If you find Sydney’s ocean surf a little scary or if you want to soothe your jetlag with a few lazy laps, take advantage of the city’s famous ocean pools. There are 40 seawater pools up and down the coast, most of which are free. Here are some of our favorites.
Editor’s note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any travel and always follow government advice.
Bondi Iceberg Pool
Sydney’s most famous pool commands the best views in Bondi, and is one of its more community-oriented places. There is a sauna and a cute little cafe. The saltwater lapping pool is frequented by big breakers, but there is a more sheltered pool for children. It closes on Thursdays so they can clear the seaweed, though it sometimes opens after the work is done.
Pre Bower Beach
Indulge your mermaid fantasies (at least more visibly) in the beautiful, triangular-shaped ocean pool set on a rocky shore. Life-size sea nymphs stand on a surf-washed shore in Helen Letty’s bronze sculpture Oceanides (1997). Fairy Bower is best accessed by a promenade around Manly Beach’s southern mainland.
Giles Bath
At the northern end of Coogee Beach, below Dolphin Point, Giles Baths is what is known as a “boogie hole” – a semi-formal rock pool open to the surging surf. It is good for children and people who suffer from shark paranoia.
McIver’s Ladies Bath
Nestled against the cliffs south of Coogee Beach and well-scrutinized by passers-by, this lagoon has been popular for ladies’ bathing since before 1876. Its strict women-only policy has made it a haven for nuns, Muslim women and gays. . Minors of any gender are permitted.
Mahon Pool
Hidden within the cliffs 500 meters (1640 ft) north of Maroubra Beach, Mahon Pool is a beautiful rock pool where the surf crashes against the shore at high tide. This is possibly the most beautiful bogey hole in Sydney.
Sweet water
Just north of Manly this discreet, south-east facing sandy bay has a cool lagoon and lots of young people. Good for learning surfers.
The bogey hole
South of Newcastle BeachBeneath King Edward Park, is Australia’s oldest sea bath, a bogey hole carved by a convict. It’s an environment to splash about when the surf hits its edge, but be careful at high tide.
Figure eight pool
This size-eight pool on a rock shelf near Burning Palms Beach is an Instagram favorite. However it is important to pay attention to the conditions: tides and weather mean that the shelf is often dangerous to visit, if not completely submerged. Check. website For a daily forecast before planning a trip. Garrawarra Farm is a tough 6km (3.73-mile) return walk off Garrie Rd from the car park.
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