Swimming holidays

Our swimming holidays shake up the classic beach break, immersing you – quite literally – in some of the most beautiful coasts and islands in the world. You’ll spend your days with supportive coaches and guides who’ll teach you how to swim safely in everything from lakes and hot springs to open ocean and winter weather. Each of our trips supports local economies, thanks to itineraries sprinkled with locally owned accommodation, yacht and ferry transfers, and family-run tavernas. They also give you a sense of place beyond the water, connecting you with local people who can share the joys and challenges of the marine worlds they love.

The first question is: what do you want from your swimming holiday? We have relaxing retreats, yacht-based island-hopping, and challenging swims for competitive swimmers. You can choose a holiday where you’ll be swimming a relaxed couple of kilometres a day, with no pressure to finish, or go for a more challenging trip designed to improve technique and stamina. Two swims a day is usually the norm, separated by a delicious and nutritious lunch. That said, what swimmer can resist diving back in when spying a spectacular sunset or millpond-smooth bay?

Whatever you choose, you’ll be swimming in a small group headed up by experienced guides – usually, a bunch of solo swimmers also excited to explore the world by its waters. Tours run on set days at the best times of year for swimming in the region. At the end of the day, you’ll have a ready-made band of swimming pals to celebrate the day’s swim with – perhaps by heading to the nearest beach bar or with a sunset barbecue on deck. Sightseeing, however, is put on the backburner, so our partners can help extend your trip if you fancy some free time to explore somewhere beyond the sea.

As for accommodation, it’s all a skimming stone’s throw from the water’s edge – a locally owned beach hotel, island guest house, or a cabin on a liveaboard yacht that whisks you from glorious swimming spot to glorious swimming spot.

We have swimming holidays all over the world and our map of destinations is expanding. The Mediterranean is great pick, especially the warm, glassy waters of the Balearics, Greek Islands and Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. The tropical waters of Fiji and the Maldives aren’t too shabby either. Fancy dramatic vistas and whale-friendly waters? We recommend Northern Europe for Norwegian fjords and Icelandic hot springs, or the Atlantic for the wild volcanic islands of the Azores. Lakes more your vibe? Slovenia is the one; it’s a great winter option too.