Best festive sea swims across the UK

Christmas, Coastal, Seasonal

Posted by Clare Willcocks on 18th December 2024

Five ladies walking into the cold sea with bobble hats and gloves – there is ice in the foreground.

We’re in the depths of winter, the fire crackles in the hearth, you’re living off a diet of mince pies and chocolate, and the novelty slippers haven’t left your feet for days. What better time to strip down to your swimsuit and jump into the icy cold waters that surround the UK?

Sea swimming offers a refreshing and invigorating experience, the benefits of which for physical and mental health have been well documented. The cold water stimulates circulation, boosting energy levels and improving skin tone, while the natural salt water acts as a mild exfoliant and can help soothe sore muscles. Sea swimming has been linked to an improved sense of well-being, thanks to the release of endorphins it triggers.

When all the above points are considered, there’s little reason not to make like a festive fish and jump in the water with others seeking the same hit of ocean-based happiness. We’ve rounded up the best festive sea swims across the UK – some just for kicks, others in the name of charity. And what could be better than the promise of a cosy cottage to curl up in, post bracing dip?

Coastal holiday cottages


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A lifeguard truck and a red flag on a wintry looking beach.

Before you swim – cold water safety

Taking part in any of the following events is entirely at your own risk. Ensure that you are aware of the perils of cold-water swimming and follow the advice of safety professionals on the day. Consult the following RNLI safety information before you head to the beach.


A team from holidaycottages.co.uk, standing in front of the starting post for the Saundersfoot New Year's Day swim.

Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim

The eagerly anticipated 2025 New Year’s Day swim in Saundersfoot will be the 39th occasion of what is thought to be the biggest festive sea swim in the UK. 2024 saw over 2,500 dippers entering the sea on Saundersfoot Beach, supported by a thousands-strong entourage of towel holders, hot-water-bottle touters and warm huggers. Participants are encouraged to don fancy dress and fundraise for their own causes, giving that warm fuzzy feeling inside, despite the freezing temperatures on the outside. 

At holidaycottages.co.uk we are proud to be the main sponsor of the Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim as part of our commitment to supporting communities across the UK. Sponsorship contributes to the running costs associated with the event, so that money raised can be donated to local charities.

Good to know

Where: Saundersfoot Beach | what3words ///slides.comedians.thinkers

When: 12.30pm, 1 January 2025

Registration: NYDS hut at the top of Saundersfoot slipway or register online

More information: New Year’s Day Saundersfoot

Other festive sea swims in South Wales:

Saundersfoot cottages


Looking back at Porthminster beach, with houses on the hillside, and small lighthouse in the foreground.

St Ives Boxing Day Dip

If you’re going to jump in the sea on the day after Christmas, you may as well do it at one of St Ives beautiful beaches! The crowds will splash into the water at noon for the St Ives Boxing Day Dip, and unlike other events for hardier folk, you can wear a wetsuit if you like. It’s all about having fun, raising funds for charities, and community spirit.

Good to know

Where: Porthminster Beach, St Ives | what3words ///roaming.registers.solicitor

When: 12pm, 26 December 2024

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: St Ives Boxing Day Dip

Other festive sea swims in Cornwall:

St Ives cottages


A swimmer dressed in Christmas clothes with a festive umbrella near the sea, and Lyme Regis beach.

Lyme Lunge New Year’s Day Dip at Lyme Regis

Congregate on the beach of Dorset coastal town, Lyme Regis, and support local causes with a sponsored splash in fancy dress. Organised by Lyme Regis Rotary Club, it’s an opportunity for a bit of festive fun, while sharing the love in the form of donations to participants’ chosen charities. The fancy dress aspect makes it a spectacle for spectators too – it’s one of the best New Year’s sea swims in the country.

Good to know

Where: Sandy Beach, Lyme Regis | what3words ///unsightly.habit.settled

When: 1pm, 1 January 2025

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Lyme Lunge

Other festive sea swims in Dorset:

Lyme Regis cottages


Ventnor Beach with buildings lining the seafront promenade.

Ventnor Boxing Day Swim

If you’re planning to be on the Isle of Wight over the festive period, join the hordes of people who fling themselves, clad in fancy dress, into the sea on Ventnor Beach on Boxing Day. Shrug off the over-indulgence of the day before and pull out your best festive attire as you plunge into the icy water.

Good to know

Where: Ventnor Beach | what3words ///immediate.highlight.salaried

When: 12pm, 26 December 2024

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Ventnor Boxing Day Swim

Other festive sea swims on the South Coast:

Ventnor cottages


Reflections at sunset on Westward Ho! Beach, looking back towards the town.

Westward Ho! New Year’s Day Fancy Dress Dip

Regale yourself in your finest fancy dress (perhaps leave it on from the night before) and come on down to Westward Ho! in North Devon to run into the sea with hundreds of other saltwater revellers. Beginning with a fun and energetic warm up, there will be no wetsuits in sight for this costumed, lifeguard-patrolled paddle.

Good to know

Where: Westward Ho! Beach | what3words ///hotels.annotated.fried

When: 12pm (Arrive from 11.15am, warm up at 11.45am), 1 January 2025

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Westward Ho! New Year’s Day Fancy Dress Dip

Other festive sea swims in Devon:

Westward Ho! cottages


Clevedon Marine Lake, and a lady dressed in a bikini and a bobble hat, looking out at the sea.

Clevedon Marine Lake New Year’s Dip

Clevedon Marine Lake in Somerset is a tidal pool on the seafront, making it the perfect spot to kick off the New Year with a festive swim. A collection will be made for the charity that manages the lake, so why not come on down with a pocketful of change and shake off the week of Christmas-related inertia?

Good to know

Where: Clevedon Marine Lake | what3words ///flame.fault.simply

When: 11am, 1 January 2025

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Clevedon Marine Lake New Year’s Dip

Other festive sea swims in Somerset:

Clevedon cottages


Elevated perspective of Southend, with the long pier extending into the sea.

Southend RNLI New Year’s Day Dip

The RNLI charity New Year’s Day Dip at Southend-on-Sea is a well-attended festive sea swim, with funds helping to save lives at sea. Entry is £6 online (or £25 on the day), which includes a hot drink, a mince pie and the feel-good factor of supporting the local RNLI lifeboat.

Good to know

Where: Southend-on-Sea | what3words ///clay.files.bland

When: Sign in from 10.45am, dip 11.30am, 1 January 2025

Registration: Online via Eventbrite, £6 per person

More information: Southend RNLI New Year’s Day Dip

Other festive sea swims in Essex:

  • Clacton Christmas Day Swim

Southend-on-Sea cottages


Aldeburgh in the winter sunshine, and a shell-shaped sculpture on the beach.

Aldeburgh Boxing Day Swim

Join 300 plus swimmers for a dip on Aldeburgh Beach in Suffolk on Boxing Day. Pull on a hat and strip down to your swimsuit, making sure you have a warm towel waiting afterwards. Attendees are encouraged to dip in or chip in, with spectators asked to donate to the chosen charity if they can.

Good to know

Where: Aldeburgh Beach | what3words ///bulletins.steam.refutes

When: 11am, 26 December 2024

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Aldeburgh Boxing Day Swim

Other festive sea swims in Suffolk:

Aldeburgh cottages


Long shadows of buildings lie across Cromer Beach.

Cromer Boxing Day Dip

Their website says the sea temperature in December is between 5 and 8 degrees, so that’s what you’ll have in store for you if you take on the Cromer Boxing Day Dip, in Norfolk. Invigorate the senses and raise money for a local charity, all in the company of a jovial bunch of people. An out-and-back fun run starts the proceedings, and acts as a warmup for the dip at 10.30am.

Good to know

Where: Cromer Beach | what3words ///intelligible.worksheet.long

When: Fun run 9.30am, briefing 10.20am, dip 10.30am, 26 December 2024

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Cromer Boxing Day Dip

Other festive sea swims in Norfolk:

Cromer cottages


Vast Llandudno Beach at sunset.

Llandudno Boxing Day Dip

Organised by the Lions Club of Llandudno, the Boxing Day Dip in North Wales attracts over 100 daring dippers, raising money for their favourite causes. You’ll want your outfit to be on point, because there are prizes for the best fancy dress, and you can even collect a certificate for taking part. While the event is free, there’s an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for the Grand Prize Draw.

Good to know

Where: The old lifeboat slipway, Llandudno | what3words ///fatter.daydreams.speakers

When: Registration from 10am, swim 11.30am, 26 December 2024

Registration: Register online or from 10am on the day

More information: Llandudno Boxing Day Dip

Other festive sea swims in North Wales:

Llandudno cottages


Hornsea Beach with groynes in the distance, and a child wearing a Christmas hat, swimming away.

Hornsea Inshore Rescue New Year’s Day Swim

Raising vital funds for Hornsea Inshore Rescue, the Hornsea New Year’s Day swim invites participants to jump in the sea for a sponsored dip, with hot drinks and refreshments on hand for thawing out afterwards. As a rescue organisation which relies solely on donations and grants, this event contributes a significant amount towards their running costs for the year.

Good to know

Where: Hornsea Beach | what3words ///downcast.factories.gent

When: 12pm, 1 January 2025

Registration: At the Lifeboat House | what3words ///retrieves.print.lunge

More information: Hornsea Inshore Rescue New Year’s Day Swim

Other festive sea swims in Yorkshire:

Hornsea cottages


Forth Bridge viewed from the beach at South Queensferry.

South Queensferry New Year’s Day Loony Dook

An annual tradition dubbed the ‘loony dook’ by the Scots, much like in other places in the country, is an event which sees daring folk dunk themselves in the sea the morning after the New Year’s Eve celebrations the night before! The South Queensferry Loony Dook is one of the most well known, so grab yourself a whacky outfit and join the splashing crowds in the shadow of the Forth Bridge.

Good to know

Where: South Queensferry Beach | what3words ///coverings.finds.issued

When: 1.30pm, 1 January 2025

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: The Loony Dook

Other festive sea swims in southern Scotland:

Edinburgh cottages


Looking out to sea at sunset from Burghead, with the harbour wall to the right.

Burghead Boxing Day Swim

Supporting a number of different charities each year, the Burghead Boxing Day swim is the highlight of the festive calendar for many people in this part of Scotland. This one’s not for the faint of heart though, as it involves hurling yourself off the quayside into the icy waters of Burghead (or The Broch, as it is also known), guaranteeing full top-to-toe coverage. The stringent rules forbid wetsuits and footwear but encourage fancy dress! For safety, swimmers jump in pairs or threes, with safety divers and first aiders on hand to make sure the event runs smoothly.

Good to know

Where: Burghead Harbour | what3words ///screen.control.likely

When: Registration from 12pm, safety talk 2.15pm, swim 2.30pm, 26 December 2024

Registration: At the harbour office on the day, £50 minimum entry fee | what3words ///clips.ground.clotting

More information: Burghead Boxing Day Swim

Other festive sea swims in northern Scotland:

Elgin cottages


Two ladies wearing coats laughing on a beach, and an aerial view of Helens Bay, Northern Ireland.

Helens Bay Christmas Eve Dip

A warmup is included at the fun Christmas Eve Dip on Helens Bay Beach, Northern Ireland, and you’ll need it if you’re planning to dunk into the cold water with the crowds. Turn up early to bag a parking spot, bundle up with warm towels and layers, and feel the benefits of this festive swim.

Good to know

Where: Helens Bay | what3words ///typed.tokens.coining

When: 10am, 24 December 2024

Registration: No pre-registration necessary

More information: Helens Bay Christmas Eve Dip

Other festive sea swims in Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland cottages


Map of UK festive sea swims

Find all of the above festive sea swimming locations on our handy map.

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Stay with us over the festive season

After a chilly dip in the sea, there’s nothing better than returning to a cosy cottage, getting the fire going and curling up with a hot chocolate and a festive film on the TV. Take your pick of our beautiful coastal cottages, where you’ll find a warm welcome and comfortable base for your festive swimming escapades.

Coastal holiday cottages

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.