Long-distance outdoor swimming was once the preserve of elite athletes or eccentrics such as ‘Big River Man’ Martin Strel, but a growing number of us are making swimming the focus of a holiday, be it by joining a boat-supported tour of lakes and coasts, or entering a race abroad. Here’s our pick of swim trips to suit all levels.

FOR NEWCOMERS

‘Short Swim’ trip, Croatia

The range of trips offered by SwimTrek – founded by coach and Channel swimmer Simon Murie in 2003 – already dwarfs those of its competitors, and the company’s roster continues to grow. This year sees the introduction of a new “short swim” holiday in Croatia, with shorter distances and a more relaxed itinerary aimed at those with limited open-water experience. Blending coastal swims with island-hopping, the trip includes a hike up Mount Klepac on Zlarin island. An average daily distance of 3km certainly isn’t for complete beginners – but if you’ve always been unsure about committing to a swimming tour, this could be an ideal way to dip a toe in.
• 01273 739713, swimtrek.com. The seven-day trip costs £810. Four places left for 26 May departure and four for 8 September departure

Stress-free swimming, Pembrokeshire

The Pembrokeshire-based Swimming Without Stress residential courses run by Shaw Method teachers Ian and Cheryl Cross (Ian is author of a book by the same name), make exclusive use of indoor pools at holiday cottages near Cardigan. Individual or pair-based lessons make the courses popular with (though by no means limited to) nervous swimmers and aquaphobics. Courses can be individually tailored but typically include six to eight lessons (45 minutes to an hour each), and last for three-six days. An informal excursion to local wild swimming spots is also offered. The area’s other attractions include dolphin-watching and coastal walks.
• swimmingwithoutstress.co.uk. A standard course of eight individual lessons from Monday to Thursday costs £360; cottage prices start from £235 for three nights; courses take place mainly outside school holidays

Wet weekends in north Wales

Gone Swimming is a new company based in north Wales offering tailormade wild swimming weekends and longer trips (launching in August/September 2012). The exact itinerary of your “Wet Weekend” will be decided once you’ve arrived on the Friday night and had a chat about your aims and abilities – perhaps you’d like to take a swim tour of the craggy headlands or head into the mountains to find fresh water lakes and waterfalls. For example, its Anglesea tour could take you to St Cwfan’s “church in the sea” at Aberffraw which is only accessible at low tide unless you swim, then through the calm waters between Anglesey and Holy Island and on to hidden coves. Other tours cover Snowdonia and the Llyn Peninsula.
• goneswimming.co.uk, 01244 940740. Two-night “wet weekends” cost £175 half-board. Dates and locations on the website

Lake Powell, Arizona

Having organised his father Martin’s celebrated swims down some of the world’s most dangerous rivers, Slovenian Borut Strel now facilitates more accessible journeys as the lead guide of Strel Swimming Adventures. In 2012 Martin Strel will join three trips in the spectacular canyons of Lake Powell in Arizona, which the pair chose as a destination after filming a TV programme there. Summer water temperatures are comfortably over 20 degrees, with kayak, powerboat and jetski support available on all swims.

Swimmers have lunch on a luxury houseboat and have the chance to dine at Antelope Point Marina in what claims to be the world’s largest floating restaurant. The trip also includes hiking on Navajo trails.
• 07700 061236, strel-swimming.com. Trips begin on 31 May and 15, 25 and 29 September and cost £591

SwimTrek Red Sea Winter Safari, Egypt

SwimTrek’s Red Sea Safari offers an exotic escape from the British winter, with trips based on Egypt’s Sinai peninsula beginning in February and November. The average daily swim distance is 4km, but exceptional underwater views ensure the chance of getting bored is virtually zero. Highlights include swimming over the 130-m deep “blue hole” and views over coral reefs such as “Eel Garden” and the unspoiled Umm Sid. A remote swim at Ras Abu Galam is accessed by camel.
• 01273 739 713, swimtrek.com. Trips depart 14, 21 and 28 October and cost £660

The Big Blue, Lefkada, Greece

From a base on Lefkada, a week-long holiday with new operator The Big Blue takes in 12 islands in a sheltered area of the Ionian Sea that is home to both the Delphinus Delphis dolphin and the ancient Greek hero Odysseus. Safety boats and qualified guides accompany swimmers on an itinerary that includes snorkelling in a sea cave on Meganisi and a visit to a swim spot once favoured by Jackie and Aristotle Onassis. Generally comprising two swims a day (stopping for lunch at tavernas), the trip culminates with a 5km swim from Cephalonia to Ithaca.
• thebigblueswim.com. In 2012 The Big Blue is running three trips in June and July for £645, including accommodation at George Studios (george-studios.gr) and breakfast

Flowers Sea Swim, Cayman Islands

Mass swims are booming in popularity across the globe, but for sheer natural beauty, few can match the Flowers Sea Swim, an annual one-mile event in the impossibly inviting turquoise waters of Grand Cayman. The swim, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, boasts of being the richest in the world, with prizes worth US $100,000. This year the chances are increased to guarantee 1-in-4 random prize odds for finishers. Giveaways include blackberries, hotel stays and over 40 round trip airline tickets to 20 premier destinations such as Miami, New York, Panama, Rome, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, London, Dublin, Rio De Janerio, and Toronto. All finishers receive a fantastic t-shirt and goody bag filled with prizes and surprises! This year Italian “Dolphin Man” Cerizzi Paolo Eros will add a surreal element by attempting the entire swim wearing handcuffs. The Flowers Sea Swim is Grand Cayman’s flagship sporting event. Last year’s race boasted over 800 competitors. Participants vary in age from 8 to 80 years old and in skill from novices and first-timers to gold medal Olympians and world championship open water specialists from around the globe. The Flowers Sea Swim welcomes Swimmers from all strokes of life! This year the Walk & Watch programme will be offered again. Ideal for the non-swimmer who wants to be able to take part in the excitement of the Flowers Mile and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.
• flowersseaswim.com. There are 800 places in the 2012 swim on 9 June. Entry is $30 (£19)

SwimTrek open water coaching, Mallorca

If you want to improve your open water swimming technique, be it for pure enjoyment or to gain a competitive edge in triathlons, SwimTrek’s week-long coaching trip could be just the boost you need. Like-minded companions, a great location and tips from qualified coaches should see you taking to the sea with confidence. Based in the coastal resort of Colonia St Jordi, the camp incorporates video analysis and private coaching sessions where you will learn about the biomechanics of your stroke and there’s also a purpose-built 50m Olympic-size pool. You can then try out your new technique on island swim crossings and trips to secluded bays.
• swimtrek.com. Trips run from 15-21 June, 6-12 July and 1-7 Sept 2012 and cost £750. SwimTrek also run camps for beginners and for triathletes in Gozo as well as swiming days in Brighton

Slovenian lakes and rivers

This four-day trip with Strel Swimming Adventures will take you wild swimming in stunning lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Starting off with a day in and around the peaceful waters of Slovenia’s stunning Lake Bled (no motorboats are allowed on the water) the tour heads over the border into Italy for a dip in Lago del Predil, before exploring the remote Triglav national park on forest hikes punctuated with invigorating swims in a gushing waterfall and the turquoise River Soca. You’ll end the trip with the challenge of swimming the full length of Lake Bohinj (4km), Slovenia’s largest glacial lake.

The very hardy might want to return next February for the Lake Bled winter swim, when the picturesque views might not be enough to take your mind off the 5C water. The post-swim sauna and Jacuzzis are likely to be welcomed even by those in the non-competitive “penguins” category (consisting of a dip in the lake).
• strel-swimming.com. Lake and river trips run throughout July and August and cost either £646 or £633

FOR THE TRULY COMMITTED

Little Red Lighthouse Swim, New York City

The “NYC Swim” race series grew out of the epic 28.5km marathon round Manhattan Island, which first took place in the 30s and was revived in 1982 to take advantage of cleaner waters in New York harbour. Since then several shorter swims have been added, including the Little Red Lighthouse Swim in September – a 10.2km route down the Hudson River that passes under the George Washington Bridge. Shorter events, such as a 1.2km circumnavigation of Liberty Island, and a 1km crossing of the East River beneath Brooklyn Bridge, also attract a genuinely international field of competitors.
• nycswim.org. Swimmers are required to provide documentary evidence of appropriate competence. The Little Red Lighthouse Swim is provisionally scheduled for 22 September. Entry is currently $115 ($135 after 15 September)

For more on this story go to:

www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/may/16/top-10-swimming-holidays?newsfeed=true