The World's Largest Swimming Pool
Guinness-certified as the World's Largest Swimming Pool, this 3,280-foot-long salt water stunner does not reside in Texas or Vegas. Its rippling waves do not stretch along the white sandy coastline of Japan or one of the Arab Emirates. The crystalline waters of this massive, man-made lagoon live in Algarrobo, Chile, about 55 miles west of Santiago, in the equally gargantuan real estate project, San Alfonso del Mar.
In addition to its sheer grandeur, the San Alfonso del Mar Saltwater Lagoon sports waters as transparent and intensely turquoise as the tropical Chilean seas that flow alongside it thanks to Crystal Lagoons technology. In the summer, it maintains temperatures of 26 degrees C ( 78.8 F), 9 degrees higher than the ocean.
And how much water does it take to fill 8 hectares of swimmin' hole? Let's just say that if I had a nickel for every gallon of water in the World's Largest Swimming Pool, I might have enough money to buy one of the apartments in the pyramid buildings overlooking it. OK, fine. Let's just say it's over 66 million gallons.
But speaking of the San Alfonso del Mar residences, they are available for purchase in 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom models. Many owners also rent their units to travelers seeking the thrill of sailing, skiing, kayaking or 8-person island rafting in the Saltwater Lagoon. The facility includes full hotel amenities, such as: maid service; a salon; a restaurant-pub and grocery store; sports courts and a full gym; and an open-air amphitheater.
Top 5 Uses for the World's Largest Swimming Pool
- Destination for the ultimate skinny dipping flash mob.
- Chicken fights: girls on the top, King Kong and Godzilla on the bottom.
- Peace offering to Cthulhu.
- Controlled environment for determining whether or not Michael Phelps can swim faster than a great white shark.
- Marco Polo.
/you-need-more-than-balls-top-18030.jpg?mode=crop "You Need More Than Balls: Top 10 Water Toys")
You Need More Than Balls: Top 10 Water Toys
Beach balls are classic and rectangular rafts still keep you afloat, but the creativity, tech, and fat wallets of today demand a little more of water-based entertainment. Here are my picks for the Top 10 Water Toys of...
/spitbank-fort-luxury-floating-9551.jpg?mode=crop "Spitbank Fort - Luxury Floating Retreat")
Spitbank Fort - Luxury Floating Retreat
If the UK's Spitbank Fort didn't look and sound like post-apocalyptic luxury at its finest to begin with, its location in The Solent, a major shipping route along the Isle of Wight, should cement the status. The Solent?...
Hidden Water Pools
One time a couple of minutes ago I saw a patio that turned into a swimming pool! That's crazy! Almost Fletcher Capstan expandable table proportions of crazy, and definitely more in compliance with my agenda of spending...
/8-person-island-raft-17654.jpg?mode=crop "8-Person Island Raft")
8-Person Island Raft
What is there to say about Tropical Tahiti's floating island raft fit for you and 7 of your favorite water-lovin', sun-soakin', float-happy, swimsuit-clad cats besides P-A-R-T-Y and O-R-G-Y?...
Water Walker Underwater Treadmill
You know those dreams you have where you're trying to run towards or away from something, but you just...can't...make...your feet...move? It's like running through quicksand, or setting concrete, or...on an underwater...
/modpools-shipping-container-26885.jpg?mode=crop "Modpools - Shipping Container Swimming Pools")
Modpools - Shipping Container Swimming Pools
Rather the seal him inside a shipping container bound for Abu Dhabi, why not fill that shipping container with water and let Odie dog paddle around inside it with you this summer? Dig up a big hole in your backyard, and...
Swim Desk
While great for your joints I'm not so sure how good the Swim Desk is going to be for your computer and mobile phone. Definitely recommend keeping a vat of rice on hand while work-stroking at it. And also maybe an EMT...
/anthenea-solar-powered-45238.jpg?mode=crop "Anthenea Solar-Powered Floating Pod Suite")
Anthenea Solar-Powered Floating Pod Suite
The Anthenea, now that's what I call an apodment. This luxe floating suite is a solar-powered, eco-friendly retreat for the very rich, and oceanfront hotels and resorts serving the very rich...
/the-softub-22951.jpg?mode=crop "The Softub")
The Softub
Indoors, outdoors, on a dock in the middle of the river with a thatch roof on top. The Softub is the kind of hot tub that goes where and does what you tell it to. Without lip and without draining your wallet...
SOAK Wood-Fired Hot Tub
"SOAK" is Japanadian for "total body restoration." The BC-based design and fabrication firm Ox + Monkey designed...and fabricated their hot tub after the Japanese Ofuro, a deep soaking tub traditionally made of aromatic...
/montana-magica-lodge-19189.jpg?mode=crop "Montana Magica Lodge")
Montana Magica Lodge
Hobbiton meets Harry Potter meets sustainable tourism. Montana Magica is a fantastical mossy lodge situated in a rainforest on the Chilean side of Patagonia, just under the Andes Mountains. It is one of several rental...
/party-bird-island-rafts-32739.jpg?mode=crop "Party Bird Island Rafts")
Party Bird Island Rafts
What's better than a magic carpet ride? A big magical unicorn pool float. A giant pink flamingo party raft. A huge and handsome floating peacock island. All big enough to bob you and 5 of your best buds around the lake...