6 Most Unusual Coloured Rivers And Lakes Around The World That Look Unbelievable

The natural world is full of breathtaking wonders, and some of the most extraordinary sights can be found in bodies of water. Rivers and lakes, with their incredible hues and mesmerizing shades, provide a visual feast for the eyes. From fluorescent pink to vibrant blue, these unusual coloured rivers and lakes not only captivate our imaginations but also have unique environmental factors contributing to their striking appearances. If you’re someone who is fascinated by nature’s artistic creations, here are 6 Most Unusual Coloured Rivers and Lakes Around the World That Look Unbelievable.

 

Location: Middle Island, Australia

Why It's Unique: Lake Hillier is one of the most iconic and mysterious pink lakes in the world. Located on Middle Island in Australia’s Recherche Archipelago, this lake stands out because of its vibrant pink color, which remains constant year-round. Even when the water is collected and placed in a container, it still retains its bubblegum-like hue.

What Makes It Pink: The cause of the lake’s unique color is still a topic of scientific debate. However, it’s believed that the high concentration of salt, combined with the presence of Dunaliella salina, a type of algae that produces a red pigment, gives the lake its surreal pink hue. The water's salty environment and microbial organisms add to the uniqueness of this stunning body of water.

Top Attraction: The striking contrast between the pink lake and the surrounding green forested land makes it a breathtaking sight, best viewed from the air as the lake is difficult to access by land.

Location: Grindavík, Iceland

Why It's Unique: The Blue Lagoon is not just a pretty sight, but a natural geothermal spa. The lake’s milky blue waters, rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, make it a popular destination for tourists looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The stunning turquoise water is surrounded by stark black lava fields, creating a surreal contrast.

What Makes It Blue: The water’s vibrant blue color is due to the high silica content, which reflects light and creates the lake’s signature hue. The geothermal properties of the lagoon keep the water at a comfortable temperature year-round, making it perfect for swimming.

Top Attraction: Besides its beauty, the Blue Lagoon is known for its health benefits. The mineral-rich waters are believed to have therapeutic effects on the skin, which is why it’s often visited for both relaxation and wellness purposes.

Location: Andalusia, Spain

Why It's Unique: The River Tinto in Spain looks like something straight out of a science fiction novel. Flowing through the region of Andalusia, the river has an eerie blood-red color that makes it one of the most unusual rivers on Earth. The river’s strange color is unlike any other, and its otherworldly appearance has earned it a place among the world’s most unique bodies of water.

What Makes It Red: The reddish hue of the river is caused by the high concentration of iron and other minerals that are naturally found in the region. The area is rich in mining history, and the presence of these minerals in the riverbed reacts with the water to give it its distinctive rusty red color. In fact, the river’s pH is so acidic that it’s almost entirely devoid of aquatic life.

Top Attraction: The River Tinto is also famous for its resemblance to Martian landscapes, and many scientists study its extreme conditions as a model for potential life on Mars.

Location: Northern Tanzania

Why It's Unique: Lake Natron is an alkaline saltwater lake located in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. While the lake might appear beautiful with its striking red and orange hues, it’s also a deadly environment for most creatures. The lake’s waters are extremely hot and caustic, making it uninhabitable for most life forms.

What Makes It Red: The bright red and orange colours of the lake are caused by the salt-loving microorganisms (halobacteria) that thrive in its harsh conditions. These microorganisms, along with the high concentration of sodium bicarbonate in the water, give Lake Natron its intense color. The lake’s alkalinity can cause fatal burns to animals that come in contact with it, but certain birds and flamingos use it as a breeding ground.

Top Attraction: Despite its harsh conditions, Lake Natron offers incredible photo opportunities, especially with the surreal images of calcified animals captured along its shores, creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere.

Location: Lake Retba, Senegal

Why It's Unique: Lake Retba, also known as the Pink Lake, is located in the northwest of Senegal. Like Lake Hillier in Australia, Lake Retba’s bright pink hue is one of its most defining features. The lake is located near the Atlantic Ocean and has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination due to its unique color and cultural significance.

What Makes It Pink: The lake's pink color is primarily due to the high concentration of salt and the presence of Dunaliella salina algae, which produce a reddish pigment in the presence of high salinity. The algae thrive in the lake’s high-salt environment, creating a striking visual effect that is more pronounced during the dry season.

Top Attraction: The lake’s salt harvesting process is a popular cultural attraction. Local people can be seen wading into the lake to gather salt, creating an interesting contrast with the vibrant pink water.

Location: Sierra de la Macarena National Park, Colombia

Why It's Unique: Often called the "River of Five Colours," Caño Cristales is located in the remote regions of Colombia’s Sierra de la Macarena National Park. Known for its stunning rainbow-colored water, this river is a natural marvel that seems almost too beautiful to be real.

What Makes It Colorful: The river is famed for its vibrant hues, which include shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and black. These colours are the result of a unique plant species called Macarenia clavigera, which grows in the riverbed. During the rainy season, the riverbed is submerged, and the plant’s red pigment reacts with the water, creating a brilliant display of colours that’s nothing short of magical.

Top Attraction: The most spectacular colours are visible from June to November, making it the best time to visit. The combination of flowing water, the vibrant plant life, and the surrounding jungle scenery creates an unforgettable visual experience.

From the striking pinks of Lake Hillier to the vibrant hues of Caño Cristales, these unusual rivers and lakes around the world prove that nature can be a true artist. While each of these water bodies offers something unique, their colours are not just aesthetically pleasing but also fascinating for the scientific insights they provide. Whether it’s the high mineral content, the presence of specific microorganisms, or unique environmental factors, these waters are a testament to the diversity and beauty of our planet. So, if you're looking for a visual spectacle unlike anything you've ever seen, these unusual coloured rivers and lakes should definitely be on your bucket list.