<strong>Porto Moniz, Madeira, Portugal: </strong>Formed over thousands of years by cooling volcanic lava, Porto Moniz's natural swimming pools are one of Madeira's biggest tourist attractions.
Porto Moniz, Madeira, Portugal: Formed over thousands of years by cooling volcanic lava, Porto Moniz's natural swimming pools are one of Madeira's biggest tourist attractions.
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<strong>Treyarnon, Cornwall, England:</strong> Treyarnon is home to a popular sandy beach. But for swimmers and snorkelers, it's the tidal pool on a path just to the north of the small bay that's its real draw.
Treyarnon, Cornwall, England: Treyarnon is home to a popular sandy beach. But for swimmers and snorkelers, it's the tidal pool on a path just to the north of the small bay that's its real draw.
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<strong>Giola, Thassos, Greece: </strong>Accessible only via a rough dirt track, the last part of which must be covered on foot, Giola lagoon on the Greek island of Thassos is very much worth the effort.
Giola, Thassos, Greece: Accessible only via a rough dirt track, the last part of which must be covered on foot, Giola lagoon on the Greek island of Thassos is very much worth the effort.
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<strong>Queen Joan's Baths, Sorrento, Italy: </strong>Framed by a natural arch and surrounded by the ruins of a Roman villa, Queen Joan's Baths (Bagni della Regina Giovanna) is a swimmer's paradise.
Queen Joan's Baths, Sorrento, Italy: Framed by a natural arch and surrounded by the ruins of a Roman villa, Queen Joan's Baths (Bagni della Regina Giovanna) is a swimmer's paradise.
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<strong>Queen's Baths, Eleuthera, Bahamas:</strong> Inundated at high tide, the water left in the Queen's Baths as the tide recedes is warmed by the searing Caribbean sun. Steer clear of the spot at high tide or when the surf is rough.
Queen's Baths, Eleuthera, Bahamas: Inundated at high tide, the water left in the Queen's Baths as the tide recedes is warmed by the searing Caribbean sun. Steer clear of the spot at high tide or when the surf is rough.
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<strong>Saunders Rock, Cape Town, South Africa: </strong>Saunders Rock at Bantry Bay is home to a perfect small pool surrounded by granite boulders that keeps swimmers sheltered from the often harsh wind.
Saunders Rock, Cape Town, South Africa: Saunders Rock at Bantry Bay is home to a perfect small pool surrounded by granite boulders that keeps swimmers sheltered from the often harsh wind.
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<strong>Kitsilano Pool, Vancouver, Canada: </strong>Open from May until mid-September, the saltwater "Kits Pool" is the longest pool in North America, stretching out a massive 137 meters (150 yards).
Kitsilano Pool, Vancouver, Canada: Open from May until mid-September, the saltwater "Kits Pool" is the longest pool in North America, stretching out a massive 137 meters (150 yards).
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<strong>Plage de Bon Secours, Saint-Malo, France: </strong>This 1930s pool offers perfect, calm swimming conditions for those not so keen on making the long trek down to the shoreline at low tide.
Plage de Bon Secours, Saint-Malo, France: This 1930s pool offers perfect, calm swimming conditions for those not so keen on making the long trek down to the shoreline at low tide.
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<strong>Bogey Hole, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia: </strong>Cut out of the rock by convict laborers in 1820, what is now known as Bogey Hole is a protected heritage site.
Bogey Hole, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia: Cut out of the rock by convict laborers in 1820, what is now known as Bogey Hole is a protected heritage site.
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<strong>Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Cliftonville, England: </strong>As the tide recedes, it reveals the vast Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, built in 1937. There are several handy ladders on the far wall for descending into the deeper stretches.
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Cliftonville, England: As the tide recedes, it reveals the vast Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, built in 1937. There are several handy ladders on the far wall for descending into the deeper stretches.
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<strong>Copenhagen Harbor Baths, Copenhagen, Denmark: </strong>The harbor baths have quickly developed into one of the city's hottest attractions. There are several pools at the Islands Brygge location, including a lap pool and a pool for kids.
Copenhagen Harbor Baths, Copenhagen, Denmark: The harbor baths have quickly developed into one of the city's hottest attractions. There are several pools at the Islands Brygge location, including a lap pool and a pool for kids.
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<strong>Azenhas do Mar, Sintra, Portugal: </strong>An hour's drive north of Lisbon, Azenhas do Mar is home to a natural pool, cut into the base of the cliffs, that makes this pretty town especially worth visiting.
Azenhas do Mar, Sintra, Portugal: An hour's drive north of Lisbon, Azenhas do Mar is home to a natural pool, cut into the base of the cliffs, that makes this pretty town especially worth visiting.
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