The Top 15 Largest Lakes in the World
Lakes are among the most fascinating natural formations on our planet. With more than 304 million lakes worldwide, these water bodies play a crucial role in balancing water inputs and outputs, sustaining ecosystems, and providing recreational opportunities. Many of the world’s largest lakes could be called inland seas due to their enormous surface areas and their roles in linking to oceans through rivers or narrow channels. Here, we explore the top 15 largest lakes by surface area, offering stats, travel tips, and activities to enjoy in and around each lake.
1. Caspian Sea
Area: 386,400 sq km (149,200 sq miles)
Location: Bordered by Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Azerbaijan
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, often referred to as an inland sea.
How to Get There:
Fly into Baku, Azerbaijan or Astrakhan, Russia.
Travel by train or bus to coastal cities.
Things to Do:
Visit the Baku Boulevard.
Explore the ancient city of Derbent in Russia.
Enjoy water sports like boating and fishing.
2. Lake Superior
Area: 82,100 sq km (31,700 sq miles)
Location: United States (Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin) and Canada (Ontario)
Lake Superior, the largest of North America's Great Lakes, offers stunning natural beauty and a wealth of activities.
How to Get There:
Fly into Duluth, Minnesota or Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Rent a car to explore the lake.
Things to Do:
Visit Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Hike in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Go kayaking and enjoy the scenic views.
3. Lake Victoria
Area: 69,484 sq km (26,828 sq miles)
Location: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya
Lake Victoria is Africa's largest lake and the world's second-largest freshwater lake by surface area.
How to Get There:
Fly into Entebbe, Uganda or Mwanza, Tanzania.
Take a bus or boat to various lake locations.
Things to Do:
Explore the Ssese Islands.
Visit the Rubondo Island National Park.
Experience local fishing villages.
4. Lake Huron
Area: 59,570 sq km (23,000 sq miles)
Location: United States (Michigan) and Canada (Ontario)
Lake Huron, part of the Great Lakes, is known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic landscapes.
How to Get There:
Fly into Saginaw, Michigan or Toronto, Ontario.
Drive or take a ferry to lake destinations.
Things to Do:
Visit Mackinac Island.
Explore Georgian Bay.
Enjoy sailing and fishing.
5. Lake Michigan
Area: 57,757 sq km (22,300 sq miles)
Location: United States (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin)
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake located entirely within the United States.
How to Get There:
Fly into Chicago, Illinois or Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Use local transportation to reach the lakefront.
Things to Do:
Relax on Chicago’s beaches.
Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Take a boat tour.
6. Lake Tanganyika
Area: 32,900 sq km (12,700 sq miles)
Location: Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Zambia
Lake Tanganyika is one of the oldest and deepest lakes in the world, renowned for its biodiversity.
How to Get There:
Fly into Bujumbura, Burundi or Kigoma, Tanzania.
Use boats or local transport to explore.
Things to Do:
Visit Gombe Stream National Park for chimpanzee trekking.
Enjoy snorkeling and diving.
7. Lake Baikal
Area: 31,500 sq km (12,200 sq miles)
Location: Russia
Lake Baikal is the world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake, containing about 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater.
How to Get There:
Fly into Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude.
Use local transportation to reach the lake.
Things to Do:
Visit Olkhon Island.
Explore Listvyanka village.
Go ice fishing or take a dip in the lake's cold waters.
8. Great Bear Lake
Area: 31,328 sq km (12,096 sq miles)
Location: Canada (Northwest Territories)
Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canada and the fourth largest in North America.
How to Get There:
Fly into Yellowknife.
Use bush planes or boats to access the lake.
Things to Do:
Go fishing for giant lake trout.
Experience the northern lights.
9. Lake Malawi
Area: 29,604 sq km (11,430 sq miles)
Location: Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania
Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, is famous for its clear waters and diverse fish species.
How to Get There:
Fly into Lilongwe, Malawi or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Use buses or boats to reach lake destinations.
Things to Do:
Snorkel or dive to see the unique cichlid fish.
Visit Lake Malawi National Park.
10. Great Slave Lake
Area: 28,568 sq km (11,030 sq miles)
Location: Canada (Northwest Territories)
Great Slave Lake is known for its deep, cold waters and remote wilderness.
How to Get There:
Fly into Yellowknife.
Access the lake by car or boat.
Things to Do:
Enjoy ice fishing in winter.
Explore the remote wilderness.
11. Lake Erie
Area: 25,667 sq km (9,910 sq miles)
Location: United States (Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York) and Canada (Ontario)
Lake Erie, the fourth largest of the Great Lakes, is known for its warm waters and recreational opportunities.
How to Get There:
Fly into Cleveland, Ohio or Buffalo, New York.
Drive to the lakefront.
Things to Do:
Visit Presque Isle State Park.
Explore the Lake Erie Islands.
Enjoy fishing and boating.
12. Lake Winnipeg
Area: 24,387 sq km (9,416 sq miles)
Location: Canada (Manitoba)
Lake Winnipeg is one of the largest lakes in Canada, known for its extensive beaches and wildlife.
How to Get There:
Fly into Winnipeg.
Use local transport to reach the lake.
Things to Do:
Visit Grand Beach Provincial Park.
Explore Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park.
13. Lake Ontario
Area: 19,011 sq km (7,340 sq miles)
Location: United States (New York) and Canada (Ontario)
Lake Ontario, the smallest of the Great Lakes, serves as a vital waterway for commerce and recreation.
How to Get There:
Fly into Toronto, Ontario or Syracuse, New York.
Use local transportation to explore the lake.
Things to Do:
Visit Niagara Falls.
Explore the Thousand Islands.
14. Lake Balkhash
Area: 15,500 sq km (6,000 sq miles)
Location: Kazakhstan
Lake Balkhash is a unique lake in Kazakhstan, with its western part being freshwater and the eastern part saline.
How to Get There:
Fly into Almaty.
Use local transport to reach the lake.
Things to Do:
Explore the desert-like surroundings.
Visit local villages.
15. Lake Vostok
Area: 12,000 sq km (4,633 sq miles)
Location: Antarctica
Lake Vostok, the largest subglacial lake in Antarctica, remains largely unexplored due to its extreme location beneath the ice.
How to Get There:
Access is extremely limited, generally only to researchers.
No regular travel options or tourist activities.
Things to Do:
Due to its remote and harsh environment, Vostok Lake is mainly a research destination.
These majestic lakes not only provide visual splendor but also offer opportunities to engage with diverse cultures, wildlife, and recreational activities. Whether you’re into water sports, hiking, or simply soaking in natural beauty, these lakes offer something for every traveler.
*data sourced from Brittanica
