All snorkeling enthusiasts long for clear, clean coastal waters, and their travel destinations have now been officially determined by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency.

Beach outings are primarily about stretching out in the sand and catching a few rays, but for those of us who enjoy paddling, snorkeling, or taking a good snapshot, it’s disappointing when the waves are choppy and the water is murkier than expected...

A new report has compiled where divers are guaranteed not to be disappointed by water quality.

The cleanest coastal water in Europe has...

Croatia: A new study has revealed that the Balkan country has the cleanest coastal bathing waters in Europe. A report published by the European Commission and the European Environment Agency, which examined the water quality of all 27 EU states as well as Albania and Switzerland, found that 99.1 percent of Croatia's coast has "excellent" water quality – that is 886 out of 894 tested sites.

Whether for swimming, snorkeling, or simply for the perfect Instagram photo – Croatia's coasts leave little to be desired. The only "problem" is that there are so many beautiful beaches in Croatia – one tip is Senj, the oldest town on the upper Adriatic, where there are seven beaches to choose from. Above all, the medieval fortress Nehaj stands, offering a breathtaking view of the sea.

But what actually makes good water?

Now, according to the bathing water directive, waters are assessed based on microbiological data to classify them as poor, sufficient, good, or excellent. The runners-up in this study were, by the way, Greece, Cyprus, and Austria.

In last place in the ranking is Albania. Poland is second to last, and Hungary is third to last. The report also found that the coastal waters of Europe tend to be cleaner than the inland waters.