Just because lakes are inland bodies of water, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy their beauty as part of your Six Star Cruise and with luxury cruises exploring pretty much any region you can think of, that’s a lot of potential water. Here we take a look at just some of the world’s lakes which it’s possible for you to experience as part of your cruise. Some are big, some are small, one’s man-made and one is even pink, but something they all have in common is their beauty.
Gatun Lake
Bit of a cheat, this one, though to be fair, we should let Gatun Lake off for being a truly spectacular feat of engineering and indeed, the largest man-made lake in the world at the time of its completion. The lake, which was finished in 1913 and took around five years to build, came about when the Gatun Dam was built across the Chagres River. It forms a large part of the Panama Canal, which was built to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, drastically reduce shipping times and vastly improve international trade.
How do I get there?
Luxury lines such as Silversea Cruises offer itineraries which explore the Panama Canal and cross the lake. After an 85-foot climb up the locks to get there, that is.
Lake Louise
This glacial lake in Alberta, Canada, is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Queen Victoria’s first daughter and certainly shares her regal bearing. Part of Banff National Park, the emerald-coloured lake offers some spectacular views, with popular trail spot Fairview Mountain as its backdrop.
How do I get there?
Find a luxury cruise line, such as Seabourn, which offers an Alaska, US and Canadian itinerary with a visit to or a cruise and stay in Lake Louise.
Lake Hood
Along with Lake Spenard, this body of water in Alaska is the home of Lake Hood Seaplane Base, the world’s largest float plane base, which deals with around 190 flights per day, making it the busiest seaplane base in the world. It’s open to the public, making for an interesting excursion for cruisers in the area.
How do I get there?
Book a luxury Alaskan cruise which features Lake Hood on its itinerary.
Lake Pukaki
The largest of three alpine lakes to be found on New Zealand’s South island, which were created by receding glaciers. The lake is a vivid blue colour thanks to fine particles of glacial flour and is fed by the Tasman River.
How do I get there?
Look for a New Zealand cruise which features Christchurch on its itinerary, and check the line’s shore excursions for the port, as a number offer a visit to the lake.
Lake Titicaca
None other than the highest navigable lake in the world, it’s also South America’s largest, with a maximum length of 118 miles and a catchment area of 22,400 square miles. Located in the Andes Mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru, it offers a popular cruise excursion alive with Inca history.
How do I get there?
Look for a South American itinerary which explores Peru and which offers an excursion or a pre-cruise stay in Puno, the closest port of call for the lake.
Boiling Lake
Turning up the temperature, literally, is this fiery little Caribbean curio, which is located in Dominica’s Morne Trois Pitons National Park. In its centre, the lake is actively boiling and it is the world’s second largest hot lake after New Zealand’s Frying Pan Lake. Best not take a dip, then.
How do I get there?
Book a place on a Caribbean cruise which calls at Dominica and which offers an excursion to the lake. It’s about six miles from Roseau, the island’s capital.
Lake Retba
To be found in Senegal, this lake is also known as Lac Rose, owing to its pink waters which are caused by algae in its waters which produce a red pigment. Like the Dead Sea, it has a high salt content, meaning you can float in it and it’s often the point where the famous Dakar Rally ends.
How do I get there?
You’ll need to find a cruise which explores the western coast of Africa, and calls at Senegal’s capital Dakar. Dakar excursions often include a trip out to the lake.
Lake Mashu
Japan’s Lake Mashu has the honour of being the world’s most transparent lake, and sits in the Caldera of a volcano which is potentially active. You can’t explore the shore and it’s only viewable from the top of the crater but there’s a hiking trail which follows the rim and the views are spectacular.
How do I get there?
Find an Asian voyage which includes the Japanese island of Hokkaido on its itinerary, as the Akan National Park on the Island is where the lake can be found.
Lake Akan
Staying in Japan, this is a bit strange one, because it’s one of the few places in the world where you can find Marimo, a type of algae which forms itself into perfect green balls. It’s 57 square miles across and offers some captivating scenery in the setting of the Akan National Park.
How do I get there?
Again, you’ll need to find somewhere with Hokkaido on its itinerary, specifically the town of Kushiro.
Lake Martel
This is a lake with a difference, in that you’ll have to go deep underground to find it. Located within the Caves of Drach on the island of Majorca, it’s one of the world’s largest subterranean lakes and a journey across it forms a memorable park of your visit to the caves.
How do I get there?
Book a Mediterranean cruise which calls at Majorca, principally its capital, Palma de Mallorca, as excursions to the nearby Caves of Drach are always popular.
By Simon Brotherton
Google