A Brief Guide to Bay Area Open Water Swimming
Open water swimming is “a swimming discipline which takes place in outdoor bodies of water such as open oceans, lakes, and rivers.” The “discipline” is loaded with benefits for swimmers, from being part of a rewarding community to the benefits of being immersed in cold water. Here are “26 reasons wild swimming could be good for you.”
Do you want to swim in the open water in the Bay Area?
You have (MANY) options!
Where to Open Water Swim in the Bay Area
The San Francisco Chronicle states, “Our beloved bay isn't known as a swimmer's destination.” However, the Bay Area offers many places to swim in the open water.
Areas to swim include:
Keller Beach, Richmond
Berkeley Marina, Berkeley
Aquatic Park, San Francisco.
Crown Beach, Alameda.
One member of the local OWS community recommends Coyote Point in San Mateo, and for beginners, Foster City Lagoon. According to Foster City, “swimming is allowed in all areas of the Foster City lagoon. Swimmers are responsible to ensure that they are visible to boaters and other lagoon users. Swimmers are encouraged to swim during daylight hours and use high visibility swim buoys and/or wear high visibility swim caps.”
Odyssey Berkeley swims, held every Sunday throughout the year and every Tuesday in the Spring and Summer, take place at the Berkeley Marina. During these swims, coaches and support staff are on hand to provide a swim briefing and safety support. Learn more about Odyssey Berkeley swims here.
If you have questions about where to swim in the Bay Area, feel free to ask our community of open water swimmers in the Odyssey Open Water Swimmers Facebook Group here.
View additional open water swimming resources here on ManateeSwimming.org.
How to Get Started Open Water Swimming
Open water swimming is a challenging outdoor activity. Before swimming in the open water, you should feel completely comfortable swimming long distances in a pool. The minimum distance you should be comfortable with before joining us for an Odyssey Berkeley swim is 35 lengths of a 25-yard pool.
After feeling confident while swimming in a pool, you will want to slowly transition to open water swimming due to the many additional challenges it presents. Challenges include tides, waves, marine life, cold, and more.
Start with a short distance and have trained support staff on-hand to assist if needed. You should never swim alone in the open water, and should always have a buddy and/or swim support who is experienced and familiar with the body of water you’re swimming in.
Learn about the basics of open water swimming here.
Read more on the Your First Swim page on the Odyssey website here.
Cold Water Swimming
When considering swimming in the open waters of the San Francisco Bay, swimming in cold water has to be part of the conversation. Temperatures in the Bay, especially when near Alcatraz Island, will be significantly colder than the water temperature in an average pool.
The colder the water, the more your body and mind have to adjust to this change. If swimming in the open for the first time, we recommend using a wetsuit (Sports Basement rents wetsuits), and tracking the water temperature to make sure it’s tolerable. Your body can adjust over time, but start with warmer water temps when starting, preferably over 65 degrees.
Read 8 Benefits of Cold Water Swimming (IPRS Health) here!
Cold Water Swimming — Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review
Odyssey Open Water Swimming
Odyssey Open Water Swimming was founded in 2013 by local athlete and swim coach Warren Wallace to be “your guide to adventure in the San Francisco Bay.” We help you step out of the pool and into the open water. Odyssey Open Water Swimming offers Bay Area swims, including:
Weekly Swims
Bay Bridge Swim
Odyssey Alcatraz Swims
Odyssey Rat Race
Bridge to Bridge Swims
Bay Area Night Swims
Private Bay Area Open Water Swims
And more to come soon!
Runner’s World published a beginners guide to open water swimming. Read it here!
Learn more about Odyssey Open Water Swimming and swimming in the Bay Area here!