Wild Swimming in Wales: 16 Best Spots for 2027
By Wales.org | Nicholas Barrett, Founder & Editor | Updated October 2026
Wales has no shortage of family-friendly swimming pools and beautiful Blue Flag beaches. But if you’re looking for an experience with serious wow factor, nothing compares to wild swimming in Wales. It’s one of the country’s best outdoor activities and will sate your appetite for adventure while showcasing incredible scenery.
This guide covers 16 of the best spots across Wales for 2027, from glacial lakes to a walk-behind waterfall, along with the safety basics every wild swimmer should know before getting in.
What Is Wild Swimming?
Wild swimming is a pretty self-explanatory term. It describes the act of swimming in open-air pools or bodies of water created by nature rather than a filtration plant: oceans, lakes, rivers and natural springs. It offers a unique chance to connect with nature, disconnect from technology and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Wales.
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Before we take a closer look at the best wild swimming spots in Wales, let’s explore the benefits, and the safety basics worth knowing before you go.
The Benefits of Wild Swimming
The wild swimming craze has swept the UK in recent years, and Wales is no exception. The BBC has written about the nationwide uptake in wild swimming. Here are a few of the main draws.
A meditative experience
For many people, wild swimming can be a meditative experience. It can help clear the mind and is a fantastic way to practise mindfulness, offering an intimate way to engage with Wales’s natural beauty and explore its hidden gems from a unique perspective.
Low-impact physical activity
Swimming is a terrific low-impact workout, raising your heart rate without putting stress on your muscles or joints. The natural resistance of water makes it an excellent full-body workout, engaging multiple muscle groups while being gentler on the body than many other forms of exercise.
A possible mental health boost
Many wild swimmers report a real mood boost after a cold dip. The evidence here is still early: a single 2018 case report in BMJ Case Reports documented one woman’s experience using open water swimming alongside her treatment for major depressive disorder, with promising results, but the authors themselves were clear that this was one patient’s story, not a clinical trial, and called for further research before drawing broader conclusions.
Rachel Ashe, founder of the nationwide community Mental Health Swims, has spoken widely about how a New Year’s Day dip in Edinburgh’s sea in 2019 became the start of her own wild swimming journey, and of the organisation she went on to build, which now runs free, peer-led swim meets at over 80 locations across the UK.
Easy to embrace
Unlike sports such as rock climbing, which require you to invest in gear and tackle a learning curve, wild swimming is easy to embrace. It’s low-cost and accessible: all you need to get started is a swimming costume or a wetsuit, depending on where and when you’re swimming.
Connect with the local community
Joining a wild swimming group in Wales can lead to lasting friendships. These groups often share tips, safety advice and organise group swims, making the activity both social and reassuring for beginners.
Top Spots to Try Wild Swimming in Wales
Ready to take the plunge? From Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) to the Llŷn Peninsula, here’s our roundup of the best wild swimming in Wales.
Crickhowell – Bannau Brycheiniog
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park doesn’t just boast fantastic mountain scenery. It’s also one of the best spots for wild swimming in South Wales. The charming town of Crickhowell is a gateway to the park and surrounded by beautiful swimming spots, including the River Usk, which flows through the town and features crystalline shallow pools. The pools near Llangynidr Falls are especially popular, with flat rocks nearby for drying off afterwards.
Henrhyd Falls – Bannau Brycheiniog
Henrhyd Falls is another Bannau Brycheiniog gem, tumbling 27 metres into a natural pool surrounded by lush greenery. The water is cold but the experience is exhilarating, and the site is managed by National Trust Wales. It also has special appeal for film fans: Christopher Nolan filmed it as the entrance to the Batcave for The Dark Knight Rises in 2012, with Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne disappearing behind the curtain of falling water. A path lets you walk behind the falls to see the spot for yourself.
Sgwd yr Eira – Bannau Brycheiniog
The most famous stop on the Four Waterfalls Walk in Waterfall Country, Sgwd yr Eira (“Falls of Snow”) is one of the few waterfalls in the UK with a path running directly behind the curtain of water, giving swimmers and walkers alike a rare view out from inside the fall. The plunge pool below is a popular, if bracing, wild swimming spot, reached via a well-marked trail from the Gwaun Hepste or Cwm Porth car parks.
Llyn Gwynant – Eryri National Park
Set at the foot of Yr Wyddfa in the Nant Gwynant valley, Llyn Gwynant is another lake named by Eryri National Park Authority among its recommended spots for swimming and water sports. It’s a genuinely public, natural lake with straightforward access from the A498, unlike the much-photographed “secret infinity pool” sometimes recommended for this area, which is actually a privately built hydro-electric weir on working farmland; visiting it without the landowner’s permission is trespassing, and the farmer has had serious ongoing problems with visitors since it went viral online.
Llyn Padarn – Eryri National Park
Llyn Padarn at Llanberis is the only inland lake in Wales with official bathing water status, meaning Natural Resources Wales monitors its water quality throughout the summer, and it consistently rates excellent. Marked entry points and a lakeside path make this one of the most straightforward and reassuring wild swims in Eryri, with the ruins of Dolbadarn Castle reflected in the water for good measure. By contrast, nearby Llyn Idwal in Cwm Idwal is a protected National Nature Reserve where Eryri National Park, the National Trust and Natural Resources Wales all actively ask visitors not to swim, to protect rare aquatic plants such as water lobelia that are easily damaged by swimmers in the shallows.
Rheidol Vale Falls – Aberystwyth
Looking for family-friendly West Wales wild swimming? Rheidol Vale Falls, in Cwm Rheidol below the hydroelectric power station, is a lovely spot, with a gravelly beach giving good access to a pool below the falls. Note this is a different stretch of the river from Devil’s Bridge further upstream: the Mynach Falls there are a dramatic, steep, paid-entry gorge trail where swimming is neither possible nor permitted, so don’t park there expecting to find this spot. Follow signs for Cwm Rheidol and the hydro power station instead, where well-trodden footpaths lead down to the falls and a sun-drenched pebble beach ideal for a picnic.
Borth Beach – Ceredigion
Borth Beach doesn’t offer the same remote experience as other West Wales spots, but it’s gorgeous nonetheless. The three-mile stretch of golden sand is fringed by shallow water that’s perfect for a sunrise swim, with rugged cliffs sheltering the southern end of the beach from the breeze. It’s patrolled by lifeguards in the summer months, making this a good choice for families with kids.
Porthor – Llŷn Peninsula
Also called Whistling Sands, Porthor has ultra-fine sand that genuinely squeaks beneath your feet. Perched on the northwest coast of the peninsula, it promises a wild, remote feel, framed by grass-covered cliffs that set off the honey-coloured sand. Bring your own supplies, or buy drinks, snacks and ice cream from the small kiosk.
Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) – Gwynedd
Wales’s largest natural lake, Llyn Tegid at Bala is named by Eryri National Park Authority itself as one of the best places in the park for swimming, paddleboarding and canoeing, with facilities for hiring equipment nearby. It’s a far safer bet than some of the area’s reservoirs: several nearby lakes in the Brecon Beacons and Eryri, including Llyn y Fan Fach, Llyn y Fan Fawr and Llyn Cwellyn, are working Welsh Water reservoirs with hidden draw-off towers and dangerous currents, and swimming in them is actively prohibited, however inviting they look. Always check whether a lake is a reservoir before getting in.
Porthdinllaen – Llŷn Peninsula
Pristine coastline makes the Llŷn Peninsula one of the top-rated North Wales wild swimming destinations, and Porthdinllaen, a picturesque fishing village on a sheltered sandy cove, is a favourite. The beach is owned and maintained by the National Trust and is a haven for seabirds and marine life; look for seals on the rocks and oystercatchers along the shoreline. It isn’t patrolled by lifeguards, which keeps it quiet even in high summer, and a handful of cafes and inns overlook the beach for a post-swim coffee.
Tor Bay – Gower Peninsula
Quiet and uncrowded, Tor Bay is one of the best spots for wild swimming near Swansea. It’s a stone’s throw from the city but feels worlds away. Park at Penmaen village and follow the trail for around 20 minutes to reach the bay; it isn’t patrolled by lifeguards, so this one’s reserved for confident swimmers. Afterwards, warm up with a walk to Great Tor, a headland with uninterrupted views across Three Cliffs Bay.
Skenfrith Castle – Monmouthshire
The natural pool near Skenfrith Castle combines history with natural beauty, set on a wide section of the River Monnow with views of the 13th-century castle. On sunny days it’s a lovely spot for a dip and a picnic, and at about an hour’s drive from Cardiff, it’s a good under-the-radar option if you’re looking for wild swimming near the capital.
Blue Lagoon – Pembrokeshire
The Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire is a flooded former slate quarry turned enchanting swimming spot. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, the turquoise water isn’t just one of the most spectacular wild swimming spots in Wales, it’s also a well-known bucket-list destination for cliff jumpers and has previously hosted Red Bull Cliff Diving events. The water is cold, but the energised feeling as you emerge is worth it.
Llyn Cau – Gwynedd
Set in the shadow of 893-metre Cadair Idris, Llyn Cau is one of the deepest wild swimming spots in Wales. Swim out into deeper water and float on your back for dizzying views of the summit above. A three-mile loop trail starts at the main car park and leads directly to the lake; it’s an easy day hike, or pack overnight gear and wild camp on the shore for a morning swim before coffee.
Blue Pool Bay – Gower Peninsula
Accessible only at low tide, this secret pool features jewel-toned water and a great spot for a saltwater dip followed by sunbathing. The far end of the beach has unique rock arches carved by centuries of wind and water erosion. It’s an easy walk from Broughton Bay, a long sandy beach backed by dunes. Check the tides carefully before you set off, since the approach itself depends on the tide, not just the pool.
Watkin Path Waterfall – Eryri National Park
Planning to summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) via the Watkin Path? Pack a swimming costume for a refreshing dip in the falls along Afon Cwm Llan on the way up. The water gushes over a series of rocky outcrops into crystalline pools where you can fill a water bottle and take an impromptu swim; the cool water feels remarkable on tired legs. Pack dry, warm clothes to change into afterwards, since mountain weather in Eryri can turn quickly.
Wild Swimming Safety in 2027
Wild swimming carries real risks that a leisure centre doesn’t, so a little preparation goes a long way.
Cold water shock is the biggest risk for new wild swimmers, even in summer: Welsh lakes and rivers rarely warm much above the mid-teens Celsius. Acclimatise gradually rather than diving straight in, never swim alone where you can avoid it, and know your exit point before you get in. At any tidal spot in this guide, including Blue Pool Bay and Tor Bay, check tide times carefully, since both access and the water itself can change quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wild Swimming in Wales
Is wild swimming legal in Wales?
Yes, in most rivers, lakes and the sea, though some locations are on private land or have specific access arrangements, so it’s worth checking signage locally. Always respect any posted restrictions, particularly around reservoirs and water supply infrastructure.
Which wild swimming spots in Wales are best for beginners?
Borth Beach and Rheidol Vale Falls are both gentle, family-friendly options with shallow water. Borth also has lifeguards in the summer months, making it a reassuring first stop for anyone new to open water.
How can I check water quality before I swim?
Natural Resources Wales’s Swimfo tool publishes current bathing water quality data and storm overflow alerts for many popular swimming spots. It’s worth checking before any swim, especially after heavy rain.
Does cold water swimming actually help with depression?
The evidence so far is limited to a single 2018 case report describing one woman’s experience, not a large-scale clinical trial, so it shouldn’t be treated as established medical advice. Many wild swimmers do report a mood boost, and the social and mindful aspects of the activity are well understood benefits in their own right.
Plan Your Wild Swimming in Wales Adventure
After an invigorating dip, there’s nothing better than a hot shower back at your cosy B&B, self-contained cottage or boutique hotel. We’ve got options for every budget, including campgrounds, caravan parks and pet-friendly farm stays. It’s never been easier to plan a wild swimming break in Wales.
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Pembrokeshire-born travel writer and founder of Wales.org. Born in Haverfordwest, now based in Hertfordshire — covering Welsh castles, national parks, festivals and family staycations across all 22 Welsh counties.
