Scenic Swimming Holes You Have to See to Believe

From Hawaii to Zambia and everywhere in between, these secret swimming spots around the world make for serious bucket list material.

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Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

This tide pool on the island of Kaua'i is one of the top attractions for visitors to Princeville.

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

A sign warns adventurers of unexpected large waves possible at the entrance to Queen's Bath.

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

The tide pool -- formerly a bathing place for royals -- is a sinkhole surrounded by indigenous rocks and is accessible by a short hike.

California: Hatchet Falls

Not far from Montgomery Creek, Calif., Hatchet Falls is a popular cliff-jumping spot with a deep pool.

California: Hatchet Falls

Pups welcome!

California: Hatchet Falls

The many logs and boulders surrounding the pool serve as comfortable, makeshift loungers when taking a break from diving.

Colorado: Adrenaline Falls

Just outside of Durango, Colo., Adrenaline Falls is often teeming with wildlife and a welcomed respite for hikers.

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

A short hike brings adventurers to a somewhat menacing sea cliff that overlooks the infamous Chutes and Ladders tide pools.

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

A careful climb down the steep cliff, parts of which have rope and rickety ladders to assist, ever so slowly gets you closer to the water.

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

Worth it? Definitely.

New York: Fawn's Leap

Located in the Catskills, Fawn's Leap is another favorite spot for adventurous cliff jumpers.

New York: Fawn's Leap

The 24-foot plunge into the natural pool below is a good stepping stone for another deep dive adventure in New York...

New York: Stony Kill Falls

It's not recommended to jump from the top of the 90-foot waterfall (really, not at all), but the pool at the bottom is ideal for cooling off after a hike on a warm day.

North Carolina: Turtleback Falls

A 3.5-mile hike from Gorges State Park will bring you to this favored swimming and sliding spot with a 20-foot drop off the curved rock face.

Playa del Carmen: Rio Secreto

Guided tours take you through this underground water world stacked with stalactites and stalagmites.

Scotland: Broadford Bay

The bay in the village of Broadford overlooks the Isle of Skye in the Highlands of Scotland.

Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle

One of the most well known castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan occupies its own island overlooking the Isle of Skye.

Scotland: Isle of Skye

The island in Scotland's Highlands is a well known tourist destination for its rich scenery and abundance of wildlife.

Scotland: Isle of Skye

This massive waterfall is one of many scenic views and swimming holes found in the Highlands' island destination.

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Other mini-waterfalls like this can be found throughout the island.

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Another breathtaking view of Scotland's lochs from the Isle of Skye.

Zambia: Devil's Pool

Situated on the edge of Southern Africa's Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Devil's Pool has a view an adventurer dreams of.

Zambia: Victoria Falls

The falls here form the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa.

Zambia: Victoria Falls

Another helicopter view from the top of the falls.

Aspen: Devil's Punch Bowl

Swimmers peer off the edge of the series of waterfalls into the crystal clear pool below.

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Just outside of the town of La Fortuna, this waterfall is a 200-foot plunge into the frequented swim spot below.

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Visitors can hike down a set of stairs to reach the pool or also join a group by horseback.

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

The La Fortuna waterfall is considered a must-see for visitors, and it's not hard to see why.

Maine: Small Falls

Looking down into the pool below, it's a 54-foot drop from the top of Small Falls.

Maine: Small Falls

Sunsets near the falls are a sight to behold.

Mexico: Pet Cemetery Cenote

Researchers conclude that these underwater caves outside of Tulum were once sinkholes used to dispose of animal remains.

Oregon: Tamolitch Blue Pool

The natural blue color and impressive clarity of the water in Tamolitch's Blue Pool is a must-see for swimming hole seekers.

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

Found along the Meadow Run trail, this natural waterslide was carved out of the surrounding bedrock.

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

This eventually leads to a 3-foot pool at the end of the Meadow Run trail.

Utah: The Subway

View from up high of a canyon in Zion National Park that leads to one of the park's most interesting features below.

Utah: The Subway

Not for the amateur hiker, the Subway takes serious skill to repel down from the canyon into.

Utah: The Subway

This lesser-traveled path through Zion National Park is difficult to get to and requires short swims and wading through ankle-deep waters, but the scenery is unlike anything else.

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Top Secret Swimming Holes

Scenic Swimming Holes You Have to See to Believe

Shop This Look

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

California: Hatchet Falls

California: Hatchet Falls

California: Hatchet Falls

Colorado: Adrenaline Falls

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

New York: Fawn's Leap

New York: Fawn's Leap

New York: Stony Kill Falls

North Carolina: Turtleback Falls

Playa del Carmen: Rio Secreto

Scotland: Broadford Bay

Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Zambia: Devil's Pool

Zambia: Victoria Falls

Zambia: Victoria Falls

Aspen: Devil's Punch Bowl

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Maine: Small Falls

Maine: Small Falls

Mexico: Pet Cemetery Cenote

Oregon: Tamolitch Blue Pool

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

Utah: The Subway

Utah: The Subway

Utah: The Subway