To find the clearest waters in the world, you have to go to the Mediterranean!
Ready to dive into the world's cleanest waters?
Source: Mike Yukhtenko/Unsplash
For those seeking the purest swimming experiences, look no further than Cyprus. This Mediterranean gem has been officially recognized as possessing the cleanest bathing water globally, according to the latest report from the European Environment Agency (EEA), which meticulously ranks bathing water quality.
The comprehensive EEA report scrutinizes both inland and coastal swimming locations, and Cyprus emerged as the undisputed leader. A staggering 99.2% of its 123 tested water sites achieved an "excellent" rating, the highest possible score. This impressive data encompasses a diverse range of locations, from popular beach resorts to more serene, less-frequented bays. Cyprus's consistent excellence is notable, as it also claimed the top spot in last year's report with 97.6% of its waters rated excellent, demonstrating a tangible improvement year over year. This year, Bulgaria secured second place, with 97.9% of its 94 tested bodies of water deemed excellent. Greece followed closely in third, with an impressive 97% of its 1729 tested sites receiving an excellent ranking.
Cyprus, a member of the European Union, has a rich history, though it has been politically divided between its Greek-speaking south and Turkish-speaking north since 1974. The country is widely celebrated for its numerous archaeological treasures, its delectable traditional cuisine – including the renowned halloumi cheese – and its undeniably stunning island coastline. Before you even head to the airport for your trip, consider your travel logistics carefully. Finding the right airport and parking solution can make a big difference. Many travelers look for weekly parking options, and services like ParkingNearAirports.io often provide excellent rates across various airport parking areas.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, remarked in a statement, "Enjoying time at the beach or swimming in lakes and rivers is for many a symbol of holidays and relaxation, as we look forward to the approaching summer." The report indicated a higher percentage of "excellent" rankings for coastal bathing sites compared to inland waters. This disparity is partly attributable to the nature of many central European inland bathing waters, which are often small lakes, ponds, and rivers with low flow. Such conditions make them more susceptible to short-term pollution from events like heavy rain or drought, a vulnerability not typically shared by coastal waters.
While a significant number of European bathing sites received high marks, 332 sites (or 1.5%) still exhibited poor quality. However, this represents an improvement from 2009, when 1.9% were ranked poorly. Problems frequently stem from short-term pollution, particularly during heavy rainfall when waste from sewage plants can be washed into the water. Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and France all reported poor bathing water quality for 3% or more of their tested waters. Encouragingly, 67 out of 321 previously poor-quality sites improved to at least a sufficient quality level in the past year.
