10 MOST BEAUTIFUL NATURAL POOLS IN THE WORLD

See 10 of the most beautiful natural pools in the world, including some formed by underground hot springs, volcanoes, sinkholes, and more. The BN Team curated these magnificent pools from locations in Iceland, Madagascar, Galapagos, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Samoa, and Thailand.

1. IK KIL CENOTE -- MEXICO

Ik Kil is a well known cenote, or pool within a sinkhole, outside Pisté, on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. It is part of the Ik Kil Archeological Park near Chichen Itza. And it’s a great place to swim.

The cenote is open to the sky with the water level about 26 metres (85 ft) below ground level. There is a carved stairway down to a swimming platform. The cenote is about 60 metres (200 ft) in diameter and about 40 metres (130 ft) deep.There are vines which reach from the opening all the way down to the water along with small waterfalls.

Cenote Ik Kil was sacred to the Mayans, used both for relaxation and rituals. There is also a Mayan ruin on the site.

2. BEPPU -- JAPAN

Beppu is a geothermal pool, located on the Japanese island of Kyūshū. It is the 2nd largest producer of geothermal water in the world. There are thousands of hot springs, or “onsen,” in the area.

Check out the pools nearby, known as the “Nine Hells.” Each has its own remarkable character and beautiful color, thanks to different minerals in each of the outflows. 

3. GROTTA DELLA POESIA -- ITALY

Grotta della Poesia, in Roca Vecchia, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, is made up of two turquoise and blue pools formed from karst sinkholes.

While you are there, be sure to check out an important Bronze Age and Mycenaean archaeological site nearby.

4. LAS GRIETAS -- ECUADOR

Las Grietas, in Puerto Ayora, Ecuador, is an inland emerald green brackish pool on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. The pool is over 10 meters deep, 7 meters wide and 100 meters long. It sits at the bottom of an earth fracture. Cliffs on either side add to the drama.

Jump if you dare, or take the wooden stairs down to the water for a swim.

5. BLUE LAGOON -- ICELAND

Blue Lagoon, in Grindavik, Iceland, is a rather famous geothermal pool. It sits in the middle of a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The warm waters (37–39 °C; 99–102 °F) are rich in minerals, including silica and sulfur, which can aid bathers suffering from some skin conditions. Though the lagoon itself is manmade, it is heated by natural lava flow.

6. TO SUA OCEAN TRENCH -- SAMOA

To Sua Ocean Trench, in Samoa, is a large blowhole, filled with a natural salt water pool, in the middle of a lava field. It sits at the edge of the South Pacific, surrounded by lush gardens and sheer basalt cliffs.

7. FAIRY POOLS -- SCOTLAND

Fairy Pools, located at Glen Brittle, in Scotland, is a series of crystal clear aquamarine pools fed by beautiful icy cold waterfalls streaming down from the Cuillin mountains. Wild swimming is full of magic here.

8. PARC NATIONAL DE ISALO -- MADAGASCAR

Parc National de Isalo, in Isalo, Madagascar, is home to several natural swimming pools, fed by tumbling waterfalls. The park is known for its wide variety of terrain, including sandstone formations, deep canyons, palm-lined oases, and grasslands.

A total of 340 faunal species live here, including 82 species of birds, 33 species of reptiles, 15 species of frogs and 14 species of mammals.

9. ERAWAN FALLS -- THAILAND

Water tumbles down 7 tiers at Erawan Falls, in Erawan National Park, Thailand, to form beautiful blue pools.

Elephants, monkeys, and king cobras might want to join your pool party here! Keep you camera ready and your wits about you!

10. DEVIL’S POOL -- ZAMBIA

The Devil’s Pool is located at Victoria Falls in Zambia. It pools at the edge of the 355 ft. waterfall. Best time to see it is from September to December to get the fullest effect and maximum beauty.

Read more about Beautiful Pools in A New Floating Beauty Awakens.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Vicente Villamón. “Cenote Ik Kil.” Ik Kil Cenote, Eco-Arqueological Park. Chichen Itza, Mexico.
2. Image: by suseboy. “Ik Kil Cenote.” Ik Kil Cenote, Mexico.
3. Image: by Elvin. “Beppu.” Japan.
4. Image: Courtesy of Trip Advisor. “Grotta della Poesia.” Roca Vecchia, Italy.
5. Image: by Sally Taylor. “Las Grietas.” Puerto Ayora, Ecuador.
6. Image: by Chris Ford. “Bathing on Mars.” Blue Lagoon. Grindavik, Iceland.
7. Image: by Francesco. “To Sua - Ocean Trench.” Upolu, Samoa.
8. Image: by Loïc Lagarde. “Fairy Pools in Isle of Skye, Scotland.” Glen Brittle, Scotland.
9. Image: by daghinho. “Ranohira (Parc Nationale de l'Isalo).” Isalo, Madagascar.
10. Image: by Lindz Graham. “Erawan Falls. The 3rd Level of the Falls, Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi.” Thailand.
11. Image: by Charles Haynes. “Devil's Pool. View of Victoria Falls from above the Devil's Pool.” Victoria Falls, Zambia.
12. Image: by Charles Haynes. “Devil's Pool.” Victoria Falls, Zambia.
13. Image: by Papieren Geluk. “Huge Water Lily Leaves at Umi Jigoku Hot Springs.” Beppu, Japan.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by Giacomo Carena. “Denso.” Grotta della Poesia. Roca Vecchia, Italy.