Milton Brest Completes His Intercontinental Swim Series

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Milton Brest of South Africa completed the last of his Intercontinental Swim Series on May 3rd with a 3.19 km crossing from Sandaun in Papua New Guinea in Australasia to Jalan Skouw, Indonesia in Asia. It was the completion of a nearly 12-year journey around the world.

His sixth and final crossing marked a special milestone for Brest, “Each crossing has been a unique challenge and an incredible adventure. The crossings included swims from Europe to Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar, from Asia to Europe across the Bosporus, from Africa to Asia in the Red Sea, from North America to South America between Panama and Colombia, from Russia to America between Big Diomede, Russia and Little Diomede in Alaska, USA, and from Australasia to Asia between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Europe to Asia

The 14.4 km Strait of Gibraltar crossing was completed on September 9th 2013 from Tarifa, Spain to Almansa Point, Morocco in 3 hours 17 minutes under the escort of pilot Cristina Montiel with observer Fernando Pérez in 21°C water under calm seas and clear skies.

Asia to North America

The tandem swim of South African swimmers crossed from Big Diomede Island in Russia, Asia to Little Diomede Island in the USA, North America across the Bering Strait on July 30th 2014. They swam 3.8 km in cold open water with a wetsuit across strong currents while navigating under challenging geopolitical and environmental conditions. He was escorted by a safety vessel and support crew for navigation and emergency readiness. This swim crosses the International Date Line and connects two continents, Asia and North America.

Asia to Europe

The Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming Race (Samsung Boğaziçi Kıtalararası Yüzme Yarışı) in Turkey was completed on July 26th 2015 when he swam 6.5 km from Kanlıca, Anatolia in Asia to Kuruçeşme, Istanbul in Europe in 1 hour 14 minutes 52 seconds under favorable conditions with the natural current assisting the swim between 22 and 24°C where he placed 3rd in the 60-69 age group.

Brest remembers, “The race is one of the most iconic open water swims globally, drawing thousands of swimmers annually to traverse the natural waterway that links two continents. I competed in the 60–69 age group, finishing third under clear skies with optimal water conditions and mild currents for a swift and safe crossing.This event is sanctioned by the Turkish Olympic Committee and remains one of the few races in the world to grant athletes the official title of Intercontinental Swimmer, highlighting both athletic and symbolic significance.”

Asia to Africa

The Tiran Island Intercontinental Swim was completed on August 2nd 2019 when he swam from Saudi Arabia to Egypt and back. He swam 10 km from Tiran Island in Saudi Arabia on the Arabian Tectonic Plate to Ras Gamilia, Egypt on the African Tectonic Plate and returned from Ras Gamilia in Egypt to Tiran Island in Saudi Arabia. The first 5 km leg took 1 hour 40 minutes; the return 5 km in 26°- 28°C water.

Brest recalls, “This was the first officially recorded swim on this route across tectonic plates, verified by Captain Kelvin Brian Deacon of Sinai Blues Diving and Water Sports Centre with an intercontinental swim between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This swim started at Tiran Island on the Arabian Plate together with Tyrel Manson and Neil Ralphs in a tandem swim where the turnaround point was Ras Gamilia in Egypt on the African Plate.”

North America to South America

The Panama to Colombia Intercontinental Swim was completed on April 18th 2023 when he swam 4.39 km from La Miel, Panama in North America to Sapzurro, Colombia in South America in 1 hour 22 minutes in 27° – 29°C water of the Caribbean Sea.

South African National Hydrographer Commander Christoff Theunissen and the Colombian Coast Guard based in Sapzurro confirmed the Panama-Colombia maritime border represents a clear division between the two continents.

Brest is shown in the middle below, shortly after the swim in Sapzurro, Colombia, accompanied by master diver Juan Carlos Blanco (left) and Colombian Coast Guard Sanguino Reyes Javier (right).

Australasia to Asia

The Papua New Guinea to Indonesia Intercontinental Swim from Australasia to Asia was a tandem swim with Phillip Chappell completed on May 3rd 2025. They swam 3.19 km from Sandaun, Papua New Guinea in Australasia to Jalan Skouw, Indonesia in Asia in 1 hour 13 minutes in the 29°C water of the Pacific Ocean.The

Observer and photographer Alon Brest was onboard with event organizer Econ Wanggai, observer Alon Brest, and escort pilot Karel Sa. The duo made one feeding stop after 39 minutes under favorable conditions with calm seas and clear skies in 29°C water.

Brest said after completing the final leg of his Intercontinental Swim Series, “Swimming from Papua New Guinea to Indonesia was a truly memorable experience. The conditions were exceptional, the water temperature was a warm 29°C, the sky was a vibrant blue with only a few scattered clouds, and the sun shone throughout the swim.

We were fortunate to swim with the current, making for smooth and steady progress. There was no marine life encountered, and the surroundings felt raw and untouched, a perfect setting for open water swimming.

“Out of all my international swims, this was one of the most enjoyable. The natural beauty of the region and favorable conditions made it an experience I’ll never forget.“

Photo on right shows Chappell (left), Karel, Wanggai, and Brest.