Time to cool off! Sydney’s most good-looking outdoor pools you cannot miss
Carolin Pilligrath
For me, there is simply no better time of the year than summer. Blue skies, sunshine, tanned skin and endless balmy days. Summer in Sydney can get very hot (38 degrees, say what?), so get ready to plunge in and cool off with a round-up of the best outdoor and ocean pools Sydney has to offer..
Murray Rose Pool in Double Bay (formerly known as Redleaf Pool)
What makes this idyllic ocean pool in Sydney so wonderfully unique is the amazing wrap-around pontoon, which is great for hanging out (see and be seen!), soaking up the sun rays or simply stealing everyone’s attention as you do a crazy jump into the water. Simultaneously, the pontoon guards the beach with a net from the harbour so it’s safe for the whole family to take a dip.
If you’ve had enough sun, head to the on-site café set on a lofty terrace for a fresh juice or coffee overlooking the picturesque harbour. This Sydney pool is free to use for everyone, so more to spend on coffee and ice cream!
Image Credit: Tripadvisor
Bronte Baths at Bronte Beach
Surround yourself with the ocean and sky at the Bronte Baths. Set into the rugged cliffs of the coastline, this Sydney ocean pool makes a great addition to the sometimes wild ocean waves. It’s big enough, especially for serious lap swimmers and has a shallow end, perfect for families with children. There are plenty of rocks surrounding the pool to soak up the sun like a lizard while watching the crowd dip in and out. Best of all, there is no entry fee and plenty of café choices around this Sydney rock pool.
Image Credit: Tripadvisor
MacCallum Seawater Pool at Cremorne Point
Listen up, Sydney sun worshippers! MacCallum Pool will not only delight with a big timber deck to sun-bake but surely impress with spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge views, making it the perfect harbour side swim spot. This 33-metre outdoor pool in Cremorne brings bags of heritage character while offering a scenic spot to get in a few laps. Make sure you BYO as there is no café in sight and not even a toilet or change rooms, but oh well, as if this is going to stop us from jumping right in!
Image Credit: Tripadvisor
North Sydney Olympic Pool at Milsons Point
The one-of-a-kind North Sydney Olympic Pool, set right below the iconic Harbour Bridge, boasts the absolute best views out of all outdoor pools in Sydney. There is a grassy area upstairs as well as a café, sauna, gym, spa and even a smaller indoor pool for those stormy days. As for facilities and location, it can hardly get better than this! Another plus is the pool’s proximity to Luna Park, making it an exceptional choice to come for a cool down after the thrill of the roller coaster rides.
Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool in Woolloomooloo Bay
On the shores of Woolloomooloo right around the corner from Ovolo Woolloomooloo, you will find the scenic Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool. Particularly splendid after a walk around the Royal Botanic Garden, this harbour side pool is probably one of the best places for inner-city swimming. In addition to the large 50m swim lanes, you’ll also find a pool for learners and toddlers, a beautiful sundeck as well as a café serving up anything from fresh smoothies to tasty acai bowls and avocado smash, yum!
Image Credit: Tripadvisor
Bondi Icebergs at Bondi Beach
It’s impossible to go past this Olympic-sized swimming pool and miss the chance to do a few lap rounds or lounge in the sun on its glamorous edges. For only $9, you get nothing less than a shimmering oasis overlooking the world-famous Bondi Beach. Head upstairs for a spectacular location to have lunch before you go for another round of summertime dipping. And if you like yoga, Bondi Icebergs might become your new favourite place for practising right by the sea with a refreshing breeze.
Fairy Bower Pool In Manly
The last on the list of best ocean pools in Sydney has to be the Fairy Bower Pool in Manly. This triangular slice of paradise sits between Manly and Shelly Beach and is a favourite amongst locals. The pool is known for its ‘Oceanides’ sculpture that sits at the ocean’s edge, making it not only a great summer swimming hole but the ideal spot for some sunset snaps. While the 20-metre length and unique shape aren’t great for laps, the pool provides the perfect place for a quick dip and an afternoon of sunbaking.
Image Credit: timeout.com/sydney/sport-and-fitness/fairy-bower-pool
Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Too cold for an outdoor swim? Why not swim a few laps in our luxury indoor swimming pool at Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Carolin Pilligrath is a passionate traveller soul and digital nomad. Her passport states she’s German but really, her heart loves the open road. She has lived in many places, among them Australia, Singapore, Peru, Thailand, Spain and currently calls the beaches of Bali her backyard. Today, she enjoys a fully nomadic life with diverse offices and constantly following the sun while working as a social media specialist, travel writer, and running a blog called breathingtravel.com.