8 Most Beautiful Water Landscapes in the World

When you hear the word “landscape,” what comes to mind? Mountains, hills, or countryside? In fact, landscape in a broader sense means “all the visible features of a particular area,” which includes bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and the sea. In photography, shooting such places is referred to as seascapes, although the sea may not necessarily be the main subject of the photo — a seascape usually includes a variety of water features, from the ocean and rivers to waterfalls and lakes.

These natural and man-made areas are some of the most beautiful and breathtaking places in the world. Today we will look at eight of them. They are the places that inspire us to travel, filling us with the spirit of adventure. But the photos of these places also make us want to live a better life, a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes is a series of 16 lakes that are connected by magnificent waterfalls. The lakes are located in a national park that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are able to change their color from azure and green to gray and blue. Due to the travertine deposits (powdery white limestone rock) that lie beneath the lakes, the water in them always remains crystal clear. What is amazing is that the lakes are creations of nature and nothing more. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-see for photography or nature lovers. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a beautiful combination of lakes, waterfalls, a river and forest all in one place. (Photo: Jack Brauer)

Visit Abraham Lake in winter and you will see an incredible natural phenomenon – frozen bubbles of air under the water. Often, the appearance of such bubbles is attributed to the presence of methane in the water, which is trying to escape to the surface. Frozen in the icy waters, the bubbles give this artificial lake a stunning appearance from November to March. The surface of the lake is very slippery, and the thickness of the ice can vary from 5 to 25 cm. There are also cracks and crevices in the ice covering the lake, which make visiting this water attraction a real adventure, especially for photographers (Photo: Emmanuel Coupe Kalomiris).

You have to see this lake with your own eyes to believe that this natural wonder exists. Lake Hillier, located in Western Australia, is shocking in its color at first glance – it’s pink! Scientists are baffled because they cannot understand why the water here is bright pink, although many believe that it is caused by the reaction of sea salt with sodium bicarbonate. Another option is the presence of red halophilic bacteria in the salt crusts. Interestingly, the color is permanent and, what’s more, has dyeing properties. When water from the lake is collected in a container, it turns pink. (Photo: Vusan Alekeberov)

Ha Long Bay (or “Bay of Descending Dragons”) in Quang Ninh Province in northeastern Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see. The bay is home to some 1,600 limestone islands topped with lush vegetation. Among these islands, you can find hidden lagoons, beautiful beaches, countless caves and grottoes of all shapes and sizes – places just waiting to be explored. It’s easy to see why this seascape is often included in lists of natural wonders of the world. Photo: (Air Pano)

Visit Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake on Earth, in winter and you will be one of the lucky ones to witness a supernatural wonder of nature. During the colder months, Lake Baikal freezes over, and a combination of wind, temperature changes, frost and sun cause cracks and ridges to form. These masses of broken ice are a magnificent turquoise color and resemble shards of glass that burst out of the lake, rising high into the sky. An ice mound can reach 15 meters in height, shimmering like a giant rock on the surface of the frozen lake. At over 25 million years old, Baikal is a natural wonder and one of the largest and deepest lakes in the world. Incredibly, it contains one fifth of the world’s fresh water. (Photo: Alexey Trofimov)

Wuhua Hai in Jiuzhaigou Valley, China is a shallow lake filled with relict fallen trees that peek through the crystal clear waters. The lake's multi-colored appearance is due to the reaction of the trees in the lake to certain minerals. The name Five Flower Lake comes from the fact that at any time of year, the lake displays at least five different colors. This gem of Jiuzhaigou is also called Peacock Lake. (Photo: All That is Interesting)

Come to Caño Cristales at the right time and you’ll see why it’s called the most beautiful river in the world. For most of the year, the riverbed is covered in green moss. But just once a year, between the wet and dry seasons, in September or November, the river explodes with color. The unique plants that line the riverbed are called Macarenia clavigera. Only at certain times of the year do they turn bright red, and when combined with the yellow sand and blue water, they create an unforgettable picture. (Photo: Twisted Sifter)

The roaring Iguazu Falls are located on the border of Brazil and Argentina. The 270 waterfalls stretch 1.7 miles across, and some reach heights of up to 269 feet. The best view is from the Brazilian side, standing on a U-shaped ledge called the Devil's Throat. Here, the water falls with such force that it creates a constant roar and a cloud of spray. Surrounded by lush jungle with tropical plants and animals, Iguazu Falls is one of the most beautiful places not only in South America, but in the entire world. (Photo: Andrew Murray)