Open Water Expedition Swims
One-Day Trips
Experience the Bay from a whole different perspective! On the weekends we enjoy fun, non-training swims at various locations around the Bay Area. Come check out some of the beautiful, hidden swimming spots. All trips feature a swim followed by a picnic breakfast (food provided). Swims vary in length and difficulty. Please see the descriptions for more information. Spectators are invited on some bay swims when indicated. Directions and more details about each trip will be emailed to you upon signing up. We accept last-minute sign ups and day-of arrivals as long as they do not put us over our swimmer-to-guide ratio (for safety reasons!). Please see the bottom of this page for further information.
To sign up:
We require registration in advance (sign up form + payment) for Expedition Swims. You may pay by sending in a check or using a credit card (through PayPal). Download our SIGN UP FORM. Please contact Leslie with any questions.
Calendar
Descriptions of swims follow below.
PDF version of our calendar of events.
March 29: Redwood Shores, 10 am
April 19: Gas House Cove, 8:30 am
April 20: Alcatraz, 6:15 am
May 4: Golden Gate Bridge to AP, 7 am
May 18: Horseshoe Cove, 9 am
May 28: Alcatraz, 7 am
June 12: Trans Golden Gate Bridge, 6:45 am
June 27: Alcatraz, 6:15 am
June 29: Yacht Harbor, 7:30 am
July 5: Bay Bridge to Aquatic Park, 6:00 am
July 6: Pier 7 to Aquatic Park, 6:30 am
July 11: Alcatraz, 7:15 am
July 17: Full Moon Swim, 8 pm
July 26: Alcatraz (to Crissy Field)
August 16 and 17: Lake Tahoe Weekend Trip
August 21: Silent Swim, 7:00 am
August 30: Golden Gate Bridge to AP, 7:15 am - *this is a special swim* (see below)
August 31: Yacht Harbor, 8:00 am
September 18: Alcatraz, 7:15 am - open
September 24: Trans Golden Gate Bridge, 7:15 am - open
September 27: Coghlan Beach to AP, 7 am - open
September 28: Golden Gate Bridge to AP, 6:45 am - open
October 26: Keller Beach + End of the Season party!!, 3 pm
Locations
Alcatraz, San Francisco
Need we say more? Escape from The Rock! These swims will end either at Yacht Harbor or Aquatic Park. These swims are limited to six swimmers per motor boat, so spaces are limited!
Intermediate/Advanced
One-mile swim with ebb tide
$99
April 20, May 28, June 27, July 11, July 26, September 18
Bay Bridge to Aquatic Park, San Francisco
Swimming under the Bay Bridge is just about the most amazing experience EVER! You’ll
“jump” near the bridge and swim the periphery of the city, passing the Ferry Building, Coit Tower, and Pier 39. The views are just amazing.
Advanced
Three-mile swim with ebb tide
$120
July 5
Coghlan Beach, San Francisco
We'll walk onto the sandy beach near Crissy Field and swim back to Aquatic Park. Jump from the pier at Fort Mason and float with the tide past Muni Pier, and back into The Cove. This is another wonderful way to see the beautiful views of the bay in a shorter.
Beginner/Intermediate
1-mile swim
$25
September 27
Full Moon Swim, Bell Marin Keys, Novato
We'll head out just after sunset for a view of the full moon, followed, of course, by hot chocolate at other snacks! I’ve picked a place with NO FOG, so we can actually see the moon this time!
All Levels
3/4-mile swim
$25
July 17
Gas House Cove, San Francisco
Jump from the pier at Fort Mason and float with the tide past Muni Pier, and back into The Cove. This is a wonderful way to see the beautiful views of the bay in a short, gentle (depending on the wind!) swim.
Beginner/Intermediate
3/4-mile swim
$20
April 19
Golden Gate Bridge to Aquatic Park, San Francisco
This is a beautiful swim! We'll walk down to Pier 39 where we'll board the boat and head on out to the GGB. Under the red span of the bridge, you'll jump from the boat and ride the tide back into Aquatic Park, enjoying a brand new view of the city.
***The August 30 swim will be a fundraiser for the most awesome nonprofit, FishWise. 10% of the profit of this swim will be donated to them. To make an additional contribution, please visit the donation website to support them. FishWise Founder (and Swim Art swimmer) Teresa Ish will be swimming with us that day and will give a short talk about sustainable fish practices! This will be a very fun and rewarding day.***
Advanced
Three-mile swim with flood tide
$120
May 4, August 30, September 28
Half Moon Bay
A beautiful swim in a protected cove off the coast at Half Moon Bay.
All Levels
3/4-mile to one-mile swim
$25
July 27
Horseshoe Cove, Sausalito
This gorgeous spot sits right under the Golden Gate bridge. We will swim around the small cove and then head out into the bay for an unprecedented view of the GGB.
All Levels
One-mile swim
$20
May 18
Keller Beach, Richmond
We'll swim between 1/2 mile and 1 1/2 miles and then fire up the BBQ for our annual End of the Season party. Food will be provided; please bring your own drinks. Family and friends are more than welcome to join in the fun. There will be prizes and a raffle as well! Please email us to sign up (and indicate vegetarian or meat eater).
All Levels
One-mile swim
$25
October 26
Pier 7, San Francisco
Jump off the public pier on the East side of the city. Wind your way northward, cutting left for a view of Pier 39 on your left and Alcatraz to the right!
Intermediate/Advanced
1-mile swim
$25
July 6
Redwood Shores, Redwood City
We'll head south to this protected spot, which may even be a little warmer than Aquatic Park.
All Levels
1/2-mile to 1 1/2-miles swim
$20
March 29
Silent Swim - Awakening Swim, Aquatic Park, San Francisco
This swim will be an opportunity to find peace in the calm of the morning at Aquatic Park. Together we'll settle into a quiet space and swim one loop of the Cove in silence. Since this swim is free of charge, you can email Leslie to sign up (instead of sending in the Form).
All levels
One-mile swim
Free
August 21
Trans-Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
I think the name speaks for itself. Swim UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge, from San Francisco to Marin! You'll jump from the boat, swim the length of the bridge, and then ride the boat back to Aquatic Park. The boat ride alone is worth the trip!
Advanced
Two-mile swim
$130
June 12, September 24
Yacht Harbor, San Francisco
You’ll walk down the concrete steps at Marina Green. . . right into the water . . . and swim your way back to Aquatic Park. This is another wonderful way experience the real bay in a very doable swim.
Intermediate
One-mile swim
$25
June 29, August 31
Two-Day Trips
Lake Tahoe
August 15-17
(Friday night through Sunday afternoon)
All levels
$150
You'll camp at the Emerald Bay campground and enjoy three beautiful lake swims - D.L. Bliss (Saturday), Meeks Bay (Saturday evening), and Emerald Bay (Sunday). Saturday evening we'll swim under the full moon and then share a group dinner at a nearby pizza restaurant. The temperature will most likely be in the range of 65 to 68 degrees. To register, please email us.
Wetsuit Rental: $35 for 30 days
Provided by Fit2Race. You may rent a wetsuit directly with them. To rent a suit, visit the Swim Art Store on the Fit2Race website; click the "Store" link and then click the "Rent a Wetsuit" link. Rental instructions and size info is also on their site. They will MAIL the wetsuit to you, and it is yours to use for 30 days!
Safety Disclaimer: Please note that for the sake of safety in the Bay, we ask that groups of swimmers stay together in the water. It is imperative that swimmers not become separated. Therefore, should a fast swimmer end up far out in front of the pack, we will ask him or her to stop and wait or "swim circles" around the group. Should a slower swimmer have difficulty keeping up with the main pack, we will pick that swimmer up in a boat and reposition him or her closer to the others.
Group Levels: Groups are determined by both speed and comfort. Advanced swims are longer, and the swimmers are faster. Intermediate swims are around one mile in length, with a speed of 30 to 40 minutes per mile. Beginner swims are shorter (less than one mile) with a slower, more relaxed pace. All Level swims offer two or three different distances to swim.
Traveling from out of town: A number of our swims are offered on consecutive days, accommodating a weekend visit to San Francisco. Please see the calendar for specific trips. Any of the hotels in the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf area will be extremely convenient to the start and ending location of our swims. In particular, we recommend the Argonaut Hotel (as a high-end option) and the Buena Vista Motor Inn (as a lower-end option, about a 10-minute walk away). There is also a great Hostel up the hill from Aquatic Park (a 7-minute walk).
Payment: We ask for payment for our swims in advance (by check or credit card). Please return the Sign up Form by mail or email. Please send the check by mail. To pay by credit card, an invoice will be emailed to you and direct you to our PayPal site.
Confirmation: Upon receipt of your Sign up Form and payments, a confirmation email will be sent. More details about the swims will be emailed a week before the event. If you do not receive these, please phone us.
Refunds: Your check will be cashed upon receipt. We will offer a full refund up to seven days before the trip. After seven days, no refund will be offered.
Information and FAQ: For more information about open water swimming, see our Information page.