Enjoy a natural swim in Sydney's rock pools

Sure, the ocean surrounding Australia is great for swimming, but in the waters off the coast of Sydney in particular, you can dive into an 164-foot (50-m) natural rock pool where an abundance of marine life makes the enclosed space its home. Without worrying about rough waters, you can practice your best backstroke or snorkel in these unique pools when you take a medical job in Australia.

These pools are formed by rocks along the ocean's edge that literally carve out these sections of saltwater. Denise Leith, a writer and resident of the Sydney region, told The New York Times about her daily trips to the pools, enjoying a brisk swim as part of her regular routine. With the sound of the crashing waves and the occasional sea bird flying overhead, the natural pools are far more satisfying than laps in an indoor—or even outdoor—pool.

The city of Sydney now possesses an abundance of these rock pools, some more man-made than others, and many swimmers come to the beaches to enjoy the natural world while still getting the satisfaction of hitting the rock wall with their fingertips or toes after every lap.