed and accidentally loaded a better universe. It gets that wild color from rock flour (a fancy term for glacial silt)—same idea as Lake Louise, but the saturation here is next-level.

Why it rocks: Fewer tourists, more wow. Plus, the Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounds it in all their rugged glory, making it look like the world’s best-kept secret—which, until now, it kind of was.

Kelimutu Lakes (Indonesia) – The Color-Changing Triplets

Ever seen a volcano casually rock three different colored lakes at once? Indonesia’s Mount Kelimutu does exactly that—and then changes them just to keep things spicy.

These three crater lakes not only sit side-by-side like strange siblings but also randomly change colors thanks to chemical reactions involving volcanic gas and minerals. No joke—last year one was baby blue, the next was dark green, and the third was Coke-bottle brown.

It’s like mood swings… but make it geology.

Catch the sunrise: You’ll thank yourself. Especially when the early morning mist gives the scene a properly cinematic touch.

Plitvice Lakes (Croatia) – Where Water Goes to Show Off

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a watery stairwell of 16 turquoise lakes, all linked together by waterfalls that seem to whisper, “You ain't seen nothing yet.”

No filters, no gimmicks—just water in full-on glow-up mode. The vibrant blues and greens are courtesy of minerals and organisms that turn simple H₂O into a high-def visual treat.

Pro tip: Visit in spring or autumn when the crowds are manageable, and the colors are in their prime. Summer’s stunning too, but it comes with more elbows per square meter.

Peyto Lake (Canada) – The Dog-shaped Gem

Okay, quick quiz: what’s blue, shaped like a dog’s head from above, and makes you question your whole life’s priorities?

Peyto Lake!

Yet another Canadian gem (seriously, is Canada hoarding the good stuff?), Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed marvel found in Banff National Park. It’s a vivid, almost neon turquoise, and yes—it really does look like a dog from the viewpoint.

You’ll walk up, gasp, and immediately consider applying for Canadian citizenship and buying a canoe.

Lake Natron (Tanzania) – The Fiery Red Lake of Legends

Let's end on something a little spooky.

Lake Natron in Tanzania isn’t your average beach day contender. For starters, it’s blood red. Like, Dracula’s-bathtub red. The coloring comes from salt-loving microorganisms and algae that thrive in its high-salinity, alkaline-rich waters.

Here’s the dark twist: It’s so harsh that it can calcify animals, giving this place a low-key “Medusa” vibe. Flamingos love it though—they nest here, unfazed like feathered drama queens.

Warning: Not for swimming. Unless you like horror movie plotlines.

So... Why Are These Waters So Dang Colorful?

Good question, curious reader!

The secret sauce behind these technicolor waters comes down to a handful of natural artists:

- Algae & microorganisms – These tiny guys are basically aquatic Instagram filters.
- Minerals & rock flour – Glacial silt turns water into turquoise paint.
- Light & depth – Sunshine and lake depth can completely change the shade.
- Chemical reactions – Particularly in volcanic areas, reactions can make water do trippy things.

Think of it like a magical collaboration between chemistry, geology, and a dash of “what the heck, Earth?”

Final Splashes

The world’s full of surprises—and these lakes and rivers prove it. They’re not just eye candy, they’re mind candy too. Whether it’s the liquid rainbow of Colombia or a volcanic crater in Indonesia throwing color tantrums for fun, these places make it clear: our planet has serious style.

So, if you’re craving some magic and your Instagram feed is starting to look like a beige wall, maybe it’s time to dive into (figuratively, in some cases) one of these earthly paradises.

Because let’s face it—life’s too short for boring water.