11) Pupu Springs, New Zealand
Sure you have to travel some distance to get there; but once you do, you’ll understand why so many people rave about the extraordinary beauty of Te Waikoropupū Springs, or Pupu Springs as it is also commonly called. This is a site of profound importance to the Māori culture, being considered as a source for great spiritual healing. The floor of the lake is known to ‘dance’ near the eight primary vents, which discharge as much as 14,000 liters (3,698 gallons) of water per second. Pupu Springs offers an average visibility of 63m (just over 223ft), which is only bettered by Nelson’s Blue Lake in Tasman, making the spring a delight for divers. When you visit, you should remember that Pupu Springs are a taonga (treasure) and waahi tapu (a sacred place) for the Māori people; and you will have to get special permission to dive in its clear, untainted water.
