Swimming Pools in Sydney

The Sydney coastline consists of many sandy beaches that are flanked by rocky headlands. The latter provide ideal locations for establishing public pools, where a mixture of seawater and sand provides a refreshing alternative to the ocean surf. In addition, the southern two-thirds of NSW’s coast is characterised by mild to hot air temperatures and tolerable to pleasant water temperatures – fed by the East Australian current – that are suited for swimming, bathing, surfing and diving.

The southern end of Sydney’s Bronte Beach hosts both the formalised Bronte Baths and an adjacent ring-of-rocks pool known as the Bronte Bogey Hole. This less-formalised variant of the ocean pool is also a feature at other coastal communities. Regardless of their name, such pools are cherished by the local community and serve as an important beach safety measure.

While some may argue that ocean pools are expensive to operate, the City of Sydney maintains that they are a vital part of its aquatic centre network. Located across Sydney, the six aquatic centres offer free access throughout the day and free fitness classes, and wellbeing advice from on-site wellness experts. The pools are a popular destination for Sydney residents and visitors.

In a city as beautiful as Sydney, the best way to enjoy its summer weather is by taking a dip in one of its swimming pools. The Sydney Metropolitan Pools are open for all to use from early March through to late November. They include eight heated lanes, toddlers’ paddling pools and a sundeck with harbour views.

As well as offering a place to relax, swim and socialise with friends, pools are great for keeping fit and having fun. There are a number of pool builders in the Sydney area who can help you design and build the perfect swimming pool for your backyard. The best pool builders will be able to take into account your needs and budget, and provide you with an affordable and practical solution.

If you’re looking for a swimming pool in the Sydney area, it’s important to choose a company with experience. Ideally, the pool builder you choose will be a local business that is highly experienced and has a solid track record of delivering quality work. At Compass Pools, we have two authorised pool builders in the Greater Sydney region who are happy to discuss your project with you in more detail and help you find the right swimming pool for your home.

The Morning Edition newsletter delivers the day’s most important stories, analysis and insights straight to your inbox. You can sign up here.

Sydney pools are a treasured part of the city’s heritage, and they encapsulate values such as equality, diversity and mateship. However, while the pools are universally cherished and loved, they are not always available to all Sydney residents equitably.

In the interwar years, the introduction of ladies’ amateur clubs at ocean pools allowed women to continue competing and swimming competitively after men’s enlistments for war service depleted the surf lifesaving club memberships. While shark meshing and aerial patrols were introduced during the war years, the ocean pools remained Sydney’s most reliable beach safety measures.