San Francisco Open Water Swimming
Swims for All Levels of Experience.
We take open water swimming to new depths with our 26 thrilling courses in San Francisco Bay. We offer training swims of 2, 4, 6, and even 8 hours in duration and offer several challenging marathon swims, including the infamous Round-Trip Angel Island and 21-mile circumnavigation of San Francisco.
Alcatraz is Just the Beginning…
Are you looking to swim Alcatraz? Do you also want to experience awe-inspiring views while swimming Bridge to Bridge? How about a swim under the Golden Gate Bridge?
Join us at Pacific Open Water Swim Co. and plunge into truly unforgettable open water swimming adventures. Scroll down to learn how to set up the perfect swim!
Swimming is Our Only Business!
Pacific Open Water Swim Co is the premier provider of open water swimming experiences! Whether you are an experienced swimmer or a novice just getting started, we offer personalized, knowledgeable service that will help you make the most of your time in the water. With more than 2,500 hours a year spent on the water, we are committed to helping you create incredible memories and have unforgettable adventures in the open water. Join us for a swim today!
Ask a Question or Set Up a Swim…
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Our Courses – Swims for Every Level of Experience.
Experience the rush of swimming from the infamous Alcatraz Island to San Francisco, or one of our five other Alcatraz Swims available. Marvel at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge during one of our three different Bridge-to-Bridge swims. And with dozens of other challenging swims to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect level of excitement, whether you’re new to the sport or have completed the Oceans Seven.
Swim Alcatraz in Six Different Ways!
Experience the rush of swimming from the infamous Alcatraz Island to San Francisco or one of our five other Alcatraz Swims available. Marvel at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge during one of our three different Bridge-to-Bridge swims. And with dozens of other challenging swims to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect level of excitement, whether you’re new to the sport or have completed the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming or even the Oceans Seven.
More than 30 Courses to Swim…
Explore the incredible natural beauty of San Francisco Bay and our amazing water as you conquer the numerous open water swimming courses, each selected and designed to provide a unique and unforgettable experience. Some of the standouts include Bridge to Bridge, Angel Island Circumnavigation, Sausalito City Lights Night Swim, and the Infamous Golden Gate Bridge swim.
Marathon Swimming
Pacific Open Water Swim Co. was born out of our passion for marathon/ultramarathon/channel swimming, and we strive to share this with both experienced and aspiring marathon swimmers. We offer training programs, plans, extended training swims, webinars, crew training, 6-hour English Channel Qualifying Swims, and more for marathon swimmers.
Our challenging San Francisco marathons courses include Round-Trip Angel Island, 3 Rocks, 4 Islands, Crazy 8, and the 21-mile SF Circumnavigation.
We also pilot a significant number of marathon swims on Lake Tahoe each summer. You can learn more about swimming via SwimTahoe.com.
Safety is the Priority!
Our swims are guided by US Coast Guard licensed Captains who are also experienced swimmers. Our fleet of modern vessels are equipped with the latest safety features and are configured exclusively as swimming escort vessels.
Let us help you make the most of your San Francisco open water swimming adventures!
A Full-Service Swimming Company
Whether you want to improve your stroke, train for a marathon swim, or want to explore new experiences, we have you covered! Our full-time coach and stroke clinics can help you reach the next level. If you’re looking to take it to the extreme, we have training plans, programs, clinics, and webinars so you can reach your goals. No matter what your level, we have something for you!
We Swim Daily. Join us!
We offer daily swims every day of the year and even on short notice. If you’re flying into SF, have a college buddy in town, are looking for adventure, or need a bit of saline salvation, we’re here for you. Reach out today and let’s get you into the water!
Open Water Swim Coaching
Prevent injury, become more efficient, and achieve your personal best! Our full-time swim coaches are also experienced open water/channel swimmers with decades of experience. Consultation, pool work, drills, training plans, and much more are available.
Tune up that stroke, improve your skills, and set yourself up for success!
Stroke Clinics
Are you looking to improve your open water swimming skills? Our swim stroke development clinic is the perfect opportunity for you to improve your efficiency and abillities! Our 3-1/2 hour program will give you the knowledge and skills to deconstruct and rebuild your stroke, providing you with the tools you need to succeed. Sign up now and take your swimming to the next level!
Document Your Swim
Each swim includes the option for us to record the events and commemorate them with photos and videos. We can even have a professional photographer/videographer aboard to create professional imagery or storybook-style videos of your swim so that you have a lasting reminder of your experience. We strive to ensure you can cherish and keep the memories forever.
Follow Us on Instagram…
Congratulations, Leah Taylor Kearney who completed the 10-mile Round-Trip Angel Island swim yesterday in 07:01:16 (pending ratification).
Leah had smooth conditions for the first half of the swim and bouncy chop on the return leg to Aquatic Park. She handled it like a champ!
This is Leah’s second marathon swim of the year having completed the 12-mile True Width of Lake Tahoe with us this summer.
Leah is a member of San Francisco’s South End Rowing Club and her swim was observed by Suzie Dods for the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association.
#marathonswimmer #marathonswimming #marathonswim #openwaterswimming #coldwaterswimming #bayswimming #bayswimmer #swimming #swimSF @southendrowingclub #southendrowingclub
Congratulations @wdichtel and @andy_walberer who completed the 10-mile Round-Trip Angel Island swim yesterday in 05:51:23 (unofficial, pending ratification by the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association). They had lump and chop with some white caps – not a smooth day – but a great swim!! Pictured with Will’s wife Laura who crewed the swim. Job well done all! #marathonswimming #marathonswimmer #channelswimmer #coldwaterswimming #openwaterswimming #bayswim #bayswimming #swimming
We spent the morning with Jeff Cooperman today, who fell ill Saturday. Jeff is doing well and on the road to recovery.
Thanks to Hilary, Vanessa, and everyone at SERC who assisted him after his swim on Saturday morning! Your quick response definitely made a difference!!
Jeff also wanted us to share that he has a very positive prognosis and is being assisted by some amazing medical professionals… These folks have been fantastic!
Jeff is alert, positive, and eager for a quick resolution of this turn of events so he can get back his family, friends, life, and time in the water!
Feel free to message us privately if you would like us to pass along any words of encouragement or other messages to Jeff. ❤️
Congratulations to Erin Hallett of San Francisco for successfully completing her Round-Trip Angel Island (RTAI) swim today, finishing in 6:37:18 (unofficial, pending ratification by the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association).
Erin`s attempt was observed by Michael Tschantz-Hahn and crewed by fellow South End Rowing Club member Liz Young, who herself completed the course in 2022.
RTAI is a challenging 10-mile marathon swim in San Francisco Bay, and we were fortunate with our timing, avoiding delays caused by three outbound tankers and numerous vessels crossing our course. Erin displayed remarkable consistency, and our timing with the currents was nearly perfect. Way to go, Erin! It was a fantastic swim!
#swimSF #marathonswimming #marathonswimmer #coldwaterswimming #openwaterswimming #marathonswimming #bayswimming #bayswim #southendrowingclub
Photos: @tschantzhahn, @bryan_temm
Which is more iconic? A Golden Gate Bridge swim or an Alcatraz Escape?
You might as well do both… in this case, with this group, it was clearly a Golden Gate Bridge attempt, which we successfully wrapped up at Needles (that big rock). ❤️