Mona Vale Rock Pool, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
© AmazingAerialAgency/Adobe Stock
A swimmer's haven
Along the arcing coast of South Africa, 90 artificial tidal pools serve swimmers of all sizes and skill levels. While the concrete constructions themselves are somewhat drab, the pools offer striking natural views where rocky shores meet the angry Atlantic, breaking the surf to create safe havens for playing in the water. There was a time when going for a swim here was an act of protest. Built in the mid-20th century, tidal pools and many beaches were segregated under apartheid—and for South Africans of color, simply taking a dip was a popular way to defy the oppressive system. Resistance to beach segregation laws led to their repeal in 1989, years before apartheid formally ended.
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