Why choose between a dip in a pool or the ocean when you can have both? Ocean pools in Sydney are outrageously beautiful and easily accessible — the only thing you need to worry about is the odd jellyfish. Lauren Kate Hughes rounds up the best ocean pools in Sydney for a refreshing swim in the (semi) wild.

From beachside spots like the famous Bondi Icebergs pools with iconic views to secluded public pools in quieter parts of the city, there’s a whole scene in Sydney for ocean pool swimming. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but a sunrise dip in the sheltered rock pool nestled in the cliffs at Bronte Beach has to be one of the most beautiful experiences this travel writer has ever had.

Epic city skylines more your thing when it comes to ocean pools in Sydney? MacCallum Pool, situated on the edge of Cremorne Point on the North Shore, offers panoramic views with the Harbour Bridge in clear view—quintessential Sydney at its finest. Families (or nervous swimmers seeking calmer waters) will find a peaceful haven at Shelley Beach Rock Pool near the picturesque Cronulla Beach. And stronger swimmers can retreat to this shallow ocean pool after contending with Cronulla’s waves for a sunset swim in shallow waters. Heavenly.

Sydney’s outdoor lifestyle is a big part of its character. Ocean dips and coastal hikes dominate weekend plans in arguably Australia’s best beach city, and its vast assortment of ocean pools means you can enjoy swimming laps without the waves to contend with (mostly). The city’s Pacific Ocean coastline has a reputation for choppy conditions, but these contained spaces make it much easier to navigate. How calm the water is will often depend on the tides; sometimes, there’s just a gentle rocking of the water, while other times, waves crash dramatically into the pools. Harbourside pools and those sheltered in coves tend to be calmer.

You can build a full day out around a trip to Sydney’s ocean pools; there’s usually a bustling cafe on the premises or nearby, as well as plenty of coastal walks nearby. And some, like Wylie’s Baths in serene Coogge, offer a full-fledged wellness programme alongside lane swimming. These sunshine-soaked pools epitomise Aussie life and are a must-see (or must-swim) in the city. And if you’re local, it’s very likely they’re already a part of your weekly routine. This is House of Coco‘s round-up of the best ocean pools in Sydney, written from experience.

7 best ocean pools in Sydney

Make sure you pack your swimmers for a trip to Australia’s most active city! Sydney’s ocean pools range from those with dedicated lanes to more relaxing rock pools. These are Sydney’s most beautiful ocean pools, where you can take a wild dip with incredible views, from harbourside pools to some of the most scenic spots in the Eastern Beaches.

1. Fairy Bower Pool

This unique pool on the North Shore of Sydney on Marine Parade has a distinctive triangular shape and always stays calm and serene, even if the waves at Manly Beach are crashing onto the shore. The small ocean pool was built by residents in 1929 and has remained popular among locals and tourists.

This is an ocean pool in Sydney where you won’t feel out of place staring out into the distance during a relaxing moment of calm, rather than furiously swimming laps. It’s only 20 meters long, so it’s more of a ‘cool-off-after-sunbathing’ ocean pool than a place to go for fitness.

You can find out more on the Northern Beaches website.

2. Wylie’s Baths

One of the more secluded options in Sydney, Wylie’s Baths offers a sheltered swim in picturesque surroundings. The natural-style pool has a summer holiday feel, surrounded by brightly coloured decking and a cheerful cafe serving hearty sandwiches and fresh juices.

Wylie’s Baths very much lean into its natural setting; the vast pool, which has lanes in for swimming lengths, is also a ‘living pool’ with marine life that includes a natural rock bottom, with sea creatures like octopus and sea urchins calling this natural rock pool their home.

Wylies offers a changing wellness program, with yoga and pilates taking place on the deck with a sea view. It’s one of the city’s most beautiful places to take a class. If a stretching session and a nature swim aren’t enough to get you into relaxation mode, visitors can also book a massage on the deck to complete the experience.

You can find out more on the Wylie’s Bath website.

3. Maccallum Pool

You’ll come for the views but stay for the relaxing atmosphere at Sydney’s inviting harbourside ocean pool. Maccallum Pool, situated on the western side of Cremorne Point, is one of the oldest in the city and has views over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and famous Opera House.

Somewhat of a hidden gem, Maccallum Pool was built in the 1920s and was initially called simply ‘The Pool’ until it was renamed in the ’30s after a local man — Hugh J Maccallum — who personally invested in the pool to keep it in use for locals. It’s not remained a secret for too long, though, with social media fuelling this photogenic ocean pool’s popularity with beautiful shots of swims and the world’s most beautiful harbour in the background.

You can find out more on the North Sydney Council website.

4. Bondi Icebergs

Bondi Icebergs has to be the most famous ocean pool in Sydney. It’s one of the biggest, with two pools and enough room to swim some serious laps. It’s situated right on the edge of Bondi Beach—one of the world’s most famous stretches of sand. The pool is 50 meters long, with lanes for swimmers who want to get in the zone and a smaller, calmer pool for children, more nervous swimmers, or those who simply want to relax.

Bondi Icebergs isn’t just a pool; it’s a whole mood. The most famous of Sydney’s ocean pools comes with a revered restaurant; one of the places to be seen in Sydney. With that in mind, Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is on the higher end of the scale price-wise, but it’s a real occasion place, thanks to its breathtaking views of Bondi Beach. The menu focuses on fresh, Italian-style dishes using local produce with some distinct Sydney twists. There’s also a gym, a sauna for contrast therapy, and a full-time yoga class in a world-famous setting.

You can find out more on the Bondi Icebergs website.

5. Bronte Baths

Bronte Beach is Bondi’s lesser-known neighbour, but it’s arguably more beautiful. Behind it is a vast green park, with pristine huts and barbeques dotted throughout, already set up for magical days out with family and friends. It’s also more relaxed than its famous Eastern beaches cousin, as it doesn’t attract the same crowds.

The most serene part of the beach is the Bronte Rock Pool, also known as Bronte Baths, which faces out towards the sea and is an incredible spot for observing smudges of oranges, pinks and yellows filling the sky during sunrise or sunset. A caveat, though: if you’re going to swim when there’s no lifeguard on duty, don’t go alone and keep safety in mind, especially if the waves are high. Bronte Baths isn’t as long as Bondi Iceburgs or Wylie’s Baths, making it more suited to a leisurely and relaxing swim than a fitness session.

You can find out more on the Ocean Pools NSW website.

6. Dawn Fraser Baths

The baths, named after legendary Australian Olympic swimmer Dawn Fraser, are believed to be some of the oldest in Australia. They are the perfect place for a historic and tranquil dip.

Dawn Fraser Baths have to be some of the most upmarket in the city, offering a more luxurious experience. The baths are perched next to the ocean in the leafy suburb of Balmain, which is known for its pretty streets, excellent cafés, and artisan bakeries, so visitors can enjoy some of the area’s culinary delights post-swim.

Find out more on the Inner West Council website.

7. Shelley Beach Rock Pool

A family favourite, Shelley Beach Rock Pool is near the white sands of Cronulla Beach and offers a calm place for little ones to learn to swim or adults to enjoy a relaxing swim away from the crowds. A sandy bank leads up to the ocean pool, meaning a swim here is a seamless experience.

You can find out more on the Ocean Pool NSW website.

Enjoyed our take on the best ocean pools? You’ll also want to read our complete guide to Sydney. And if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Sydney, House of Coco recently visited the beautiful Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour to see whether it lived up to its luxury reputation (spoiler alert: it’s as fabulous as they say).

Sydney is such a vibrant place, with incredible scenery at every turn. An active lifestyle is part and parcel of a stay in Sydney, so if you want to get the full experience, book into one of these ocean pools in Sydney for an unforgettable sea swim.