Hands up, who loves a good dip? Or maybe just gently bobbing about in open water? You’re not in it for the distance. You’re there for movement, calm, and connection. For being fully present in your surroundings. Once that feeling gets under your skin, it’s natural to start wondering how to take it further.
Maybe you’ve thought about a swimming holiday. You start searching online… and suddenly you’re wading through endurance-level itineraries, triathlon camps, and five-kilometre sea challenges. Brilliant for some, but not quite the vibe for those of us who love a ten-minute float followed by a flask of tea.
So how do you find the holidays that are the right fit for you, the dippers, the micro-distance swimmers, the ones who just want to experience the joy of the open water in beautiful places? This blog is for you.
This is based on my own experience: five days in September on the Isle of Mull, off Scotland’s west coast.
Why Swim Holidays Can Feel Intimidating
Let’s be honest, finding the right wild swimming holiday can be overwhelming. Many are aimed at head-down front-crawlers, the kind who sign up for the 5k event at the Great North Swim for a laugh.
But what about the rest of us? The ones who swim for headspace, not PBs?
A great tool to use is ChatGPT. Use it as a new search engine, as you can be really specific with your request and you’ll get clear cut answers (with justifications for those answers as well, instead of an avalanche of irrelevant ones.
You can type something like:
“Search the internet to find a UK swimming guide that will show me around the Isle of Mull. It should be a walking and swimming holiday within a group. I want my own room and ideally I want everything to be taken care of within the price. Walking shouldn’t be too strenuous (around 5k a day). I want to swim in the sea but also have the option to just bob about in the surf if I fancy it. I would prefer an all female group and I would like to support an independent business”
And within seconds, you’ll have relevant options. It will even give you reasons why they fulfil your brief.
But for me, I’d been following Suzanna Swims (Suzanna Cruickshank) for years. So the choice was clear, as I was finally able to join her for one of her Isle of Mull trips.
Tip: Always check directly with organisers before booking to make sure the swimming level matches your ability.
Who is Suzanna Cruickshank?
Suzanna Cruickshank is a Cumbrian-based swim guide and award-winning author of Swimming Wild in the Lake District. She caters to all skill levels, but what I truly value about Suzanna is her ability to nurture confidence in new swimmers.
I’ve attended her day swims for years and always come away with something new, whether it’s a practical tip, local knowledge, or simply a renewed love of the water. She creates a calm, non-competitive environment where every swimmer feels comfortable, safe, and supported.
That’s exactly what her Mull trip delivered: gentle swims, mindful walks, good food, and the space to breathe.
What to Pack for a Swimming & Walking Holiday
Packing depends on where and when you’re going, but here’s what worked for me on Mull in September.
I had the advantage of driving, which meant I could fill my boot with everything I might need (and a few things I didn’t). The accommodation had washing facilities, which was handy for anyone travelling on public transport.
My packing list
- Swimsuit: I opted for a U-back swimsuit for easy changing. I also took my shorty wetsuit “just in case”, though it never left the bag. Most of our swims were around ten minutes long, so skins were perfect.
- Swim cap: Keeps your head warm, hair dry, and adds visibility from the shore. Keeping your head warm and dry has the added benefit of not having to walk 2k back to our ride, or walk to the accommodation with damp hair.
- Tow float: Ideal for safety and taking a breather while bobbing about.
- Safety whistle: Suzanna provided these on the trip, and they’re more useful than you’d think both for safety and communication. When we were leaving the water before others, we would use the whistle to make Suzanna aware. And it was there for those ‘just in case’ moments.
- Water shoes: Essential for rocky entries and for avoiding weever fish. They are small, sandy-coloured fish that bury themselves in the shallows and can sting if stepped on. Their dorsal fin carries venomous spines that cause intense pain and swelling. Definitely not something you want to be doing on a remote beach.
- Dab-down towel: Lightweight and fast-drying, pairs perfectly with the Changing Tube.
- Changing Tube: A game-changer for modest, speedy changing and warming up after your dip. Compact for those remote hikes where kit needs to fit nicely into a rucksack.
- Apres Swim Socks: Great for warming toes quickly and ideal for walking to and from swim spots.
- Multiple hats: One for swimming, one for after, and a spare — trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
- Mittens: Perfect for reheating fingers. Think of your fingers as penguins — they stay warmer when they huddle together.
- Neck warmer: Small but mighty. Made from the same fleece as my Changing Tube and packs down tiny. Perfect!
- Walking trousers: Avoid gym leggings for post-swim dressing (as I found out one of the days in the wilds of Mull). Cotton leggings are easier to pull on when your skin is sticky from the sea.
- Waterproof trousers & jacket: Absolute essentials. They pack small and make all the difference.
- Walking shoes: Supportive and waterproof. Great for bogs and unpredictable terrain.
- Walking poles: I rediscovered mine on this trip and they proved so useful! Perfect for testing ground firmness before committing your weight.
- Flask & water bottle: Mull is remote, so bring enough to stay hydrated and warm.
- Talcum powder: The unsung hero of sea swimming. Sand + damp feet = chaos. Talc with cornstarch makes drying off and dressing so much easier.
- Phone: For photos, yes, but more importantly for emergencies. See below.
How to make a 999 text in the outdoors and why it’s a good thing to have.
If you go out into the wilds often, you will know from experience that signal can be patchy at best, depending on the location and your service provider. In an emergency that can prove a big problem when you need assistance quick. This is why signing up to the EmergencySMS is a great way to have a back up if things go south in the wilds.
But first things first. Here is how you register for EmergencySMS.
- Open a new text message on your phone
- Type: Register
- Send to: 999
- You’ll receive a reply with instructions.
- It will ask you to confirm registration by replying “yes.”
- Once confirmed, you’re registered and can use the service.
If you are reading this and are not in the UK, please be aware that this is only for UK mobile networks.
In an emergency, you must text:
- Which service you need (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard)
- What the problem is
- Where it is happening.
It is always worthwhile to first try to make the 999 call, but when you are out in the wilds, a signal can be a rare luxury. This is why signing up to the EmergencySMS text service is good safety card to have in your back pocket.
Why 999 Text Can Work Better Than a Call in Low-Signal Areas
Texts need less signal than calls
A phone call relies on a constant, two-way connection, but a text just needs a brief “handshake” with the network. That means your message can often get through even when calls keep cutting out.
Works with patchy reception
If you’ve only got a flicker of signal, a text can “queue” and send the moment the network reconnects, even for a few seconds. In the same situation, a call would simply drop.
More reliable in remote areas
Texts use tiny data packets that can slip through weak or busy signals.
In hilly or coastal spots like Mull, where coverage fades in and out, that can make all the difference.
Clear communication under pressure
In an outdoor emergency (cold, panicked, windy, or dark), speaking clearly can be hard.
Texting allows you to give exact details: who you need, what’s wrong, and where you are.
I want to give a big thank you to Suzanna for telling me about this on the trip. See! Everytime, I learn something new.
Where is Mull, and why is it special?
The Isle of Mull lies off Scotland’s west coast, a 50-minute ferry from Oban. Once there, you’ll find single-track roads, volcanic cliffs, and beaches so turquoise you’ll think you’ve taken a wrong turn to the Caribbean (until you dip a toe in).
Mull’s history stretches back to Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, Viking settlers, and Highland clans. The geology is dramatic, shaped by ancient lava flows, and the wildlife is spectacular! Dolphins, puffins, otters, and sea eagles all call this place home.
One must-see is Staffa Island, famous for Fingal’s Cave. A natural cathedral of basalt columns that hums with sound when the sea moves through it.
What We Did
Saturday: Travel and introductions. Thanks to a WhatsApp group set up before the trip, many of us met on the ferry from Oban. Suzanna met the foot passengers, and those of us with cars followed her to the accommodation. We rounded off the day with a welcome dip in the nearby loch, right in view of our rooms.
Sunday–Wednesday: A blend of walks, swims, and island exploring. We visited Iona, known as the Holy Isle, with its Abbey, craft shops, and serene beaches. We swam in turquoise bays, laughed through sideways rain, and saw dolphins on a boat trip to Staffa.
Thursday: Farewells and the slow transition back to reality.
Tips for Sea Swimming & Walking Holidays
Adapt kit to the season. Wetsuit, skins, or layers, check the forecast before you go.
Mind your energy. Walking and swimming together can be physically demanding, rest is part of the experience. If you need a time-out from the group activities, speak up.
Warm up fast. Changing Tube, socks, tea. The holy trinity.
Talc for sand. You’ll never look back.
Stay flexible. Weather shifts quickly, embrace it.
Swim for You
Holidays like these aren’t about racing or records. They’re about connection to nature, to others, to yourself.
Whether you go with a friend or solo, you’ll find common ground instantly. You start as strangers, and by the end of the week, you’re sharing laughs, snacks, and stories you’ll tell for years.
So take the plunge! In your own way, at your own pace.
🧡 #SwimForYou
