Sydney Pools – The Best Places to Cool Off This Summer
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sydney residents have been desperate for ocean pools and outdoor swimming pools to keep fit. Now that the pool season is back in full swing, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite sidney pools to help you cool off and stay healthy this summer.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, a swim in a Sydney ocean pool is an essential part of any holiday. With pristine water, stunning harbour surrounds and sunshine, it’s easy to see why so many people love to get in the water. But before you dive in, it’s important to check the latest swim advice and follow the government’s guidelines.
Ocean swimming has skyrocketed during the pandemic, and Sydney’s beautiful rock and beach pools are perfect for a refreshing dip. Unlike ocean surf, these pools offer safe and calm water for all abilities and a beautiful natural setting to relax in.
From swanky seaside hotspots to family-friendly rockpools, Sydney has a huge array of ocean pools for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of our favourites:
The iconic Heffron pool in Bondi has been renamed to honour long-distance swimmer Des Renford, who held the impressive title of King of the English Channel with 19 swims. The sheltered saltwater pool is a favourite for a swim or a lazy day on the beach and it’s also home to a vibrant community of young, competitive swimmers.
In Coogee, the tidal rockpools of Wylie’s Baths and McIver’s Ladies Baths are popular family-friendly spots to take a swim. Originally built by champion swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie in 1907, the pools are surrounded by raised decking and sweeping views of Wedding Cake Island and the Pacific Ocean beyond. McIver’s is the only ocean pool in Australia that was exclusively for women and children up until 1906, when a separate men’s association was formed.
While the old ways of dynamiting rocks and destroying habitats to build pools wouldn’t pass environmental tests today, the NSW Marine Parks Authority is working to improve marine life in and around the city’s ocean pools. At Fairy Bower, next to Cabbage Tree Bay aquatic reserve in Manly, scientists are reintroducing homes for tiny creatures displaced by the pool’s concrete walls. This is just one example of how the council’s plans to reopen Sydney’s pools are aiming to reduce their environmental impact.