Daily Alcatraz Swims are Available!
The legendary swim from Alcatraz is a bucket list goal for swimmers everywhere. With Pacific Open Water Swim Co., you can experience this iconic challenge year-round with unmatched safety, comfort, and affordability.
Why Choose Pacific Open Water Swim Co.?
As passionate open water swimmers and experienced USCG-licensed captains, we know the allure of San Francisco’s waters. Our expertise allows us to coordinate seamlessly with the US Coast Guard and all commercial vessels in the bay, ensuring a smooth experience. We offer hundreds of Alcatraz swims annually and dozens of other incredible courses for beginners to the most experienced channel swimmers.
It’s Easy to Set Up Your Swim…
Due to the number of swims we offer and the dynamic nature of the San Francisco’s currents, we work directly with swimmers to set up the ideal swim that matches their availability, experience, and goals. Reach out with questions or to book a swim.
We typically reply within 24 hours or less.
Why Choose Pacific Open Water Swim Co.?
We believe safety and enjoyment go hand in hand. Our exclusive fleet of modern, comfortable boats is dedicated to escorting open water swimmers. Small groups of matched abilities ensure a personalized and supportive experience.
Alcatraz Swims Done Right
Every swim is customized to align with your availability, experience, and goals. With the dynamic nature of Bay currents, we work closely with each swimmer to schedule the ideal time and course for their swim.
This is the future of Open Water Swimming.
Our top priorities are safety, concise instruction, and fun. We begin every swim with a thorough safety briefing, course overview, and detailed instructions about how we’re going to swim. Additionally, we place experienced swimmers on each of our vessels to ensure that your swim is nothing short of astonishing.
Swimming Alcatraz:
Requirements and Recommendations
Water temperatures vary throughout the year in San Francisco, but we swim year-round and know plenty of you want to. Fall (August–October) is the warmest season, with water reaching up to 65°F (18°C). In Spring and Summer (May–July), temperatures range between 53°F and 59°F (12°C to 15°C). Winter (December–March) is the coolest, dipping as low as 50°F (10°C) and rarely exceeding 52°F (11°C). Bring your wetsuit or rent one locally to stay comfortable. Skin swimmers, like us, are always welcome.
Wetsuit rentals are available in San Francisco year-round if you’re flying in to swim with us or don’t already own one. Additionally, we offer dozens of other fantastic swims, including night swimming, the Bridge to Bridge 10 km, and a Golden Gate Bridge swim, to name a few. Choose us for an unforgettable swimming experience, and confidently conquer Alcatraz and all your San Francisco open water goals.
Small Group or Solo
You decide!
We offer a variety of swims to cater to individual experience levels, availability, and goals. Get in touch with us today to arrange a swim that’s perfect for you.
Fill out the form below to get started. We’ll reply within 24 hours or less.
Tailored Swims for Your Unique Needs and Goals
We understand that every swimmer has unique needs and goals, so we tailor each swim to the individual or small group. Let us know your availability and swimming experience, and we’ll work with you to coordinate a swim that meets your specific needs and preferences.
Our team of three full-time USCG-licensed captains operates daily on our fleet of modern, comfortable escort vessels. With advanced navigation systems like radar, AIS, and optional live GPS tracking, we provide unmatched safety and quality—letting your family and friends follow your swim in real time. Owning our boats allows us to keep pricing competitive without compromising excellence. No one else on the water offers our level of expertise, professionalism, and personalized care.
If you’re ready to take on the Alcatraz swim or any of our other 26 excellent open water San Francisco swims, reach out via the form below for more information. Our quick and easy scheduling process takes just a minute, and we’ll be sure to get back to you within a day or so.
Trust us to provide a unique, safe, and unforgettable swim experience.
