The Truth About Swimming in The Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas (Dare to Take a Dip?)

Ever wondered if you can swim in the iconic Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas? While it’s renowned for its spectacular daily shows, the allure of splashing around in its blue waters is a common curiosity among tourists. The truth, however, is…

Swimming in the Bellagio Fountain is prohibited. Going for a swim in the fountain will get you arrested. Jumping into the fountain’s water can be dangerous since the lake is not designed for swimming. Moreover, you can cause damage to the fountain’s plumbing and ruin the show for others.

Keep reading as I explain why swimming in the Bellagio Fountain is not a good idea and give you additional information on the fountain and how to catch a show if you’re visiting Vegas.

(Click here for all the info you need about the daily Bellagio Fountain show times, including the song list.)

People DO Swim in Bellagio’s Fountains

So, let’s get this out of the way first. People do jump into the fountain waters and swim on occasion. I can’t say that this is an everyday occurrence, but it is reported in the local news fairly often.

When it comes to swimming in the Bellagio Fountains, drinking or other substances are often involved, but sometimes it’s just jackassery, like in the video below.

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It’s hilarious for bystanders to watch, like the guy in the next video who’s out in the fountain drinking a beer during the show…

…but swimming in the Bellagio Fountain can have deadly consequences…

Sad, but true.

What Happens If You Swim in The Bellagio Fountain

The Bellagio Fountain is massive and may look like an excellent place to swim, especially if it’s really hot outside. Some may even consider it a challenge, as with famous other landmark fountains.

However, you can’t swim in the Bellagio Fountain, at least not without consequences.

You May Get Arrested

If you think you can get away with swimming in the Bellagio Fountain without the police getting involved, think again. Several reports of arrests have been made over the years of people who had jumped into the fountain. 

Those who jump in the water are usually charged with misdemeanor trespassing. In Nevada, this charge can result in a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail. No matter how fun or refreshing it may seem, swimming in Bellagio Fountains would cause more trouble than it’s worth.

It Can Be Risky

Even if, hypothetically, you could escape punishment, you still shouldn’t swim in the Bellagio Fountain. The fountain pool is not designed for swimming, so it can be dangerous. The pool is quite deep, and several obstacles are at the bottom, like tubes, jets, and objects that people throw in the water. 

It may seem similar to swimming in a typical pool, but the fact that it’s not designed for swimming should keep you away. In the past, there have been incidents where people have risked their lives or even drowned while swimming in the fountain. 

You Can Cause Damage

As mentioned, jets and other components in the Bellagio Fountain pool are handled by professionals who work for the hotel. While swimming, you might accidentally break or damage one of these parts. As a result, you will be charged with property damage and trespassing, which can increase your fine or potential time in the county jail.

As a side note, the Bellagio Fountain was originally only designed to last for five years, and the Bellagio engineers have done an excellent job of keeping it running for over two decades. So, as you might imagine, some of the original parts of the fountain can be very expensive to repair if damaged or broken.

The Bellagio Fountain cost over $40 million to build, so the words “you broke it, you bought it” have a huge significance. In other words, a swimmer who damages the Bellagio Fountains will be in a world of financial hurt in addition to the legal ramifications.

You Will Ruin the Show for Others 

Millions of people visit Vegas annually, and most stop at the Bellagio Fountain to enjoy the show. Someone jumping in the fountain pool can interrupt the show until the person is caught or gets away. 

In fact, the show will usually be stopped if the fountain team determines someone is in the water, and this may cause the cancellation of upcoming shows while they determine if any damage has occurred.

So, if you’re considering swimming in the Bellagio Fountain as a challenge, remember that plenty of folks out there have come to Vegas to enjoy the fountain show and have a good time. So let’s be respectful and leave the fountain splashing to the choreographed water shows, okay?

Legitimate Bellagio Fountain Swimming

Having said all that, there are instances where you may see people legitimately swimming in the Bellagio Fountain. The difference, however, is they aren’t swimming for fun. It’s their job.

Scuba divers regularly dive into the lake’s blue waters to inspect and maintain the mechanical parts of the fountain, as well as to remove objects that get dropped or thrown into the water.

You may even see a small boat in the middle of the fountain. Again, these are Bellagio employees with a legitimate reason for being in the fountain.

Check out the behind-the-scenes action of the fountain “bat cave” in the video below. It’s where the fountain engineers do their magic.

How Deep Is the Bellagio Fountain Pool?

The Bellagio Fountain pool is relatively deep. The average depth of the pool is about 8 feet (2.5 meters), but it’s even deeper near the water jets. The pool’s deepest point reaches about 13 feet (4 meters). During the show, the fountain can shoot water as high as 460 feet (140 meters). 

Where Does the Water of the Bellagio Fountain Come From?

The water of the Bellagio Fountain comes from a private well underneath the Bellagio Hotel property. This well was originally used as the water source for a golf course and was repurposed to supply the fountain and the lake.

Interestingly, the Bellagio Fountain uses less water than the old golf course. The water is regularly filtered, although not all its contents can be filtered daily.

What Are the Bellagio Fountains Famous For?

The visual and musical show at the Bellagio Fountains is renowned for its awe-inspiring display. Each day, crowds gather to witness the fountains shoot water in a synchronized fashion, accompanied by popular tunes. The entire show is computer-controlled, guaranteeing flawless synchronization of the water and music.

Because it’s such a famous landmark and puts on amazing free shows, the Bellagio Fountain is probably one of the most recognizable attractions in Vegas. You can regularly see it in movies and tv shows, most notably “Ocean’s Eleven.”

Watch the final scene of the movie in the video below.

How Can I Watch the Bellagio Fountain Show? (Fountain View)

So, how can you catch this world-famous show that the Bellagio Fountains put on? 

You can see it every day for free. All you need to do is show up near the fountain, find a good spot, and enjoy the show. You can even see the show from your hotel or restaurant window.

During the week, there is a fountain show every half an hour between 3 PM and 8 PM. However, after 8 PM, there is one every 15 minutes until midnight. The view is much better during nighttime when there are lights that make the view even more breathtaking. 

During the weekend, fountain shows start at noon and continue similarly to weekdays until midnight. If there are issues with the fountain or harsh weather conditions, the shows are canceled until the situation returns to normal.

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Conclusion

So, there you have it – the Bellagio Fountain is a must-see attraction in Vegas, but please don’t be tempted to dip in the fountain. It may seem like a fun challenge, but it’s illegal and could land you in serious trouble.

So, let’s all admire the fountain’s majestic beauty from a safe distance and keep the swimming to the hotel pool, shall we?

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