Best Waterfalls for Wild Swimming
Wild swimming has surged in popularity since 2020. Waterfall plunge pools are particularly attractive — but not all are safe. These ten have deep, reliable, popular bathing pools with low underwater hazards. All on the map.
1. Sgwd Gwladus, Wales
'Lady Falls' in Brecon Beacons — wide bathable pool with sandy bottom. Cold (10-12 °C) but popular June-September.
2. Cascada Cimbarra, Spain
20-metre fall in Sierra Morena with a wide bathing pool and sandy edges. Family swimming spot in summer.
3. Lagoa Azul, Azores
Stream-fed bathable pool on São Miguel — combine with a hike through Sete Cidades crater. Cold spring water year-round.
4. Bunes Beach Falls, Lofoten
Stream fall onto Bunes Beach in Lofoten — bathable mix of fresh and seawater. Cold but spectacular.
5. Cascadas de Agua Azul, Mexico
Series of bathable turquoise pools in Chiapas, fed by mineral-rich karst springs. Popular tourist swim spot; entry fee.
6. Saturnia Cascate del Mulino, Italy
Hot-spring travertine cascade with 37 °C sulphurous water. Bathable 24 hours; free access. The only major hot-water waterfall on the list.
7. Tegenungan, Bali
25-metre fall near Ubud with deep bathable pool. Visit before 09:00 to swim without the tour-bus crowd.
8. Erawan Falls, Thailand
Seven travertine tiers in Kanchanaburi — lower tiers have shallow bathable pools with friendly fish. Family-friendly day trip from Bangkok.
9. Ramboda Falls, Sri Lanka
Three-tier 109-metre fall in Sri Lanka's hill country — the lower pool is bathable. Roadside on the A5.
10. Pailón del Diablo bottom pool, Ecuador
80-metre Andean cloud-forest fall east of Baños with a bathable lower pool. Restaurant terrace overlooks; suspended bridge approach.
Plan your next trip
All of these are pinned on our interactive map.