Whether it’s a dip in the sea, swimming laps in an indoor pool or just lazing around with friends, there is something deeply relaxing about spending time in the water. It may be an evolutionary holdover from our days in utero, or maybe it’s just that humans are drawn to the comforting feeling of being in water. Whatever the reason, Sydney has plenty of opportunity to relax in the ocean and its many public and private swimming pools, all of which are perfect for a summery escape.

While there are countless ocean and rock pools scattered across the city, these pools aren’t just swimming holes—they’re also spaces where people come to socialise. Some have been operating for more than a century, while others are just getting their start this summer.

Almost every beach in Sydney has a tidal pool, created to protect swimmers from cold air and big waves. Serene at low tide and choppy at high, they are, in some ways, the original infinity pools. One of the most iconic is Wylie’s Baths, named for champion long-distance swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie and established in 1907. Another is Coogee’s McIver’s Ladies Baths, the only ocean pool in Australia designed exclusively for women and children.

With ocean swimming numbers skyrocketing during the Covid pandemic, these pool spaces are becoming even more popular. They’re also far cheaper to operate than building a new pool. While the city of Sydney has a number of outdoor swimming pools, it needs more—especially now that ocean swimming is back in fashion.

But not all pools are created equal. There are some that stand out for their ingenuity, playfulness and sense of community. One such is Mount Druitt Pool, which is surrounded by parkland and has been running events like a ‘Dive In’ in the evenings this summer to encourage people to come out and swim. Mr Baker says they’re not just trying to get people through the gates; they want them to feel comfortable.

For inner-Sydney locals, Prince Alfred Park Pool offers a slice of summer right in the middle of Surry Hills and Redfern. The buttercup yellow sun umbrellas and pristine white picket fence add to the charm, and the 50-metre pool is always at that jump-right-in temperature.

For the more serious swimmers, Bondi’s Icebergs has become a legendary pool thanks to its spectacular views of the ocean and its iconic architecture. It’s not just about the pool, though; the bar and restaurant are well worth a visit, too. In fact, there is no other pool that can compete with the atmosphere at Bondi’s Icebergs, which has been open for over 100 years and is now a Sydney institution.