18 Natural Swimming Pools Adventurous Travelers Will Love

Wanna swim? We bet you do. Plunge in these natural swimming pools with refreshing, clear and definitely chemical-free waters surrounded by striking views that’ll entertain your eyes while treading water.

1. To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa

A deep hole storing seawater 30 meters in depth  stays hidden in Lotofaga, a village in the Samoan island of Upolu. This big hole is known as the To Sua Ocean Trench which remains a main attraction for visitors, besides the blowholes and beaches around the village. Before you can start swimming, it’s necessary to use the ladder provided. The best time to visit Samoa and the ocean trench is during the dry season, from May to November.

2. Cenote Ik Kil, Mexico

The sacred peninsula of the Mayans called Yucatan has been blessed with several water-filled sinkholes and Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most popular. Ik Kil is a large almost-40-meter-deep sinkhole filled with clear crystal water and decorated with vines and greenery. It was used before by the Mayans as a place for rituals wherein they threw young men and women as a sacrifice for the god of rain. But now, it’s a popular stopover for visitors who are on their way to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza.

3. Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas, USA

A long time ago a large cave collapsed into Hamilton Creek and bam – a natural green pool appeared. Due to the continuous water erosion, the pool in the 94-hectare Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve turned into a beautiful natural pool ornamented with stalactites, moss, maidenhair fern, and cliff swallows. An eye can’t even miss the sight of its 50-foot waterfall that doesn’t dry out even in times of drought.

4. Dudu Blue Lagoon, Dominican Republic

Not only can you swim in the shimmering blue waters of Dudu Blue Lagoon, but you can also dive in to explore the three tunnels  connected to the depths of the lagoon. These tunnels have surreal surprises in store for divers such as fossil-incrusted limestones, stalactites, and stalagmites. The Dudu Blue Lagoon is located in the Maria Trinidad Province.

5. Giola, Greece

Located in Thassos Island, Giola is a whole new kind of splash compared to the wonderful beaches that surround Thassos Island. It’s like something smashed onto the rocky ground and revealed a blue-green pool with warmer waters compared to the sea just outside its ‘enclosure’. You can dive in from the 8-meter height of the rocky ground that surrounds the pool.

6. Grotta della Poesia, Italy

The collapse of the caverns in this unique karstic system in Roca Vecchia has lead to the discovery of the underwater complex where visitors now line up to dive. Set on the Adriatic Sea, Grotta della Poesia is composed of two joined cavities of Poesia Piccola and Poesia Grande together with the three elliptical halls and numerous tunnels that can be seen in no other way than by diving in.

7. Las Grietas, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

“The Cracks”: that’s what Las Grietas means in English. When in Las Grietas, you’ll see a a series of volcanic crevices filled with refreshing blue water. The crevices were formed during the cooling of molten lava and water from the highlands that flowed down to fill the tiny spaces, mixing with the sea water filtered from the ocean.

8. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri, USA

Shut-ins are places where the river’s breadth is limited by a rock resistant to erosion. Missouri is blessed with a shut-in that has been a favorite among visitors who’d like to swim and just relax. The carved natural pool along the Black River, Johnson’s Shut-ins is located 9 miles north of Lesterville, Missouri.

9. Fairy Pools, Isle of the Skye, Scotland, UK

Nearby the village of Carbost to the West of Skye, Scotland, a stream runs from the Cuillin mountains filling the colorful Fairy Pools. The Fairy Pools require you to take a 20-minute walk passing through large boulders and river crossings before you can see the first waterfall, which will mark your achievement of finding the pools. If you feel like jumping in, take note that the Fairy Pools has cold water even in summers.

Havasu Falls is an incredibly beautiful waterfall located in a remote canyon of Arizona. It takes a 2-mile hike to get there, but the reward is worth it. Havasu Falls is a beautiful double waterfall that falls into a crystal clear pool. It’s a perfect swimming experience offering an idyllic break from Arizona’s arid climate.

11. Bimmah Sinkhole, Oman

Bimmah Sinkhole means Meteor Fall Park in Arabic. The name suggests that a meteor may have struck this spot and revealed a treasure. But the truth is, the sinkhole was created by the usual natural reasons: limestone erosion and the collapse of rocks. The sinkhole is connected to the sea through an underground tunnel. If you’re heading to the Al Sharqiyah governate from the Muscat governate of Oman, you can always make a stop-over at Hawiyam Najm Park where the sinkhole is located.

12. Calanque de Sugiton, France

A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof of a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level. Calanques are found along the Mediterranean coast and one of the more popular calanques is the easy-to-access Calanque de Sugiton, located between Marseille and Cassis.

13. Nanda Blue Hole, Vanuatu

Nanda Blue Hole is considered to be one of the bluest because of the purity of its water coming from the spring and the hole’s depth. The oh-so-blue hole is surrounded by lush vegetation and complete with areas such as a bungalow, bar, and picnic area. Nanda Blue Hole together with the other blue holes in the island of Santo, Vanuatu are some of the main sources of fresh water for the local villages.

14. Erawan Falls, Thailand

Erawan Falls is a seven-tiered waterfall located inside the 550-square-kilometer Erawan National Park in the Kanchanaburi province of western Thailand. The falls is said to resemble the ‘erawan’, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The pool at Erawan Falls is home of the popular dry-skin-eating fish that offer free services to give you a memorable and relaxing experience.

15. Cummins Falls, Tennessee, USA

Cummins Falls is considered as the eighth largest waterfall in Tennessee with a height of 75 feet. This area was once used by Indians to track buffalo around the river’s shallow areas. Now, it’s become a popular swimming area and stopover for hikers who’ve taken the 4-kilometer loop to reach the falls. The Cummins Falls State Park, where the falls can be found, is a favorite hiking and picnic spot for families and groups.

16. Queen’s Bath, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

It’s definitely amazing to see Queen’s Bath in photos but if you thought about giving it a shot, BETTER THINK TWICE. The Queen’s Bath is considered to be one of the unique swimming spots in Hawaii as its pool looks carved into a lava shelf. If you’re up for the amazing ocean and rocky shoreline views, then go for it. Take note however that surfing, diving, and swimming is discouraged due to strong currents and large rocks. If you visit during the summer months, you might be lucky to catch the pool with calm waters which gives you a chance to take a dip. Enjoy with caution.

17. Gunlom Plunge Pool, Northern Territory, Australia

Swim in a natural pool overlooking a jaw-dropping scenery. If that thought is enough to make you excited, then Gunlom Plunge Pool is definitely the goal you should be aiming for. The Gunlom Plunge Pool is located on Waterfall Creek in Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park. Going there can be a bit a pain on your legs because of the steep track, even though the distance is short. However, the climb is worth it for the views of the national park at the top are priceless.

18. Devil’s Pool, Livingstone island, Zambia

Watching the 1700-meter wide and almost 100-meter high Victoria Falls won’t make you think about swimming near it; but you can. During the dry months of May to October, it’s possible to walk on the rock pools found at the top of the falls. The Devil’s Pool, which is a favorite among brave adventurers, is the an infinity pool on the edge of the Zambezi River before it crashes down to the deep end of the falls. Guides are available if you want to have a photo taken swimming in Devil’s Pool.