Skip to main content

Travel report says this surprising spot is where you can find the bluest water

Which beaches topped the list?

Blue waters
moorpheus / Pixabay

Have you ever wondered which corner of the globe boasts the most mesmerizingly blue waters? The answer might just surprise you. In a quest to uncover the world’s bluest waters, CV Villas embarked on a unique study. To find this information, the company scrutinized unedited Google Maps screenshots of 200 beaches worldwide, employing a color dropper tool to unveil the RGB code of each body of water. They then cross-referenced these findings with the RGB code of the world’s bluest shade of blue, YInMn Blue, a hue that was officially declared the bluest shade by Oregon State University in 2016. 

Recommended Videos

Using a color calculator, CV Villas determined which locations’ waters came closest to the coveted YInMn Blue, thus crowning them as the beaches with the world’s bluest waters. Contrary to the assumption that tropical paradises like the Caribbean or Bora Bora would dominate the rankings, CV Villas’ findings paint a different picture altogether. Nearly all of the destinations on the list are located within Europe, which is a surprising revelation to many. 

The world’s bluest water

Pasqyra Beach
5075933 / Pixabay

Results from CV Villas’ study revealed that Pasqyra Beach in Albania boasts the world’s bluest waters, being just 12.4 points off the YInMn Blue shade. Also known as ‘Mirror Beach,’ this stunning location is renowned for its mirror-like effect when sunlight hits the water. 

Beyond its unparalleled water color, Pasqyra Beach is the perfect spot for those seeking relaxation. The beach is relatively untouched by mass tourism, providing a serene and tranquil environment. When visiting this beach, you can spend a peaceful day soaking up the sun or explore the surrounding cliffs and hidden coves nearby.

Other top contenders for the bluest water

Blue water

So, who else made the list? Not surprisingly, several Greek beaches took many of the top spots, while a few unexpected contenders like Bulgaria and Scotland also made themselves known. Here is the full list of the beaches with the world’s bluest waters.

  1. Pasqyra Beach (Mirror Beach), Albania
  2. Paralia Mpouka (Long Beach), Greece
  3. Kassiopi, Greece
  4. Plage de la Vernette, France
  5. Kaputas Beach, Turkey
  6. Voulisma Beach, Greece
  7. Foki Beach, Greece
  8. Praia do Carvalho, Portugal
  9. Omprogialos, Greece
  10. Los Lances Beach, Spain
  11. Troon Beach, Scotland
  12. Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn Beach), Croatia
  13. Ploce Beach, Montenegro
  14. Marina del Cantone, Italy
  15. Cannon Beach, United States
  16. Cala Saona, Spain
  17. Keem Bay, Ireland
  18. Antisamos, Greece
  19. Plaza Kutlesa, Croatia
  20. Štikovica, Croatia
  21. Platja es Tancats, Spain
  22. Platja des Coll Baix, Spain
  23. Dafnoudi Beach, Greece
  24. Paloma Beach, France
  25. Praia de Boneca, Portugal
  26. Cala Figuera, Spain
  27. Milocher Beach, Montenegro
  28. Matira Beach, French Polynesia
  29. Cape Kaliakra, Bulgaria
  30. Playa El Doradillo, Argentina
Amanda Teague
Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…
This Italian town will fine you $2,800 if you wear flip flops
Leave the sandals at home when visiting this Italian region
Cinque Terre

Are you thinking about visiting Italy's Cinque Terre this summer? This string of centuries-old seaside villages on the Italian Riviera coastline is beloved for its colorful houses, fresh seafood, and cliff-hugging hiking trail.

But before you lace up your plans, make sure you're not slipping into the wrong shoes, literally. Hikers who show up in flip flops or flimsy sandals could end up paying more than they bargained for. As part of a safety initiative first introduced in 2019, Cinque Terre National Park has started cracking down harder on ill-prepared walkers. The fine? Up to €2,500 (about $2,800 USD) for inappropriate footwear.

Read more
Tacoma’s food scene is quietly thriving — here’s where to start
Here's where to eat in Washington's third-largest city
Chez Lafayette, Tacoma, Washington

The Evergreen State has so much to offer, from high desert expanses and exciting American Viticultural Areas to ocean beaches and the new Seattle waterfront. In between, there are some Washington gems that can get overlooked, Like Tacoma, a good-sized city with an above-average culinary presence.

Set just outside of Seattle, Tacoma boasts about 230,000 people, a charming downtown, and beautiful views of the Puget Sound. It's a convenient day trip from the Emerald City or Portland and is also a great respite from traffic, should you just be passing through. Either way, a stop in Tacoma is in order, if only for an outstanding meal.

Read more
This is officially the most affordable European summer travel destination
London took the top spot
london street during the day

If Europe’s on your summer travel list but your budget says otherwise, there’s good news: London is officially the most affordable European destination for summer 2025. That’s according to Dollar Flight Club’s latest Travel Report, which analyzed airfare trends from the 10 busiest U.S. airports.

With a spike in low-cost flight options, including deals on budget airlines and nonstop routes, London took the top spot thanks to frequent fare drops and wide accessibility. Once you land, it’s easy to keep costs low by exploring the city’s iconic sights on foot or by public transit, many of which won’t cost you a penny.

Read more