What is a swimming holiday?

Putting it simply, no. At SwimQuest we firmly believe that you should be challenging yourself rather than other people. It’s always a joy to see how the groups gel throughout the week, with guests supporting each other and sharing their stories and swimming experiences. This makes a swimming holiday a very different experience from entering a swimming race; the aim of the game is to encourage and have fun – if necessary preparing you for an upcoming event, if not, simply allowing you to enjoy the water and the company of fellow swimmers.

It doesn’t matter whether you are fast or slow, we have the tour for you. What really matters is that you enjoy swimming and would like to improve. It is important to remember that the swims are not races, and that you will be divided into groups and carefully looked after depending on your swimming ability. The aim is to have fun! The two main strokes are front crawl (freestyle) and breaststroke. You can swim as little or as much as you want to, and it is worth noting that you would be welcome to join a tour with longer distances, as you can always have a break on the main safety boat. If you are at all unsure about which tour to choose, feel free to contact us – we are always happy to advise.

Not a problem. We will introduce you to the water gradually and you will soon find yourself growing in confidence. It is certainly worth contacting us so that we can suggest an appropriate trip for you, however, you may find the Technique based tours in Formentera, or Mathraki Island, Corfu particularly suited to your introduction to open water. You may be surprised to hear that 30% of our guests have never swum in open water before (they are now converts, obviously!)

This depends on the tour you have chosen and your experience acclimatising to cold water. If in doubt, please ask us and we will be happy to advise. The water temperature for our range of locations does vary dramatically, from a balmy 29^oC in the Maldives, to a bracing 10^oC in Norway. Temperature will affect your comfort in the water, so its important you bring a wetsuit if you need one. Again, we are happy to advise on hire / purchase if you are unsure.

Yes, certainly. This isn’t an issue though – it doesn’t matter whether you are fast or slow, as we will group swimmers at the beginning of the week according to speed. You definitely don’t need to worry about being left behind! We can also stagger swim starts if necessary to ensure that everyone is able to participate in each swim, at their own pace.

If you really want to push yourself, then we are happy to help you do so. Our Channel & Long Distance tours have been specifically designed to help people push their boundaries and discover what they are capable of. You may also want to browse our Challenge & Distance tours. It Is also worth remembering that on every tour we are able to cater each swim to suit the needs of the individual, so if you have a race / distance you would like to complete – just let us know and we will help you make it happen.

You don’t need a bag full of specialist kit to have an incredible time – but a few essentials will make your swims much more comfortable. A well-fitting pair of goggles is the most important thing you can bring (and a spare pair is always wise). Swim caps are provided on tour, but bringing an extra is not a bad idea. You will also need a selection of cossies / trunks (no one likes a soggy cossie!) and we ask all guests to pack a tow float – if you haven’t got one you can purchase one from our online shop. Wetsuits are optional but advised if you are worried about being cold, and if you are worried about sunburn, check out our lovely rash vests. For each trip, you will receive a link to packing essentials after booking.

The tours all differ slightly, and you can get an idea of the weekly itinerary on each tour specific page under ‘Itinerary’ however, as a guide – mornings typically begin with a delicious breakfast and a briefing from your swim guides before heading out for your first swim of the day – often the most magical, when the light is low and the water is still. Afterwards, there’s time to refuel, swap stories over lunch, have a rest and soak up your surroundings. The afternoon brings a second swim, followed by free time to explore, relax, or simply sit somewhere beautiful and feel quietly proud of what you’ve just done. On many tours the guides will also add in optional extras, seminars, sunrise swims, technique coaching or some underwater photography. Evenings are spent together – sharing meals, raising a glass, and the kind of easy conversation that flows when people have shared something brilliant. It’s a rhythm that feels both energising and deeply restorative.

Almost certainly – and often more than you’d expect. Swim coaching is woven into most SwimQuest tours, with your guides offering real-time feedback on your technique throughout the week. Whether it’s your breathing, your stroke efficiency, or simply building confidence in open water, our team will help you make meaningful progress at your own pace. Many guests arrive as competent pool swimmers and leave with a completely different relationship with the water. Even experienced open water swimmers consistently tell us they come away swimming better than when they arrived. If nothing else, spending a week moving through water makes you feel stronger, calmer and happier.

Genuinely one of the best parts. There’s something about sharing the water that brings people together quickly and authentically. SwimQuest groups tend to gel fast, and the friendships formed on tour have a habit of lasting well beyond the final swim. Meals are shared, stories are swapped, and by the end of the week you’ll likely feel like you’ve known your fellow swimmers for years. Many guests return year after year.

Absolutely. Our destinations are chosen as much for their beauty and character as for their swimming conditions, and we always make sure there’s time to actually experience the places you’ve travelled to. Some tours are of course more swim intensive than others, however you may wish to consider one of our trips in the Short Swims & Dips portfolio if time exploring is important to you.  SwimQuest holiday is a travel experience as much as a swimming one – the water just gives you a perspective on the world that most visitors never get to see.

More than OK – you’ll be in very good company. A significant number of our guests travel solo, and SwimQuest is genuinely one of the best holidays you can take on your own. The group dynamic means you’re never really alone from day one, and the shared experience of swimming together creates connections that can be hard to find on a more conventional holiday.