From warm lagoons in Fiji to reef-lined passages in Indonesia and island hopping in the Philippines, some of the world’s best open-water swimming destinations are closer to Australia and New Zealand than you might think.
For swimmers in Australia and New Zealand, some of the world’s most rewarding open-water destinations are closer than you might think. Within a day of travel is a range of fantastic swimming destinations across the South Pacific and South-East Asia that feels purpose-built for open water swimming – warm water, living reefs, island passages and coastlines that almost draw you straight offshore.
To help you uncover the best swimming holiday destinations close to home, we’ve chatted to the experts at SwimTrek and Ocean Swim Safaris to recommend the standout swimming holiday destinations less than a day’s travel from Australia and New Zealand.
Fiji remains one of the easiest and most rewarding swimming destinations in the South Pacific. With its warm water, clear visibility and welcoming island culture, it’s a place where swimmers can settle into ocean life almost immediately.
Swimming holidays here are centred around sheltered lagoons, fringing reefs and island crossings, particularly in the Yasawa island group. This area offers calm conditions for relaxed reef swims alongside longer, more adventurous routes between islands. Encounters with turtles, reef sharks and colourful tropical fish are common, and the water temperature is consistently inviting.
Travel time: Approximately 3-5 hours from major centres in Australia or New Zealand to Nadi in Fiji, followed by boat transfers of 4-5 hours (or a 35-minute seaplane flight), to the Yasawa Islands.
Tonga offers a swimming experience that feels deeply connected to the natural world. Uncrowded, authentic and quietly spectacular, it’s a destination for swimmers who value meaningful encounters over polished resorts.
The Vava’u islands form the heart of swimming holidays here. Calm channels, reef-lined bays and short island hops create ideal conditions for daily open-water swims. What makes Tonga truly exceptional is the opportunity to swim with humpback whales during their annual migration – a rare and carefully managed experience that places swimmers alongside these giants in open water.
Travel time: Around 7-8 hours flying via Nadi, Fiji.
Palau is often described as one of the world’s great marine sanctuaries, and for swimmers, it lives up to the reputation. Its compact geography and pristine waters make it ideal for varied, wildlife-rich swim days.
Swims weave through the Rock Islands, across shallow reefs and through turquoise channels alive with marine life. Reef sharks, turtles, rays and dense schools of fish are a regular presence, while water clarity and warm temperatures make long swims deeply enjoyable.
Travel time: As little as 6 hours from Brisbane, though flights from other major centres in Australia or New Zealand can be 10 hours or more.
Indonesia is one of the most diverse swimming destinations on the planet, offering dramatically different experiences across its many islands. For swimming holidays, the focus is on regions where strong marine life, navigable currents and island geography combine to create unforgettable open-water routes.
Bali is a good option for shorter breaks, with accessible coastal swims, warm water and a gentle introduction to Indonesian waters. Further afield, Sulawesi adds another dimension entirely. Its remote reefs and deep-water drop-offs are known for extraordinary biodiversity. Swimming here often takes place over pristine coral systems where visibility is excellent and marine life abundant. The sense of remoteness and exploration is a defining feature – swims feel wild, uncrowded and deeply immersive.
Adding another layer of spectacle is Raja Ampat, a remote Indonesian archipelago made up of over 1,500 islands, islets and cays – known for being one of the richest marine biodiversity sites on Earth. In Raja Ampat, 90 % of marine life lives within just four metres of the surface, making the region an exceptional open-water swimming playground. Schools of tropical fish, vibrant corals and unexpected encounters with endemic species create swim days that feel like exploring a living aquarium. It’s a perfect destination for a liveaboard swimming holiday, allowing you to be based on the water, hopping between sheltered coves and open ocean passages while immersing yourself in the coral triangle’s astonishing natural diversity.
Travel time: Bali is the easiest to reach, usually within 6-10 hours from major centres in Australia and New Zealand. Travel to other locations in Indonesia, like Sulawesi and Raja Ampat, will take longer depending on connecting flights.
The Philippines is tailor-made for swimming holidays, with warm water, gentle conditions and an astonishing number of islands to explore. What sets it apart is the combination of easy swimming conditions and consistently healthy reefs.
Apo Island and Negros are well-known for their clear water and abundant marine life, offering relaxed daily swims directly over coral gardens. Bohol adds calm seas, reef edges and frequent turtle encounters, ideal for steady, exploratory swims.
Palawan is a standout for swimmers looking for dramatic scenery alongside rewarding open water. Known for its limestone cliffs, hidden coves and clear turquoise water, Palawan and its surrounding seas provide coastal swims and island crossings that feel remote yet accessible. The reefs here are rich and varied, and the sense of space and tranquillity makes every swim feel unhurried and immersive.
Travel time: Around 8–9 hours flying into Manila from Australia. Internal flights to islands such as Palawan typically take 1–3 hours.
Thailand combines excellent swimming conditions with seamless travel and a strong cultural and foodie backdrop. The Gulf of Thailand, and particularly Koh Tao, offers warm, sheltered waters that are ideal for open-water swimming.
Swimming holidays based around Koh Tao focus on daily swims along coral gardens and island-to-island routes within the Gulf. The area is known for its shallow reefs, excellent visibility and thriving marine life, including turtles, rays and, at certain times of year, whale sharks. Koh Tao’s relaxed island atmosphere and compact size make it an ideal base for swim days that start and finish in calm bays.
Travel time: Around 10-12 hours from Australia, longer from New Zealand. Ferry transfers from Koh Samui or Surat Thani typically take 1–3 hours.
Vietnam is an increasingly appealing destination for swimming holidays, offering dramatic scenery and a sense of exploration. Lan Ha Bay, located next to Ha Long Bay and accessed via Cat Ba Island, is particularly well suited to open-water swimming.
The bay is dotted with limestone karsts, sheltered channels and quiet coves, creating a network of swim routes that feel both scenic and protected. Compared to neighbouring Ha Long Bay, Lan Ha is less busy, making swims more peaceful and immersive. The combination of calm water, striking landscapes and coastal swims gives this region a distinctive character.
Travel time: Around 12 hours flying to Hanoi from major centres in Australia, longer from New Zealand, followed by a domestic flight or road and ferry transfer to the Cat Ba area.
If these destinations have sparked your curiosity, a great place to dive deeper is the SwimTrek and Ocean Swim Safaris websites. Both are packed with detailed insights into where you’ll swim, what the days look like on the water and the kind of experiences that make each destination special. Their teams are open-water swimmers themselves, with firsthand knowledge of these routes, reefs and coastlines – and they’re always happy to share recommendations or talk through what might suit you best. Whether you’re dreaming of your first overseas swim holiday or planning your next big adventure, a call or message could be the first stroke towards discovering your new favourite place to swim.
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