10 of the most incredible ocean pools around the world

19.03.2024 - 19:37 / lonelyplanet.com

Sometimes we crave the sensation of plunging into the ocean, waves breaking over our heads, the deeps beneath our feet.

But other times we want a more "contained" seaside swim – the same elemental experience, but with the luxury of being able to touch the bottom (and maybe even grab a hot shower after). This is where ocean pools come in.

Whether natural rock grottoes or artificial from concrete and tile, these oceanside pools give you the best of both worlds: safe, serene waters with boundless sea-and-sky views. If you’re looking for an alternative seaside experience, or maybe a stepping stone to transition from traditional swimming pools to the "big blue," these aquatic oases could be right for you. Here are the world's most incredible ocean pools.

When serendipity smiles and time, tide and sunlight conspire to transform the sea at Sandycove into a turquoise-tinted lagoon, then a dawn dip in the Forty Foot is the perfect start to a Dublin day. Such moments are all the more special for their rarity. Usually conditions are choppy and the water’s complexion mirrors the mood of the irascible Irish sky.

But whatever the weather, the Forty Foot is never dull and Dubliners have been throwing themselves into the chilly embrace of the Irish Sea here for over 250 years. Join them for this quintessential local experience, but remember to look before you leap – it's tidal and the depth varies.

Clamber up the rocky hillside on this laid-back Bahamian island to find the series of shallow, sun-warmed pools known locally as the "Queen’s Baths" or (the slightly less fancy) "hot tubs." Visit at low or medium tide to spend an hour or two soaking, splashing and looking for shells as the navy-blue Atlantic churns below. Just a half-mile away is the famous Glass Window Bridge, where the island becomes so skinny you can stand on the cliff and see the startling contrast between the choppy Atlantic on one side and the peaceful aquamarine Caribbean on the other.

Meaning "cave of poetry," this 30m-wide (100ft) natural sinkhole is certainly worthy of verse. Leap from the limestone cliffs into the cool cyan water, and then swim under the archway into the Adriatic Sea. Arrive early in summer to avoid the crowds; the rest of the year it’ll be just you and the seabirds. There are several archaeological sites nearby, including Grotto della Poesia Piccola ("little cave of poetry"), its walls covered in ancient inscriptions. You’ll find the grotto on the east side of Italy's Salento Peninsula (aka "the boot").

Tiptoe through a series of dim cliff tunnels, hand-hewn by Welsh miners in the early 1800s, to reach these hidden beaches near Ilfracombe in North Devon. At the "ladies beach" (though coed now for more than 100 years), a tidal pool