Though Queensland has nabbed the title of Australia’s ‘sunshine state’, Western Australia runs hot on its heels. Perth is arguably one of Australia’s sunniest cities and boy, there are ample ways for you to make the most of it. From public pools with water playgrounds to picturesque beaches, these are some of the best places to swim in Perth.
The Best Perth Pools (Indoor and Outdoor)
Beatty Park Leisure Centre
If it’s a pool in proximity to the city that you’re after, Beatty Park Leisure Centre in North Perth is your go to. An easy 10-minute drive from the heart of the city (or a 20-minute ride on the 420 bus route), this leisure centre has everything a water lover could need.
Outside, there is a 10-lane 50m lap pool, an eight-lane 30m lap pool, a dive pool, and a great grassed area to lay down and dry off on post-swim. Indoors you can find a ‘learn to swim’ pool, a paddle pool, and a water playground complete with waterslides for the kids, as well as a 25m lap pool for the indoor swimmers. All pools are heated year-round.
You can also find a gym, crèche, spa, sauna, and group fitness centres on site.
Find out more information on the Beatty Park Leisure Centre here.
Address: 220 Vincent Street, North Perth
Phone: (08) 9273 6080
Scarborough Beach Pool
When indecision strikes, make a beeline for Scarborough Beach Pool. Situated right on the shores of the famed Scarborough Beach, the beach pool gives you the best of both worlds.
Get the work in with some laps in one of the complex’s two lap pools (a 50m with eight lanes and a 25m with four lanes) before braving the waves for a dip in the Indian Ocean. There is also a separate, shallow leisure pool for children to paddle in when the swell on the other side of the fence gets too ferocious.
Though none of the three pools at Scarborough Beach Pool are indoors, they’re all heated to a comfortable 27 degrees year-round.
Find out more information on the Scarborough Beach Pool here.
Address: 171 The Esplanade, Scarborough WA 6019
Phone: (08) 9205 7560
Claremont Aquatic Centre
The state of the art Claremont Aquatic Centre has facilities for all type of swimmer – from a splashing toddler through to the distance swimmer. Not only does the complex house an eight-lane Olympic sized pool, but there’s a diving pool, a seven-lane 25m lap pool, and a water playground – complete with 1000L mega bucket, misters, showers, and shooting water jets – too.
In summer, you can make a day of it and enjoy the playground, barbecues, and picnic area by the outdoor pool and water playground. But you don’t have to keep the visits to summer as the pool water is kept at a constant 28 degrees in the cooler months.
Find the Claremont Aquatic centre website here.
Address: 12 Davies Rd, Claremont WA 6010
Phone: (08) 9285 4343
Bayswater Waves
As the name suggests, the Bayswater Waves complex is home to Perth’s only artificial wave pool. The pool brings the outdoors in by generating a gentle, intermittent swell. It also has its own whirlpool, a toddler-friendly waterslide (and paddle pool just nearby), and a ‘lazy river’ for you to float down.
For lap swimmers, the complex also has a heated 25m pool indoors and a heated 50m pool outdoors.
Find out more information on Bayswater Waves here.
Address: Cnr Broun Avenue & Priestley Street, Embleton WA 6062
Phone: (08) 9276 6538
Perth Hotels with Great Pools
The Ritz Carlton Perth
You’d be hard pressed to find a pool in Perth with a better view. Sitting mid-way up the luxurious Ritz Carlton in Perth’s Elizabeth Quay, this infinity pool has a 180-degree panorama of the city skyline and the Swan River.
While it’s not a pool that’s big enough to get a couple of kilometers of freestyle in, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail or two from the neighbouring Songbird bar. The pool is open from morning to night, but sunset is arguably the best hour to take a dip (the sun sets behind Kings Park hill which is in direct view of the pool).
Address: 1 Barrack St Perth
Crown Towers Perth
Nothing says ‘vacation’ quite like staying at a hotel with a sprawling lagoon pool. Take, for example, the luxurious pool at Crown Towers Perth. The multi-tiered leisure pool – set not too far from the the Crown Metropol’s own sprawling lagoon pool – is the adult’s answer to a ‘water wonderland’.
Hire one of the poolside cabanas or daybeds and spend your day swimming, sun bathing, and ordering cocktails from the poolside menu. Poolside fig lounges start from $55 for the day, and one of the poolside daybeds will set you back $125.
Address: Great Eastern Highway Burswood, Perth WA 6100
The Adnate Perth
Overlooking Hay St in Perth city’s West End, the open-air pool at the Adnate is a great spot to take a leisurely dip. With definite LA vibes, this neon light-lit pool is surrounded by ample decking, comfortable sun loungers, and the hotel’s iconic blue and white striped umbrellas. The neighbouring Hyde Kitchen bar and restaurant services the pool area too, so champagne and fries by the pool is not out of the question.
Though it’s a leisure pool first and foremost, during the quiet hours the rectangular shape of the pool lends itself to lap swimmers. It may not be Olympic sized, but it certainly does the trick.
Address: 900 Hay St, Perth WA 6000
Picture-Perfect Perth Beaches
Cottesloe Beach
Cottesloe Beach is one of Perth’s most photographed beaches, and one of its most swimmable. Protected by a shark net, the calm, white sand bay in front of the iconic Indiana Tea House is the preferred swimming spot for many families. Head slightly further north than the tea houses and you’ll be graced with fantastic snorkeling spots too.
Getting there: Cottesloe is a 25-miute drive from the city center. If you’re using public transport to get there, take the Fremantle line from Perth City train station through to Cottesloe station (approximately 40 minutes), then walk straight down Forrest St to the beach (see the Transperth journey planner here).
City Beach
Known for its long stretches of white sand and flawless deep blue shoreline, City Beach draws an upmarket yet casual crowd. It’s also a popular spot for ocean swimmers to get some kilometers in, and brunchers to while away their morning with a view.
Getting there: In a car, City Beach is 20-minutes from the city center. If you’re relying on public transport to get you to the coast, hop on the 81 bus route and take it all the way to the cafes on City Beach (approximately 40 minutes).
Leighton Beach
If it’s a family friendly beach you’re looking for, you can’t go past the calm, turquoise waters of Perth’s Leighton Beach. There’s plenty of space to put up your umbrella and spread out your towels on this long stretch of beach, and even some great little reefs along the coast line to have a snorkel on.
Getting there: Leighton Beach is just north of Fremantle in Perth’s south. It’s an easy 25-minute drive from the city, or a 35-minute train ride on the Fremantle line (hop off at the North Fremantle station and wander the short distance to the beach).
Swimming Clubs, Learn To Ocean Swim + Races
Serious swimmers can find plenty of great ocean and river races to get involved with in Perth. Arguably the most well-known is the 19.7km Rottnest Channel Swim that takes place every February. The race between Cottesloe Beach and Thompsons Bay on Rottnest Island can be completed solo or in teams.
A little further south in Busselton (2.5hrs drive from Perth), an equally as well-known open water race takes place just a few weeks prior to the Rottnest Channel Swim. The 3.6km Busselton Jetty Swim sees solo swimmers and teams of 2 or 4 take swim out and around the iconic jetty.
If ocean swims aren’t your thing, sign up for the Swim Thru Perth on the Swan River. There’s a 3.5km course for the serious swimmers, as well as some challenges for people just starting out on their swimming journey, children, and fun-seekers.
For more regular swim events, join in on an early morning dip with the Cold Nips Club. The club meets mid-week at different locations around Perth for a sunrise dip. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out where and when they will be meeting next.
I am sure there are several open water swimming coaches you can use in Perth. The only one I have heard of so far is Swimming Women – they look fun!
Thanks so much Monique!
Can you recommend any other splendid swimming spots in Perth. Do let us know in the comments.