Poland's eighth-largest lake - shallow, wide open, inside Słowiński National Park. The viewing platform is in Gardna Wielka; the small Kamienna Island in the middle is a strict bird-breeding reserve.
A coastal lake, separated from the Baltic by a narrow sand bar and connected to the sea by the Łupawa river. It covers 2,469 hectares, but averages just 1.3 metres deep - so the water warms quickly and the wind barely drops.
The whole lake sits inside Słowiński National Park. At its centre, the 0.6-hectare Kamienna Island is a strict reserve for breeding waterbirds. The viewing platform on the shore at Gardna Wielka is one of the best observation points in the park.
The easiest approach is to drive to Gardna Wielka - ten minutes from Rowy. You can also reach the lake by kayak up the Łupawa from Rowy itself. Shallow water and steady wind have made Gardno a long-standing favourite among Polish windsurfers and kitesurfers.