Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by thecapetownblog
Summers in Cape Town get pretty hot, and as much as I love the beach, sometimes it’s nice to switch it up and head to a public swimming pool instead. The Atlantic sea is usually really cold, so you can’t stay in for too long at once. Fortunately, there are some great public swimming pools in Cape Town where you can head for a dip when the sun is shining, and some indoor ones for when it’s not!
So whether you’re looking for a place to swim laps or somewhere to spend the day lounging poolside, this guide to the best public swimming pools in Cape Town will help you find it.
Sea Point Pavillion
Sea Point Pavillion is a fantastic public pool complex that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. All of the pools here are saltwater pools, and they’re not heated so the water can be a little chilly (but still not as cold as the sea itself!)
There’s an Olympic sized pool here that’s perfect for swimming laps, as well as a diving pool and two kids pools. So basically, it’s a great public swimming pool whether you’re looking to train hard or just splash around with your family!
There are changing rooms here and there are some food carts right next door to the pool complex. My favourite is The Falafel Guy but you can also find pizza, ice cream, burgers, and Cape Malay curries, too. The pool does get pretty busy on weekends, but I’ve been on a warm weekday evening and found it almost empty!
Entry costs R34.50 for adults and R20 for kids, and season and annual passes are available if you’re a keen swimmer.
The Sea Point Pavillion is open from 7 am until 7 pm every day during the summer. From 2 May to 2 October, it opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm every day except Monday, when it opens at midday instead.
Address: Sea Point Pavillion, Lower Beach Road, Sea Point
Long Street Baths
Despite their reputation on party-central Long Street, the Long Street Baths are a calm and quiet place to go for a swim in Cape Town.
This indoor pool complex has been open to the public since 1908 and has recently been renovated. It’s now a community pool and it’s heated, so it’s perfect for swimming during the winter (or if you just don’t fancy facing the cold Atlantic waters!)
There’s a 25 x 12 metre pool for adults and a smaller kids pool, and there are always lifeguards on duty.
I do think it’s a shame that you can no longer find Turkish baths and massages here, as that’s what this place was known for, but it’s still a nice place for a swim. Plus, the Long Street Baths are in Cape Town city centre so they’re in a pretty convenient location.
Entry costs R35 for adults and R20 for kids – not bad given the fact that this is probably the most famous public swimming pool in Cape Town!
The Long Street Baths are open from 7 am until 5:30 pm daily. They have ladies-only swim sessions from 10 am until 2 pm every Tuesday, or until 1 pm during school holidays.
Address: Long St, Gardens, Cape Town
Retreat Swimming Pool
Retreat is a lesser known suburb of Cape Town, and it’s home to an excellent indoor swimming pool. It’s a 25-minute drive south of the city centre, and it’s better suited to family fun than swimming laps.
There’s a splash pool, showers, picnic areas, and a kids playground, so this is perfect for a family day out.
This is one of the cheapest public swimming pools in Cape Town at R17 for adults and just R4 for kids. It’s open from 10 am until 5 pm, seven days a week.
Address: 66 Joe Marks Blvd, Retreat, Cape Town
Muizenberg Swimming Pool
The surfer suburb of Muizenberg is home to one of the best public swimming pools in Cape Town. This outdoor pool is all about family fun, as it’s a large, curved pool and the complex is also home to grassy sunbathing/picnic areas and plenty of waterslides.
Plus, the pool complex is right next to the beach AND you get a great view of Table Mountain in the background, so it’s also super scenic. It really is the perfect place for a fun day out with family or friends if you just don’t feel like heading to the beach.
There are changing rooms and showers here, and there are always lifeguards on duty.
Muizenberg Swimming Pool is open from 10 am until 5 pm daily, from October to March. It closes during the winter months.
Entry costs R9 for adults and R3 for kids, so it’s super cheap, too!
Address: 1 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Newlands Swimming Pool
The Olympic-sized Newlands Swimming Pool has a lush, grassy sunbathing area, a kids’ pool, diving boards, and spectator stands to boot! It’s a popular venue for local swimming events such as school galas, and there’s also a small kiosk selling snacks.
Newlands Swimming Pool has a max capacity of 600 and is closed from Monday to Wednesday. It only opens from 2 pm until 5 pm on Thursday and Friday. On weekends, it’s open from 10 am until 5 pm so you can bring a picnic and enjoy a whole day’s worth of fun in the sun.
Entry costs R9 for adults and R3 for kids. It’s also free for pensioners.
Strand Indoor Swimming Pool
Strand is a seaside resort town just outside of Cape Town. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive from the city centre (and obviously less if you’re coming from the southern suburbs).
As the name suggests, this is an indoor swimming facility. Like the Newlands pool, Strand Indoor Swimming Pool has spectator stands. It’s a real community pool and has pensioners-only hours from 8 am until 10 am every morning, then is open for all from 10 am until 5 pm.
There’s a kids pool and an eating area, and entry prices are pretty standard at R35 for adults and R20 for kids.
Address: Beach Rd, Van Ryneveld
Trafalgar Swimming Pool
Located in trendy Woodstock, Trafalgar Swimming Pool is one of the best public swimming pools in Cape Town. With its grassy picnic areas and views of Table Mountain, I definitely think it’s one of the most picturesque!
This pool is 48 metres long so it’s almost Olympic sized, and there’s also a kids pool and a children’s play area. This outdoor pool is the perfect place to take the family on a sunny day, ans you’re welcome to bring a picnic, too.
Entry costs R9 for adults and R3 for kids, which I think is an absolute steal for a pool as nice as this one.
Trafalgar Swimming Pool is open from 10 am until 5 pm daily.
Address: Boulevard Woodstock, Searle St, Woodstock
BONUS: Randy Warthog Hostel Pool
I saved my favourite public swimming pool in Cape Town until last. Technically, Randy Warthog isn’t a public swimming pool, it’s a hostel pool. However, all you have to do to access this outdoor pool is buy a drink from the bar!
Just enter the hostel from the street and say that you want to go to the bar and pool, and the staff will welcome you and show you where to go.
The Randy Warthog Pool is a rooftop pool. It’s pretty small, but it’s perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day and it’s a great place to meet some new people. And let’s be honest, the ice cold beer on tap doesn’t hurt, either!
It costs around R45 for a pint of beer here. Randy Warthog is located along Main Road in Green Point, right next to Andiccios Pizza.
Address: 107 Main Road, Green Point