It’s World Water Day. Here Are 19 Beautiful Reasons To Participate.

TODAY IS WORLD WATER DAY. The international holiday was first set up by the United Nations in 1993 as a way to get people thinking about how we can better provide clean water to everyone on earth. It sounds like it should be easy, but it’s actually a monumental task — a lot of water is wasted, and a lot of the world is stuck drinking contaminated water.

One of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to give everyone in the world access to clean water by 2030, so they’re working with governments around the world to try and move us towards a cleaner planet.

We here at Matador are water freaks — our staff is jam-packed with divers, surfers, snorkelers, kayakers, and skiiers (and we like to drink the stuff, too). So we thought we’d dive into our archives and into our travelstoke app to find some of the most beautiful pictures of water we’ve ever taken. To learn more about World Water Day, check out the UN site.

 Elowah FallsCascade Locks, United StatesOne of my favorite places to visit in the Columbia River Gorge. It’s best in the winter or spring when the water level is highest, like in this photo. #hiking

Dog Island is one of the San Blas Islands off the north coast of Panama.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Cape Kiwanda State Natural AreaCloverdale, United StatesCape Kiwanda is one of my favorite spots on the Oregon Coast. The massive sand dune is fun to climb but my favorite spots are beyond that. There are these awesome rock formations to explore.
#oregon

 Two Jack LakeImprovement District No. 9, CanadaTwo Jack lake is a great drive up spot just outside of Banff. I went to this lake a couple times but this time at sunrise was probably my favorite. Watching the sun light up the snowy peaks was an amazing experience.

Located in the remote province of Palawan, Linapacan is surrounded by quiet beaches and super clear water.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Vermilion LakesImprovement District No. 9, CanadaLoved this spot near Banff! 
It’s just a few minutes from downtown and you can drive right up to this pier.
I went at sunset and got this view out over the lake.
#banff

Known as the world’s largest coral-reef system and the most popular diving location on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef is submerged in clear, blue water. Thanks to this clarity, the reef can be seen from space.

Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Seljalandsfoss WaterfallSouth, IcelandStanding behind this stunning waterfall at sunset was one of my favorite experiences in Iceland.

It is an easily accessible waterfall as the parking lot is just a few hundred feet from the falls.

The Sua Trench in Samoa. Photo: Abhimanyu Sabnis

 Colchuck LakeLeavenworth, United StatesOne of the best hikes in the area.
The hike is 8 miles roundtrip with 2280 feet of elevation gain.
#hiking

Newport Beach, California. Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Boardman LakeGranite Falls, United StatesLooking down on Boardman Lake with my drone.

The hike to the lake is just 2 miles roundtrip with 300 feet of elevation gain. #hiking

Cloudbreak, Tavarua, Fiji. Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Horseshoe BendPage, United StatesThis spectacular view is just a short walk from a parking lot near Page, AZ.
It is such a good spot for sunset which is when I took this photo.
#Arizona

 Gorton Creek FallsCascade Locks, United StatesA short 1.2 mile out and back trail with 150 feet of elevation gain leads up to this beautiful waterfall.
Best during the winter or spring as the water level is higher.
#oregon

One of the most low-key destinations on our list, the Cayos Cochinos are protected by the Honduran government and remain off limits to commercial fishing. The islets are a true example of the word “pristine”—and we all know how overused that is. They’re also home to some of the best, and mostly still undiscovered, scuba diving in the world.
Photo: Scott Sporleder

 Bruarfoss Waterfall, IcelandThis waterfall isn’t the biggest in size but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with its color.
The water there was this amazing blue shade that I could hardly believe was real.