1. Eco-Arqueological Park Ik Kil – Chichen Itza, Mexico
Ik Kil Cenote, (some refer to it as ikil cenote) is a deep natural pit usually open to the sky (formed by the collapsing of a cave), Mexico has a special name for those kind of places: “cenote” -taken from Mayan language word for a well. some Cenotes were a sacred, Young men and women were thrown and left to drown there,as a sacrifice to the god of rain).
Ik Kil cenote is a popular stop on the way to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza (specifically popular among bus tours, since there is a restaurant and store on The Premises) the Cenote is about 25 meters beneath the surface, The stairway is beautifully lit up & carved into limestone rock and reaches the swimming platform, usually crowded with swimmers, the pool itself is about 60 meters in diameter, the water are very deep around 35 meters. There are vines descending from the top and little water drops constantly flow from above. There are some black catfish which live on the pool, not to worry they don’t bite.
in 2010 & 2011 there was a crazy Red Bull Diving Competition (scroll all the way to the end of the post to see the video) the divers jumped into the cool water from a platform placed all the way above the Cenote.
2. Grotta della Poesia – Roca Vecchia, Italy
According to legend, a stunning muse once bathed in this constellation of limestone pools, known ever since as the Grotta della Poesia (Grotto of Poetry). To bards from miles around, both lady and lagoon were an inexhaustible source of inspiration; one of them still is. Summer visitors to Puglia’s Salento Peninsula flock to these Adriatic waters, 15 miles east of Lecce (dubbed the Florence of the South for its superabundance of more-is-more Baroque monuments)
3. Hamilton Pool Preserve – Austin, Texas
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. The pool is located about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin, Texas off Highway 71. Since the 1960s, Hamilton Pool has been a popular summer swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres (0.94 km2) of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot (15 m) waterfall flows. The pool is surrounded by large slabs of limestone that rest by the water’s edge; large stalactites grow from the ceiling high above. The ceiling and surrounding cliffs of the grotto are home to moss, maidenhair fern and cliff swallows. The Ashe juniper (cedar) uplands of the preserve are home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
The natural pool and creek are not chemically treated, so water quality is monitored regularly and swimming is occasionally restricted. Hamilton Pool is part of the Balcones Cayonlands Preserve and is a protected environment.
4. Las Grietas – Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Las Grietas is a series of deep volcanic fissures that collect a mixture of filtered fresh water from the highlands and tidal seapage from the sea. The brackish waters are refreshing and Las Grietas is a popular swimming destination for locals and visitors alike. A Naturalist Guide is not required to visit as the trail is well traveled.
The trail to Las Grietas is accessible by water taxi from the embarcadero. The trail passes German Beach and some commercial properties before branching into the rough. It is very important to be surefooted as you meander through the colorful salt water lagoons, volcanic fissures and lava rock formations as one misstep on the sharp lava rock could have some nasty consequences. The salt water lagoons are habitat for a variety of migratory and coastal birds. The giant cacti found along the trail show evolutionary adaptations unique to the Galapagos.
A scramble over slick lava rocks allows for a swim or snorkel in the cool rock filtered water. Often there are kids leaping from the cliff walls so there is usually some form of aerobatic entertainment. Use caution on the trail, in the water and especially in the air!
5. Devil’s Pool – Victoria Falls, Zambia
Devil’s Pool is a natural rock pool on the edge of the Victoria Falls, located along the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. During the dry season, Devil’s Pool is shallow enough that people can safely swim right to the edge before the waterfall drops more than 300 feet (100m). You don’t get swept down by the force of the falls because of a natural rock wall just below the surface. This is as close as you can get to the thunderous roar and permanent rainbows that adorn this magnificent Natural World Wonder. A guide will tell you exactly where to jump, make sure you bring your camera! Once everyone in the group has jumped safely and you are sitting on the rock wall, the guide will hold your ankles and you can lie and hang your arms over the edge. It is truly fantastic to look down on rainbows, hear the roar of the waterfall as it thunders past you, and look far, far down into the frothy, spray below.
6. Fairy Pools – Isle of Skye, Scotland
At foot of the Black Cuillins near Glenbrittle are the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools on the River Brittle. These famous pools entice visitors from all over the world, as they make some great ‘Wild Swimming’ for those brave enough to enter the cold water. For the less adventurous these magical Fairy Pools make some fantastic photos.The walk to the pools uses the same route there and back. The complete return distance to the first main waterfall and pool is 2.4km, with the average time to complete the walk being 40 minutes (with no stops). Most people will spend some time working their way up the river from the first waterfall exploring the different pools.
7. Cummins Falls State Park – Cookeville, Tennessee, US
Located on the beautiful Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, this idyllic 211-acre site in Jackson County is home to Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall at 75 feet high. Cummins Falls is formed on the Eastern Highland Rim and has been a favorite scenic spot and swimming hole for residents of Jackson and Putnam counties for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls also has been listed as one of the ten best swimming holes in the United States by Travel & Leisure and Conde Naste magazines.
Cummins Falls’ rich history includes a time when Indians used the area to track the numerous buffalo that wallowed in the river’s shallow areas. In the 1790s, Sergeant Blackburn, a veteran of the Revolutionary War and for whom the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River was named, was awarded the land in lieu of a pension. The land was acquired by John Cummins in 1825, and he used the land to build the first of two mills. Because of his growing clientele, a larger second mill was built in 1845. Local residents would visit the mills and the falls for both commerce and recreation.
The mill was washed away during the great flood of 1928, but cars and paved highways had already begun to make the trek to Cummins Falls more accessible. The land was not rebuilt, but stayed with the Cummins family for more than 180 years until efforts by the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation to purchase the land through private and public donations for resale to the state of Tennessee.
8. To Sua Ocean Trench – Lalomanu, Samoa
To Sua Ocean Trench is one of the ideallic sites that is located in Lotofaga village. Few sites are situated in the same area, including blowholes, and an incredible small beach on the western side. To Sua is otherwise translated as ‘big hole’ that is converted into a large swimming area. A ladder is installed on site for visitors access to and fro into this 30 meters deep seawaters. This site is surrounded with beautiful colorful gardens. The site is for swimming and nature photography. There is a fee upon entrance.
9. Erawan Falls – Erawan National Park, Thailand
Founded in 1975 as Thailand’s 12th National Park, it is covering an area of 550 sqkm located on West Thailand in the Tenasserim Hills of Kanchanaburi Province. It is one of the most famous national parks in Thailand.
81% of the park is mixed deciduous forests and the rest deciduous dipterous and dry evergreen forest. The park consists of limestone hills with elevation between 165-996m above the sea level, plains and number of streams. The hills protects the park from eastern monsoon resulting in less rainfall in average.
The major attraction of the park is Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds, named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The top tier of the falls is said to resemble the elephant’s head.
Erawan National Park is open for visitors all year. There are restaurants, facilities, bungalows and a campsite next to the HQ. The entrance fee is 200 baht for foreigners and costs additional 20 baht for a motorbike. The park is easily accessible by public buses from Kanchanaburi. Within the park, there are bicycles for rent for 20B per day.
Bare in mind that food is strictly forbidden beyond the 2nd tier of waterfalls. Visitors will have to pay a 20B fee per bottle of any drinks, the fee can be refunded when bottles are returned.
10. Nanda Blue Hole – Luganville, Vanuatu
The Nanda Blue Hole (also known as Jackie’s Blue Hole or Jacquie’s Blue Hole) is often referred to by visitors as the most beautiful blue hole in Vanuatu. The water is a magical deep blue that has to be seen to be believed.
Blue Holes are an amazing natural creation, formed by springs of fresh pure water rising to the surface cutting out a deep hole in the limestone.
The blue hole surrounds have been specifically designed for day trippers, with a large under cover area, a bar with beer and soft drinks, picnic area and a swing with a platform.
11. Giola – Thasos, Greece
The lagoon, located near the village Astris, is often called the most natural swimming pool. Indeed, it is a unique water reservoir, which provides a pleasant swimming experience.
You may have heard about the island of Thassos already: the mythological Syrens, who have attracted sailors with their beautiful singing, have resided here. Aegean Sea rinses its shores and fills the pool with water. But since the pool is separated from the sea with a rock wall, the water in the lagoon is much warmer, making it much more pleasant to dive in.
The Calanque de Sugiton is one of the numerous calanques located between Marseille and Cassis.
While quite small, Sugiton is perhaps the most known of all Marseille Calanques, simply because it can be easily accessed by hikers, starting from Luminy University Campus, and because it is open to tourists even during hot season, unlike most Calanques. In fact during summer most of the Calanques are closed because of high fire risk.
A small beach can be found at the extremity of the calanque.
13. Havasu Falls – Supai, Arizona, US
Havasu Falls is known throughout the world and has appeared in numerous magazines and television shows, and is often included in calendars that feature incredible waterfalls or beautiful scenery. Visitors from all over the world make the trip to Havasupai primarily for Havasu Falls.
The vibrant blue water contrasts against the striking red rocks of the canyon walls as Havasu Falls plunges nearly 100 feet into a wide pool of blue-green waters. This, the most striking waterfall in the Grand Canyon, sports a wide sandy beach and plenty of shady cottonwood trees to relax by.
14. Gunlom Plunge Pool – Jabiru, Northern Territory, Australia
Gunlom Plunge Pool, located on Waterfall Creek in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, is a magical combination of seasonal waterfall and serene plunge pool, with picnic areas shaded by tall gums.
From the top of Gunlom you will be rewarded with sweeping vistas of three habitats of the southern hills and ridges of the park – stone country, woodland and riparian (riverine) areas. At the top take a relaxing and well-deserved dip in the crystal clear pools. If something more sedate is more your style, take the flat easy walk to Murrill Billabong for some great birdwatching, or follow the short walking track to the main pool below the seasonal waterfall. Bring your lunch and enjoy the grassed, shady picnic area. If you’re staying over at the popular camping area (not far from the pool and waterfall), you’ll appreciate the facilities such as the solar-powered hot showers.
Australian Traveller voted the Gunlom Top Pools within Australia’s Top 100 best views and Hooroo has also recently voted Gunlom as a finalist in Australia’s ‘Secret Spots’.
An entry fee of AUD25.00 per person over the age of 16 years is required to enter Kakadu National Park.
If you know of other around the globe please comment and give us a link.
