Swimming pools. Most accommodations currently have one or even more. And they are there in all shapes and sizes. Some of these swimming pools are not only nice to cool you down, but some of them are also located on a beautiful location or have a very special design. JustGo.Travel takes you for a swim in the 10 most cool swimming pools in the world!
1. Dig a hole
Hot Water Beach | New Zealand
Take a shovel, dig a hole and tadaaa, you have got your own private heated pool!
Everyday, 2 hours before and 2 hours after low tide, on the beach of Hot Water Beach you can find your own hot spring! The beach is located on the Coromandel Peninsula on the New Zealand North Island at the mouth of the Tauwaiwe River.
Here, in the middle of the beach in front of a rock, hot springs bubble to the surface the entire day. Do not expect a romantic setting and being alone in your own “pool”. Because once you have arrived at the beach you will soon see that more people have got the same plan and a lot of people are busy digging holes. Make sure you are on time and keep in mind that the water can be very hot!
TIP: Do you want to enjoy the hot water without a large crowd? Plan your visit around sunrise, sunset or on rainy days! Do not forget to check when it is low tide on Hot Water Beach.
2. Swimming on top of the world
Marina Bay Sands | Singapore
Have you always wanted to go for a swim on top of the world? During a stopover or visit to Singapore, you almost cannot get around this icon: the Marina Bay Sands. Since its opening in 2010, this 8 billion costly 5-star hotel is a true eye-catcher along the skyline of Singapore.
With the shape of a ship, the hotel is not only an architectural masterpiece. Here, you will also find the world’s tallest and longest ‘infinity pool’. The 150m long swimming pool is located on the 57th floor and really offers a fantastic view of the city. Unfortunately, the swimming pool is only accessible exclusively for hotel guests.
Still, despite you are not a guest of the hotel, it is still possible to see this unique swimming pool and enjoy its beautiful view from the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck.
Do you consider staying in the Marina Bay Sands for a night to go for a swim in this special infinity pool? Check the availability below.
3. Cool down in the outback
Lake Argyle Caravan and Camping Park | Australia
As soon as you cross the border from Western Australia to the Northern Territory, you can take a trip to this gem in the Kimberley. After a spectacular 35km long scenic drive you will find: Lake Argyle, a huge freshwater lake.
With temperatures rising to over 50 degrees Celsius in Australia’s outback, a swimming pool is very welcome after a long day. At Lake Argyle Resort & Caravan Park you will find the most spectacular outback pool! While you are swimming in the infinity pool, you will have an amazing view of Lake Argyle and the surrounding Carr Boyd Ranges.
4. Floating around in the largest water park of the Middle East
Aquaventure | Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Aquaventure is located on the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. With its 42 acres, the largest water park in the Middle East.
You can go for a swim in one of the many swimming pools, try out one of the many slides, float around along The Rapids in a 1 or 2-person tube or have yourself launched from the 27.5-meter-high Ziggurat into a 61 meter long slide, while you view the sharks in the lagoon from a transparent tunnel!
And if you want to finish your day in style, consider spending a night in the adjacent Atlantis the Palm Dubai. A 5-star hotel with 1500 Arabian-style rooms overlooking Dubai’s skyline. As a guest of this hotel, access to Aquaventure is included in your overnight stay.
5. A spa in the middle of a lava field
Blue Lagoon | Iceland
During a trip through Iceland, a visit to this pool is definitely included in many travel plans. On about 40min drive from Reykjavik’s capital, on the Reykjanes peninsula, in the middle of a lava field, lies the: Blue Lagoon. The ideal place to relax while traveling around this volcanic island.
The Blue Lagoon is not an Icelandic natural phenomenon, but a landscaped lagoon. The adjacent Svartsengi power station pumps warm water from 2000m deep holes and is used first to generate heat and electricity. With the remaining heat, the Blue Lagoon is being heated to an average temperature of 40 degrees.
Swimming in the, according to the Icelanders, healing water, you will notice that the temperature will be different in certain places. Sometimes the water will be very hot or sometimes even very cold. And do not forget to take one of the charming white mud masks for your face!
6. A spa in the backyard of a volcano
The Royal Corin Thermal Water & Spa Resort | La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Thanks to the Arenal volcano, a lot of geothermal activity and various hot springs can be found in the area surrounding the volcano. Although the volcano is in a resting phase, magma still comes close enough to the surface to heat the groundwater.
In the backyard of The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort, located in the village of La Fortuna, you can enjoy the warm water in one of the swimming pools. And you will get a fabulous view of the Arenal volcano for free!
7. Swimming laps underneath the beating waves
Bondi Baths, Bondi Beach | Australia
Tough surfers and tanned lifeguards. They both can be found on this well-known beach, about 10km east of Sydney: Bondi Beach. Off course you can enjoy a day of Australian sunshine with your feet in the sand. But for the energetic people among us you can also choose to swim a few laps at the Bondi Baths.
For over 100 years, residents of Sydney swim their laps in this 50m long saltwater bath, while the waves of the Tasman Sea hit over the edge of the pool. After a swim training you can relax in the on-site sauna or have a drink at the bistro overlooking Bondi Beach.
8. Peek over the edge of the Graskop Gorge
Panorama Chalets & Rest Camp | Graskop, South Africa
Along one of the most beautiful motorways of South Africa, the Panorama route, lies the village of Graskop.
Just outside Graskop you will find the Panorama Chalets & Rest Camp. A great place to relax after a 400km ride from Johannesburg via the Long Tom Pass. And to take a well deserved swim in the infinity pool that overlooks the Graskop Gorge with its high cliffs, waterfalls and rivers.
9. Relax at the largest spa of Europe
Széchenyi Thermal Baths | Budapest, Hungary
With 15 indoor pools, 3 outdoor pools and various saunas, the Széchenyi Thermal baths are Europe’s largest spa resort.
This bathhouse, built in Baroque and Renaissance style, is located in the Városliget city park in Budapest. During a city trip to the capital of Hungary, you can definitely enjoy yourself here for a day or a few hours. Relax in one of the saunas. Or go swimming and bubbling in one of the thermal baths, of which the water temperature varies between 18 and 40 degrees Celsius. And for the couples among us, it’s a mixed bathhouse, so you can visit the bathhouse together!
The spa is not only well known by travelers. The locals also like to enjoy the healing hot water for a few hours or chess on the floating chessboards.
TIP: Do you want to avoid the bustle: then visit the bathhouse around 10:00 in the morning or around noon.
10. “Swimming” in a Balinese rice field
Suly resort & spa | Ubud, Indonesia
Whoever thinks of Indonesia, thinks of the beautiful rice fields.
Certainly in the time when the rice fields are in full bloom and the color green is everywhere, staying in the middle of the rice fields is definitely a beautiful Indonesia experience.
The Suly Resort & Spa is located in Ubud, on the island of Bali. When you float around in one of the two swimming pools, you will see the local farmers being busy with maintaining their crops and it definitely seems like you are swimming around in the middle of the surrounding rice fields.