What's out there?

From the Puget Sound to glacial lakes, the Pacific Northwest provides an endless number of places to swim.

Marathon swimming has been a part of the Pacific Northwest since the 1950s. NOWSA is the official sanctioning body for marathon swims in the Pacific Northwest.

Check out what sanctioning includes, and how much is costs at the Sanctioning and Fees pages. Need some inspiration? We’ve got some lists to help you choose.

Our Swims

Lighthouse Series

6 swims between lighthouses from Marrowstone Point to Gig Harbor
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THE AMY HILAND SWIM

between Bremerton, WA and Alki Light, Seattle, WA
16.8 km (10.4 mi)
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THE BERT THOMAS SWIM

between Lincoln Park, Seattle WA and Old Town, Tacoma, WA
30.2 km (18.8 mi)
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STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA

between Vancouver Island, BC and Olympic Peninsula, WA
16.8 km (10.4 mi)
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Vashon ISLAND

around Vashon Island, Vashon, WA
50.3 km (31.3 mi)
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MERCER ISLAND, SOLO

around Mercer Island, WA
20.0 km (12.4 mi)
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Ray’s to Fay & Back

from Ray’s Ballard, WA to Fay Bainbridge Park & return
16.3 km (10.1 mi)
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BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

around Bainbridge Island, WA
41.0 km (25.5 mi)
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Strait of Juan de Fuca

16.8 km - 10.4 mi

Background

One of the two “Toughest Swims in the World,” according to Wind, Waves, and Sunburn, A Brief History of Marathon Swimming

The history of swimming the Strait is the history of marathon swimming in the Pacific Northwest. Beginning in the mid 1950s, swimmers came from all over. Legends and locals alike, one after another, took their turn at the Strait. Finally, in 1956, Bert Thomas made it across, followed by only four other successful swims in that decade. Over and over again, the papers reported the reasons for aborted attempts: cold, currents, weather. It isn’t long, but the Strait is a challenge unlike any other marathon swim.

What to expect

Temperature: 47 to 51F

Tides: East-west currents will shape the route and determine start times. Near-shore eddies can be strong and difficult to predict.

Weather: Force 5-6 winds are very common in summer, and unpredictable fog can severely restrict visibility. Anticipate ocean swells, wind waves, and overcast skies. July tends to be the windiest month.

Swimmer notes

Shortest route is not between accessible points, actual distance could be greater than 20km. Swims likely to start and/or end on rocky cliffs. Border clearances are difficult without CBP/CBSA pre-clearance program (NEXUS, or Global Entry + CANPASS); expect four to six months for clearances for US, Canadian citizens.

Bainbridge Island circumnavigation

41.0 km - 25.5 mi

Background

Bainbridge Island sits in the Puget Sound in sight of Downtown Seattle. Accessible only by ferry from the east and bridge from the north, it is a quiet island home to only about 20,000 humans. Twice a day, the tides move in and around the island rushing to places east and west, much the way commuters rush across the island heading elsewhere.

The swim around Bainbridge is divided into two parts: the warm half on west side and the cold half in the main channel, the half with a headwind and the half with a tailwind, the calm and the rough halves. A swimmer will face almost every condition the Puget Sound can offer, for better or worse.

What to expect

Temperature: 52 to 56F on Port Orchard (east) side, 56 to 64F on west side.

Tides: Ebb-flood currents dictate start times. Swim must be timed with strong currents at Agate Pass and Rich Pass.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds may both help and hinder a swim. Fog can be thick along east side of island.

Swimmer notes

Coordination with WS Ferries required in ferry lanes at Rich Pass and Eagle Harbor.

Skiff Point to Battle Point

25.5 km - 15.9 mi

Background

On the same course as the full circumnavigation of Bainbridge Island, Skiff Point to Battle Point (or in reverse) covers the southern half+ of the island. Unlike the full circumnavigation, the swim is not as dependent upon the tides in the northern stretches of the course.

What to expect

Temperature: 52 to 56F on Port Orchard (east) side, 56 to 64F on west side.

Tides: Ebb-flood currents dictate start times. Swim must be timed with strong currents at Rich Pass.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds may both help and hinder a swim. Fog can be thick along east side of island.

Ray’s to Fay and Back

16.3 km - 10.3 mi

background

Ballard is home to many things, including a proud Norwegian maritime history, a historically equal number of prayer halls and beer halls, popular beaches at Golden Gardens and Ballard Elks, and of course, Ray’s restaurant. From Ray’s deck, you can see clear across the Puget Sound to the northern tip of Bainbridge Island and Fay Bainbridge marine camping park. Why swim between them? Because they rhyme. Ray. Fay. Ray. Or: Fay. Ray. Fay. Either Way.

What to expect

Temperature: 56 to 60F on a nice summer’s day

Tides: This crosses the main channel, plan to avoid being swept to Blake Island or Whidbey Islands. A popular strategy is to pick a very weak tide and associated navigational challenges.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds will make the boat roll, a good swim for a flat day.

Swimmer notes

Two 5 mile swims will include the standard <10min break on shore following double-crossing rules. If you’ve never done a double, this is good practice. USCG coordination required to shipping lanes (2x).

The Bert Thomas Swim

30.2 km - 18.8 mi

background

A year after completing the Strait, Bert Thomas set out for another first. On his third try, he successfully swam from Fauntleroy to his hometown of Tacoma, coming ashore to great his mother and 5,000 onlookers.

What to expect

Temperature: 52 to 58F

Tides: The swim distance makes it nearly impossible to swim on a single tide cycle, so tides must be accounted for if you don't want it to take all day. Local knowledge of eddies is helpful.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds will either help or hurt.

Swimmer notes

Shortest route is subject to adverse currents. Actual distance could be much greater than 35km. Don’t expect 5,000 onlookers, but there’s a good chance you can go down the Colman Pool Slide for free (yeah, we know people). USCG coordination required to cross ferry and shipping lanes.

Vashon Island Circumnavigation

50.3 km - 31.3 mi

background

Take the half of the Maury Island circumnavigation, add half the Bert Thomas swim, and then keep on going. If you’ve every wanted to say: “I swam all the way around Snapdragon Bakery!” then this swim is for you!!

What to expect

Temperature: 52 to 58F

Tides: Colvos almost always flows north making clockwise the favored direction. Currents and back-eddies around Point Robinson can be difficult.

Weather: Wind waves commonly reach 1-2ft with moderate summer winds on both the east and west side of the island, especially when the wind is against the current.

Swimmer notes

Start anywhere on the island, no bonus points for extra distance. Recommended July/August for longer daylight hours, but plan on part of the swim occurring in the dark

Lake Washington, length

29.7 km - 18.4 mi

Background

Lake Washington is the other liquid boundary to the Seattle metropolitan area. Two floating bridges connect Seattle to the East Side, leaving the lake otherwise unobstructed.

What to expect

Temperature: 60 to 75F.

Tides: None.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds.

Swimmer notes

Course is restricted to main channels at two floating bridges. Mercer Island can be passed on east or west side. Windward side of bridges can be rough on windy days, leeward side still quite pleasant. Busy recreational boating on weekends makes a weekday swim preferable.

The Amy Hiland Swim

16.8 km - 10.4 mi

Background

On 2 August 1959, Amy Hiland completed the first swim from Bremerton to Alki Light. Three years earlier, Amy Hiland was the first woman to swim the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

This 10.4 mile swim follows one of the Puget Sound’s busy ferry routes through Rich Pass between a major naval ship building town and Seattle’s first European settlement. Rich Pass is home to fast currents and many pinnipeds, and leads out to water depths of over 800 feet, the deepest spot in Puget Sound, before crossing the shipping channel just off Alki Light.

What to expect

Temperature: 52 to 62F

Tides: Strong ebb/flood currents in Rich Pass should assist swimmer if used properly, and will determine the swim start time. Weak ebb/flood current in shipping channel.

Weather: Main channel subject to prevailing North-South winds, typically 0 to 10 kts in summer. Hills around Rich Pass provide good shelter from wind, but may create thick fog in some conditions.

Swimmer notes

Rich Pass eddies make for cold, turbulent water. Coordination with WS Ferries and USCG required in shipping lanes.

Mercer Island Marathon Swim

20.0 km - 12.4 mi

Background

Mercer Island sits in the southern half of Lake Washington. It is home to a lot of expensive houses and is connected to the mainland by I-90. This is the perfect swim for a late spring or late autumn English Channel qualifier. If you're interested in a group event, consider the Mercer Island Marathon Swim.

What to expect

Temperature: 45F (winter) to 75F (summer)

Tides: None.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds.

Swimmer notes

Lake Washington is a popular boating area in the summer and the shoreline is crowded with private docks. Swims on summer weekends are not advised.

Maury Island Circumnavigation

22.5 km - 14.0 mi

background

Maury Island is the eastern half of what is commonly known Vashon Island. It sits in the Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, with Quartermaster Harbor on its west side between it and Vashon Island. The swim starts and ends on a man-made isthmus near the town of Portage, and passes by Point Robinson Lighthouse. Orcas are frequently spotted from this lighthouse.

What to expect

Temperature: 45F to 55F on east side, up to mid 60s in Harbor.

Tides: Strong flood and ebb on east side with some eddies at and around Pt Robinson. Weaker flood and ebb in Quartermaster Harbor.

Weather: Prevailing North-South winds with wind waves likely on east side.

Swimmer notes

USCG coordination required to round Pt Robinson and encroach on southbound shipping lane. There was also that one incident with the UFOs.

Cyprus Island Circumnavigation

22.3 km - 13.9 mi

background

Cyprus Island, a San Juan Island close to Anacortes, is only sparsely populated and does not have any regular ferry service.

What to expect

Temperature: Well-mixed from the strong currents

Tides: Strong currents (2 to 4 kt) in Rosario Strait and Bellingham Channel can be expected.

Weather: The San Juans can get some weather, for sure.

Swimmer notes

This route starts/ends on the beach at the end of Secret Harbor which is sheltered from the weather.

Blake Island Boomerang

16.9 km - 10.5 mi

background

Blake Island State Park is known to be infested with hungry and bold racoons. Best to stay in the water and view from a distance. Before 2020, a ferry service ran between downtown Seattle and Tillicum Village on the island, but now the only way to get to the island is by private boat, kayak, or swimming.

What to expect

Temperature: Typically between 55 and 58F in the summer.

Tides: Main channel currents with some tricky and powerful conditions around the southern tip of Blake Island

Weather: Winds are typically north or southbound, but sometimes in the summer, this spot is just nice and glassy.

Swimmer notes

Starts at Alki Light. Crosses north and southbound traffic lanes twice, USCG coordination required.

Inspiring lists