Sydney's Tidal Swimming Pools

One of the most charming features of Sydney is a series of tidal swimming pools set into the rocks, just about one for every beach. You can get an idea of their locations from these aerial photos.

Icebergs pool, Bondi.

The pools are seawater, flushed and refreshed twice a day as the tide comes in. They are enormously valued by the locals and were pioneering venues for mixed bathing at the beginning of the 20th century.

Oceanides by Helen Leete, a sculpture on the edge of Fairy Bower pool in Cabbage Tree Bay.

Because they are in many ways just rather large rock pools, these swimming pools have resident wildlife. This ranges from various small fish to octapuses and the occasional wobbegong (carpet shark). The wobbegongs aren't overly dangerous, but they will bite if startled, so they are generally encouraged to go elsewhere as they are a bit of a nuisance if you are swimming laps.

Wylie's pool, taken from Coogee beach.

In January last year there was a tragedy at Wylie's pool, on Coogee beach, when the cleaning staff got it wrong and chlorine used to keep moss off the rock surround so it is not slippery accidently contaminated the pool water, killing the resident Gloomy Octopus Octopus tetricus. Pool users were unforgiving and the pool management had to issue a carefully worded mea culpa.

For an account of swimming Sydney's tidal ocean pools, go to the Lazy Swimmer's blog.