1. Crater Lake (Oregon, USA)
Formed from the collapsed Mount Mazama over 7,000 years ago, this iconic caldera features deep, sapphire-blue water and is the deepest lake in the U.S. BBC+9Fox News+9Treehugger+9Treehugger+1Treehugger+1
2. Kelimutu Lakes (Flores, Indonesia)
Three crater lakes atop Mount Kelimutu—each a different color (often red, green, blue)—that change unpredictably due to volcanic gas and minerals. Locally believed to hold souls of the departed. BBC+1Treehugger+1
3. Kawah Ijen Crater (East Java, Indonesia)
Home to a striking turquoise acidic lake (pH ~0.3), this crater is also known for sulfur mining, where miners carry heavy sulfur baskets uphill from the acidic shores. Treehugger+1Treehugger+1
4. Mount Rinjani – Crater Lake Anak Laut (Lombok, Indonesia)
An elevated, brilliant azure crater lake with a small volcanic cone rising from its center—“a volcano within a volcano.” Requires a challenging trek to reach. LIFEBERRYS+5For The Love Of Wanderlust+5The Weather Channel+5
5. Quilotoa Lake (Ecuador)
A 3 km‑wide caldera lake with emerald‑green mineral waters. About 250 m (820 ft) deep and framed by the high Andes. Trek or horseback ride into the caldera rim for panoramic views. Wikipedia
6. Pingualuit Crater (Québec, Canada)
A near-perfect circle carved by a meteor 1.4 million years ago. The lake inside is exceptionally deep and clear, with visibility up to 35 m. Also called the “Crystal Eye.” Explorersweb
7. Lonar Crater Lake (Maharashtra, India)
An impact crater in basalt rock, one of the only four such on Earth. The saline-alkaline lake sits inside a bowl-shaped depression, surrounded by forest and temples. Sometimes turns pink due to halophilic microbes. Fox News+3Wikipedia+3Explorersweb+3
🧭 Highlights & Traveler Tips
- Color & Chemistry: Kelimutu, Ijen, and Quilotoa offer vivid color contrasts driven by mineral content and volcanic gases.
- Formation Types: Crater Lake, Rinjani, and Ijen are volcanic calderas, while Pingualuit and Lonar were formed by meteor impacts.
- Adventure Factors: Some craters (e.g., Rinjani, Ijen) require strenuous hikes or tough conditions, while others (e.g. Crater Lake, Ndorlinger Ries as analogy) are accessible by scenic drives or easy trails.
- Wildlife & Scenery: Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania) was omitted from the top 7 but is noteworthy—a massive verdant caldera teeming with wildlife, often described as a “Garden of Eden” BBC+4Treehugger+4LIFEBERRYS+4Woman & Home+5Explorersweb+5Treehugger+5Animals Around The Globe.
🌍 Bonus Mentions (Honorable Crater-Shaped Sites)
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: Enormous volcanic caldera full of wildlife — not water-filled but visually and ecologically stunning. Animals Around The GlobeBBC
- Tswaing Crater (South Africa): A meteorite crater with a minor lake and saltpan, surrounded by a reserve—accessible and geologically interesting. time.com+2traveloompa.com+2Wikipedia+2
Suggested Itineraries
Region | Suggested Craters to Visit | Ideal For |
---|---|---|
Indonesia | Kelimutu, Kawah Ijen, Rinjani | Trekking, color photography |
Americas | Crater Lake (Oregon), Quilotoa (Ecuador) | Scenic drives, lake hiking |
Canada/India | Pingualuit, Lonar Crater | Geological interest, clear waters |
Africa | Ngorongoro, Tswaing | Wildlife safaris, crater hikes |
Would you like more info on hiking routes, best seasons to visit, or nearby cultural highlights for any of these sites? I’d be happy to help tailor a travel suggestion or itinerary!