Bexley/Beverly Hills Blog

When you feel like a refreshing swim with the family, there are plenty of choices for tranquil waters and crowd-free swimming spots in southeast Sydney. If your idea of a relaxing swim does not include catching the next wave, read on for some of our suggestions for secret swimming holes and avoiding hotspots like Cronulla.

Top Sydney river and rock pool swimming spots

For those of us who find the surf (and summer bluebottles) too challenging, we’re lucky to have ample swimming spots where we can avoid both.

Georges River swimming spots

One of the great benefits of living in southeast Sydney is its close proximity to the Georges River, which offers several great family-friendly swimming spots. These riverside baths are often adjacent to reserves where you can set up the barbecue or find a table so you can enjoy a full day out by the water.

• Jew Fish Baths, Oatley: Best at high tide, this swimming spot has 320 metres of shark netting. The water can be a little murky but kids love the space. Surrounded by natural bushland, this spot is ideal for spotting native wildlife.
• Como Baths: Adjacent to the Como Pleasure Grounds (established in 1895) is the Como tidal pool. The grounds themselves boast a picnic area, children’s playground, and a convenient kiosk. If river swimming doesn’t excite you, you’ll find a free Council-operated pool nearby.
• Carrs Point Baths: Since the Carss Park pool was closed, the baths are your only option for cooling off.  A picnic area, walking tracks, and a kiosk mean you can spend a day here in comfort.

Royal National Park swimming holes

Get closer to nature in our own Royal National Park. With around 100 rock pools and top swimming spots here, you’re sure to find one to your liking. 

• Figure 8 pools: These breathtaking pools are a great spot for a cooling dip. For those of you who are more adventurous, you are treated to a unique experience that can feel surreal as you float in these naturally shaped pools. However, bathing in these pools does come with a warning. On days of heavy surf, the pools can be pounded by the waves so choose a calm day.
• Wattamolla Falls and Lagoon: While nearby Wattamolla Beach is relatively protected, the falls and lagoon provide tranquil waters for surf-phobic swimmers.
• Winifred Falls and South West Arm Pool: Not for the faint-hearted, these stunning bushland spots are reached by hiking a fire trail to first, the waterfall and then on to the waterhole. While it’s not ideal if you have young children, teenagers and those who seek the hidden treasures of the national park will welcome the challenge.

Bayside swimming

For those of us who live within sight of the broad expanse of Botany Bay, naturally, we’ll look closer to home for surf-free swimming and netted bathing facilities. Lady Robinsons Beach, a five-kilometre stretch of beach along the bay, incorporates several suburban beaches along its stretch. We’ve picked a few of our top spots for you.

• Kyeemagh Beach Baths: In sight of the Sydney Airport runway, this netted pool is best enjoyed at high tide unless you just want to paddle in ankle-deep water. Nearby you’ll find a fenced playground and a café so you can grab a drink while keeping an eye on the kids.
  
• Brighton-Le-Sands evokes calm Mediterranean beaches and tends to attract many Europeans who aren’t used to dealing with strong surf. With a strong Greek heritage, the tree-lined beachside boasts a statue of Spyros Louis, the winner of the first marathon of the modern Olympics in 1896. 
• Vanston Baths at Sandringham offers a netted stretch of beach that’s best enjoyed at high tide but is suitable for swimming in all tides. Set away from the main road, this stretch of beach is quieter, as well as being close to a café and the Georges River Sailing Club.
  
• Monterey Baths is one of the deeper swimming spots along Lady Robinson Beach, with a grassy area above the beach and afternoon shade.
• Sans Souci Beach in the bay offers the chance to enjoy the cool bay waters, again without fear of sharks.

For a more controlled swimming and a guarantee of lifeguards, the popular Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre has swimming facilities that can accommodate your whims for either indoor or outdoor swimming. And for a complete family-friendly day out, don’t miss the Botany Aquatic Centre, complete with shady lawn areas, children’s playground, and barbecue and picnic areas.

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