One Of The World's Clearest Lakes Is A Hidden Indonesian Gem You Have To See To Believe

Most people think of water as "blue," but what if you saw a lake that was truly that color? The same hue as opal, cerulean, or ultramarine, depending on the light? What if that lake was so clear you could gaze into the depths and survey its shadowy bottom? Is this combination even possible? Where could such magical waters exist?

Well, it is possible, and the name of the lake is Paisu Pok (or the one-word Paisupok), which is located on the Peleng Island in Indonesia. This whimsically shaped island is covered in tropical forest and is most famous for its resident primate, the wide-eyed Peleng tarsier. Peleng is hundreds of miles from Indonesia's best-known locations, such as Jakarta, Bali, and Western New Guinea, and it's part of a larger island chain — the Banggai Islands Regency — that few foreigners have ever heard of. Like the Kai Islands, this is a remote archipelago that is unbelievably beautiful. Paisu Pok might just be its crowning jewel.

If you end up in this obscure part of an already obscure island, remember to bring your goggles; the transparency of this water is beyond belief. Jumping in the lake, you'll see the boughs of fallen trees, waving grasses, and scattered boulders. Huts and docks have been built around its perimeter, allowing visitors to board a boat or simply dive into the water. You could easily add this to a list of incredible swimming holes around the world.

The most popular way to explore the lake is in one of the many wooden boats maintained by local villagers. Watercraft on Paisu Pok are hand-paddled to prevent engines from sullying the water. Keep an eye out for the small fish that inhabit the lake. There's no precise explanation for Paisu Pok's extreme clarity or vivid color, but the photogenic location has attracted a growing fan base among backpackers and the Instagram set. It isn't difficult to understand why.

Peleng is the largest of the Banggai Islands, and numerous small towns are scattered along its outer edges, which are connected by coastal roads. The island has a wealth of cliffs, white-sand beaches, and swaying palm trees; more than a few visitors have described it as paradise. While residents are becoming increasingly acquainted with tourists, very few speak English fluently, so you'll either need to hire a guide or brush up on your Bahasa Indonesia, a language that uses the same alphabet as English and is the lingua franca across the nation's 17,508 islands.

You'll probably have to fly to the region, arriving at Syukuran Aminuddin Amir Airport in Luwuk, the capital of the Banggai Islands Regency. This large town of 47,000 is located on the sprawling, octopus-like island of Sulawesi; from there, you'll have to take the public ferry across the water to Peleng, which should take at least two hours. If you're already hopping around this corner of the world, these underrated Indonesian islands are among the world's prettiest diving destinations.