These are the 12 largest pools in the world in terms of total swimming area. The average Olympic-sized swimming pool measures around 0.12 hectares. This makes the largest of these pools, City Stars, around the size of a hundred Olympic swimming pools. 4 of the 12 World’s Biggest Swimming Pools are in Chile. This is possible because of technology developed by a Chilean company, Crystal Lagoons, which pumps water from the Pacific Ocean.
Glenwood Springs Pool, USA
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The world’s largest mineral hot springs pool is found at the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Spa. The main pool is 405 feet long and 100 feet wide at the widest point. The waters are replenished by the spring called Yampah, named by the indigenous Ute Indians. The hot water from the spring is regulated and cooled down to between 90°F – 104°F. The pool features a diving area and lap lanes for exercise. There is also a smaller therapeutic pool which is 100 feet long.
El Campo, USA
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Popularly known as the world’s largest residential pool, or largest backyard pool, this 40,000 square feet pool was built in Texas by a couple who could afford to have a ‘tropical getaway’ in their backyard. The pool boasts six waterfalls, a 50 feet long lazy river, two hot tubs and a 21-foot-long boulder water slide. It holds about 750,000 gallons of water.
San Alfonso Del Mar, Chile
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Officially measuring nearly 20 acres, about the size of 6,000 backyard pools the San Alfonso del Mar which held the title of being the largest pool for nine years, was dethroned as the largest man-made pool in the world by the Citystars lagoon. This pool which was also designed by Crystal Lagoons is quite similar to the one in Egypt as it also filled with seawater and very close to an actual beach. The water in the pool is constantly regulated and kept warmer than the water of the nearby sea.
Mahasamutr, Thailand
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The 17-acre lagoon in Thailand is centrally located and home to a chain of luxury villas and an exclusive country club. Mahasamutr which translates as ‘the ocean’ is large enough for sailing activities. One part of the lagoon imbibes the sandy beaches of the area but the other areas feel more like the traditional cabana-ready pools. Members belonging to the country club are offered their own personal sea, at its deepest point where they can indulge in water sports like sailing, kayaking and paddling.
PiscineCitystars Sharm El Sheik, Egypt
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This salt-water swimming pool holds the Guinness World record of being the largest crystalline lagoon in the world, with a recorded measurement of 23.9 acres. This pool located in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm-el-Sheik in the midst of the Sinai desert has beautiful natural looking white sandy shores that extend over an area that is 27 times larger than a football field. The environmentally friendly design has the pool has garnered a lot of praise so to the operating system which assists in water desalinization efforts in the area.
Las Brisas, Chile
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Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and directly adjacent to the Chilean sea, the brilliant blue of the waters of the Las Brisas pool often outdo the blueness of the ocean. Although much smaller than the pools listed above, at just five acres, the pool is still big enough to accommodate 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The pool is part of the Las Brisas luxury condominium complex.
Laguna Bahia, Chile
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Not too far away from the San Alfonso del Mar is the resort pool of Laguna Bahia. It may not be as huge but its extensive 150,000 square feet is big enough for practicing windsurfing and kayaking. A shallow area of the pool has been demarcated for children and there is also a lengthy beach for lounging.
Dreamworld Fun Lagoon, Pakistan
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Unlike the other big pools, the Dreamworld Fun Lagoon has fresh water, giving it the distinction of being the world’s largest freshwater swimming pool. Measuring about 2.2 acres in area, the lagoon is filled with local well water. The lagoon has 23 exciting World class water sporting facilities like inflatable slides, roller coaster, canoes and rowing boats, to name a few.
Piscine Alfred Nakache, France
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Built in the 1950s, this pool in Toulouse features some interesting Art Deco architecture. Having both indoor and outdoor pools, visitors have the joy of swimming in about 1.8 acres of water. It also has a great pool for toddlers with slides, fountains and varying depths.
Hayman Island Resort Pool, Australia
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Not too far from the Great Barrier Reef, the Hayman Island Resort pool is the size of seven Olympic swimming pools put together. It may not be the biggest pool in the southern hemisphere but it is still quite impressive with a giant saltwater pool which surrounds a freshwater pool. You can lounge by either pool with a drink from the bar.
Hansen Dam, Recreation Center, USA
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This is the largest public pool in LA. Set amongst a sandy beach and grass, one could mistake this pool for being a resort. Complete with cabana rentals and two impressive water slides, the 1.5-acre ‘swimming lake,’ as it’s popularly called, is just five feet deep throughout. It is a popular picnic destination and getting into the area can take as long as 40 minutes.
Marina Bay Sands Skypark, Singapore
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Located 57 stories above the ground, the pool has the distinction of being the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. The pool which spans the length of 3 Olympic swimming pools at 150 meters in length, offers some fantastic views of the surrounding sea and Singapore’s skyline.
