I actually gut my first gel manicure two days before our last trip and it held up great! I was in the water, not careful at all, all week and there was no chipping or breakage. My nails have never been stronger- but one tip: NEVER, EVER try to peel it off. I just destroyed my nails by giving in to the temptation of peeling off the gel as I was too lazy to make an appointment to have it removed. Never again- it will take a month for my nails to grow out again. My own faul, not the gel's.