Some beaches are on cold, windswept coasts and some beaches are tourist hotspots. There are even some which are in a league of their own. With transparent turquoise water and white sand, they’re simply out of this world. But why are some waters clear and others cloudy?

Clear vs. cloudy

The difference is down to sediments and organic materials on the seabed, and whether they are stirred by the movement of water. In most parts of the world, sediment particles are not small enough to be moved by up swell. Coral reefs also help to limit movement and keep sediment on the ocean floor.

Water colour

In the Caribbean the water appears bright blue – this is because sunlight is scattered by water molecules. The sea surrounding Grand Bahama Island is a lighter turquoise colour. This is because the water is actually shallower, and the sunlight reflects off the sand and reefs on the sea floor.

Alison J. Stein who blogs for Perspective Travel explains “Water is a substance that does a good job of absorbing every color’s light but blue, which it scatters. The more water you’ve got, the bluer it looks. There are some factors that boost the appearance of blue: surface reflection of the sky, for instance, and the color of the ocean bottom; if it’s white it will also tend to reflect the sky and amplify the blue of the water. And there are other factors that diminish blue: a gray sky, for instance.”

When thinking about crystal clear oceans, beautiful sun drenched beaches also come to mind. Below is a list of the 10 most stunning waters and beaches to get you in the mood for summer.

Ten of the best

1. Anse Source D’Argent, Seychelles – This famous beach has been the backdrop to many movies, TV shows and adverts. It is also perhaps the most photographed beach in the world, thanks to its unusual landscape of white powdery sand and strange boulders. Anse Source D’Argent is the stuff dreams are made of. When the tide is out you can see tropical fish in the shallows and even sea turtles swimming off the shore if you’re lucky. This beach is truly breathtaking and is a popular honeymoon destination, thanks to pristine waters.

2. Isola Bella, Sicily – Sitting off Taormina in Southern Italy, this tiny island has one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The island is linked to the mainland by a narrow strip of beach, which disappears under water at high tide. Although this is a pebble beach, it is still a amazing sight. The beach is surrounded by lush vegetation and the water here is crystal clear.

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia – The beaches of Bora Bora island are exquisite tropical visions of beauty! The island has more than its fair share of shimmering lagoons, and sandy beaches with nothing but swaying palm trees to shelter you from the sun. The water here is clean and clear, ideal for snorkelling and swimming.

4. Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe – Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches, and this one stands out even amongst all the others. Sunrise beach has soft white sand that curves into the turquoise water. With its many exotic coves this beach is pure paradise. You can sit here in the early hours watching the sunrise; alternatively you can travel to the beach on the other side of the island to watch the sunset.

5. Cala Macarella, Menorca – This beautiful beach cove is in an idyllic location, sheltered by hills covered in pine trees and holm oaks. The sand here is fine and white and the sea is calm. It is warm enough in Cala Macarella to sunbathe all year round.

6. Spiaggia Rosa of Budelli, Sardinia – Budelli is a tiny uninhabited island north east of Sardinia. The beach has a pink colour due to shells and fragments of red coral. The island is located inside of La Maddalena National Park. There are boat tours that will take tourists out to visit the island where you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive in the crystal clear water or take a walk along the rose-coloured beach.

7. Maldives Islands – Set in the Indian Ocean, these tropical islands have pristine beaches surrounded by crystal clear water. Fulhadhoo beach is the most impressive. Most islands in the Maldives are choked with luxury hotels or completely built up with houses. Fulhadhoo is a large island which only has a small village of locals; the rest of the island is unoccupied. The beaches here go on for miles, the white sand is soft and floury, and the water is clear. The best thing about Fulhadhoo is that you have the beach to yourself.

8. Aitukaki, Cook Islands – There are beaches here that will make you feel like a true cast-away. Ee Motu Beach is isolated; there are no shops, hotels or restaurants. Just a perfect tropical beach with fine soft white sand and swaying palms. The water is shallow, so you have to walk out a way to get some depth. Because of the remote nature of this beach, the main access is by kayak.

9. Palawan, The Philippines – Just a short flight from Manila, Palawan is one of many sparsely populated groups of islands that consist of jungle vegetation surrounded by clear teal coloured waters teeming with tropical fish and coral reefs. Palawan has dozens of lagoons, coves and secret beaches to explore.

10. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – Horseshoe Bay, so named because of its crescent shape, is simply stunning. The bay has everything from dramatic rock formations to beautiful soft pink sand. The waters surrounding the bay are clear and calm, the temperature of the water during the summer months averages around 27°c (81F), and even during winter the temperature is a warm 18°c (66F).