Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.
Apparently officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, here in San Alfonso del Mar in Chile you can hardly miss the world’s largest swimming pool!
This absolutely immense pool is 1 kilometre long and covers eight hectares - that’s 80,000 square metres! Furthermore, it contains an incredible 250,000 cubic metres of water.
And yes, it’s right beside the beach, and no more than a stone’s throw… from the sea.
Thanks to Bene via nubricks.com
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yeah but the ocean water there is way too cold to swim in without a swim suit.
edit: wet suit
i live in vancouver (canada) and we have a GIGANTIC pool beside the beach which is also beside the ocean. next to this monster though, we look like a mr. turtle pool.
The sea water too cold?
Would you say its a bit Chile?
Thanks CM - you saved me from having to make the ‘Dad’ joke
Is this the Vancouver one? Certainly looks big
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
Aerial Shot
Hey Chet - I think you posted the wrong link - try again?
My bad, i forgot to click “show link”
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
Don’t let the “swimming pool” term fool you; this thing’s got beaches, docks, kayaks, and sailboats.
Looking at the site, it seems as if this is more like an artificial lake than an actual swimming pool.
The ocean in that region is very cold, and terribly rough. Forget about swimming in it.
Actually yes. I’m from Chile and i’ve visited this place several times. It’s a pool, but clearly want’s to be a lake of sorts. the rpblem with that part of the beach is that the oceans is too risky to swim and quite deep.
That shore is good only for sightseen or walkin’ with your lady…
BTW, a few hundred yards from there are the most amazing cheese/shrimps “empanadas” ever!
greetings!
HERE ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND NORTH SEA COAST THE SEE TEMPERATURE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR A HEATED POOL OF THIS SIZE WOULD BE PERFECT HOW MUCH WAS IT TO CONSTRUCT ?
It cost a staggering 1.5 billion US dollars to construct and the maintenance alone is a whopping 4 million dollars per year.
Well, the Worlds Largest Outdoor Free Municipal Concrete Swimming Pool is in Garden City, KS USA
It is such a leap forward. Last time I went to the erea (13 years ago and this pool was not there) went swimming and I almost died from the head ache I got from such freezing waters (it was not fun). Am amazed at such gradiosity, happy for the people that live there provided it is a public place. So much for Chile being a Third World country!!!!!! Please explain????
Well, sadly, it’s all part of a condo. But if you manage to meet someone who owns an appartment there, you’re good to go and swim there…
greetings!
Rob,
The cost was significantly less than 10% of what you’re mentioning and the maintenance is also considerable below that figure
The pool is heated by the sun and averages about 26 degrees C, which is much warmer then the near by ocean and warm enough to swim in any day.