It’s been said that “colors are the smiles of nature,” and if such a sentiment is true, then the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes of our world must be joyful entities indeed, as these bodies of beautiful water are practically beaming with an array of shades spanning every realm of the rainbow. Here are a few of our favorite flowing kaleidoscopes of color, what are some of yours?
CAÑO CRISTALES RIVER, COLOMBIA
Known also as “the river of five colors,” this natural phenomenon morphs into a non-too-muted vibrant shade of crimson each autumn like clockwork. Its change in color is attributed to a local native plant sourcing psychedelic-inspiring minerals and nutrients, apparently.
LAKE RETBA, SENEGAL
Every child (and grown adult’s) bubblegum dream, Senegal’s Lake Retba gets its pastel pink hue from a non-dangerous bacteria that absolutely adores the saltiness of its waters.
GREAT BARRIER REEF, AUSTRALIA
One of the famed wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia harbors a plethora of coral, seaweed, and fish species, which more than explains its near endless and exhaustive color kaleidoscope seen here.
LAKE NATRON, TANZANIA
Shallow and uber-salty, Lake Natron in Tanzania is so salty, in fact, that it’s most flora and fauna can’t survive here. But on the plus side? The incredible colors it creates, including bright red water and ooh-la orange shores.
EMERALD LAKES, NEW ZEALAND
Emerald Lakes is an iconic lake located in New Zealand’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Incredibly, this natural wonder’s yellow-edged enigmatic water is absolutely pure.
GRÜNER SEE, AUSTRIA
Grüner See, which is literally translated as “Green Lake,” is a lake found in Styria, Austria. This beautiful gem is surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and forests, and received its moniker from the marvelous depths of rich emerald-green water it consists of, which comes directly from the snowmelt from the nearby mountains.
LAGUNA COLORADA, BOLIVIA
Laguna Colorada, also known as “Red Lagoon,” is found within Bolivia’s Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. Close to the border with Chile, the fact that the vibrant colored lake houses within it borax islands (which are responsible for the white color) provides a perfectly picturesque contrast with the crimson color of its waters (the red deriving form red sediments and pigmentation of algae).
BLUE POOLS, HAAST PASS, NEW ZEALAND
Fed by natural pure glaciers, the water in these magnificent pools is the deepest azure blue, and so translucent, it provides you a crystal clear view right to the bottom.
