Swimming is a bridge between humans and one of nature’s greatest gifts—water. It is the
art of moving through an environment unfamiliar to our species, offering a fresh perspective on beauty. Whether shaped by human hands or formed by nature’s miracles, our planet is home to breathtaking places where swimming is more than just immersion - it is an experience that delights the senses. No one understands these waters better than those who have swum in them. This article presents a curated bucket list, created by swimmers for swimmers, showcasing 45 Earth’s most stunning places to explore through the art of swimming.

North America

North America is known for its beauty and astonishing diversity. Regardless of temperature or landscape preference, one can always find a place easy on the eyes, and soothing for the soul, in the vast space this continent has to offer.

United States

Barton Pool, Austin, Texas

Fed by natural springs, Barton Springs Pool is a refreshing escape from the Texas heat. The waterstays a cool 20°C year-round, attracting everyone from Olympic hopefuls to musicians cooling off between sets.

Olympic Pool, Ft Lauderdale, Florida

A classic U.S. swim venue where excellence meets sunshine. Here, every flip turn echoes with legacy, and training sessions melt into palm-lined evenings along the coast.

Oro Valley Aquatic Center, Arizona

In the desert's heart, this high-performance facility offers sun-soaked lanes and sweeping views of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It's a surreal contrast—blue water framed by cacti and sandstone.

IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis

One of the world's fastest pools, with records etched in its history. This indoor arena crackles with energy, where every lap has been touched by champions and dreams fulfilled.

La Jolla Cove, California

A marine sanctuary where sea lions might be your lane mates. Beneath towering cliffs and kelp forests, swimmers glide through aquamarine waters shared with leopard sharks and rays.

Kona, Hawaii

Home to the legendary Ironman triathlon, Kona's Pacific waters are a sanctuary for serious swimmers. Lava rock beaches give way to underwater worlds teeming with color, clarity, and energy that feels almost spiritual.

Canada

Kitsilano Pool, Vancouver

Set against the backdrop of English Bay and downtown's skyline, "Kits Pool" is North America's longest saltwater pool. At sunset, swimmers cruise through shimmering lanes as the city reflects in golden tones.

Flowerpot Island, Ontario

Named for its ancient stone formations, this remote spot in Georgian Bay offers cold, glass-clear freshwater swims. Surrounded by shipwrecks and rugged forests, it's a dip into Ontario's raw natural story.

Mexico

Cancún, Mexico

A Caribbean classic, where turquoise waters and white sand set the scene. Whether swimming in cenotes or riding the soft surf, Cancún feels like the ocean flirting with paradise.

Bacalar, Mexico

The "Lake of Seven Colors" shimmers in every imaginable shade of blue. This sprawling lagoon is gentle, vast, and mystical, like a dreamscape painted by the sun

Central America & Caribbean

Central America feels like a secret whispered between continents—a narrow stretch of land where volcanic lakes and ancient cultures converge. From misty highland waters to coastal gems
kissed by Caribbean breezes, these swimming spots offer not only serenity but a deep sense of place and history.

Guatemala

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Framed by volcanoes and Mayan villages, Atitlán is a spiritual and scenic masterpiece. Swim in the shadow of sacred peaks while fishermen paddle past in hand-carved canoes, humming stories
into the mist.

Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

The Caribbean at its clearest, where coral gardens greet every stroke. Here, sea turtles drift by like old souls, and every swim feels like floating inside a living jewel.

Curaçao

Curaçao, Caribbean Ocean

Dutch-Caribbean charm dances with coral reef elegance. Whether snorkeling through neon reefs or swimming beneath pastel buildings, Curaçao gives every stroke a sense of rhythm and wonder.

Europe & Asia

Eurasia invites swimmers into a rich mosaic of culture and nature, where every stroke tells a story. From ancient thermal baths to crystal-clear alpine lakes, and from sun-drenched Mediterranean coves to cold, poetic lochs, each swim is a meeting point of beauty, history, and place. Whether shaped by nature or steeped in legend, European waters carry centuries in their
depths. If you’re interested in Open Water swimming and want to explore some of the world’s most incredible places to swim in open water, you should check out Ultraswim 33.3. Ultraswim offers epic adventure swim races spread out across Europe!

Austria

Auster Sport, Austria

Austria's modern aquatic temple, where sleek lanes host national pride and international glory. Underneath the surface, it hums with energy and ambition.

Hintersteiner See, Austria

Nestled in the Wilder Kaiser mountains, this Alpine lake's clarity is otherworldly. Swim through sapphire silence surrounded by peaks that feel both eternal and impossibly close.

Dolomitenbad Lienz, Austria

Alpine serenity meets modern wellness in this state-of-the-art complex. Glass walls frame snow-capped peaks, letting you float between luxury and nature.

Walchsee, Tyrol

A jewel set in Tyrolean valleys, Walchsee is pure summer bliss. The lake reflects green hills and pastel skies, with floating docks and mountain breezes whispering rest into every stroke.

Germany

Trais-Horloffer See, Germany

A peaceful retreat for swimmers and sunseekers alike. Its clean water and surrounding meadows create a perfect blend of nature, recreation, and quiet reflection

United Kingdom

The Lake District, UK

England's crown jewel for wild swimmers. Rolling hills, glassy waters, and poetic mist form a scene worthy of legends—and of laps steeped in history.

Ireland

Lough Lene, Ireland

A serene lake wrapped in folklore and emerald hills. Mist curls across the surface in the morning, and swimmers pass under wide skies that seem to hold ancient whispers.

Photo credit:UltraSwim 33.3

France

Le Lagon Tignes, France

High in the French Alps, Le Lagon is where swimmers go to fly. Altitude training meets glacier views, and each breath feels lighter, purer, and more connected.

Centre Sportif Richard Bozon, Chamonix, France

Where mountaineers meet swimmers under the gaze of Mont Blanc. It's a place where effort and awe intersect with every lap and every look out the window.

Italy

Bergeggi, Italy

A secret stretch of Ligurian coast, Bergeggi is a playground of sea caves and clear water. The sun dances on stone as swimmers trace the coastline through waves and whispers.

Sirmione, Italy

Nestled on Lake Garda's peninsula, Sirmione mixes spa-town calm with medieval grandeur. Swim beneath castle towers and olive trees, where history and water intertwine.

Montenegro

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

An Adriatic gem carved into mountains. Swim past Venetian walls and Orthodox churches as the water reflects a dramatic, fjord-like serenity.

Croatia

Split, Croatia

Ancient and electric, Split offers sea swims beside Roman ruins and bustling harbor life. It's where the Adriatic meets espresso culture and seafaring soul.

'Swim around Rovinj', Croatia

A swimmer's loop around a storybook town. With cobbled shores, sun-soaked rooftops, and aquamarine clarity, Rovinj is a moving postcard.

Turkey

Bodrum, Turkey

Swim beneath ancient windmills and castle walls in Bodrum's warm Aegean waters. The town buzzes with life, but the sea remains timeless and still.

Kaş, Turkey

Adventure lives in Kaş, where ancient ruins lie below the waves. Between coastal cliffs and underwater cities, every swim becomes an exploration.

Hungary

Lake Balaton, Hungary

Central Europe's summer playground, Balaton glows with warmth and joy. Families, triathletes, and floaters share these inviting waters framed by vineyards and gentle hills.

Portugal

The Algarve, South of Portugal

Cliffs carved by wind and sea give way to sparkling coves. Swim through tunnels of light as Atlantic waves push against golden stone.

Spain

Menorca, Spain

The quieter sibling of the Balearics, Menorca rewards explorers with secluded coves and
sapphire water. Each cala feels like a private secret offered to the sea.

Oman

Dimaniyat Islands, Oman

A protected paradise in the Arabian Sea, where coral gardens and sea turtles glide alongside swimmers. The islands offer peace, privacy, and underwater treasures untouched by time.

Wadis, Oman

Natural oases carved into the desert rock, Oman's wadis are pure magic. Swim in turquoise pools
hidden in canyons, where palm trees and silence echo ancient life

Photo credit:UltraSwim 33.3

Middle East & Africa

Egypt

Red Sea, Abu Dabbab

Known for dugongs and coral reefs, Abu Dabbab is a sanctuary of color. Beneath the surface, it bursts with life and stillness, a perfect paradox for the mindful swimmer.

Greece

Paros, Greece

t fishing boats and whitewashed villages, where each ripple carries centuries of salt and myth.

Philippines

El Nido, Philippines

A labyrinth of limestone and light, El Nido's lagoons offer some of the world's most magical swims. The water glows, the cliffs soar, and the silence speaks.

Australia & Oceania

Australia & Oceania is a paradise sculpted by the sea and sky. From New Zealand’s mountain-fringed lakes to Australia’s iconic ocean pools, these waters are wild, pure, and unforgettable. Swimming here means immersion not only in nature, but in stories etched into land and tide.

Australia

Bondi Icebergs, Australia

Where surf culture meets swimming ritual, Bondi Icebergs is a place of salt, sun, and spectacle. Ocean waves slam the pool's edge as locals power through their laps—undeterred and alive.

New Zealand

Lake Wanaka, NZ

A South Island gem, Lake Wanaka mirrors the mountains in still perfection. Swimmers find
clarity in its cold embrace, each stroke echoing across the valley.

Taupō, NZ

Formed by fire and cooled by centuries, Lake Taupō is New Zealand's inland sea. Vast and powerful, it draws swimmers into its expansive calm with volcanic reverence.

The title of this article is Beauty From Water: Earth’s most beautiful places to swim. However, a list like this one can never be fully complete. Our planet keeps surprising us with its diversity and overwhelming beauty. Use this article as a guide but beware of settling only for destinations mentioned above. The most beautiful place to swim can be found thousands of milesaway, or just around the corner.