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How to swim safely on holiday

Stay safe in the water with our swimming tips.

Beach days, exciting watersports, fun-filled splash parks – water plays a big part in our holidays. And we certainly don’t want to rain on your parade. But it’s important to stay safe when you go for a dip, especially with little ones. Whether you’re snorkelling somewhere exotic or simply playing in the pool, it’s best to know what you’re doing. That’s where ABTA – the UK’s largest travel association –comes in. ABTA’s Swim Safe campaign outlines a few golden rules for staying safe in the water. We caught up with them to hear their top tips...

Have a read, then you’ll be all set to get your holiday booked.

1. BRUSH UP BEFORE YOU GO

Has it been a while since you last went swimming? Visit your local pool before you go away, to practice your front crawl and boss your breaststroke. If you’re really rusty, maybe consider getting a few lessons before your holiday. Remember to update your packing list, too, so that your kids’ armbands and inflatables make it into your suitcase.

2. HAVE LESSONS ON HOLIDAY

If you’re staying at a TUI BLUE For Families hotel, your tots can flash their flippers at our bookable Swim Schools, for an extra fee. Splash & Play sessions are designed for kids aged four and over, where they’ll learn to float on their back, glide through a hula hoop and pick something up from the pool floor. Or, there’s Swim School for children aged five or more. Step by step, kids will learn to dive into deep water and swim confidently. After 10 lessons, we guarantee they’ll be able to swim 10 metres.

3. KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED

It might seem obvious, but keep an eye on your surroundings when your family is in the water. The beach and the poolside often get very busy, so be aware of where your kids are and how deep the water is. And, when you’re in the sea, look out for riptides, rocks, reefs and sudden drop-offs. If you're ever unsure, check with a lifeguard.

4. FOLLOW THE RULES

Always pay attention to the signs, both by the pool and the sea. If you’re unsure what a flag on the beach means, ask the lifeguard. If there’s a no-swim zone in place – part of the beach might be a jet-skiing area, for example – find a different spot to swim. Our reps are super clued-up on our destinations, so if you want to know the best local swimming spots, just ask. Make sure you're paying attention to signs by the pool, too.

5. STICK TOGETHER

Even confident swimmers can get into difficulty, so it’s best not to swim alone – teamwork makes the dream work. Little ones should always be supervised, even if they’re wearing armbands. And, tempting though it might be, never go swimming at night.
Want to find out more about safe swimming?

See a full list of ABTA’s Swim Safe tips. Or, watch this video about swimming safely in the pool.

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Author: Hannah Stratton

Last updated: 26.08.2022

Holiday Type

Destination

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