Our province is home to many lakes and waterfalls, but there’s also a natural underground swimming pool in Ontario that you may not have crossed off your bucket list.
According to a list by Booking.com, this destination is one of the few places in the world where you can float in a subterranean body of water.
This spot is in none other than The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park.
Surrounded by aqua-blue waters and rugged dolomite cliffs, The Grotto is a natural underground swimming pool in Ontario not unlike the cenotes of Mexico or the caves of Greece.
Booking.com describes The Grotto as “a moment of Mediterranean-style escapism” in the north.
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“Dolostone rock cliffs have eroded from below by centuries of waves, creating a sculptured overhang, beneath which the crystal clear waters of The Grotto glitter enticingly.”
The Grotto is visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year for its mesmerizing turquoise water and intricate cave structures, according to the local tourism site Explore The Bruce.
Getting there is half the fun. You’ll be taken on a stunning 45-minute hike past ancient trees, cliff edges, and wild orchids before arriving at the picturesque cave.
After your subterranean swim, you can gaze out at the Georgian Bay from a gorgeous natural lookout called Overhanging Point, a massive bowl shape hollowed out of a cliff.
Below are the 9 natural underground swimming pools in the world, according to Booking.com:
- Blue Cave in Kastellorizo, Greece
- Hamilton Pool in Texas, USA
- Cenote Xkeken in Yucatán, Mexico
- Grotta Giusti in Tuscany, Italy
- Poço Azul in Bahia, Brazil
- Green Cave in Griže, Croatia
- The Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada
- To Sua Ocean Trench in Lotofaga, Samoa
This is your sign to pay a visit to Ontario’s most unique body of water this summer!
