10 Best Swim Buoy For Open Water 2026 in the United States

The New Wave Swim Buoy is an excellent choice for open water swimmers and triathletes. Its standout feature is its high visibility, which is crucial for ensuring safety by making you noticeable to boaters and jet skiers. This buoy is brightly colored and can be seen from a considerable distance, significantly reducing the risk of accidents. The buoy provides a safe place to float and rest if you need a break or experience cramps, thanks to its natural buoyancy.

Weighing just 9.9 ounces, it's lightweight and easy to carry on paddling trips, making it a convenient accessory for swimmers and paddleboarders alike. The buoy also features a storage compartment separate from the inflatable air chamber, allowing you to bring along personal items like sunglasses, sunscreen, and even your phone, which can be useful for tracking your swim route and sharing your GPS location. One of the buoy's strengths is its comfort and ease of use. It fastens to your waist with a belt and tether line, ensuring it stays securely attached while you swim.

It’s also made from durable thermoplastic polyurethane, which ensures it can withstand regular use in various water conditions. On the downside, while it provides excellent visibility and storage, it does not replace a personal flotation device (PFD) or a swim life vest, which are essential for safety during water activities. Additionally, it may not be suitable for children or for individuals who require significant buoyancy support. In summary, the New Wave Swim Buoy is a highly visible, lightweight, and practical accessory for open water swimmers and triathletes, offering valuable safety and storage features. However, it should complement, not replace, more robust safety gear like PFDs.

The New Wave Swim Bubble is a brightly colored, lightweight swim buoy designed for open water swimmers and triathletes who want an easy and safe way to increase their visibility and buoyancy without extra bulk. Weighing only about 7-8 ounces and made from durable polyvinyl chloride, it offers solid flotation support if you need to rest or in case of a cramp. Its bright yellow color makes it highly visible in the water, which is particularly helpful since swimmers in dark wetsuits can be hard to spot from a distance. This can help you stay safer by alerting boats and jet skis to your presence.

This model does not include any storage space, so it’s best for swimmers who don’t need to carry keys, phones, or wallets while training or swimming outdoors. The lack of a dry bag compartment makes it simpler and lighter but less versatile for those wanting to bring along personal items. It tows behind you with minimal drag, which helps keep your swim smooth and comfortable.

Enhancing safety by improving visibility and providing flotation, the buoy is not a substitute for a personal flotation device or life vest. The New Wave Swim Bubble suits swimmers who prioritize lightweight gear and visibility over carrying extra items. For those seeking a straightforward, effective safety buoy without added features, this product balances comfort, buoyancy, and durability well.

The New Wave Swim Buoy is a solid choice for open water swimmers, triathletes, and others who want to boost their visibility and safety. Its neon green color is highly visible, which helps you stand out to boaters and watercraft, reducing the risk of accidents. This buoy also acts as a flotation aid, allowing you to rest if needed, which adds an extra layer of security during long swims. Weighing just under 10 ounces, it’s light and easy to carry, making it suitable for swimmers and paddlers who want something unobtrusive.

One of the buoy’s standout features is its 15-liter dry storage compartment, separate from the inflatable chamber. This means you can safely store personal items like sunglasses, sunscreen, or even a phone inside a waterproof bag, which is handy for longer swims or point-to-point journeys. The attachment system, with a waist belt and tether line, keeps the buoy close without interfering with your swim. The buoy is made from polyvinyl chloride, a common material for water gear that offers good resistance to wear. While it provides some flotation support, it is not a substitute for a life vest or personal flotation device.

Some users might find the size medium (15 liters) limiting if they want to carry larger items, but it strikes a good balance between storage and streamlined design. The buoy supports up to 250 pounds, accommodating most adults comfortably. Its simple setup and lightweight design make it comfortable and easy to use. For swimmers looking for improved visibility, a bit of emergency flotation, and some dry storage during open water swims, the New Wave Swim Buoy works well as part of a comprehensive safety approach, though it should not be relied on as a life-saving device on its own.