Serai Dowling

From the author of the bestselling book A Guide to Tidal Pools of the Western Cape, and co-authored with Matthew Dowling, comes a new offering: A Guide to Wild Swimming in the Western Cape. It is both a love letter to nature and a practical companion for those drawn to wild swimming. From tidal pools and mountain streams to remote river bends and kelp-lined coves, this guide invites you to explore 100 of the most breathtaking, soul-restoring swim spots across the Western Cape. Blending personal reflections, ecological notes, and historical context with everything you need to plan your swim, including detailed directions, maps, accessibility notes, safety tips, and information on parking and ablutions; it's a book for seasoned swimmers, curious newcomers, families, solo wanderers, and everyone in between. More than a guide, it is a call to tread lightly, listen deeply, and return to something ancient and healing in ourselves. Let this be your invitation to remember that immersion in wild water returns us not just to ourselves but to belonging in nature