Many lakes around the world are popular among tourists offering fabulous places for perfect holidays. Discover five of the world’s deepest fresh water lakes that are also favourite destinations among nature lovers as well as leisure tourists.

1. Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia
With its average depth of 744.4 meters Baikal, or the Pearl of Siberia, is the deepest lake in the world. Its greatest depth is 1642 m. What more, it is also the oldest fresh water lake and second most voluminous lake in the world. It contains 20% of world’s fresh water. The lake is also home to 1700 species of plants and animals and 1100 out of them are not found anywhere else in the world. Travelers coming to admire the beauty of the lake also enjoy cruising, kayaking, motor-biking, rafting and skating as well as exploring the local ancient ethnic cultures.

2. Lake Tanganyika, East African Great Rift Valley
The maximum depth of Lake Tanganyika is 1470 meters while the average depth is 570 m. It is second deepest, second largest by volume, and the longest fresh water lake in the world (max. length: 673 km, max. width: 72 km). It is divided among four countries – Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia. Thanks to the mountainous surroundings the lake offers stunning views as well as opportunities for sport fishing, swimming or wildlife watching.

3. Lake Malawi, East African Great Rift Valley
Lake Malawi with the average depth of 292 m and maximum depth of 706 m is the third deepest fresh water lake of the world. Also known as Lake Nyassa, this beautiful and spellbinding lake lies between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. Its tropical waters are the habitat of more species of fish than those of any other body of freshwater on Earth. In June 2011 the lake was officially declared a natural reserve by the Government of Mozambique. The lake is a paradise for those who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving, and of course sunbathing. The waters are mostly calm, clear as crystal and there are no big tourist resorts anywhere along the coastline.

4. Great Slave Lake, Canada
Great Slave Lake is the second largest lake of Canada and one of the most attractive lakes of North America. It is also the fourth deepest lake in the world (avg. depth: 41 m, max. depth: 614 m). The beauty of the lake lies mainly in the ice floating on the surface of the water. The lake is popular among travelers thanks to numerous opportunities for fishing, wildlife watching (foxes, wolves, coyotes), and canoeing.

5. Lake Matano, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Popular among tourists thanks to its crystal clear water, Lake Matano is the fifth deepest lake in the world and the deepest lake in Indonesia. Its greatest depth is 590 m. It is home to many species of endemic fish and other animals as well as many plants. Visitors enjoy rafting, water skiing, canoeing and diving. Another popular option is exploring the forests surrounding the lake as well as several unique tribal villages.