Why is Caribbean water so turquoise?

This MODIS image of blue water in the Caribbean Sea looks blue because the sunlight is scattered by the water molecules. Near the Bahama Islands, the lighter aqua colors are shallow water where the sunlight is reflecting off of the sand and reefs near the surface.



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Beneath The Caribbean (22 Min) The water is clear due to the absence of plankton and suspended particles. Plankton is the base of the food web in all oceans and, because there is little plankton in the tropics, tropical ocean water is nearly sterile in comparison with the fertile waters of the temperate oceans.

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The ocean is blue because water absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum. Like a filter, this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see. The ocean may also take on green, red, or other hues as light bounces off of floating sediments and particles in the water.

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This is due to the presence of algae and plant life. Photosynthetic organisms contain chlorophyll, which not only appears green, but also absorbs red and blue light. Depending on the type of phytoplankton, the water may appear more blue-green to emerald green.

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The Weddell Sea has been claimed by scientists to have the clearest waters of any ocean in the world. Described by a historian as “the most wretched and dismal region on earth”, due to the flash freezes that caught Shackleton's ship, its clarity is only belied by the sheer depth of the ocean below.

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The Greek Isles are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant culture. However, it is the pristine beaches that truly capture the essence of paradise. With their crystal-clear turquoise waters, golden sands, and stunning surroundings, the Greek Isles offer a beach lover's dream.

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20 Best Beaches in Greece With the Bluest Water You've Ever Seen
  • Navagio Beach, Zakynthos. miljko/Getty Images. ...
  • Sarakiniko Beach, Milos. Cavan Images/Getty Images. ...
  • Elafonissi Beach, Crete. ...
  • Voidokilia Beach, Messinia. ...
  • Golden Beach, Paros. ...
  • Voutoumi Beach, Antipaxos. ...
  • Seychelles Beach, Ikaria. ...
  • Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia.


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Exuma, specifically Specifically, the bluest waters of the Caribbean is said to be at Tropic of Cancer Beach on the island of Exuma in the Bahamas. Its long sweeping sandbar is flanked by an eager shoreline expressing every gradient of blue. On a clear day at this Exuma beach, it looks like the sea flows into the sky.

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In tropical regions, such as the Caribbean, the average seawater temperature is around 79-82 °F (26-28 °C), while in more temperate regions, such as the Mediterranean, the average water temperature is around 64-72 °F (18-22 °C).

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Because the tropics have warm surface water, even in the winter, the thermocline never goes away, and the nutrients stay trapped down below in the depths. So even with ample sunlight, phytoplankton growth is severly limited. In the tropics, predators like coral make good use of what little plankton there is.

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Best blue water destinations in Europe
  • Marettimo. Sicily. ...
  • Porquerolles. France. ...
  • Sardinia. Italy. ...
  • Kephalonia. Greece. ...
  • Menorca. Spain. ...
  • Capri. Italy. ...
  • Nice. France. ...
  • Villefranche-sur-mer. France.


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13 of the most crystal clear waters on Earth
  • Lake Mashu, Japan. ...
  • The Maldives. ...
  • Sheosar Lake, Pakistan. ...
  • Peyto Lake, Canada. ...
  • Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand. ...
  • The Weddell Sea, Antarctic Peninsula. ...
  • Cancun, Mexico. ...
  • Cook Islands (Rarotonga)


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