Wild Swim Atlas

Wild swimming in Wales

22 places to swim in Wales, each checked for public access. Open a spot for its season, booking rules and how to get there.

22 spots listed19 sea and rock pools2 lakes and tarns1 waterfall pool2 need a booking in season

22 spots in Wales

Supervised sessions only3 mi

Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs

Lake
Lisvane

Designated, supervised open-water swimming sessions operate at Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs by pre-booked access.

Designated bathing water7 mi

Jackson's Bay

Sea pool
Barry Island, Barry

Jackson's Bay is a designated bathing water at Barry Island with good recent water quality classification.

Designated bathing water8 mi

Whitmore Bay

Sea pool
Barry Island, Barry

Whitmore Bay is a designated bathing water at Barry Island with good recent water quality classification.

Designated bathing water8 mi

The Knap

Sea pool
Pebble Beach, Barry

The Knap is a designated coastal bathing water beside Pebble Beach and Marine Lake.

Yes, seasonal bathing19 mi

Dunraven Bay

Sea pool
Southerndown, Southerndown

Dunraven Bay is a designated bathing beach with excellent water quality classification.

Yes, seasonal bathing22 mi

Trecco Bay

Sea pool
Newton

Trecco Bay is a designated bathing beach with excellent 2025 water quality.

Yes, seasonal bathing24 mi

Rest Bay

Sea pool
Porthcawl

Rest Bay is a designated bathing beach with excellent 2025 water quality.

Swimming reported27 mi

Sgwd Gwladys

Waterfall pool
Waterfall Country, Pontneddfechan

Sgwd Gwladys is a 7-metre waterfall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, with a deep plunge pool.

Public sea swimming35 mi

Swansea Bay

Sea pool
Uplands

Swansea Bay is a designated bathing water with Good water quality classification for 2025.

Public sea swimming35 mi

Bracelet Bay

Sea pool
Mumbles

Bracelet Bay and Limeslade Bay are designated bathing waters with 2025 classifications of Excellent and Good.

Public sea swimming36 mi

Langland Bay

Sea pool
Mumbles

Langland Bay is a designated bathing water with Excellent water quality classification for 2025.

Public sea swimming37 mi

Caswell Bay Beach

Sea pool
Manselfield

Caswell Bay is a designated sea bathing water with seasonal lifeguard patrols and nearby beach facilities.

Public sea swimming42 mi

Oxwich Beach

Sea pool
Oxwich

Oxwich Bay is a designated sea bathing water managed by the Penrice Estate.

Public sea swimming44 mi

Port Eynon Beach

Sea pool
Horton

Port Eynon Bay is a designated sea bathing water with seasonal lifeguard patrols.

Swimming possible49 mi

Blue Pool

Sea pool
Llangennith Sands, Burry Holms

Blue Pool is a natural, tidally filled pool near Burry Holms.

Public bathing area59 mi

Pendine Sands

Sea pool
Pendine, Llansadwrnen

Pendine Sands is a designated bathing beach with a bathing area between two slipways.

Swimming permitted75 mi

Broad Haven South

Sea pool
Bosherston

Broad Haven South is a designated coastal bathing water with an Excellent 2025 classification.

Swimming permitted82 mi

Freshwater West

Sea pool
Rhoscrowther

Freshwater West is a coastal bathing-water site with an Excellent 2025 classification.

Designated bathing water84 mi

Sandy Haven

Sea pool
Herbrandston

Sandy Haven is a designated sea bathing water with an Excellent 2025 classification.

Designated bathing water89 mi

Marloes Sands

Sea pool
Marloes

Marloes Sands is a designated sea bathing water with an Excellent 2025 classification.

Swimming possible111 mi

Porth Ysgo

Sea pool
Aberdaron

Remote sea cove with a steep path, steps, dark sand, boulders and the Pistyll y Gaseg waterfall.

Swimming permitted121 mi

Llyn Padarn

Lake
Padarn Country Park, Llanberis

Llyn Padarn is a deep, cold freshwater lake with a designated swimming area near the watersports centre.

Swimming near a Wales city

By type of water