Are Europe's clearest waters in Croatia?

The water in Croatia is crystal clear. Every time we come down to the beach we look and point. How can it be so clear? You can see every single stone on the bottom! Even though we've been here for weeks, we can't stop being fascinated. Is Europe's clearest water in Croatia... or where else can you find it?

Lazy days on Brac

We're not doing many knots right now. We are sunbathing, swimming, photographing the beaches with fascination, eating tuna fillets (the freezer is full as tuna is cheap here) and working on various projects on our computers.

We are currently feeling a bit "orphaned" here at the campsite as the owners have gone on a two-day trip to Bosniabut we're having a nice, quiet time under the olive trees. We also have two German neighbours, so we are not completely alone. Tomorrow there will probably be a bus excursion to Brac's largest city. Supetar.

Vi solar, badar och fotograferar fascinerat stränderna och havet... — We sunbathe, swim and take fascinating photos of the beaches and the sea...

Vattnet är lika klart överallt... — The water is equally clear everywhere...

Where is the clearest water?

We have travelled along the coastline of almost all of Europe, from Normandy in western France to Croatia. Where is the clearest water? We're almost inclined to answer Croatia to that question, and in fact, if you Google 'Europe's clearest waters', the first hit is Croatia. Other places that can compete for having the clearest water in Europe are Corsica, Sardinia and Albania. Where in Europe have you experienced the clearest water?

Peter simmar på västra Korsika - vattnet var klart där också! — Peter swimming underwater in western Corsica - the water was clear there too!

READ MORE: Zlatni Rat - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world?

21 October 2015 18:01

Croatia

nature, beaches

Helena

Administrator

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Mr Steve says:

I have asked myself this question in the title many times. Wherever I see pictures from Croatia, the water is always crystal clear. So why?
The clearest water in Europe that I experienced was in Menorca sometime in the early 1980s.

21 October 2015 - 18:47

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Role o Carina says:

Yes, it is clear that you enjoy the beautiful water!
We would have done that too 🙂

Enjoy your swim at .....

21 October 2015 - 18:48

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scottish moments says:

WOW!!! Last picture! there you can really talk about clear water!!!

21 October 2015 - 18:51

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Mr Frank Olsen says:

Helena and Peter! Thank you so much for a wonderful nice blog from a wonderful journey!!!
My wife and I are leaving, on 1 May next year, on a similar trip. However, we will start northwards, to the North Cape and Murmansk, and then southwards through the whole of Europe, first eastern, then southern and finally western Europe. We plan to visit a total of 25 countries during our year-long journey. After reading your blog, I am even more excited about the trip!!!

21 October 2015 - 19:12

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BP says:

The water is not only clear but has a lovely turquoise-blue colour too. Great water images - something to remember when you look down into the water from your houseboat in the Pampas;-)

If you count Turkey in Europe, I would say Marmaris. Also France's Gorges du Tarne which you travelled in parallel with last spring.

21 October 2015 - 19:14

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admin says:

Steve, interesting to hear that the water was so clear in Menorca! I thought you were going to answer Greece? Have understood that there is clear water there too, but we have been so little there.

Rolle and Carina, we take the opportunity! Soon the season will be over 😉

Scottish Moment, Corsica was amazing! 🙂

Frank Olsen, oh how nice to read your comment! What a fantastic trip you are planning! It is not that you will blog somewhere so you can follow the trip? Funny if we could inspire a little! 🙂

BP, yes it is really turquoise! It will not be in the Pampas... There it is kind of black and when you lose something (bicycles are not uncommon!) they disappear in the dark 😉 But we still like to live on water! Marmaris sounds interesting! We missed the Gorge du Tarne ...

21 October 2015 - 19:37

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Mr Frank Olsen says:

Yes, we will be blogging, but not with a blog as professional as yours 🙂.
The blog has already been created, with a description of last weekend's trip, so the address can be provided if desired.

21 October 2015 - 19:44

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Matts Torebring says:

I can only agree that the water is fantastically clear. If you drive across the sea to the area around Rimini Italy, then it is certainly not clear water, even though it is the same sea. Have a good time

21 October 2015 - 19:47

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Maggan and Ingemar says:

We also found Greece's water very clear. Perhaps it is because there are many pebble beaches in Croatia that the water is so clear. In addition, it is also salty 🙂
We have not been able to swim yet .... too windy.

21 October 2015 - 20:18

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admin says:

Frank Olsen, yes we would love to have the blog address! 🙂

Matts, it's a bit strange really? Maybe because there is less stone and more sand, as Maggan and Ingemar write below?

Maggan and Ingemar, yes we have heard that the water should be very clear in Greece too! Maybe you are right that stone and salt affect. Wow, are you so windy? Here it freshens up in the evenings, but during the day it is quite calm.

21 October 2015 - 20:26

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Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

Oh, so beautiful with the turquoise clear water. I would love to swim there, I don't like not seeing the bottom like here at home in Lake Mälaren.
Aren't you beginning to long for home?

Agneta

21 October 2015 - 20:34

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Åsa says:

FF?! Tjohoo!!! 😉

21 October 2015 - 20:50

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Anette says:

Glad that you can still swim! It is clear water in Croatia, but we know that it is in Greece too! I have a small picture of Zaga beach in Koroni on my little blog (very sporadic) aelstankaromlivet.blogspot.com that shows what I mean...have a great time/Anette?

21 October 2015 - 21:14

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solan says:

Yes, so far Croatia is the best in clear water, I agree. Welcome home to Lake Ulvsunda. But in December most things are black, so what? 😉

21 October 2015 - 22:12

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Ditte says:

Your pictures are so beautiful and clear water is so nice. Croatia's water, as well as several Greek islands such as Santorini, Antiparos and Amorgos and others where there is a lot of stone also have very clear water. Menorca, Corsica and Sardinia have waters that also really invite snorkelling and diving and swimming in general.
Enjoy and keep up the good work.

21 October 2015 - 22:33

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Lennart says:

We remember the wonderfully clear water in Croatia!

22 October 2015 - 8:19

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Anja says:

Hahaaa! On the other side of the Adriatic Sea there is Italy - same water, same clarity 🙂.

22 October 2015 - 8:44

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admin says:

A lot of other things and some concrete, we can't say that we are longing for home now that we have such nice weather. But of course we look forward to seeing family and friends!!!

Åsa, haha right? Have never before experienced that the owners disappear like that (on such a small campsite without staff).

Anette, yes I can imagine that there are nice beaches in Greece! We have only been a few days in northern Greece... Looked into your blog too! 🙂

Solan, haha Lake Ulvsunda is usually pitch black. When the neighbours have dropped something (bicycles!) it usually disappears quickly in the dark... But as I said, everything is just as dark when we come home 😉

Ditte, I imagine the water is clear in Greece too, and Menorca has also been mentioned earlier in the comments!

Lennart, you won't forget that! 😉

Anja, are you sure? Others have written just the opposite, that it is not as clear there. Could it be different depending on whether it is sand or stone?

22 October 2015 - 8:45

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Ama de casa says:

Looks absolutely beautiful!

I think the clearest water was in Menorca. And in the Greek islands when we sailed there. But then I haven't been to Croatia. Yet. 🙂

22 October 2015 - 10:02

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Anna in Dubai says:

So very cosy! Loved Croatia and perfect snorkelling place. I learned the hard way that bathing shoes were a good thing.
Hope you don't talk too much with the Germans. Haven't met a funny German for so long in my life but maybe they are on the campsites?

22 October 2015 - 10:30

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admin says:

Ama de casa, you are probably the third to mention Menorca so I guess there is clear water there! 😉 Greece I understand also has clear water in many places!

Anna in Dubai, haha, we also don't have good experiences with Germans - often they don't speak English and sometimes they get angry (because you accidentally step on their property or talk too loud or something). But sometimes they surprise you! We have met very nice Germans too! And we have talked a lot with the one couple here, who drive around with a tiny black camper and a trailer with motorcycles. 🙂

22 October 2015 - 11:01

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Maria says:

It really looks amazing! 🙂

22 October 2015 - 12:17

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Hanne Hellvik says:

Think you are right about that! Just looks absolutely delicious! I also remember how clear the water was from when I was in Croatia 🙂 Delicious!

22 October 2015 - 13:03

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Göran says:

So quite right, was on the island of cres before the Balkan war broke out, went with a retired Kalmar sunds ferry out to the island, fantastic water ?
It's great to read about your struggles.
Regards Göran Ekström

22 October 2015 - 13:11

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Ann-Mari says:

Looks absolutely fantastic, and so lovely to extend the summer.
Enjoy the "autumn" 🙂

22 October 2015 - 15:07

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Maria, Croatia IS amazing in many ways, perhaps especially when it comes to the water 🙂 .

Hanne Hellvik, of course it's lovely!?

Göran, interesting that you were here at that time. The water was of course just as nice then! Nice to hear that you like our blog! 🙂

Ann-Marie, yes, it's good that autumn and winter are getting shorter! 🙂

22 October 2015 - 15:29

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Anders and Birgitta says:

We also love the water in Croatia, preferring almost rocky bottom to sandy beach, especially for Anders. However, swimming shoes were a must.

22 October 2015 - 17:05

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Like says:

Hello. We are Swedes who have moved to Croatia (Kastela). I have read your posts about Croatia.... in an early post you wrote about boring restaurants. I would like to recommend a couple of our favourites, Zrno Soli at AC-marina in Split. A little more high-class restaurant with super good food and perfect service. We have also found another favourite, newly opened this year, Stalla in Kastel Stari, a little simpler than Zrno Soli but with very good food and very good service.

22 October 2015 - 17:47

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admin says:

Anders and Birgitta, agree, it's quite nice not to have sand! We have swim shoes with us, but have only used them from time to time... 😉.

Like, your comment ended up (for some reason?) in the rubbish bin first, but now I've found it! Exciting that you moved to Croatia! Hope you enjoy it! We think Croatia is a fantastic country to travel around, but it is true that we felt a little disappointed in the restaurants... Thank you very much for the tips! We will see if we get the opportunity to visit any of them!

22 October 2015 - 19:55

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Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:

I actually don't know where I've seen the clearest water - but in Albania, Corfu and Sardinia there were places that reminded me of your pictures from Croatia. I have never been to Croatia, but it looks very nice!

22 October 2015 - 23:16

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admin says:

Marianne, thank you for your comment! It has been fun to read the comments on this post because it has become clear where there is really clear water: Croatia, the Greek archipelago, Albania, Corsica, Sardinia and Menorca 🙂 ).

23 October 2015 - 8:16

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Are Europe's clearest waters in Croatia?

Lazy days on Brac

Where is the clearest water?

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31 Comments

Mr Steve says:

Role o Carina says:

scottish moments says:

Mr Frank Olsen says:

BP says:

admin says:

Mr Frank Olsen says:

Matts Torebring says:

Maggan and Ingemar says:

admin says:

Lots of other stuff and some concrete says:

Åsa says:

Anette says:

solan says:

Ditte says:

Lennart says:

Anja says:

admin says:

Ama de casa says:

Anna in Dubai says:

admin says:

Maria says:

Hanne Hellvik says:

Göran says:

Ann-Mari says:

admin says:

Anders and Birgitta says:

Like says:

admin says:

Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:

admin says:

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