Dive in: 5 of Queensland's best ocean swims

List

By Danielle Reckless

Swimming in a pool? Been there, done that. If you crave a different kind of challenge, it’s time to make a splash with an ocean swim.

Queensland punches well above its weight when it comes to hosting endurance swims in the big blue. With pristine beaches, stunning islands and reefs and 283 days of sunshine a year, it's the perfect place to set a personal best.

Here are five of Queensland's best ocean swims that will have you grabbing your goggles and diving in quicker than you can fill out your entry form.

Great Barrier Reef Ocean Swim

When: 19 October 2024
Where: Great Barrier Reef off Port Douglas, Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

No where else in the world can you compete in an ocean swim over the world’s biggest coral reef.

Push yourself in paradise for the experience of a lifetime at the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Swim. Dive into the sparkling water surrounding Green Island – there’ll be as much action beneath the surface as on it, with the chance to spot colourful fish, turtles and corals as you compete.

There’s a reason this reef swim has attracted thousands of intrepid swimmers for both the 1, 3 and 5 kilometre events.

_{Hamilton Island Ocean Swim}

When: 24 November 2024
Where: Hamilton Island, The Whitsundays

Make your way to one of the world's most stunning island escapes, because here you can do more than just relax on the sand.

Gear up for the one of most picturesque ocean swims in Queensland (and the most brag-worthy race of your ocean swim career): the Hamilton Island Ocean Swim.

Nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, this annual 2km and 750m ocean swim, plus a fun 350m junior swim for children 13 years and under, is set to become as iconic as its location at Catseye Beach. If you're not looking for competiton, the Anything Goes leg is for you.

It’s part of the Hamilton Island Endurance Series, which also includes the Hamilton Island Triathlon, junior triathlon, Hilly Half Marathon, Great Whitehaven Beach Run and the Icons Trail.

Noosa Summer Swim Festival

When: TBC 2025
Where: Noosa, Sunshine Coast

Look around this resort town on any given weekend and you’ll spot stand-up paddle boarders, kayakers, cyclists and surfers immersing themselves in what they love: the great outdoors. And, the Noosa Summer Swim is no exception. Join the fun for a huge weekend, with a festival atmosphere that only Noosa Main Beach can deliver.

From novice to elite, sign up and jump in for one, two or three kilometre races – or push your limits with a 5K. There’s junior races too (300m or 1000m) for the athletic little ones.

The icing on this cake? The finish line is just a few strokes away from some pretty top-notch bars and restaurants to celebrate post-swim?

Cooly Classic Ocean Swim

When: TBC 2025
Where: Coolangatta, Gold Coast

Seasoned swimmers and aspiring triathletes will rush at the opportunity to conquer this 5-kilometre Cooly Classic Ocean Swim. It’s a great way to challenge yourself beyond the typical open water distances. Why? You’ll face the ultimate test of swimming at three of Australia’s most revered surf breaks – Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay, Greenmount, Coolangatta and Kirra Beach.

There's also 1km, 2km, 3km, 5km and junior races.

Warm up for the big swim with a stretch on the beach at sunrise. What better motivation?

Swim the Gold Coast - Marathon Swim

Swimmers running into the water at Swim the Gold Coast event — Swim the Gold Coast - Marathon Swim

When: TBC 2025
Where: Kirra Beach, Gold Coast

Ready to take it to the next level? How about a 21.5km ocean swim?

Swim the Gold Coast is Australia’s newest marathon swim for teams and individuals – the pinnacle for open water swimming. And you will literally swim the length of the Gold Coast: from the beaches of Coolangatta, past Burleigh Heads and Broadbeach, finishing under the towering cityscape of Surfers Paradise.

Tackle it solo, or in teams of two or four. You’ll need a support boat and qualified skipper too.

There's also a 10km option if you'd like to ease in to the big challenge.

Swim Around Keppel

When: TBC August/September 2025
Where: Capricorn Coast Area

Swim Around Keppel features a circumnavigation island swim in tropical waters and covers a total distance of 20 kilometres – one of Australia’s longest swimming marathons. Set on Great Keppel Island which is home to 17 pristine beaches, coral reefs, and an abundance of island and marine life.

Looking to challenge yourself further? Here are Queensland's best enduarance events to get the heart racing.