Open water swimmers understand the dynamic personality of the oceans, bays, and lakes where they ply their trade.

And they also get to enjoy the landmarks and coastal differences, from lighthouses to volcanoes, from soft white sand to rocky cliffs.

The soft sugary sands of Grand Cayman Island in the Caribbean and the unique star sand of Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa are as different as the peddles of Maine and the reed-lined clay shores of Midmar.

Whether it is an atoll in the South Pacific or a resort in the Mediterranean, each beach has its own personality.

And Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach has its wonderfully unique sand castles that give hints to the joyous exuberance of the local folk.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source