As summer approaches and temperatures start to rise, many people want to take a cool refreshing dip in a beautiful swimming pool. There are so many options to choose from. Vacationers can swim inn remote natural pools and expansive lakes. Or they can hang out in decadent beach clubs and secluded infinity pools. Of course, there’s the swimming pool with a spectacular view that’s on everyone’s bucket list.
Rochester Falls, Mauritius
Renowned for its jagged rectangular rock formations carved over hundreds of years, Rochester Falls is a famous attraction in Mauritius. Visitors are always amazed by the force of the cascading waters. Bollywood film directors love including this in their films.
Located in the Savanne district of southern Mauritius, the falls were named after a character in a novel. Mr. Rochester is the lead in Charlotte Bronte’s novel, Jane Eyre, which was published in 1847.
Wild swimmers can wade in the spray of the cascading waters of the Savanne River. They will tumble 10 metres down while taking in the spectacular view of the surrounding forest.
Set in the lush green landscape of inland Mauritius, Rochester Falls are the widest waterfalls in Mauritius. It has two access points. One is at the top of the waterfall and another leads visitors to the calmer waters at the bottom. The route traverses rugged terrain. However the rewarding swim at the end is worth the journey. Visitors can self-drive and hike to the falls or take a day tour.
Sagamore Pendry Hotel, Baltimore
Guests can dip their toes into the Sagamore Pendry hotel pool whilst snacking on seasonal grilled food, sipping on cocktails, and looking out onto panoramic views of the harbour and city skyline of Baltimore.
The hotel’s deck and pool is perched at the end of the Recreation Pier providing guests with the best urban views around which can be taken in from the luxury of a private cabana bed.
La Zanja (The Ditch) in Puerto Rico
Perhaps one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ places in Puerto Rico, La Zanja (The Ditch) in Fajardo, is an off-the-beaten-path wonder. It is a natural pool created from the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the rocks and filling in the long ‘ditch-like’ indentation.
Although it’s a 20 to 30-minute hike to get to La Zanja, the beauty of this hidden gem will not disappoint travellers, providing a secluded ‘ocean pool’ to paddle in.
Grand Ferdinand Hotel in Vienna
Guests can view Vienna like nowhere else at Grand Ferdinand Hotel’s heated rooftop pool. Perched on top of the centrally located boutique hotel, this pool offers guests unrivalled rooftop views of the historic architecture of Vienna.
Located alongside the Grand Étage restaurant, guests can also enjoy fine wine and dining whilst relaxing poolside.
Slide Rock State Park, Arizona
Arizona has plenty of national parks that offer the chance for visitors and locals alike to escape the bustling cities nearby and retreat into nature. Between the dramatic rocky outcrops and vast desert landscapes, visitors will find tranquil rivers and waterfalls dotted around, enticing enough to dive right in.
One of the most popular wild swimming spots in Arizona can be found in Slide Rock State Park, just outside Sedona. Aptly named, the park is home to Slide Rock at Oak Creek with its 80-foot-long slippery red sandstone chute which has been worn away over the years, creating the perfect natural water slide.
Adventure seekers can take on the chute whilst families can swim or paddle to cool off after a stroll through the high desert shrubbery found in the park.
Saadiyat Beach Club, Abu Dhabi
One of Abu Dhabi’s most glamorous spots to be seen at is the stylist Saadiyat Beach Club – a private beach club right on Saadiyat Beach, where endangered Hawksbill turtles come to nest each year.
The club offers members and day visitors a spa, gym, four restaurants, lounges, and access to the stunning white sand beach.
However, Saadiyat Beach Club’s most popular attraction is its enticing 650 square-metre infinity edge pool, which overlooks the dunes, surrounded by cozy daybeds and private cabanas. Come the weekend, DJs play throughout the afternoon, making this spot the perfect place to relax with a cocktail in Abu Dhabi.
L27 Rooftop Lounge, The Westin, Nashville
The pool at L27 Rooftop Lounge, located on the 27th floor of The Westin Nashville, is Nashville’s highest rooftop pool offering sweeping skyline views of Music City. After undergoing a redesign in 2018 to revamp the interior and poolside terrace, L27 offers an elegant poolside experience with a glass-enclosed dipping pool surrounded by daybeds and loungers, as well as private cabanas and booths.
A stairwell leads up to a smaller lounge on the 28th floor, where guests can get even better views of the city and relax on comfy couches with signature cocktails such as the Cucumber Lemon Julep, Prosecco Pop, and the jalapeno-infused Bee Sting.
Omaanda in Namibia
Namibia, at the southern tip of Africa is one of the most remote destinations on the planet and is a country with the second lowest population density in the world. With views of the vast desert that seem to go on forever, the destination pairs well with an infinity pool to relax and truly soak up the views.
A shimmering infinity pool overlooking a glorious expanse of savannah sets the show-stopping scene on arrival at Omaanda, situated on the private Zannier Reserve. Namibia is also home to an International Dark Sky Reserve and the navy night sky which is full of stars is mirrored in the pool at the lodge.
Omaanda is a designer’s dream built for pausing, relaxing, and drowning out the sounds of an ever-noisy world. Whether that escape be by the pool, in one of the private thatched ‘huts’ that have taken inspiration from Owambo tribe or on a private game drive deep into the desert.
Lakes of the USA
While the United States boasts vast stretches of ocean coastline there is also a vibrant beach scene in the interior of the country. Beautiful lakes can be found around the USA, from Alabama to Nevada. In Chicago, Illinois, the shoreline of Lake Michigan is a beehive of activity during the warmer months, which encompasses 26 beaches that are excellent for swimming.
Lake Tuscaloosa is a nearly 2,400-hectare reservoir with 285 kilometres of shoreline, located in west-central Alabama and is a great destination for year-round swimming, given Alabama’s warm climate. Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters and mountainous surroundings are beautiful at any time of year, but to truly take advantage of the largest alpine lake in North America, come during the warmer months for a swim on the California-Nevada border.
Near the geographic centre of the country, Clinton State Park in Kansas is about 82 kilometres southwest of Kansas City, Missouri. The star of the park is Clinton Lake, this large lake beckons summer visitors with cool, clear water that is ideal for swimming.
