You would think that floating on a raft in a serene body of water would be enough – a pool, a lake, even the lazy river at your local water park. For some, however, the vast ocean simply wasn’t cutting it. Instead, they designed gigantic floating pools. Floating in what you ask? They’re floating in water, of course.
There are only two such floating pools in the entire world. One is located in New York and the other in Germany. Both were designed with luxury in mind!
Floating Gym and Spa in Wolfsburg, Germany
Residents of Wolfsburg, Germany take the floating gym and spa for granted, but for those of us visiting it’s a strange and twisted combination of luxury and exertion all rolled into one. Board the barge, get a great workout in the gym, and then visit the spa for a relaxing massage. Who could ask for anything better?
Designed by the renowned Max Wehberg, the floating pontoon houses a heated pool, a beautiful solarium, and private massage cabins. While in between workouts and treatments visitors can relax on the beautiful terrace or stroll the solarium.
Even if you’re simply looking for a place to hangout, the terrace is a relaxing place to kick back with a good friend and a cold beer. The only problem is its location. The floating pontoon itself is an incredibly luxurious place to be, but the industrial city of Wolfsburg provides a less than appealing backdrop. You’ll just have to spend more time inside!
The Neptune Foundation’s Floating Pool
Officially named The Floating Pool Lady, the Neptune Foundation’s Floating Pool was opened for the public as part of the New York City pool system on July 4th of 2007. The pool, which is actually situated on a large barge, sits within Baretto Point Park in the Bronx section of New York City.
The pool was developed in an effort to bring attention to the all but forgotten New York City shoreline. While tourists and residents often cross the river between New York and New Jersey for work or pleasure, they’re quick to leave the shores and move on to other activities, never really enjoying the incredible views that Mother Nature has so graciously provided us.
The floating pool has seven large lanes and is open each summer, from Late June through Labor Day, along with all of the other city pools. The barge itself houses not only the pool, but all of the necessary conveniences as well. These include bathrooms, a pool house, and spacious locker rooms.
The Floating Lady Pool remains never leaves the New York City shoreline while in operation. It is sometimes moved to the shores of New Jersey for winter storage, but once it opens for the summer season it remains docked. The barge never moves while members of the public are in the pool.
The Badeschiff
On the shores of the Spree River in Berlin, Germany you’ll find a barge now named Badeschiff. Translated to “bathing ship,” the barge has been in operation as a public pool since the summer of 2007. The pool is often covered for use in the winter as well.
There’s nothing incredibly spectacular about the Baseschiff, aside from the fact that it’s floating in the river. The barge itself holds a pool, and only a pool. There’s no room for locker rooms, bathrooms, or any other amenities.
It is, however, a great place for the citizens of Berlin to cool off during the hot winter months. There’s always a line of people waiting to board the barge and since the Spree River is incredibly polluted, a floating pool is the next best option.
Floating Pools around the World
Floating pools aren’t merely restricted to large public barges or private spa pontoons. Mobideep, for example, is a company based out of Thailand. They specialize in creating swimming pools that can float in still waters. These pools can be placed in public waters or in private yards. The only things holding you back from having your own public pool are money and the lack of a location to put it.
Still think the concept of a floating pool is strange? Here’s some food for thought. The waters in some countries are entirely too polluted to swim in. Some have dangerous fish that make impossible to enter the waters while others are contaminated with organisms that could make swimmers very ill, even causing death. Floating pools may seem like a senseless waste of time, money, and water but they’re the perfect solution for those with nowhere else to swim!
Keep your eyes peeled during your next vacation or road trip. Floating pools seem to be popping up slowly but surely, especially over the past few years. You never know where the next incredible creation will appear!
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