Swimming safely in open water

Pick an official swimming location

Official locations exist for a reason: the water is monitored during the bathing season, the bottom and banks have been assessed for safety, there are no shipping lanes, and warnings are issued when problems occur. The Netherlands has hundreds of them — there is almost always one nearby.

Well-known but unofficial swim spots are clearly flagged on this site: water quality is not monitored there and there is no supervision. Swimming is at your own risk.

Rivers and canals: don't

Rijkswaterstaat strongly advises against swimming in rivers such as the Waal, IJssel and Maas, and near shipping lanes, bridges, locks and weirs it is prohibited. Currents are stronger than they look: groynes create eddies and downward currents that even trained swimmers cannot beat, and passing ships create suction that can pull you under unexpectedly.

In canals the danger lies in shipping traffic and steep, slippery banks that make it hard to get out. The rankings and map on this site therefore consist almost entirely of lakes, recreational ponds and sea beaches.

Cold water and your body

Open water is colder than it looks, even on hot days. Sudden immersion can trigger cold water shock: an involuntary gasp and hyperventilation — exactly what you do not want under water. Enter the water slowly, stay close to the shore for the first minutes, and check the current water temperature — shown on every spot page on this site, measured by the nearest Rijkswaterstaat station.

Rules of thumb

Never swim alone and keep children within arm's reach — drowning is silent and fast. Do not drink alcohol before swimming. Check the water quality beforehand and read the signs on site. If a current does carry you off, swim across it towards the shore rather than against it, and stay calm: floating and calling for help works better than fighting the current.

Frequently asked questions

Why is swimming in rivers dangerous?

Because of strong, unpredictable currents (especially near groynes), suction from passing ships and cold water. Rijkswaterstaat strongly advises against swimming in rivers; near shipping lanes, bridges and locks it is prohibited.

What is cold water shock?

Your body's reaction to sudden immersion in cold water: gasping and hyperventilating, which can make you inhale water. Enter the water slowly and stay close to the shore for the first few minutes, even on hot days.

Are unofficial swim spots unsafe?

Not by definition, but there is no quality monitoring, no safety assessment of the bottom and banks, and no supervision. Unofficial spots are clearly flagged on this site; swimming there is at your own risk. When in doubt, pick a nearby official location.

Where can I see the current water temperature?

On every spot page on this site, measured by the nearest live Rijkswaterstaat station, including the trend over the past two weeks.