You can train for open water in lakes, the sea and pools all around the world.

Just remember to check water quality and conditions before you swim and try to never go alone until you build confidence. 

You could join a local open water swimming group and find like-minded swimmers - we’re a friendly bunch!

Many factors will change how long it takes you to swim a single mile in open water. 

For example, the fitness and stroke of each swimmer obviously has a large impact, as well as weather and water conditions.

Some say open water swimming is harder than swimming in a pool. There are new factors to content with, like water conditions, clarity and current. 

However, it is also arguably more interesting than lapping in chlorinated lanes. So, you may find if you are new to open water swimming you can achieve longer distances easier than in a pool. The time just slips away...

In terms of safety, try to avoid swimming in places with no lifeguards, flags or patrols. We would always strongly advise to not go swimming alone. Make sure someone knows where you are, do not enter water you are unfamiliar with and rely on local information where possible.

Firstly, take time to pick a spot that is well known for open water swimming and check the conditions. 

Always enter the water carefully and make sure your body adjusts to the cooler temperature. 

You may wish to purchase a wetsuit or swim shoes to increase comfort levels in cooler waters, as well as to protect your feet on rocky beaches.

In short, there are many differences. 

Open water likely involves the presence of fish, plants and minerals in the water - not to mention reduced visibility.

Weather conditions such as wind will affect waves in sea water. Currents should be identified and respected too. 

Just remember that you never regret leaving the black line behind and diving into the freedom of open water.

Ocean swimming generally means that you are not guided and of course this poses some risks. 

Our guided safaris allow you to explore safely with the security of having support at all times and guides watching over you. 

This means you can think of nothing else but being immersed in our remote locations.

The majority of our trips cater for non-swimming guests.

Please note, this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

For detailed information about exactly what’s included, please explore the trip page.

All our trips include swim guides and safety support on all swims and accommodation (on multi-day trips).

Food and drink may vary between trips. Travel to and from your tour is not included in your trip price.

Unfortunately, all of our trips must be booked as an entire package.

No discount can be given for guests who are unable to take part in all activities/days.

All guests must be 18 years or over at the beginning of the oceanswimsafari booked, or be accompanied by a swimming adult if aged 16 or 17.

We do! Many guests join our safaris as solo travellers and end up with an incredible group of friends who share a love for the open water.

Please note, a limited number of single supplement rooms are available on most of our trips.

Swimming is a low impact and medium intensity activity, which enables a wide variety of ages and experience levels to take part. 

Your fellow guests could include young students, retired couples, solo travellers, groups of friends, experienced open water swimmers or those unfamiliar with life outside the pool. 

Whatever the makeup of your group, you can be sure that you’ll have a mix of fascinating personalities from all around the world.

The number of non-swimming activities varies considerably from one trip to the next.

It’s worth taking a look at the ‘Sample Itinerary’ on each trip page to learn more. Please do email us if you have any specific questions as well.

Ocean Swim Safaris has been operating in various forms since it first sent swimmers overseas in 1999. 

2025 was our most ambitious programme to date and we will continue to add new locations through 2026 and beyond. 

The safety of our guests, guides and other local partners is the number one priority in every decision we make. 

From monitoring up-to-date travel advice for each location, to making adjustments to a planned itinerary during your time away, the well-being of each and every person who joins our safaris is always at the forefront of our minds.

Yes, you need to take out travel insurance - see separate section below.

Sadly, there may be times where we need to cancel a departure due to a lack of bookings on a particular date or due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control.

However, this is an extremely rare occurrence. If we do need to cancel a particular departure, we will advise all affected guests at least eight weeks prior to the trip start date.

Bookings can be made directly via the Ocean Swim Safaris website.

During the booking process we do ask you to complete a Health Declaration. 

Our guides are first aid trained, but medical facilities are not always easily accessible on our trips. 

Conditions in open water can change quickly, and our trips can be physically challenging.

Daily swimming distances vary considerably from one trip to the next. 

Please refer to each individual trip page to learn more.

While daily swim distances may be more than you're used to swimming, you are likely to surprise yourself with how far you can swim on your trip. 

We break up your daily distance into several shorter swims. Often with one swim in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Most of our swimmers find that they can cover significantly greater distance than what they expected.

We often have a wide range of swimming speeds. 

Guests cover 1-kilometre in the open water in anything from 10-40 minutes. 

As a guide, guests should be able to swim a minimum of 1-kilometre in 40 minutes.

No. This is your holiday and if you need to take a break during a swim you are welcome to jump on the support boat at any time. 

On trips where we use kayaks, your guides will be able to advise you about the various options for getting out or walking different sections of the route, where possible.

The majority of our guests swim freestyle (front crawl). We often have breast-strokers too. 

Having different swimming groups means you can swim whatever stroke you want.

Every group is accompanied by its own support vessel on each swim. 

On most trips, these are motorised vessels, or our guides will accompany swimmers in support kayaks. 

Your support vessels are there to provide safety cover, drinks and snacks, as well as assist with improving your technique over the course of each safari.

One of the great joys of open water swimming is that it gives you the chance to appreciate the incredible range of wildlife, natural topography and underwater vistas that most people never get the chance to see. 

The type of marine life that you may encounter varies considerably from once location to the next. We’ve been known to swim with everything from Tongan whales to laidback sea turtles.

Indicative location water and air temperatures can be found on each Trip Page.

Firstly, don't panic. Sharks are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and not be feared if treated with respect and, of course, caution.

Please adhere to the following advice:

• Tell a guide immediately if you see a shark.
• Keep close to your group.
• Stay calm and keep eye contact with the shark if possible.
• Swim slowly and avoid splashing.
• Stay out of the water with cuts or wounds.

Some open water swimmers will always swim ‘skins’ in open water - this doesn’t mean naked, but in a light swim costume such as you would wear in a pool. 

If you want to be able to stay in cool water longer, or enjoy some extra protection and buoyancy, then a wetsuit is a good option. 

Wetsuits come in various sizes and it’s important to get one that fits correctly. You should also still wear a swimming costume under a wetsuit for ocean swimming.

For detailed information on what we recommend you bring with you, please see your relevant Trip Page for your booking.

Generally no, although some swimmers feel temperature more than others and may prefer to wear a wetsuit. Don’t bring new equipment that you haven’t worn in before you come away. 

If you do bring a wetsuit, the most suitable for ocean swimming depends on personal preference, reason for wearing the suit and the conditions of the water you swim in. 

Almost all wetsuits come in standard sizing by gender: XS, S, M, ML (medium long), L, XL. 

The best way to find out which is right for you is to try them on. A wetsuit should be tight but able to do up and undo by yourself.

Snorkels are permitted on our organised safaris, but swimmers are advised to discuss this with their guides at the welcome meeting. 

It is incredibly vital that if you choose to wear a snorkel, you continue to listen for instructions or warnings which may be issued by the guides. 

For safety, you must maintain sighting at all times.

The best method is to get a fellow swimmer to help you by holding the front of the cap. Then you can put any hair you have on top and pull it over.

If you’re swimming solo, first make sure long hair is tied up in a bun and hold it on top of your head with one hand. 

With the other hand, stretch the hat from front to back, stuffing your hair in as you go. 

Once the hat is firmly on your head, covering your hair, you can push any stray wisps under with your fingers. 

Move the hat around until it is comfortable, strap on your goggles and away you go!

During our trips you will have plenty of time to improve your swimming technique. 

Whether you’re new to the open water or have been out of the pool your whole life, our guides will work closely with you to get the most out of every stroke that you take.

Swimming is a great exercise for your body and mind. Unlike running or a gym workout, swimming is very kind to your body as it doesn’t put stress on your bones due to the water buoyancy. 

There has also been much research into the positive effects that open water swimming can have on mental health - being in the water allows you to take a break from the busy pressures of modern life.

Swimming can improve fitness and building muscle is a side effect of getting fitter. 

If your aim is to predominantly work on building muscle, then swimming will not be as helpful as other activities. The amount of muscle you are likely to build will depend on the way you swim. 

Swimming does work your cardiovascular system and it does use most of the muscles of the body, working your heart. 

Once again it depends on the amount of energy you put into your swims. 

Combined with a healthy lifestyle, swimming frequently can help you to tone your body.

Depending on your fitness level, body type and the swim workouts that you are achieving - this will determine how the sport changes your body.

One of the great aspects of swimming is that it works the muscles all over your body.  

For freestyle we try to work the lats (the larger muscles rather than the smaller muscles in the shoulder), obliques on your core along the side of your stomach, and your glutes are worked with kicking too.

Breaststroke swimmers use wider leg movements to work the adductor thigh muscles as well.

Swimming on a full stomach can make you feel sluggish and unwell. 

It is best not to eat too much before swimming. If your body is busy digesting this will affect your session. 

Don’t think too much about eating before a swim as most swimmers know you’ll be ravenous as soon as you leave the water.

Yes. Travel Insurance is compulsory and a condition of your booking. You must take out travel insurance to cover the period of your trip covering loss, theft, damage, illness, accident, and consequent medical treatment, transport and related events. These contingencies are not the responsibility of oceanswimsafaris.com or their principals or representatives. We will not be responsible if you ignore or act contrary to the directions or advice of your oceanswimsafaris tour leaders, or if you breach the terms of your personal travel insurance.

If you're over 65 years old, there's a good chance that you'll have to do some shopping around to find travel insurance that will provide adequate cover for your trip. And, while we can't advise on the suitability of any particular insurance company or policy for your safari, we have included a number of links below to websites which provide further information about insurance for older travellers and which we hope will help to point you in the right direction:

Finder.com.au - Travel insurance for over 65s (Australian-based comparison site)

Seniors Travel Insurance - Seniors Travel Insurance (Australian-based comparison site)

MoneySupermarket - Over 65s Travel Insurance (UK-based comparison site)

Confused.com - Over 50s Travel Insurance (UK-based comparison site)

InsureMyTrip - Travel Insurance for Every Trip (US-based comparison site)

TravelInsurance.com - Travel Insurance Made Easy (US-based comparison site)

SquareMouth - Compare Travel Insurance Companies (US-based comparison site)