Data lakes facilitate big data analytics by providing a centralized repository that stores unprocessed and structured data from various sources in its native format. Unlike traditional data warehouses, data lakes allow for easier data ingestion and retrieval, enabling organizations to analyze vast datasets quickly. This flexibility supports diverse analytics methods, including real-time processing and machine learning applications. The capacity to handle multiple data types enhances insights and decision-making capabilities while fostering innovation. Ultimately, data lakes can significantly improve an organization's ability to derive value from their data assets.