Dream swim locations and swimming pools of the world

There are so many places I’d love to visit and explore in my lifetime, but for now I can but dream…and start to note down a few of these fantastic locations; in preparation for my chance to travel and experience them for myself.

So, to whet your appetite and for your inspiration, here’s my ‘wish/hit-list’ of ultimate swim locations and dream swimming pools [so far, and in no particular order]:

The Infinity Swimming Pool at the Alia Resort, Ubud in Bali

Image credit: seanmcgrath, on Flikr

Set high up in a secluded hillside retreat, situated on the edge of the Ayung River valley in Bali’s central foothills, this looks like the perfect place for a peaceful swim

Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve in Travis County, Texas

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Thousands of years of water erosion, and the collapse of a canyon formed this beautiful limestone grotto pool. The azure-blue water, surrounded by stunning natural beauty, looks so inviting!
Official website

Havasupai Falls, near Supai, Grand Canyon Arizona

Image credit: runnr_az, on Flikr

The water in this natural plunge pool looks so beautiful; I can imagine it’s a nice refreshing-a-dip in this climate too.

Image credit:runnr_az, on Flikr

Apparently the water is blue/green due to high concentrations of dissolved lime picked up as the water runs through the sedimentary rock of Havasu Canyon and the Grand Canyon.

Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands (Polynesia)

Image credit: benedict.adam, on Flikr

A beautiful lagoon, spotted with coaral reef to explore whilst snorkelling, with breakers at the outer reef to protect you from the open ocean beyond… blissful swimming in Paradise me thinks.

Devil’s Armchair Swimming Pool, Victoria Falls, Zambia

Image credit: Tracy Hunter, on Flikr

For some extreme swimming, it’s got be The Devil’s Swimming Pool, or Devil’s Armchair – a naturally formed infinity pool at the very top of Victoria Falls in Zambia – 420 feet above the river below!

Image Source: Ian restall, on Wikimedia.org

The Falls is otherwise known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), which makes it seem all the more crazy, but apparently it’s perfectly safe (in the dry season) to ‘relax’ at the precipice of a waterfall – because there’s a natural rocky ledge that forms a back-eddy and stops the current. I can imagine it’s a pretty surreal experience, but definitely a swim to remember!

The Dead Sea, [between] Israel and Jordan

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Resting 1385 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is a hypersaline lake and one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. Because of the 33.7% salinity the water is very dense and provides a buoyancy that allows you to float[!] which is meant to be an unbelievable sensation.

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

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Ahh, the Famous Blue Lagoon had to be on my list. The thermal waters are said to have rejuvenating properties – an excellent added bonus for any swim

Maya Bay, Phi phi Lee island, Thailand

Image credit: argenberg, on Flikr

Featured in the film ‘The Beach’, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this beach is perhaps one of the most famous in the world…

Image credit: Will Ellis, on Flikr

Maya Bay epitomises paradise!

Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Image credit: Alex E. Proimos, on Flikr

Located at the south end of Bondi Beach in Sydney, The Bondi Icebergs has been the home of winter swimming since it was founded in 1929 by a group of committed local lifesavers. It really would be a dream to say that I had one day swum in the world famous Bondi Icebergs Club’s swimming pool.

Semuc Champey Park, Guatemala

nmarritz, on Flikr
The river Cahabon flows beneath this natural ‘limestone bridge’ and forms these beautiful natural tiered pools that you’re allowed to swim in.

SkyPark, Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino, Singapore

green_kermit, on Flikr

I would love to swim the world’s longest elevated swimming pool at night. The SkyPark on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands Casino, gives an awesome view of the entire city of Singapore – over its vanishing edge, perched 200 meters above the ground – as you swim in the sky!

San Alfonso del Mar, Algarrobo, Chile

Image source: letsgochile.com

For a big swim while on holiday, and to say that i’d swum the largest swimming pool in the world, I had to include this beach front pool on my list. It’s not only 1000m long, but cover 19 acres!

Badeshiff, Berlin, Germany

mini joan, on Flikr

It might seem a bit of a random choice [especially compared to some of the other slightly more exotic locations included in this list] but the Badeshiff is one quirky pool that I’d like to take a dip in – since it’s an old barge or cargo container that has been converted into a public swimming pool.

This list is a work-in-progress and by no means complete…so please feel free to make suggestions or add your own dream swimming locations in the comments below