We’re truly lucky to have a bevy of beautiful ocean beaches in Washington. However, no one is going to mistake our misty, rocky shorelines for those of the Caribbean. If you want to be impressed by crystal clear, gorgeous blue waters here, you’ll have to head to some of our lakes. Lake Crescent in particular has some incredible water, and its small, secluded beaches are just as pleasant on a warm, sunny day.

Lake Crescent (or Crescent Lake, as it’s sometimes called) is located in Olympic National Park, about 21 miles from Port Angeles.

Karl Stanton / Flickr With a maximum depth of 624 feet, this lake is the second deepest in Washington (Lake Chelan is the first).

It’s both the depth and the cleanliness that contribute to the water’s cool, often blue-green glow.

Matt W / TripAdvisor The excellent clarity is caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water, which inhibits algae growth.

Of course, you’ll never really mistake the beaches of Lake Crescent for the Caribbean, for about 1,000 different reasons.

Linda O / TripAdvisor However, on a warm, summer day, you’ll have just as much fun taking in this natural beauty as you would in a tropical spot.

While Lake Crescent isn’t nearly as warm as Caribbean waters, a swim on a hot day feels incredibly refreshing.

Kerenelise / TripAdvisor And considering there are several fantastic hiking trails in the area, wading into the water might be just what you need to cool down.

Kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding are all popular here as well.

nkitchens / TripAdvisor And if you get the chance to go out on the lake and see it for yourself, you really should.

Lake Crescent was formed about 8,000 years ago when glaciers carved out deep valleys during the last Ice Age.

Jeff Gunn / Flickr And about 7,000 years ago, a landslide isolated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland.

There are several small beaches at Lake Crescent, the most notable being the one near the Lake Crescent Lodge.

larkenRidgefield_CT / TripAdvisor However, the East Beach picnic area is a bit quieter and more secluded… and the views are just as amazing.

Lake Crescent is so breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil, you’d never know it has a bit of an eerie past.

Karl Stanton / Flickr

With a maximum depth of 624 feet, this lake is the second deepest in Washington (Lake Chelan is the first).

Matt W / TripAdvisor

The excellent clarity is caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water, which inhibits algae growth.

Linda O / TripAdvisor

However, on a warm, summer day, you’ll have just as much fun taking in this natural beauty as you would in a tropical spot.

Kerenelise / TripAdvisor

And considering there are several fantastic hiking trails in the area, wading into the water might be just what you need to cool down.

nkitchens / TripAdvisor

And if you get the chance to go out on the lake and see it for yourself, you really should.

Jeff Gunn / Flickr

And about 7,000 years ago, a landslide isolated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland.

larkenRidgefield_CT / TripAdvisor

However, the East Beach picnic area is a bit quieter and more secluded… and the views are just as amazing.

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