The North Channel is the body of water bounded by Northern Ireland (to the west), Scotland (to the east), Isle of Man (to the south), and the Atlantic Ocean (to the north). The swim across the middle part of the channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland is among the world's most iconic and challenging marathon swims.

North Channel swims typically start near Donaghadee (on Northern Ireland's Ards Peninsula) and finish on Scotland's Rhins of Galloway - a minimum distance of 34.5 km (21.4 miles). The reverse route less common. An alternative route, across the narrower (19.5 km) northern part of the channel, starting or finishing on Scotland's Mull of Kintyre, is known as the Dal Riata Channel.

The swim was first attempted by Mercedes Gleitze in 1928, but not completed by a solo swimmer until Tom Blower in 1947. In the 2010s, there was a surge of interest in swimming the North Channel when it was included in the Oceans Seven. In 2022, Sarah Thomas became the first person to complete a two-way crossing.

North Channel swims are observed and ratified by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association.

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