Swimming

Baa Atoll, Maldives — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famous for Hanifaru Bay, where huge aggregations of manta rays and whale sharks gather to feed in shallow, clear water.

Niue Rock Pools, Niue — raised coral island with chasms and swimming holes.

Alpine lake surrounded by peaks and Soviet-era resorts.

Pine forests, saltwater lakes, and quiet coves on a southern Adriatic island.

A freshwater lake with beaches, fish, and a relaxed vibe. Lake Malawi is the warm heart of Africa.

A short ferry from Tahiti, Moorea trades Bora Bora's price tag for the same jagged volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoon, and coral gardens.

Melanesian capital with markets and blue holes. Port Vila is low-key Pacific.

Freshwater lagoon with bands of blue and green, quieter than the Caribbean coast nearby.

Masada & Dead Sea, Israel — ancient fortress on a mesa and floating in the lowest point on earth.

A deep lake shared with Albania, with churches and old towns on the shore. Ohrid is peace and history.

Mérida & Yucatán Cenotes, Mexico — warm colonial city with plazas, nearby ruins, and sinkhole pools hidden in the countryside.

Freshwater lake with golden cichlids, sandy coves, and simple lodges.

Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — five uninhabited islets ring a shallow turquoise lagoon protected as a marine park, reachable only by boat.

Ancient lake town with Byzantine churches and clear water.

Red Sea reefs, warm water, and resort ease at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Sharm is Egypt's dive capital — coral walls minutes from shore and desert mountains as a backdrop.

A wooded canyon with swimming holes and red rock walls just north of Sedona. Oak Creek is shade, water, and stone.

Overwater bungalows, turquoise lagoons, and nothing but sea and sky. The Maldives is honeymoon territory—luxury, solitude, and the ultimate switch-off.

Crystal rivers and snorkelling in the Pantanal gateway. Bonito is freshwater magic.

Caribbean beach with Mayan ruins on the cliff and cenotes inland.

Swim with humpback whales in the waters of the Vava'u or Ha'apai groups.

Lagoon of seven colours, far quieter than the Caribbean resorts. Bacalar is hammocks and freshwater.