Wild Swimming: The Travel Trend Making a Splash in Australia

Aquatic escapes are one of 2024’s coolest trends. Test the waters with a wild swim safari.

It turns out the lyrics of the 1980s hip-hop anthem Push It hold the key to unlocking my freestyle stroke. Who knew? Yet here I am on a beach in Margaret River, beat-bopping along to Salt-N-Pepa and pushing it good with bent elbows.

Coach and self-titled ‘chief mermaid’ Charlotte O’Beirne is at the lead, demonstrating how to carve our palms through the water, from bellybutton to thigh, in a setting she describes as “Mother Nature’s VIP section". I emulate her instructions in the water (singing silently, of course) and it works. Surprise ends up being the theme of the WA winemaking region’s new swim safari.

There are hiking holidays, culinary tours and photography adventures. Now, the trends of reconnecting with nature, acting sustainably and embracing a mental – as well as physical – refresh have converged to spit out a new niche. Wild swimming is the hottest new thing in the realm of special-interest holidays.

The new travel trend

Swimming Women, which launched in January 2024, is one of only a handful that operates in Australia. The basic concept is you sign up to explore a dreamy destination with like-minded others, only you do it in the water, wearing goggles and a swimming cap – and possibly chasing it with a wine tasting. You get to see a place from a completely different perspective – above and below the waterline – do things you probably wouldn’t do alone, learn skills from a pro, bask in the encouragement of others and almost accidentally blend in exercise.

It’s been ‘a thing’ in Europe for a bit. UK travellers have understandably embraced jetting to balmier locales to splash about. Trips thread through Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands, along the chiselled cliffs of Portugal’s Algarve region and to the turquoise waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Some test endurance or are tied to events, but most are about the joy of immersing yourself in water – whether it be an endorphin-boosting cold plunge or a sedate tropical float.

an aerial view of women floating above Margaret River — Soak in the saturated colours of Margaret River. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

In Australia, the travel trend is gaining momentum, not least for the fun of a communal dip followed by good coffee. Experiences extend beyond the Aussie habit of chucking on bathers and jumping in the big blue.

You can join escorted group swims around Heron Island glimpsing the Great Barrier Reef; sign up for swim weeks led by an ex-Ironman Champion off Lord Howe Island; gorge-hop through NT’s Nitmiluk National Park; take a multi-day tour of Sydney sea pools; or try a cold-water camp in Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, which includes a dip at night and optional qualifying swim for the English Channel.

The Swimming Women experience

Margaret River’s new Swimming Women experience is a holiday jammed into a day. It finds me running underwater while weighted down with a rock like a surfer on Blue Crush, ducking through a coral cathedral like a mermaid and diving to the floor of a river for astonishing, glass-like clarity. But first, we get in the zone.

Under Charlotte’s bubbly leadership, our group hikes through fragrant coastal scrub to Gnarabup Beach, a short drive from iconic wineries Cape Mentelle , Xanadu Wines and Voyager Estate .

Towels are unfurled in the mid-morning sun, its toasty rays dispersed by the maritime breeze. Breaths deepen as our leader guides us through meditative stretches and engages our sensory awareness, luring us into a headspace away from work worries.

“It’s about being in the elements," she says. “We’re so safe in our clothes. It’s exhilarating to be fully in nature." As we shed layers, her humour puts us all at ease. “We’re all hairy, furry, lumpy and bumpy and it doesn’t matter, because the water treats us all the same," she says. Before our toes enter the Indian Ocean, Charlotte shares a cultural acknowledgement respectful of the local Wadandi saltwater people, the Traditional Owners.

an aerial view of swimmers along Gnarabup Beach — Swimmers ‘push it’ to the limit off Gnarabup Beach in WA’s Margaret River region. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

I’m what you could call late to the swimming party. Hopeless at school carnivals – unless inhaling water is a sport – I’ve never been one for laps. In the ocean, I tend to stick to somersaults in the shallows. But on this day, adrenaline rising, I follow a support coach beyond the navy waterline. She clutches a hot-pink floatie as we wade over seaweed that swirls like long, tangly hair to reach a shallow reef invisible from the beach.

This is where the swim-throughs happen, something I find unexpected courage for, cheered on by the whoops and claps of the joyful group. We freestyle to a buoy marking where surfers place rocks for underwater endurance training. I clumsily give it a shot – cue more cheers – and find myself relaxing into this aquatic frolic. Still, churning through the wavy ocean isn’t my forte; gulping splatters ensue.

A safe and judgement-free space

Having trained some 1500 local women through her swim school, Charlotte shows me how to breathe to the side and raise my head away from the swell. “Swimming is the most magical thing for your body and your soul," she says. “There’s no pressure to be fast. Many women just love doing handstands."

Back on the sand, coffee is served in mismatched mugs at local favourite ‘the Prev’, the shop that services Prevelly Caravan Park. A patterned throw and basket of freshly baked French pastries awaits in the shade of melaleuca trees.

Restored, we amble to Surfers Point, a famed spot that in April hosted Kelly Slater and Jack Robinson at World Surf League’s Margaret River Pro. A group of wetsuit-clad surfers cluster behind the break.

“They call it corduroy to the horizon when the rows of swell come in," says Charlotte. But we’re not here to spectate. Down steps edged with plaques naming champion surfers, Charlotte points to a crystalline channel and we drift playfully on the current.

a group of women on a swimming adventure in Margaret River — A women’s only swimming adventure is the ultimate in immersive therapy. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Floating in Margaret River

Another hike leads us to the eponymous Margaret River. The waterway lies silent, with glints of sunlight sparkling like glitter on its surface. Unaccustomed to freshwater, I’m unsure about wading into the brown.

Charlotte offers another perspective. “The tannins seep into the water from the melaleuca trees," she says. “When you look down it’s golden amber and it’s special to notice."

After breast stroking to a riverbend, some women dive to the bottom, floating to the surface with arms swept wide. Their glee at passing through the haze to a clarified river floor sees us all try it out. Not for the first time, my fears are met, surpassed, and replaced with joy.

Picnic blankets, cushions and lunch platters greet us on the riverbank. Grilled haloumi and smoked chicken with a green goddess salad, Moroccan cauliflower and pearl couscous.

women having a picnic WA’s Margaret River region — A picturesque picnic adds to the magic of a swim holiday. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Hiking back to our cars, we swap bathers for coastal-chic garb and convoy to cellar door Walsh and Sons, fringed by forest. As a former organiser of the Margaret River Wine Show , Charlotte doubles as sommelier, taking us through a sip and swill of her favourite biodynamic drops.

By day’s end, I am officially converted to the concept of an aquatic escape. The sweetness of being physically spent after a series of destination paddles, finished with an iconic Margaret River experience, leaves me certain this is a trend worth travelling for. With Salt-N-Pepa playing in my head, I can’t wait to next dive in.

an aerial view of turquoise waters in Gnarabup Beach in WA’s Margaret River region — This swimming trend is a new form of aquatic escape. (Image: Jarrad Seng)

Swimming Women runs day tours of Margaret River once a month, all year round. Private tours can be arranged. It also offers extended swimming holidays on Rottnest Island and in Sydney.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

Wild swimming: the travel trend making a splash in Australia