The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
‘Even on calm days the waves heave and gurgle, muttering of adventure’
We asked you to tell us about your favourite holiday swimming spots – and you immediately took the plunge
GENERATION GAME
I live a stone’s throw from Swanpool Beach in Falmouth, where my sister and I swim between April and October. The sea temperature varies between chilly and spine-tinglingly icy. We become braver as the year progresses and swim out until we can see the coastguard cottages across the wide sweep of Falmouth Bay. My sister owns a quirky beach hut named Blonde Ray where we warm up with a cup of tea. Our favourite time is the summer holidays when my grandsons arrive from Sheffield and beg to go to Swanpool Beach every day. They run into the sea, whatever the weather, calling “Come on, Granny, it’s boiling once you’re in!”
Sarah Owens, Cornwall
CHILL OUT
In the north of Sweden on a late summer’s day, we were passengers in our friends’ boat, eager to explore some of the Baltic archipelago. We ventured far from the mainland, finally approaching an island and soon finding a beautiful cove: the perfect picnic spot. It was also an ideal place to swim. Announcing my intention, I was met with disbelief: “The sea’s too cold; you can’t swim out in the Baltic.” Ignoring the protests I plunged in and once becoming attuned to the initial shock, I savoured a brief exploration of the island’s coastline from my watery vantage point. It was bliss. That swim became my badge of honour.
Celia Harris, Hampshire
THAI BREAK
To beat the crowds, we took an early morning Thai longtail boat to the Emerald Cave. My wife and I were staying on remote Koh Mook, one of the Trang Islands in south Thailand. Our boat skipper asked, “Can you swim?” “Yes,” we replied. “Then follow me…” He jumped off and we followed to swim into a dark cave. Beyond was a hidden lagoon with a deserted white sandy beach. On all sides were towering limestone cliffs covered with tropical fauna. We swam and had the place to ourselves for 20 minutes then headed back. As we left in our longtail we could see a flotilla of larger boats heading for the cave. Ewan Ross, Edinburgh
SECRET SWIM
The solitary snow-capped peak of Sajama rises arrestingly from the open flats of the Bolivian Altiplano. Its lowest skirts hiding remote thermal pools only hinted at by wisps of rising vapour. The sub-zero winds of the tundra do not encourage the baring of flesh – but after three weeks of roughing it in the mountains, the temptation to bathe could not be ignored. Deep in my backpack I located my swimsuit. Modesty maintained, I eased into the balmy water. Warm sludgy mud between my toes, easing the blisters, never felt so good! The wide Andean vistas showed no sign of civilisation for miles from this most private of spas. We swam languidly back and forth, revelling in the solitude. All agreed that it was a very special place: and that no one was brave enough to be the first to get out! Caroline Moult, Wiltshire
REEF RELIEF
I first went to Kenya’s Watamu Beach in 1953 when it boasted just the Ocean Sports Resort for somewhere to stay. It was built by Ian Pritchard, who had broken his neck water skiing in the lagoon he had discovered inside the reef. Now there are around 10 lovely hotels catering to the demands of visitors to this glorious little cove which has chindepth swimming and wonderful snorkelling up to the reef, which sharks are unable to cross. Deep-sea fishing beyond that reef is superb if you can squeeze through the “Mlangu” to the open ocean. Pritchard continued to run Ocean Sports for many years and, although paralysed from the neck down, learnt to paint by holding the brush in his mouth. We supported the self-catering lodge for this reason, as well as for the silver sands and uniquely safe swimming.
Mark Milbank, Dorset
SANDS OF TIME
Elie is one of those East Fife coastal villages that offer small sandy beaches protected by grassy fingers of land. As children in the 1950s we would cycle there as a family. Our mother would sniff the wind to choose the most sheltered beach. Our favourite was Lady’s Tower Beach; its sandy channels with clumps of seaweed between rocky ridges offered safe swimming and marine life exploration. (In 1770 Lady Janet Anstruther had the tower built above the bay for privacy before and after her daily dip. She was my kind of gal.) Ideal conditions were sunny days with a gentle tide rising over warm sand. We would change under yellow cycling capes and enjoy a dip before hot tea and biscuits back on the tartan rug in the dunes. In 2023 this quiet bay still persuades me that you are never too old to relive childhood pleasures.
David Syme, Edinburgh