The world is home to many awe-inspiring bodies of water, and some of the most fascinating is the deep lakes. These lakes boast impressive depths that can leave even the most experienced divers breathless. Here we share the deepest lake in the world, ranked by depth.
1. Baikal, Russia (5,387 feet)
Located in Siberia, Russia, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake, reaching a depth of 5,387 feet. It is also the largest freshwater lake by volume, containing approximately 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater. This ancient lake is over 25 million years old and is home to thousands of unique species of plants and animals, including the world’s only freshwater seal.
2. Tanganyika, Africa (4,823 feet)
Tanganyika is the second deepest lake in the world, located in East Africa along the borders of Tanzania, Burundi, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lake is over 10 million years old and is home to a diverse array of fish species, including some that can only be found in the lake.
3. Vostok, Antarctica (3,300 feet)
The third deepest lake in the world is not on land but beneath it. Lake Vostok is a subglacial lake located under the ice of the Antarctic continent. It is the largest subglacial lake in Antarctica and has been isolated from the surface for millions of years, leading to a unique ecosystem and potential for scientific discovery.
4. O’Higgins/San Martin, Chile/Argentina (2,742 feet)
The O’Higgins/San Martin lake is a shared lake between Chile and Argentina, named after the two countries’ respective leaders during the lake’s discovery. It is the fourth deepest lake in the world, located in Patagonia, and is surrounded by stunning glaciers and mountain ranges.
5. Malawi, Africa (2,316 feet)
Lake Malawi is the fourteenth deepest lake in the world, located in East Africa along the borders of Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The lake is over 560 miles long and is known for its clear waters and the diverse array of fish species that call it home, including the colorful cichlids.
6. Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan (2,192 feet)
Located in Kyrgyzstan, Issyk-Kul is the fifth deepest lake in the world, with a depth of 2,192 feet. The lake is over 20 million years old and is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, making it a popular tourist destination.
7. Great Slave Lake, Canada (2,015 feet)
Great Slave Lake is Canada’s deepest lake, with a depth of 2,015 feet. It is located in the Northwest Territories and is surrounded by boreal forests, tundra, and a diverse array of wildlife, including wolves, moose, and caribou.
8. Crater Lake, United States (1,949 feet)
Located in Oregon, Crater Lake is the seventh deepest lake in the world, with a depth of 1,949 feet. The lake was formed over 7,700 years ago after the eruption of Mount Mazama, and it is now known for its crystal clear waters and stunning natural beauty.
9. Matano, Indonesia (1,936 feet)
Lake Matano is the eighth deepest lake in the world, located on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. The lake is almost 2,000 feet deep and is known for its unique ecosystem and the diverse array of fish species that call it home. It is the deepest lake in Indonesia.
10. General Carrera/Buenos Aires, Chile/Argentina (1,923 feet)
General Carrera/Buenos Aires lake is a shared lake between Chile and Argentina, located in Patagonia. It is the ninth deepest lake in the world, and its stunning turquoise waters and surrounding mountain ranges make it a popular tourist destination.
11. Quesnel, Canada (1,668 feet)
Quesnel Lake is the tenth deepest lake in the world, located in British Columbia, Canada. The lake is the deepest lake in BC and is known for its clear waters and the diverse array of fish species that call it home, including the rare and endangered sockeye salmon.
12. Hornindalsvatnet, Norway (1,686 feet)
Hornindalsvatnet is the eleventh deepest lake in the world, located in Norway. It is Europe’s deepest lake and is known for its crystal clear waters and stunning natural beauty. The lake is also home to a variety of fish species, including the Arctic char.
13. Sarez, Tajikistan (1,657 feet)
Located in Tajikistan, Sarez is the twelfth deepest lake in the world, with a depth of 1,657 feet. The lake was formed in 1911 after a massive landslide blocked the Murgab River, creating a natural dam. The lake is now a popular tourist destination and is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges.
14. Toba, Indonesia (1,657 feet)
Toba is the thirteenth deepest lake in the world, located on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is over 1,600 feet deep and is known for being the largest crater lake in the world.
15. Tahoe, United States (1,645 feet)
Lake Tahoe is the fifteenth deepest lake in the world, located on the border between California and Nevada in the United States. The lake is over 1,600 feet deep and is known for its crystal clear waters and stunning natural beauty. It is also a popular tourist destination for its recreational activities, such as skiing, hiking, and water sports.
The world is home to many fascinating and awe-inspiring deep lakes. From the depths of Russia’s Lake Baikal to the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe in the United States, these bodies of water offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore the mysteries of the deep.
Casandra Karpiak is a travel writer and the co-owner of Savoteur. A Toronto native with Danish roots currently residing in British Columbia, her travel writing has been seen on The Associated Press wire, MSN, CBS, NBC, Entrepreneur, 24/7 Wall St, Times Daily, and many more.
You can follow her travel adventures on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.