How real-life 'mermaids' enjoy swimming in freezing British waters

Swishing tails, glistening waters, connecting with nature and spending quality time with friends – this is what being a mermaid is all about. 

Adults from around the world are getting in touch with their spiritual side and 'mermaiding' – embracing the mythical creatures by donning tails and enjoying beaches, lakes and rivers.

Online, the mermaid scene is bustling and #mermaidlife has more than 65,000 videos on TikTok, while #mermaidtiktok has 150,000 clips – many of which are mermaids showing off their tails, tricks and underwater moments. 

From private retreats in Florida to swimming in Salford Quays, there are mermaids across the globe, and the Daily Mail has spoken exclusively to three of them to find out all about the mystical world, the waters they love to venture to the most and the dangers of swimming with a tail. 

Patris Angel, who goes by Mermaid Starlight Seraika, is based in Greater Manchester and has several favourite locations in the UK where she likes to put on her tail and swim.

Originally from France, the singer, event organiser and life coach has been interested in the elusive beings since she was a child, but fully immersed herself in 2019 when she stumbled upon a website selling mermaid tails. 

She has swam in different bodies of water and explains the possible dangers to look out for. 

In the sea, Patris describes how the waves in the ocean make it 'a little harder to stay under' and goes on to say, 'in the sea, you really need to to be careful to make sure it's deep enough'.

She describes herself as 'ageless', just like a mermaid, and adds, 'A lake, of course you also need to be careful, especially if it's not actually sand, it might be pebbles or something, but it's easier to find a level of water that is quite regular'.

Bodies of water have varying positives and negatives – the ocean, for example, allows mermaids to 'rest in the waves' and drift back to the shore, Patris explains. 

There are different ways to swim as a mermaid too, and Patris reveals she likes to swim with her hands down beside her body instead of in front of her head.

Another mermaid, Cora, is based in Australia, working at events and sharing her adventures on social media, @siren_of_valhalla.

She's spent thousands on her passion, and is even professionally qualified as a mermaid, having splashed the cash on safety and diving training and certificates, as well as tails.

Her most expensive tail cost $8,000 (USD) – equating to £6,000 – but she says you can find a 'safe monofin and tail' for around $150 (£113). 

The 'monofin is the MOST important thing to keep you safe', says Cora.

But maintaining mermaid tails – which come in a variety of colours, styles and sparkles – can take some effort and 'lots of patience'. 

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Mermaid Cora, 39, explains how 'fabric tails are quite easy' to clean and just require a 'gentle wash by hand', whereas 'silicone and mythic take a lot more care'.

She found mermaiding after seriously injuring herself on a horse and purchased her first tail in June 2022.

'I still have partial paralysis and chronic pain that I will always have since the surgery, I started swimming with a monofin as part of physical therapy and that’s where I found my passion, love and natural abilities of mermaiding,' Cora shares. 

'The only time I am pain-free and fully abled is when in water, even with my heavy professional tails.'

Fellow mermaid, Marisa DeAngelis, from Florida, discovered the hobby after finding corporate life unfulfilling. She first became a mermaid performer for events and enjoyed bringing happiness and 'magic to everybody'.

After sharing her talent on social media, where she has amassed millions of views, she went on to experience a 'profound spiritual awakening' through mermaiding that helped to lead her back to her faith. 

'I believe that this is a spiritual healing art,' Marisa, 30, says. 

She now runs mermaid retreats for adults twice a year in Florida that involve 'immersive mermaid experiences' and teach guests how to swim with a tail. 

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'We also do creative workshops to craft mermaid-inspired accessories and the guests can enjoy yoga,' Marisa explains, adding the retreats offer guided meditation and sound bowl healings too. 

Guests can also get stuck into exploring 'ancient civilizations often associated with mermaid lore, like Atlantis and Lemuria'.

Marisa describes the retreats as 'a sacred space where women and men can express themselves and be celebrated'.

'The whole point of the mermaiding is really bringing us together.'

For Marisa, 'the mermaid is inside all of us' and 'you don't necessarily need the tale to embrace that mermaid spirit'.

The retreats typically cost around $1,300 (£976) and are held across five days.

As for where the three experienced mermaids enjoy donning their tails, they mention locations all around the world. 

Patris has fond memories of swimming in a private lake in Cheshire, but now mostly sticks to Salford Quays. 

Colwyn Bay, in Wales, is another favourite for Patris, as well as the sea in Venice.

Marisa recommends 'the West Coast side of Florida' and explains how the 'beaches are less wavy, they're more relaxed and the water is a little bit more clear'. 

She adds: 'When you mermaid, you definitely want to go out into more open water and you want to go with people that you trust and can provide safety.'

Florida Springs is another spot Marisa enjoys and says: 'It's completely crystal clear, I definitely like to swim in the springs most of all because it's a little bit more controlled environment and you can definitely see if there's any critters around.'

Mermaid Cora's favourite spot is a place 'not far from Melbourne and over in Tasmania'.

But the best beach she's been to – 'A little spot in Fiji with turtles and dolphins, hundreds of beautiful fish, deep water with some sharks.'