Best New Year's Dips

Take the plunge! Ring in the New Year with an icy, refreshing dip in waters from Coney Island to Vancouver. Can’t make it for New Year’s? Plunges later in the month await, too!

Related To:

Shop This Look

Photo By: Todd Bush Photography

Photo By: Reuters

Photo By: Courage Polar Bear Dip

Photo By: mordac, flickr

Photo By: Aruba Daily Newspaper

Photo By: Getty Images

Photo By: Reuters

Photo By: Tybee Polar Plunge

Photo By: Lee Carson, flickr

Photo By: Steve Ruark Photography

Photo By: Grace Trivino, flickr

Photo By: Reuters

Blowing Rock Winterfest

Head to the mountains of North Carolina for the annual Blowing Rock Winterfest. This lively winterfest features a plunge into the icy waters of Lake Chetola, followed by the chance to warm up with hot chocolate and chili in downtown Blowing Rock.

When: Late January

Vancouver Polar Bear Swim

Run for your life! This group of New Year’s revelers rushes from the freezing waters of Vancouver’s English Bay. 2014 marks the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim’s 94th year, making it one of the largest and oldest clubs of its kind in the world.

When: New Year's Day

Courage Polar Bear Dip

Courage, lads! Since its start in 1985, the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip in Oakville, Ontario, has become the largest polar bear dip for charity in Canada. Money raised supports clean water projects organized by the advocacy organization World Vision Canada.

When: New Year’s Day

Seattle Polar Bear Plunge

They’re freezin’ for a reason. Plungers take to the waters off Seattle’s Matthews Beach for the city’s annual polar bear plunge. Now in its 12th year, the Seattle Polar Bear Plunge is one of 8 statewide plunges to benefit Special Olympics Washington.

When: New Year’s Day

Aruba New Year's Plunge

In search of warmer climes to take the plunge? Head to Aruba for the Caribbean island’s annual Aruba New Year's Plunge. Hundreds of people gather at MooMba Beach for the “Unox Nieuwjaarsduik” (New Year’s plunge), which takes place at noon sharp. The event is open to everyone; no charge.

When: New Year’s Day

Coney Island Plunge

Cold enough for you? These 2 brave guys take part in the annual Coney Island Plunge organized by the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, the oldest ice swimming club in the US. The yearly dip into the Atlantic begins at 1 p.m. sharp; afterward, if you’re still breathing, check out the famous Coney Island boardwalk.

When: Jan. 1

Russian Orthodox Epiphany

In the name of the …wow, this water is cold! A Russian man celebrates the Russian Orthodox Epiphany with a dip in frigid waters. The age-old ritual commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, but we have a feeling the Jordan’s waters were a lot less cold.

When: Mid-January

Tybee Polar Plunge

Thousands of people flock to Tybee Island, near Savannah, GA, for the annual Tybee Polar Plunge plunge into the brisk waters of the Atlantic. Plungers register for a nominal fee, with proceeds going toward the historic Tybee Post Theater, built in 1930.

When: New Year’s Day

Scotland's Loony Dook

Showing their white-and-blue Scottish pride, these 2 “loony dookers” take a dip in Scotland’s River Forth. The annual Loony Dook event in Scotland began in 1987 with a handful of participants; the event has since grown into a New Year’s rite of passage for thousands.

When: New Year’s Day

Baltimore PlungeFest

Holy moly, ma, Darth Vader’s not wearing any clothes under that cape! This wickedly cool plunger takes a dip in the Chesapeake Bay’s cold waters near Baltimore. The annual Baltimore PlungeFest kicks off in Annapolis, MD’s Sandy Point State Park, with proceeds going to Special Olympics Maryland.

When: Late January

Chicago Polar Plunge

Skip the clothes, grab a wig! Celebrate the New Year (and a good cause) with hundreds of revelers who dive into the icy waters of Chicago’s Lake Michigan in early spring. 2015 marks Chicago Polar Plunge’s 15th year, with proceeds going toward Special Olympics Chicago.

When: Early March

Netherlands New Year's

Wearing colorful vestments, this man takes a dip in the waters off Scheveningen, a beachside resort town in the Netherlands. The annual event began in 1960, and attracts more than 10,000 people, who plunge into the icy North Sea on New Year’s Day.

When: Jan. 1

Shows

Hosts

Trending

Top Videos

Digital Exclusives

From Our Shows

Trending

Top Domestic

Top International

Trending

Explore By Region

Trending

Top Interests

By Trip

By Traveler

Travel Tips

Trending

Best New Year's Dips

Related To:

Shop This Look

Blowing Rock Winterfest

Vancouver Polar Bear Swim

Courage Polar Bear Dip

Seattle Polar Bear Plunge

Aruba New Year's Plunge

Coney Island Plunge

Russian Orthodox Epiphany

Tybee Polar Plunge

Scotland's Loony Dook

Baltimore PlungeFest

Chicago Polar Plunge

Netherlands New Year's

We Recommend

Plunge Into 2014 12 Photos

Trip Flip

Where We Recharge 9 Photos

Trip Flip: New York Pictures 13 Photos

Trip Flip: New Orleans Pictures 14 Photos

Road Trips for Foodies

More From Travel