The World’s 20 Most Beautiful Natural Swimming Pools

1. Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls, Zambia

Victoria Falls is the world’s largest waterfall, but right at the top, just a few feet away from the gushing, is a dangerous waterfall and a swimming hole. It’s one of the most natural pools in the world, but it’s called Devil’s Pool for nothing! If you’re brave enough to jump into this pool despite the danger, you’re something else. With a staggering twice the height of Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls is overall 355 feet tall and more than 5500 feet wide. Devil’s Pool is best to visit from September to December when the water levels are at their lowest, offering an area with a low current that is mere feet from where the water slides hundreds of feet down. It is wild, dangerous, and crazy yet worthwhile to enjoy such a serene beauty.

2. Barton Springs Pool

The Barton Springs Pool in Texas is a three-acre, 18-foot-deep pool. It’s one of the most spectacular natural swimming pools in the world, filled with freshwater underground springs, which the Tonkawa Native American tribe used at one time in purification rituals.

This pool is known for its purity, surrounded by sun-soaked trees and soft green slopes. Barton Spring Pool has an average temperature of 68 to 70 degrees. It is a perfect place to escape Texas’ scorching heat and ease your body in serene waters. You can swim laps or just play around in the water; Barton Springs Pool is the best place to visit in the summer.

3. Dudu Blue Lagoon

This secluded, mysterious 100-foot-deep freshwater pool is a beautiful cobalt blue in color. Located near the town of Cabrera in the Dominican Republic, the lagoon is famous for its deep underwater caves filled with exotic marine life. The pool is a favorite destination for scuba divers.

Dudu Blue Lagoon is a unique place to explore two natural lakes at once. It consists of two freshwater lakes connected by several tunnels, the longest of which is 80 meters long. It is said to have been created by the fall of the cave, making it one of the most must-visit natural pools in the world. If you feel adventurous but don’t want to dive, you can enjoy ziplines and adrenaline-packed jumps into water from ropes hanging from trees.

4. Little River Canyon, Alabama

Little River Canyon is the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River. The water plunges into the canyon, flowing for 12 miles, settling into a series of beautiful swimming holes bordered by the canyon’s lovely red sandstone. These pools are a favorite haunt of merrymakers in the summer.

Little River Canyon is an exceptional natural swimming pool because it is the only river that forms and flows for almost its entire length on the top of a mountain. It offers a wide variety of activities besides the natural pool, including an informative hike, enjoying picnics, learning about and exploring the Wildlife Management Area, and more.

5. Giola, Thassos, Greece

Giola is a natural swimming hole that looks like a piece of blue glass wedged into place amidst huge rocks. It’s a picturesque pool that reflects the blue Greek sky perfectly. It’s the perfect picnic spot, and you can do a whole lot of swimming while you’re at it.

The Giola natural pool is located near the village of Astris in Thasos and is often called the most beautiful natural swimming pool in the world. It is also known as Aphrodite’s Tear, and according to the local legend, the pool was created by Zeus for Aphrodite to bathe in. You can plan your visit here in the shoulder seasons of early June or September when the weather is good and less crowded. If swimming isn’t enough for you, jump off the cliff for the ultimate thrill.

6. Ik Kil, Cenote, Mexico

This perfectly round little natural swimming pool is called the ‘Sacred Blue Cenote’. A cenote, coincidentally, is a natural underwater reservoir. Wonderful greenery, rocks, and waterfalls surround this round pool. It is 196 feet wide and 130 feet deep.

Cenote Ik Kil is one of the most popular cenotes in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, known for its crystal-clear waters and cascading vines. It is an open-sky type cenote, which means that the swimming area is wide open to the sky rather than enclosed in a cave-like cenote. Enjoy your peaceful time swimming in the clear waters with those hanging vines. It is truly a breath-taking experience.

7. Havasu Falls, Supai, Arizona

This pool is the perfect oasis in the hot Arizona desert, located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation south of the Grand Canyon National Park. You can get here after a ten-mile hike or a helicopter ride; it’s left to you. Once you get to Havasu Falls, you can enjoy a great dip in the warm waters.

Havasu Falls is a secret yet not-so-secret paradise of beautiful waterfalls. Just when you enter this scenic location, you will literally feel like you are on the sets of Avatar. You cannot afford to miss the turquoise blue waters of Havasu Creeks, with the enchanting melodies of the falls echoing off the walls of the Grand Canyon.

8. Fairy Pools, Scotland

Fairy Pools is an enchanting set of splash- pools and gullies in the Cuillin Hills, in the waterfalls of Allt Coir a’ Mhadaith, Coire na Creiche, Glenbrittle. An afternoon’s trek will get you there, and then you’ll understand why they’re called fairy pools. Only fairies could have made them; they’re that lovely.

The Fairy Pools lure visitors from all over the world, making it one of the must-visit natural swimming pools. As the trek is one of the best ways to get here, you get some of the most impressive views of the Black Cuillins, followed by a gravel path involving river crossings over stepping stones and more. It is the perfect adventure for adrenaline seekers.

9. Tat Kuang Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos

The Tat Kuang Si Waterfall falls in lovely tiers; between those tiers are lovely little blue-green pools that beg you to dip in them. The Tat Kuant Si Waterfall is located in a national park along the Mekong River.

Cascading through the rainforests of northern Laos, this is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the entire region. It is made up of multiple tiers where the waterfall rushes down through the wild canopy, forming a series of natural swimming pools for you to enjoy. The Tat Kuang Si Waterfall is well-known for its splendid blue color, milky, surreal flow, and beauty of these beautiful pools.

10. Sliding Rock, Brevard, North Carolina

On a sliding rock, you’ll find one of the loveliest and most unique natural mountain waterfalls. People love to slide down the 60-foot mountain slide and splash into the eight-foot-deep natural pool at the end of it. Then they climb back up again and slide down for another go.

Thousands of children and adults flock to the Sliding Rock each summer to enjoy this absolutely wonderful waterfall. This natural water slide is fuelled by almost 11000 gallons of water flowing down the rock every minute! Yes, it is an extremely popular spot on hot summer days, so you must be patient. You can also check out some of the best and most beautiful natural sights in the USA to make your summer vacation even more enchanting.

11. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa, Scotland

On the island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides (western archipelago) is a lovely sea cave that is naturally acoustic in nature. The beautiful cave with its cathedral-like arched roof is home to one of the most stunning little natural swimming holes you’ve ever seen.

Swimming in Fingal’s Cave is a real adventure. What makes it a cathedral-like arched roof is its basalt columns and 60 -meter -long chasm, giving it a stunning piece of geology and an epic swim in portions. These, along with all the other small caves in the region, provide the perfect opportunity to witness and learn about geology and take in the fantastic sea location.

12. The Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole right in the Belize Barrier Reef. Various species of fish and other exotic marine life call this pool home. The pool is encircled by an island of coral, highlighting the rich blue color of 1000-feet-wide and 400-feet-deep.

The Great Blue Hole is famous for scuba diving and freediving due to its easy access from the shore and lack of current. Scuba divers enjoy its crystal-clear waters and the company of beautiful fish species. It is a unique site off the coast known as a wonder of the marine world.

13. The Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy

The Dead Sea is one of the world’s saltiest water bodies; you cannot swim in it but only float. The Blue Grotto is Dead Sea water, trapped in a dark grotto. Tourists throng this pool for its healing quality and beauty benefits. The grotto pool is a lovely milky blue-green color, which adds to its appeal.

The Blue Grotto is actually a hidden sea cave, offering a mesmerizing sight to its visitors. The site holds its splendor, known throughout history, and the secret to its mysterious blue glow is due to the sunlight. Instead of the light coming from above, it enters through a hole at the bottom of the cave, making it one of the world’s most surreal natural pools to visit. The Blue Grotto is a popular place flocked by curious explorers worldwide. While here, you can also venture through the best places and cities to visit in Italy.

14. Lake Hillier, Western Australia

Lake Hillier is known for its incredible pink color; it is similar to what you take for your tummy, Pepto-Bismol! It’s a saline lake off the south coast of Western Australia, and the pink color comes from a type of microalgae found in sea salt fields.

Lake Hillier is around 600-meter wide, has no affluents, and is surrounded by sand and thick vegetation. The sight feels so mystical that this stunning pink water is separated from the deep blue of the ocean with just a thin, single layer of earth covered with melaleuca.

15. Crater Lake, Oregon

Crater Lake is a favorite tourist spot, for its striking blue waters. The round crater was formed by the collapse of the Mount Mazama volcano more than 7700 years ago. When it rains or snows, the lake is filled; during summer, the lake dries out a bit. There are two islands in the lake too!

As said, its geographical history spans thousands of years, and today you can swim, snowshoe, ski, hike, and cycle through the rugged mountain terrains. There are also countless activities and thousands of acres to explore; adventure is endless at Carter Lake.

16. To Sua Ocean Trench, Lotofaga, Samoa

A huge basaltic shield volcano formed this lake. To Sua Ocean Trench is an all-natural swimming hole complete with a nature-made ladder and a dock! Located in Samoa’s Lotofaga Village on Upolu Island, the pool is populated with fish, crabs and other marine life.

Despite its astounding depth and size, To Sua is hard to witness as you approach surrounding parkland. The main hole, or pool, is filled with seawater and connected to the ocean by an underwater cave, which explains why it is populated with rich marine life. The pool is fed by a series of tunnels and cannels with water from the ocean just meters away.

17. Cave of Poetry, Apulia, Italy

The Cave of Poetry, or Poetry Cave, is part of the picture-perfect archeological site of Roca Vecchia. Access to this beautiful pool is completely free but a bit hidden, and you won’t get the directions straight on the streets.

This natural swimming pool, about 30-minute drive from Lecce, offers a calm and private swimming experience. The cave is not only perfect for peaceful rejuvenation in the mystical and unique environment, but it is also a great spot for adrenaline junkies.

18. Erwan Falls, Thailand

With seven tiers of stunning waterfalls, emerald, green-hued pools, and adventurous hikes through forest, your visit to the beautiful Erwan Falls is guaranteed to be filled with fun and thrills.

Thailand has lush landscapes, and Kanchanaburi is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls. The first few are quite easy to access, while others require a bit of hiking. If you want to reconnect and at the same time indulge in some adventurous activities, Erwan Falls has to be on your bucket list.

19. Tolantogo Caves, Sierra de Hidalgo, Mexico

Tolantogo Caves sits overlooking a scenic canyon, making the sight unbeatable. And for the fun fact, the pools here are man-made, which indicates that they are privately owned by the neighborhoods of Tolangoto, who welcome and maintain the site for epic tourism.

The pool is a popular day trip from Mexico City, known for its rich natural history. Though it is a man-made wonder, the waters are free-flowing and natural, listing it among the best natural swimming pools to visit. Moreover, the place has access to almost every type of tourist amenity, making it a great place to spend your holiday.

20. Queen’s Bath, Kauai, Hawaii

Queen’s Bath is a famous summertime attraction on Kauai. It is basically a tide pool—a sinkhole surrounded by beautiful igneous rocks embraced by lush greenery. It was once said to be the place of relaxation for royals, but today it attracts a number of explorers from around the world.

You have to take a short hike to get to this scenic location. The trail is deep and muddy and can be dangerous if you plan your trip during the winter and rainy seasons. If you are up for a thrilling challenge rewarded with a stunning swimming location, Queen’s Bath is waiting for you.

FAQs

Q1. Is the Great Blue Hole safe for freediving?

Ans: Well, the Great Blue Hole is undoubtedly a scenic location to visit and enjoy, but it is also among such places that have recorded a high number of diver fatalities. However, divers often say a trip to the underwater world is worth it.

Q2. Does the Blue Grotto really glow in mystical light?

Ans: Yes, it does glow in a beautiful light, but it is due to the sunlight that enters the cave from below the cave instead of above.

Q3. Which are the best and most adventurous natural swimming pools to visit?

Ans: While all the above-mentioned places are the best of the best, if you are an adventure seeker, consider the Devil’s Pool, Dudu Blue Lagoon, and Lake Carter, among many others.

Conclusion

Make it one of your life’s goals to visit a few of these natural swimming holes. You’ll marvel at nature’s hand in crafting these incredible bodies of water amidst volcanoes, canyons, and grottoes! Some of them are to be seen to be believed!

Image Credit: flickr.com