The 2026 edition of the boston light swim is scheduled for tuesday, august 4, 2026
Recreational boat traffic in the harbor on summer Saturdays has increased to a point where we feel it is safer to run the event on a weekday.
BLS solo & Relay swimmer REGISTRation IS NOw Closed
Lottery entry requires a $150 deposit at the time of registration. This deposit is nonrefundable if you are selected for this year’s event. Swimmers will be notified of their selection status in the first week of March and must pay the entry fee by March 15 to secure their spot. If any swimmer does not complete the application process by March 15, their slot will be offered to the next swimmer on the waitlist. If you are not selected in the lottery, your deposit will be refunded.
This year's Boston Light Swim will be held on Tuesday, August 4. The entry fee for is $550 for solo swimmers and $700 for relays of 2 to 4 people. Swimmers will also need to pay their escort boat pilot (estimated to be approximately $550 - $650).
Not selected, or not ready to swim this year? Check out our Solo Marathon Swims, or enter our Volunteer Lottery, which will open in April! Selected volunteers will help out on race day (8/4/26) and can bypass the lottery for next year's race, to be held on a weekday in August 2027, exact date TBD.
Important dates:
2/1 Solo and Relay swimmer lottery registration opens.
2/28 Solo swimmer lottery registration closes.
3/1-3/7 Selected solo swimmers notified.
3/15 Solo swimmer entry fee balance due.
April: Volunteer lottery opens. Visit the volunteer page for more details.
8/4 BLS 2026!
Thank you for your interest in the Boston Light Swim.