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Important: All swimmers are required to bring a personal swim safety buoy. Bring your own or purchase a BlueSeventy safety buoy from Odyssey.
Weekly Swims with Odyssey Open Water
Odyssey Open Water Swimming hosts weekly swims at Berkeley Marina, welcoming swimmers of all levels every week, rain or shine. Choose the distance that suits your goals—whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced swimmer.
Our expert coaches set up various routes, marked with buoys, and are supported by our crew in kayaks, paddleboards, and a motorboat. Advanced swimmers can enjoy routes averaging one mile (equivalent to 70 pool lengths), while beginners and intermediate swimmers are welcome to swim shorter distances, typically half a mile (35 pool lengths) or less, at their own pace.
November– May
Water entry any time between 10:00am-10:30am, with a detailed briefing at 10:00 am. First-timers must attend the briefing. All swimmers finish by 11:30 am.
June – October
Water entry anytime between 9:00am-10:30am, with a detailed briefing at 9:00 am. First-timers must attend the briefing. All swimmers finish by 11:30 am.
General Swim Fee: $30 for Sundays and $25 for Tuesdays
Student Rate: $12 (enter code "STUDENT" at checkout; valid student ID required)
Be sure to check out our membership pricing if you're a frequent swimmer!
Here's what you’ll need for a comfortable swim with Odyssey:
For Berkeley swims, meet us at the first dock at the southeast corner of the marina, just east of the Cal Sailing Club. Directions: Head west on University Ave. As you enter the marina, stay to the left, then turn left into the first parking lot. See the map below for exact location.
Each swim begins with a short safety briefing that covers conditions and allows participants to ask questions. We suggest getting there 10 minutes early to change and stretch before the briefing.
Please note that in the event of an unusually low tide, we will meet and enter the water at our alternative entry point. When this happens, we will leave a sign at the usual dock notifying swimmers of the change. The location will also be updated on the registration page. The alternative entry point is just up the road next to the old HS Lordships restaurant.
Free parking is available at the Berkeley Marina.
Yes. Odyssey Open Water swims rain or shine, warm or cold. Whether the water temperature if 52 degrees and cloudy or 70 and rainy, we will be out there in the water together. On the very rare occasions that the marina is closed, we will cancel the event on the registration site and email all swimmers who were registered.
Yes. Our weekly Berkeley swims are a great opportunity to get your first swimming experience in the open water. Our coaches and staff will be there to help and support you!
We offer two main routes at the Berkeley swims, a half mile option and a one mile option. Swimmers can also do less than the half mile or can repeat the one mile multiple times. You can take the swim at your own pace and there is always a coach and kayaker at these swims to help those who want to work on their form or are new to swimming in the open water.
Wetsuits are recommended but not required. We have swimmers who prefer to wear a speedo and others who buy or rent a wetsuit. If you do wear a wetsuit, bring Glide or lubricant to avoid chafing.
Yes, you are welcome to bring what will make you comfortable.
Open water swimming in the Bay Area presents risks due to boat traffic, cold water temperatures, and strong currents. Odyssey takes many precautions to make all of our swims safe. The Berkeley Marina -- where we do our weekly swims -- is relatively protected from winds and currents, and the only boats present are small sailboats next to the area where we swim. Odyssey coordinates with the sailing club to safely share the space. Our swim coaches and trained paddlers are also always on hand to make sure you are safe.
The water temperature varies depending on the time of year. In the winter months, water temperature can drop to the low 50’s Fahrenheit. In the summer, the water temperature near the Berkeley Marina can rise up to 72° Fahrenheit.
