Clearest lake in the world (pics)

Meet the world’s clearest lake - the Blue Lake, located in the top part of New Zealand’s South Island.

Scientifically, the visibility of distilled water is about 80 metres. However, verified reports show that the visibility of waters in Blue Lake clocks in at 76 metres.

The lake itself, is in a restricted conservation area, and entering the lake, let alone diving, is prohibited. It is a 2-3km hike to get to the lake.



Blue Lake is located 1,200m above sea level and receives water from another lake above it.

From the top lake, water is filtered through a moraine (glacial debris), before finally creating the Blue Lake.

Water flows out of the Blue Lake through a hole and the entire lake is replaced around every 24 hours.

On rare occasions Blue Lake can become temporarily murky, such as after heavy rain that washes particles into it, but after a few days its astonishing clarity is restored.

Here are the first-ever photos of this newly discovered natural wonder, taken by Klaus Thymann of Project Pressure and supported by New Zealand Department of Conservation and New Zealand Tourism.

The lake, which in Maori is called Rotomairewhenua, is sacred, and the local Maori tribe, Ngati Apa, was consulted about the dive. Equipment was carefully prepared and a special permit to land a helicopter granted, and on a clear sunny day, the dive was conducted.