Wave Lagoon: Can you swim in Darwin?

Due to potential meandering crocodiles, beaches in the Northern Territory capital are not safe for swimming. Which means the Wave Lagoon on Darwin Waterfront is the best place to swim in Darwin.

Swimming in Australia’s vast Northern Territory can be quite a fraught exercise. You don’t want to take the plunge from one of the beaches in the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, or take a dip in a Kakadu watering hole, because you don’t quite know what will be in there with you. Crocodiles kill one or two people a year on average, and idiot swimmers are top of their hit list.

Can you swim in Darwin?

The same, alas, applies to Darwin, Australia’s northernmost city. The Northern Territory capital may have some lovely-looking beaches, but they’re not safe for swimming. Efforts are made to keep saltwater crocodiles away from populous areas around the city centre, but some crocs have scant respect for authority. So Mindil Beach, lovely may it be, is best saved for the sunset markets rather than cooling off in the water.

If you actively want to swim with crocodiles, the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove is the only place to do safely.

7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving

Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.

Wave Lagoon on Darwin Waterfront

For everyone else wanting safe swimming in Darwin, there’s the Wave Lagoon. The best place to swim in Darwin is a massive man-made lagoon on the Darwin Waterfront, covering 4,000 square metres. It is guaranteed crocodile and jellyfish-free, and has chlorinated salt water.

At the deepest point, the Wave Lagoon on Darwin Waterfront is two metres deep. But you might have to battle through the swell to get there. The Wave Lagoon has cycles of mechanically-generated waves. There are ten different wave patterns, from gentle swells to 1.2 metre boogie board-friendly waves. Ten minute gaps intersperse the cycles.

Entrance costs $7 for adults and $5 for children, and the Wave Lagoon is open from 10am to 6pm daily. It’s next door to the Adina Waterfront hotel.

Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit

Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.

BOOK NOW, PAY LATER

Wave Lagoon or Darwin Recreation Lagoon?

For more Darwin lagoon swimming, the neighbouring Recreation Lagoon has free entry. It is open from 9am to 6pm every day. Lifeguards patrol the Darwin Recreation Lagoon, and a seawall separates it from Darwin Harbour. Fine mesh screens are in place to stop marine stingers coming in, and regular monitoring takes place, although the Recreation Lagoon is not guaranteed stinger-free.

Prefer to stay dry? Then visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility or World War II Oil Storage Tunnels instead…

The best places to stay in Darwin

You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.

For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.