Top 15 Best Open Water Swim Buoys in 2024

Swimming in open water is fun, you do not have to share a lane with anyone, and you have all the fresh air for yourself. However, you need to ensure you are safe, especially if you swim far off the beach. An open water swim buoy fills that gap.

There are very many models of swim buoys with varying features and capabilities. Choosing the best that suits your needs can be a challenge; thus, anticipating what you need can save you time and money.

This guide will help you select the best open water swim buoy with much ease. You will get all the information you need from the extensive reviews of the 15 famous swim tow floats and a useful buyer’s guide.

What Are Swim Buoys?

A swim buoy is a fantastic swimming equipment that offers swimmers safety and stability in the open water. They are also known as swim tow floats, swim bags, dry bags, or safety bags.

Swim buoys also provide you with a safe means of carrying your valuables; there are those with a dry bag compartment and those without. You can load it with essentials like keys, snacks, clothes, swimming shoes, and many others.

For the ones with a dry bag, you can carry your electronic gadgets, but ones without you best avoid or put in a ziplock to avoid any damage by moisture.

All swimmers, from professional triathletes to beginners, can benefit from a swim buoy.

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Which Is the Best Swim Buoy?

Here are some of the best swim buoys you can get in the market. The list is encompassing, and a quick look at it will help you spot something good for yourself.

• Best Overall: New Wave Swim Buoy
  “Dry compartment. Durable. Color options. Lightweight-an all-around product that will meet all your needs.”
• Runner Up: NuCamper 28L Inflatable Swim Buoy
  “Large pouch capacity. Brighter. Safer. Dry compartment.”
• Best Budget: ProCase Bubble Safety Float Swimming Buoy
  “Lightweight. Affordable. Color options. Highly visible-Good for the price.”
• Best Dry Bag Swim Buoy: Hotspear Swim Buoy Dry Bag
  “Selfie window. Completely waterproof. Lightweight. Durable. Highly visible-great choice for your photos for the gram.”
• Best Design: Marjaqe 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Ultralight Swim Buoy
  “A mix of style and functionality. Multifunctional. Unique backpack design. Durable. Highly visible. Lightweight.”
• Best for Safety: New Wave Bubble Safety Float Swim Buoy
  “Safety whistle. Large pouch capacity. Storage compartment. Lightweight. Highly visible.”

Comparison Chart

Here, you can quickly compare the products’ strengths and features to pick what suits you best.

The 15 Best Open Water Swim Buoys Reviews

In this section, I have provided in-depth reviews of each of the 15 best open water swim buoys you can get in the market. For every product, there is extensive information about its features, pros, and cons.

New Wave Swim Buoy

(Best Overall – Editor’s Choice)

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This is the ultimate choice for triathletes or swimmers looking for a highly functional yet affordable swim bag. The New Wave swim bag is popular amongst athletes and swimmers; you have probably seen it all over the social media posts of avid swimmers.

The swim bag is made with high-quality nylon material, thus, waterproof and durable. It is a perfect choice for long-term use. It is exceptionally light, so you can easily move around with it.

Like other swim buoys, the New Wave is brightly colored. It comes in 4 bright colors; yellow, orange, green, and pink. The colors make it exceptionally noticeable, and you are therefore guaranteed a prominent display when you go on your open water adventures.

The brand has two different pouch capacities, 15 and 20 liters. For both, you can store your personal stuff. There is a compartment for dry goods. However, it is not entirely waterproof, so, for your phone or any electronics, you will have to get a cellphone case or a Ziploc bag.

If you weigh less than 190Pounds, you can use the 15L swim buoy and the 20L if you weigh more. It comes with a nylon web belt that you can use to attach it to your waist. Other than storing your stuff, you can comfortably take a rest from swimming by floating on it.

One more great thing; inflating and deflating the swim bag is not much of a hassle.

Here is a video review of the New Wave Swim Buoy, check it out and see if it is a worthy investment.

See Also: 10 Best Neoprene Buoyancy Swim Shorts

NuCamper 28L Inflatable Swim Buoy

(Runner Up)

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This is a top-rated swim buoy designed to provide you with premium support and stability, whether you are a beginner, protégé, or professional swimmer. You can use it for Kayaking, swimming, boating or snorkeling.

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The NuCamper is a waterproof dry swimming bag built to last with high-quality and durable 190T nylon material with PVC coating. You can count on it to last you a few good swims before you replace it. Plus, since it is dry, you can move around with it easily.

It has a capacity of 28 liters. This means more room and extra support while swimming, and it is a desirable feature that you wouldn’t want to ignore, especially if you are a beginner.

Besides the swim buoy being completely dry, it features a floatation cushion that weighs a mere 10 ounces. You will find the design of the swim buoy to be a bit rugged and heavy-duty but is incredibly lightweight and easy to pack for your open water and pool adventures.

Inflating the swim buoy is a pretty basic and quick process, and you can fit it on you with the adjustable buckle strap waistband. You will swim faster, easily, and comfortably with the swim buoy as you won’t have to hold anything in your hands, and it will not be getting in your way.

Additionally, with its bright orange color, you will be highly visible in the lake, ocean, or pool for safety purposes. It also has 2 air valves to keep it afloat and a strap that you can use to tie it to your boat or floatation device.

Naturehike 28L High Visible Safety Swim Buoy

(Best for Floating)

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If you value safety when swimming, especially in open water, then this is one of the swim buoys you would want to add to your swimming gear. It is highly visible for your safety and has a large capacity for your stability.

The Naturehike swim bag is made with a scratch-resistant marine grade PVC in 2 bright colors; pink and orange. It will, therefore, endure all the harshness of open water for a while before you replace it.

The swim bag is well suited for carrying your essentials like medicine, snacks, or spare goggles. Btw, check out Top 21 Best Swimming Goggles for the coolest sets you can get in the market. The swim bag has a capacity of 28 liters so you can comfortably rest on it amid your swims.

See Also:

• 15 Prescription Goggles for Swimming
• 19 Best Swimming Goggles for Kids

The swim bag is nicely light, it won’t be much of a drag during your swim, and you can easily move with it. The high-quality nylon fabric from which it is made guarantees a leak-free and durable construction. This makes it safe and stable enough for kayaking, boating, snorkeling, or swimming.

It is also effortless to deflate and inflate thanks to its 2 independent floatation chambers with sturdy valves.

Watch this video of the Naturehike 28L High Visible Safety Swim Buoy for more detailed information on its features and usage.

Zone3 Safety Swim Buoy Dry Bag

(Best for Professional Swimmers and Triathletes)

See the Price on Amazon

This is another fantastic option for serious swimmers and competitors. It is remarkably lightweight and very useful in terms of safety and stability in open water.

The swim bag is made with quality nylon material, coated with PVC in 2 colors; pink and orange. It is also available in donut buoy option and hydration buoy designs for easy access to stored essentials and holding drinks’ bottles, respectively.

The swim buoy has a 28-liter pouch capacity, which offers plenty room for storing your personal stuff. The storage area is separate from the inflation area which has 2 airbags. This makes it more buoyant as compared to the regular dry bags.

The swim bag features an adjustable dual belt, which you can use to attach it to your waist. Since it is incredibly lightweight, you will forget you have it attached to you when swimming. It will also stay out of stroke range, thanks to its leash.

You can use the Zone3 Safety swim bag for multiple activities like swim-running, surfing, body boarding, and swimming. It is easy to set up, clean, inflate and deflate.

Check out this video of the Zone3 Safety Swim Buoy Dry Bag and learn how to use it.

Speed Hound Swim Buoy

(Best for Swim Training)

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Everyone likes to get the most out of a product they invest in. This is one of the best open water swim buoys that is fairly priced. Its set of features make it well suited for swim training.

Being a product created and endorsed by a triathlete who found other brands lacking some essential aspects, its durability and high performance is a sure bet. It comes in 3 bright colors that will make you visible, however murky the lake or ocean water may be.

The buoy is marvelously light so, you will not tire out during your swim. As you would expect, it features a dry bag compartment where you can keep your personal effects and a bonus cell phone case. The case provides your phone with double moisture protection. You can, therefore, bring it with you in case you want to listen to an audio workout or music or even take Selfies.

The swim buoy will fit perfectly on your waist as it is adjustable. It is also easy to inflate and deflate its 2 air chambers. It comes in 2 sizes; 16 liters and 28 liters. Both offer plenty of room for storing all your training gear and a floating surface when you get tired.

Other than being affordable, you get a lifetime warranty with this gem. The buoy will be covered for as long as you own it. Boy! Ain’t that too good a deal?

Here is a wholesome video of the fantastic Speed Hound Swim Buoy, watch it and see if it is joining your swimming gear any soon.

Hotspear Swim Buoy Dry Bag

(Best Dry Bag Swim Buoy)

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Most swimmers swear by this swim buoy’s dry bag. If you follow avid swimmers on the gram, you have probably come across the Hotspear Swim Buoy and its selfie window. So if you like to leave the beach with all your valuables, this is one of the surest ways to keep them dry.

The buoy is made with durable nylon in an orange color, bright enough to make you visible in open water. It also comes in 2 shapes; doughnut shape and the regular swim buoy shape. You can choose whichever suits your needs and tastes best. It features 3 air chambers and a separate dry bag. This optimizes its buoyancy, which in turn increases your safety.

The swim buoy has a capacity of 28 liters, large enough to carry all your belongings and provide you with sufficient resting area in case you need a break during your swim.

Guess what! You can bring your phone and take as many selfies as you want for the gram. The buoy features a selfie window that can let you use your phone underwater. Other than that, it offers plenty of room for storing your valuables.

As if that’s enough, it is ultra-light and easy to inflate and deflate thanks to a wide opening valve system. With its adjustable belt, you will get a perfect fit. Additionally, it will not interfere with your leg strokes because the belt is long enough.

Watch this Youtube video to learn more about the Hotspear Swim Buoy Dry Bag.

Jansite Swimming Buoy

(Best Open Water Swim Bubble)

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This is an all-around swim bubble that will meet nearly all your needs in a swim buoy. It is the crème de la crème of swim bubbles, and here is why.

First off, it is made with durable nylon material in 2 bright colors; yellow and orange. The colors will make you highly visible, therefore, safer.

The swim bubble has a capacity of 28 liters, providing you with enough space for storing your valuables and a safe surface to float and rest during your swims. Despite having a large pouch capacity, the swim bubble is incredibly lightweight, thus, nice and easy to pack and move around with.

To store your personal effects, you can choose to get either the swim buoy with a dry bag function or one without. The swim bubble with the dry bag function includes a waterproof phone case that suits most smartphones. It offers double moisture protection to your phone.

The swim bubble also features a safety whistle molded into one of its clips for added safety. Moreover, it will take you a few minutes to inflate and deflate.

Lastly, the buoy features an adjustable strap that you can use to attach it to your waist. It will tow smoothly behind you without interfering with your leg strokes or pulling you back.

Kiefer SaferSwimmer Large Buoy

(Best Storage Space)

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If you don’t like leaving your stuff by the beach, this is your go-to swim bag. It will store all your essentials safe, and you can still count on it to offer you safety and stability, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro swimmer.

The swim bag is made of durable material in a bright orange color that will make you visible on that lake or ocean you’ll be swimming in regardless of the weather.

The buoy has a dry pouch with 3 storage compartments for holding your items in various sizes. The small compartment can hold stuff like wallets and keys; the medium and large-sized parts hold bigger stuff like swimming gear, shoes, and clothes.

Despite accommodating a lot of your essentials, the buoy is incredibly lightweight. You will find it very comfortable to rest on during your swim.

With its adjustable waist belt, you will be able to put it on fast, and it will not come in your during your swim. It can support weight above 190 pounds, so it is well suited for both adults and children.

Lastly, you will need less than a dozen puffs to set the buoy ready for your swim. It is that simple.

For more information on the features and functionality of the Kiefer SaferSwimmer Large Buoy, check out this video.

Xterra High-Vis Swim Buoy

See the Price on Amazon

Stay away from this if you are a swimmer who needs a little confidence in a floating device. Experienced swimmers, on the other hand, will get the most out of it.

This buoy comes in a lightweight and sleek design with dual colors. It is amongst the very few swim buoys with dual colors. The bright yellow and orange provide additional contrast in the water for high visibility, thus, increased safety.

As mentioned above, it is ultra-lightweight that you will forget you have it attached to you when swimming. This also means you can pack it and carry it in your traveling bag with much ease and convenience.

The buoy features an adjustable one size fits all strap that will give you a comfortable and personal fit. The strap is long enough to reduce any sort of tangling when you swim.

Like most swim buoys, the Xterra has a built-in dry pocket where you can keep your personal things like keys, wallet and small belongings. However, the pouch’s water protection is not absolute; it is, therefore, best to avoid storing electronics in it.

With 15 liters capacity, you will take very few seconds to inflate the buoy.

Marjaqe 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Ultralight Swim Buoy

(Best Design)

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If you love the style on everything you own, you have got to go for this exceptional swim buoy. You can use it as a floatation device and for storing your personal effects.

The Marjaqe swim buoy incorporates a sleek backpack design, which makes it stand out. It is made with durable eco-friendly PVC in 2 bright colors; orange and yellow. This increases visibility, thus your safety in open water.

The buoy has a 20-liter capacity, which offers you plenty of room for storing your stuff as well as an efficient surface area for resting amid your swims. Its capacity also makes it widely applicable; other than swimming you can use it for surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and much more.

You will get a proper fit, regardless of your waist size, thanks to its adjustable strap. It comes with a friendly nozzle, which makes the process of inflating it pretty basic, and when inflated, can be carried around easily.

Without forgetting, you can keep your small belongings in the built-in dry pocket it comes with. It also has added external pouches. What’s more, because of its design, you can use it as a backpack for hiking, camping, long trips, and much more.

UNITED ATHLETES Swim and Safety Buoy

(Best for Beginners)

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If you are not a seasoned pro swimmer or you have no experience swimming in open water, then there will never be too much safety for you. This swim buoy was made with your safety and efficiency in mind.

The swim buoy is made to last with durable, heavy-duty PVC material. All its components including the belt are strong enough to serve you through the product’s lifetime. It comes in 2 bright colors; orange and yellow, which make you highly visible in open water.

The buoy has a capacity of 18 liters, which offers you plenty of storage room for your personal stuff as well as an optimal reclining surface. Both adults and children can comfortably float on this buoy.

With the adjustable strap it comes with; you will be able to get a proper fit no matter your size. The buoy is lightweight and highly portable, both when deflated and inflated. You will not feel any drag or disturbance during your swim.

Since it is only 18 liters, even a child can inflate it with only 5 puffs.

You just might be absolutely sure about the quality of the United Athletes swim buoy because it has been tested and used by over 1000 swimmers in the UA events, and the company boasts of 100% satisfaction and quality rate. On top of that, it is very affordable.

Agirlgle Swim Bubble Buoy

(Best Value for the Money)

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Are you a sucker for cheap thrills? Then this swim buoy should be your prime pick. Although it is affordably priced, it does not operate cheaply.

The swim buoy is made with durable PVC material in 3 bright colors. The Orange, Yellow, and Pink colors will increase your visibility in open water, so you don’t get decapitated by speed boats, jet skis, or any open water vehicles. Additionally, it features the bubble which increases your safety while swimming.

The buoy is remarkably lightweight, thus, very convenient in terms of portability. You will even forget you have it attached to you while swimming.

With 20 liters capacity, the Swim bubble buoy guarantees you safety and ample storage space for your stuff. You can use it as a floatation device in case you need a break amid your swims in open water.

It is also 100% waterproof. It features a storage compartment that is completely dry to keep your valuables like goggles, clothes, swimming gear, and iPod. Check out The Best Waterproof iPod Shuffles for Swimming for an excellent purchase of an iPod.

See Also:

• 17 Best Waterproof MP3 Players for Swimmers
• 21 Best Waterproof Headphones for Swimming

You can fit the buoy onto your waist with the adjustable strap it comes with. The strap perfectly suits every user.

Esone Swim Buoy

(Best for Kids)

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If you want your kids to get used to open water swimming, then you can bring them with you, but you have to be sure of their safety. This Swim buoy has features well suited for young swimmers.

It is made with durable material in 3 bright colors with different shades. The bright colors will make them highly visible, thus allowing you to keep tabs on their moves effortlessly.

Kids tire out easily; they would definitely need to take a break when swimming off-beach. The swim buoy has a capacity of 15 liters, which provides an optimum resting surface. They can float on it to save energy for making it back to the shore.

The buoy will not inhibit your child’s swimming as it is super light. You can help them fit it on their waist with the adjustable strap it comes with. They can also carry a snack and their swimming gear in the storage compartment of the buoy. However, you would have to use a Ziplock for items that can get damaged with water.

The Esone swim buoy is easy to blow up and deflate and is also affordably priced.

New Wave Bubble Safety Float Swim Buoy

(Best for Safety)

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If safety comes first for you in life, this is your ultimate choice of a swim buoy. It provides a safe way to recline and float during your swim wherever you are in open water.

It comes in 4 bright colors; pink, yellow, green, and orange which will sufficiently display you in open water. Other swimmers and all vehicles in the water will be able to see you. Even its waist belt floats behind you to increase your visibility. You can pair it up with a nice swim cap to be more visible. Check out Top 21 Best Swim Caps for some rare gems.

See Also:

• 15 Best Swim Caps for Toddlers and Kids
• 13 Best Swim Caps for Long Hair

The swim bubble buoy is exceptionally lightweight and buoyant. It will gently tow behind you without pulling you back. With 20 liters capacity it offers you enough storage space and resting surface.

However, it is not constructed with a dry compartment. Anyone who likes to bring their phones or mp3 players to their swim can use ziplock and other safe means. On the bright side, you can use this buoy as a floatation device to calm yourself when distressed in the water.

It also comes with an adjustable strap that stays in place regardless of your moves though it cannot fit a child.

ProCase Bubble Safety Float Swimming Buoy

(Best Budget)

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This is the epitome of “low budget.” It is the cheapest swim buoy on this list, and it is a brilliant mix of functionality and style.

The ProCase comes in 4 colors; black, clear, magenta, and neon green. For increased visibility it is best you settle for the latter 2 because they are bright enough to be noticeable in the ocean or lake.

It is made safe and durable with an eco-friendly PVC. It will last you a couple of swims before you can replace it. It has a lightweight design, therefore easy to pack and travel with. You also won’t experience any obstructions by the tow float because of its weight.

The buoy features an adjustable buckle strap waist belt that can fit people with various sizes. Once you strap it on, it will stay secure regardless of the intensity of your activity.

It also includes a phone case for protecting your phone against moisture. Moreover, it will take you 10 seconds tops to inflate or deflate the swim buoy, owing to its friendly built-in nozzle.

Finding the Best Swim Buoys for Open Water Swimming

There are certain features that are a must-have on a swim tow float. When buying one, you should consider them.

Color

The color of a good swim tow float should be bright. Most swim buoys come in a wide array of Technicolor rainbow hues. This goes beyond your personal tastes as you should settle for a neon or fluorescent shade for optimum visibility.

Dry Storage Capabilities

Depending on what you need to tote, you can choose to get the large or multi dry chambered swim buoy or just one with a dry pouch. If you have a lot of gear and would like to bring nutrients with you, then a large dry multi-chambered swim buoy will come in handy.

If, on the other hand, don’t need a lot of stuff, then the one with a simple dry bag can sort you out. Additionally, if you want to bring your phone along, you should go for options with a waterproof phone case.

Comfort

This is another huge consideration. You need to stay as comfortable as possible in open water. Therefore, you have to ensure the straps are comfortable and won’t chafe or burn your skin, and they are adjustable to give you a perfect fit.

How to Use a Swim Buoy?

As simple as they are, swim tow floats are essential swimming tools that you should add to your swimming gear. You can use them in the following ways;

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Swim Network Overview

Whether you are a swimmer, diver, triathlete, or snorkeler, swim buoys can be a game-changer for your open water activities. With one, leaving your valuables at the beach is no longer necessary, and you can float on them when tired or having an emergency.

They offer bright color shades that are noticeable to other swimmers and vehicles in the open water. The colors are a life-saving detail; many swimmers are reported to be injured or killed by speed boats that never saw them.

There are multiple models of swim buoys, and picking a good one for yourself can be a challenging process. The best thing you can do is identify your needs then go for a product that has features that fit the bill.

For instance, if you want a low budget swim tow float, you can settle for the ProCase Bubble Safety Float Swimming Buoy. It is very affordable and works just as good as other swim buoys.

For the best design, you can go for the Marjaqe 20L Waterproof Dry Bag Ultralight Swim Buoy. It comes in a unique backpack design, and you can use it for other purposes like camping or hiking bag.

If you love to take selfies and pictures when you go diving or snorkeling, the Hotspear Swim Buoy Dry Bag is the best you can get as it has a selfie window. You can also bring your snacks and other electronic gadgets in it.

Overall, the New Wave Swim Buoy is the best swim tow float you can get in the market. It is an all-around product that will meet nearly all your needs.

With the individual product reviews and the buyer’s guide, you will easily select the best swim tow float for your open water escapades.