The Rhine in Basel
Water temperature, level and discharge live from the FOEN gauges — plus the known entry and exit points for swimming the Rhine and the key rules.
Map: swimming zone, ferries, exit points & facilities
Swim zone, access points, fire pits, sanitary facilities & no-fishing zones: Canton Basel-Stadt (data.bs.ch, CC BY). Ferries & known swim spots curated, Rhine course simplified (not the shipping channel). Live values: BAFU.
All information without guarantee. No liability is assumed for accuracy, currency or completeness; use is at your own risk.
The complete three-tier zone overview (recommended / harbour no-go / danger) is posted annually along the Rhine as an official guide and isn't available as open geodata. The recommended areas shown here come from the canton's open dataset.
Rules & recommendations
- Only swim if you feel fit and can judge the current — the Rhine is not an outdoor pool.
- Use a waterproof swim bag (Wickelfisch or similar) for your clothes and as a buoyancy aid.
- Get out in good time — memorise the known exit points beforehand, don’t start looking when it gets tight.
- Do not swim during high water, thunderstorms or strongly increased discharge.
- Commercial shipping has right of way — avoid the fairway, keep your distance from vessels.
- Never enter the water drunk or alone.
Swimming in the Rhine is entirely at your own risk and responsibility. The entry and exit points, zones and live values shown are for orientation only; no liability is accepted for their accuracy, timeliness or completeness. Always judge the weather, the current and your own ability for yourself.