Jul 24, 2025
This U.S. Lake Is So Clear and Turquoise It's Nicknamed the 'Caribbean of the North'—and You Can Swim, Snorkel, and Scuba in It
Torch Lake is a place that few outside Michigan have probably heard of, yet its turquoise waters and serene sandbar make it one of the most awe-inspiring and underrated destinations in the Midwest. It’s Michigan’s longest inland lake and second largest by surface area, with depths reaching an impressive 310 feet.
Known as the “Caribbean of the North,” the 19‑mile-long lake’s name comes from the Ojibwe word waaswaaganing, meaning “place of torches,” a nod to the tradition of using birch torches to attract fish at night.
The lake was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago. Its striking blue-green hues and clarity—visibility of 20 feet to 30 feet—are due to minimal organic runoff and calcium-rich marl sediment from its glacial origins. Over time, sandbars developed, and at the lake’s southern tip lies the iconic Torch Lake Sandbar, a shallow stretch of white sand that turns into a vibrant gathering spot in the summer.
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