Natural freshwater swimming rivers rock pools and waterfalls where is it safe and what about crocodiles
I love a wild freshwater swim not just the sea Where can I safely swim in rivers rock pools and under waterfalls here are there good natural swimming spots in the hills and rainforest and crucially what about safety the currents the flash floods in the wet season and CROCODILES I know they are in some waters how do I know where is safe for a freshwater dip and where to absolutely avoid Wild swimmers and locals please tell me where to swim and where the danger is
4 Answers from travellers
River guide so the freshwater swimming picture and the safety truth Where it is GOOD the HILL COUNTRY and RAINFOREST are the freshwater swimming paradise clear cool mountain streams natural ROCK POOLS and plunge pools below waterfalls and gentle river stretches the hill areas (around the rainforests Kitulgala Belihuloya the hill country the Sinharaja fringe the waterfall areas) have gorgeous safe natural pools many a cool rock pool under a fall in the hills is the perfect wild swim and a local guide or your hill country host knows the safe spots The crocodile truth THIS is the vital safety point crocodiles (the dangerous saltwater croc and the mugger croc) live in LOWLAND waters the lagoons estuaries tanks (reservoirs) slow lowland rivers and dry zone water bodies NOT the cold fast upland streams so the rule of thumb the HILL country streams and rock pools (cold fast high) are croc FREE and safe the LOWLAND and dry zone rivers lagoons and tanks can have crocodiles and you should NEVER swim in them or even wade or dangle limbs people are taken every year do not risk a lowland river or tank or lagoon for a swim ever ask locals always they know exactly which water has crocodiles Other safety CURRENTS and FLASH FLOODS the big seasonal danger especially NOW in the wet season mountain rivers and falls can flash flood violently and suddenly from rain upstream NEVER swim in a river or below a waterfall when rain is about or water is rising or discoloured people drown in flash floods and strong currents every year (the waterfall and river drowning tragedies are real) swim only in calm clear conditions stay out in heavy rain periods respect currents do not jump into unknown depths and heed any warning signs and local advice June note it is the wet season in the southwest hills so flash flood risk is HIGHER right now be extra cautious about rivers and falls after rain So to swim safely head to the HILL country and rainforest rock pools and clean streams (cold fast and croc free) NEVER swim in lowland rivers lagoons or tanks (crocodiles) avoid all rivers and falls when rain is about or water is rising (flash floods especially this wet season) and always ask locals which spot is safe get those right and the wild freshwater swimming here is glorious
I cannot stress the flash flood point enough especially this wet season a clear stream can become a deadly torrent in minutes from rain you cannot even see falling upstream if the water is rising or browning get out and stay out and never swim below a fall in the rain
Hill country rock pools and clean cold streams are safe and croc free never swim in lowland rivers lagoons or tanks for crocodiles and avoid all water when rain is about for flash floods this is exactly the where to swim and where the danger is that I needed thank you for the clear safety truth
The always ask locals which water is safe rule is the golden one they know exactly where the crocodiles are and which pools are safe a friendly question at the village or to your host before any freshwater swim is the simplest lifesaver
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