Many people think of going for a swim as a relaxing activity that involves a few laps in the pool or taking a dip in a lake or ocean. Adrenaline junkies have taken the activity of swimming to a whole new level. Some waters are not for the faint of heart or for those who aren’t strong swimmers.
But there are swimming spots around the world that’ll get your heart racing and blow your mind with incredible scenery. So here are the most extreme places in the world to go for a swim. If you’re looking for a travel destination that’s beautiful, exotic, and adventurous, then perhaps one of these swimming spots can make it onto your bucket list.
The Devil's Swimming Pool - Victoria Falls, Zambia
One of the most famous extreme places to swim is at the top of Victoria Falls in Zambia, which is the largest waterfall in the world. A bucket list adventure in Africa, this natural swimming hole called the Devil’s Swimming Pool is located dangerously close to a 100-foot drop off that tumbles down the falls. It looks like a much more dangerous version of your hotel’s infinity pool. Yet visitors come here to swim on a regular basis to wade by the edge of the falls and get amazing panoramic views. The danger factor of this swimming area depends on the season, but the safest time to swim is during the summer when the water level drops.
Samaesan Hole, Thailand
Another epic place to swim that’s especially popular among divers is Samaesan Hole in Thailand. This swimming hole is nearly 300 feet deep, which makes it an ideal place to check out marine life and habitats. But what sets this dive site apart from others in the region is its potential for unexploded military munitions. This area used to be a dumping site for the military. Another reason that this swimming hole is extreme is the water currents, which have led even the most experienced divers astray.
Crocosaurus Cove - Darwin City, Australia
Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin City gives visitors the opportunity to see the saltwater crocodiles of Australia up close and personal. It’s also a great example of an extreme water activity that isn’t out in the wild and untamed ocean. Crocosaurus Cove’s Cage of Death brings visitors face-to-face with captive crocodiles. It’s been open since July 2008 and has been very popular with tourists and locals. You’ll get 15 minutes inside an enclosure with the crocodiles after being suspended above their pen and lowered down. The attraction operates 12 times per day and accommodates one or two people per cage.
Hierve el Agua, Mexico
Head to the central valley of Oaxaca in Mexico to swim in one of the most extreme places in the region: Hierve el Agua. This is a rock formation that has fresh spring water swimming pools that are packed with minerals. These minerals are believed to have healing properties, and the view here is just as spectacular as the potential health benefits.
Boiling Lake, Dominica
Just the name “Boiling Lake” should tell you that this is an extreme destination. Located on the island of Dominica, this lake’s temperature averages about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The lake is a couple of hundred feet deep, so don’t expect to touch your toes down for long once you leave the shore. However, this is an incredibly beautiful area to visit, so make sure to visit this volcanic region even if you plan to steer clear of the boiling water. Even when parts of the lake’s temperature dips down to 90 degrees, extreme swimmers are still putting themselves at risk for severe burns.
Dudu Blue Lagoon - Cabrera, Dominican Republic
This freshwater pool is a vibrant blue color and allows thrill-seeking visitors the opportunity to jump right in from a rope swing. The Dudu Blue Lagoon is located in a park in Cabrera and also popular among divers. A fun thing about swimming here is that you can encounter divers that are resurfacing from other areas since the caves connect natural lakes together. There are two lakes connected underwater by a long tunnel and a cave that takes swimmers into an underground dome with stalagmites and stalactites. There are a restaurant and snack bar here, but no good place to change clothes, so just arrive in your swimwear. While you’re in this area, swimmers will also be interested to check out the Saltadero, which is a waterfall and pool on the outskirts of Cabrera and popular with local children.
Jellyfish Lake, Palau
A place named Jellyfish Lake may sound like a terrifying place to swim, but this is actually a really popular extreme swimming spot among tourists. At least 10 million jellyfish inhabit this lake, but what’s interesting is that their sting is relatively harmless. Local history and geology tell us that a rock island of Palau separated itself from the ocean to create a marine lake where the jellyfish had no predators and their sting became useless. It’s a totally surreal experience to swim among these friendly jellyfish that range greatly in size without fear of getting stung!
Shark Alley, South Africa
Sharks exist in many waterways around the globe, but one of the most adventurous places to see them is at Shark Alley along the coast of South Africa. This area draws in several different types of sharks, but none more famous than the Great White Shark. Shark Alley is a channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock. Free swims here are strongly discouraged. But if you want to experience this shark region more safely, you can join an expedition with a local guide and see them from inside a steel cage. Crews use fish products to lure sharks to your expedition boat. This is an extreme activity to add to your bucket list because you’ll be just inches away from Great White Sharks but still protected.
Hanakapiai Beach, Hawaii
Hawaii seems like the perfect destination to go swimming, but not all beaches in the islands are created equal. Hanakapiai Beach is absolutely beautiful, but the waters here are notorious for extreme rip currents and hazardous high tides. People have lost their lives while taking a dip here, and because it’s in a remote location, help is not readily accessible. You’ll see a warning sign near the beach that tallies up the number of people who have been killed due to unseen currents.
Amazon Basin, South America
The Amazon River area is known as one of the best places on earth to view biodiversity of animal and plant species, but few people dare to go for a swim here. This is an incredibly dangerous place to be in the water since it’s home to piranhas, electric eels, anacondas, and candirus, which are known as vampire fish. These tiny fish can find their way into bodily orifices, so swim at your own risk! But just know that it has been done. A Slovenian man named Martin Strel was the first man to swim the length of the Amazon River – all 3,274 miles of it. However, it took him 66 days to complete the adventurous mission, and he had a support crew following him in a boat in case anything went wrong.
Deception Island - South Shetlands, Antarctica
Antarctica is probably the last place on earth that you’d consider going for a swim, but adventurous travelers brave the cold and take a dip! For this polar plunge, head to the protected bay at Deception Island. This island is in the South Shetlands and the water is absolutely frigid. Alternatively, some cruise ship operators traveling through this area allow their guests to hop off the boat into the icy waters to take a dip and be pulled back up with a rope.
