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Group of people standing in shallow water with rescue boats and a lifeboat behind them. The shoreline and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.

RNLI Open Water Swims

Take the plunge and help save lives at sea! This summer, sign up for an open water swim in the south west and raise funds for the RNLI.

From May to September 2026, we’re running six swimming events around the beautiful south-west coast of the UK. It’s a great opportunity to dust off your wetsuit for a lifesaving cause. The vital funds you raise will help RNLI lifesavers bring more people home safe and save more lives.

Ready to make a splash this summer? To find out more about each event and sign up, click on the links below.

A high‑level view of a coastal swim event, showing swimmers forming lines across a large bay and spectators gathered on a beach below.
Castle to Castle Swim

Falmouth, Cornwall

Saturday 23 May

An iconic 1-mile open water sea swim across the Carrick Roads, between Pendennis Castle in Falmouth and St Mawes Castle on the Roseland Peninsula.

Castle to Castle Swim
A swimmer in open water near a red buoy, with steep coastal cliffs and buildings visible along the shoreline.
Buoy to Beacon Swim and Run 

St Agnes, Cornwall

Sunday 7 June

A 1km open water sea swim from Trevaunance Cove out to the marker buoy and back, followed by a 5km run up St Agnes Beacon and back down to the cove.

Buoy to Beacon Swim and Run
Participants in wetsuits and red swim caps standing in shallow water before a swim event, with an island and historic structure visible in the distance.
Around the Mount Swim

Marazion, Cornwall

Saturday 11 July

A 1.5-mile open water sea swim from Marazion Beach out around the picturesque St Michael’s Mount.

 

Around the Mount Swim
A coastal harbour scene at sunset, with calm water, silhouetted cliffs, and golden light breaking through clouds
Mullion Island Swim

Mullion Cove, Cornwall

Sunday 12 July

New for 2026, this is a 1-mile open water sea swim from Mullion Cove out around Mullion Island, then back to the harbour.

Mullion Island Swim
Open‑water swimmers wearing yellow swim caps spread out across a choppy sea, with several support boats in the background
Clovelly Swim

Clovelly, North Devon

Sunday 2 August

Choose either a 1-mile or 2-mile open water sea swim along the spectacular North Devon coastline, finishing at Clovelly Harbour.

Clovelly Swim
A group of open‑water swimmers in wetsuits and bright swim caps entering the water, with several swimmers already swimming and a marina full of boats in the background.
Lyme Splash Swim

Lyme Regis, Dorset

Sunday 6 September

A 2-mile open water sea swim along the beautiful Jurassic Coast from Lyme Regis to Charmouth.

Lyme Splash Swim