Aquatic Wandering: My Top 5 Ocean Swims in Oz and Beyond

Swimming isn’t just a sport for me; it’s a diplomatic negotiation between sanity and the urge to live like a fish. Growing up in land-locked Colorado, I was a pretty average swimmer, confined to chlorinated boxes where I chased the black line back and forth, much like a dog chasing its tail. Despite that, I loved it—it was all I knew. After high school and Division II collegiate swimming where a normal week included ten swim sessions and ‘dry land’ weight training, swimming wasn’t just a sport but my entire world. I thought I’d had my fill of pool time and hung up my goggles for over a decade. It wasn’t until I landed in Australia that I rediscovered my love for swimming—this time, with fewer lines and more horizons.

Here’s my completely biased list of top ocean swim experiences, leaning heavily toward warm water because, let’s face it, I’m always cold:

1. Falevai, Tonga

If you ever want to feel like you’ve dropped into a National Geographic special, swim in Tonga. It’s a challenge to reach, but once you arrive, it’s a paradise that makes every stroke worth the journey. Swimming alongside whales was surreal. One cheeky whale, affectionately known as ‘crazy’ by the locals, decided to play chicken with us, darting closer than expected and giving me a newfound appreciation for my cardiac health. Tonga isn’t just a swim; it’s a full-body experience that reconnects you with the raw, wild beauty of the ocean.

2. Manly to Shelly, Australia

Closer to home, this route is a regular local favorite, bustling with marine life. It includes the “Bold and the Beautiful,” who swim here 365 days a year. My experiences range from competitive to refreshing, and sometimes even comical, like when I spotted a harmless 2-meter reef shark. I frantically signalled to Bryan to take a look, only to confuse and slightly alarm everyone around us. It turns out my shark sign language needs some work to clarify the level of risk.

3. Bondi to Watsons, Australia

This 10km swim is a beast but remains one of my favorites due to the sheer challenge, the camaraderie of friends, and the family that flew in from overseas to watch. Our team tackled strong currents that bested many that year, turning it into a longer and unforgettable effort. The thrill of navigating through the rocky shortcut around South Head, just out of the support boats’ reach, and the final stretch with friends and family cheering at Watsons Bay, made every ache worth it. Swimming with powerhouses like Sally, Laura, and Kate, I definitely did more following than leading. Winning the team category, with each of us swimming the entire distance (rather than done as a relay), was the cherry on top.

4. Maldives

Imagine waking up and swimming around an entire island before breakfast. That was my reality in the Maldives. The endless clear, warm waters and vibrant sea life make it feel less like swimming and more like gliding through a different world. The up close and personal interaction with stingrays was surprisingly mesmerizing and calm.

5. Yamba – Main to Convent Beach, Australia

Yamba quickly stole a spot in my heart. The local swim group reminds me of the community back at Manly but with small-town charm. The dolphins seem to recognize us regulars, occasionally joining for a swim. One unforgettable morning, they playfully swam circles around us while we excitedly bobbed and dove, mimicking a scene straight out of Disney’s Little Mermaid. 

Honorable Mentions:

• Cottesloe to Rottnest, Australia: This might have been a favorite, but swimming 20km while battling the flu—and a whiskey shot at the 19km mark for morale—was memorable for all the wrong reasons!
• Omaha Beach, NZ: Loved the open and seemingly endless beach, and again, superstar swimming companions… If only it was a bit warmer.
• Noosa, Queensland: Noosa is a gorgeous town filled with tons of great memories, especially from the several years of triathlon shenanigans.  It may have topped the list if not for: a snake that greeted us in the canal at the start of one triathlon, and another year where we dashed directly from the swim to the showers due to swarms of sea lice 🤢 – definitely not my kind of marine life encounters!  
• Pippi Beach, Yamba: Porter (my dog) would argue that I’ve gotten this whole list wrong. He considers Pippi Beach the best and only place to swim. It’s dog-friendly, and he always finds a few pals to mix with in the waves. In his eyes, there’s simply no better place in the world!

I look forward to exploring new waters in Greece and Croatia this year, as well as revisiting some local favorites. I’m curious to see if any of the Top 5 will change. Some experiences seem simply unbeatable.