Where can you safely (as much as possible anyway) swim in the sea?

[Xrays]

We went on holiday to Ibiza in June and the one thing Ds aged 11 absolutely loved more than anything was being able to swim in the shallow areas of the beaches we visited (I am talking about very close to the shore / they had areas sectioned off specifically for swimming watched by lifeguards, where his feet could still touch the bottom). We would like to find somewhere similar to go next year, I’m half tempted to just book the same place but would like to go somewhere different. But I’m actually not sure where to consider? I was looking at some areas of the Canary Islands and even Cape Verde but reading reviews it seems like the sea can be very windy and choppy and unsafe. Looking for experiences and recommendations of hotels even if anyone has any suggestions?!

For an East Coast equivalent of Weymouth (I know it well) try Mablethorpe. Blue flag beach with lifeguards and gently sloping sands. Surprisingly warm too.

Don’t worry, Weymouth’s fine.

We’ve just been to Albufeira in Portugal, really lovely cove type beaches with a gentle shelf and no waves.

Quite cold though.

Have a look at Oludeniz in turkey. The blue lagoon sounds like it'd be good for you

Was also going to say maybe not the UK.

Ah well. If only the UK could still be held to account for ignoring the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive.

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/05/investigation-after-57-world-triathlon-championship-swimmers-fall-sick-and-get-diarrhoea-in-sunderland-race

Bulgaria (sunny beach). Black sea is shallow

North Norfolk is generally OK if you get the tides right!

I came on to say Weymouth but have no idea where there are safe shallow abroad beaches.

Les Porquerolles off the south coast of France. Gorgeous little islands, no cars and great beaches for kids.

protaras or ayia napa in cyprus, but no lifeguards

Alcudia beach is shallow for a looooong way out, clear and calm as anything there are even fish swimming by your feet its the best beach I've ever been to, sand is so so white!

West coast of Scotland. I swim in the sea and lochs year round.

Cala San Vicente north Majorca is a gorgeous little bay & a bus ride from puerto pollensa ;so not far from alcudia)

"Don’t worry, Weymouth’s fine."

Not true. There's been 25 alerts for discharge of sewage in Weymouth lodmoor alone in the past 2 years.

Grim

Cala D’Or Majorca . Very safe and warm . So many coves to choose from !

Alcudia, Mallorca & the beaches in the Santa Eulalia area on Ibiza (which is the non-party, family-friendly area of the island) are the first two places which spring to mind. The sea is like a warm, shallow bath.

The thing is that the Med is an almost enclosed sea so never has the tides etc that anything fronting a big ocean has - so pretty well anywhere in the Med is going to be much calmer than anything around the UK or the Portuguese coast or mid Atlantic etc. Stick to the Med

Little hampton. There is no dropoff you can go out for a mile and still touch the bottom.

Following all the replies and googling! Thank you.

Med is always going to be calmer than the Atlantic. Majorca or Menorca good bets.

Adriatic coasts, either Italy or Croatia. South Sardinia, Chia is amazing.

A decade ago we flew to Ibiza then took a boat to Formentera.

We snorkeled at Cala Saona and apart from the turtle (!) it was like swimming in a pool...

Really gorgeous, highly recommend.

Another vote for Menorca - we're there now and the water is perfect. Shallow for ages but enough to swim in - and warm!

Cala ferrera in Spain.

Greek islands or Croatia