By: Melissa Stevens
When the mercury rises in Hong Kong, you really need to hit the water to cool off. There are 44 public swimming pools across the city, many with facilities such as kiddie pools and water slides to make a visit a fun family day out. And even better, it’s cheap as chips, too. Adult admission is HK$17 during the week and HK$19 at weekends, concession rates are HK$8 during the week and HK$9 at the weekend and children under three are free! Here are some of our fave public swimming pools.
Tips before you head out
- Check opening times. Public swimming pools are closed for cleaning on different days of the week. They are also closed periodically for annual maintenance and repairs. Check the individual schedules on the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website before you head out.
- Take some change. Some pools have lockers where you can store your belongings. You’ll need a coin to use these – normally $5 but take a $10 just in case. That coin is refundable; it will simply drop out of a slot on the inside of the locker when you’re done. So, technically the lockers are free but you need a coin to use them.
Hong Kong Island Public Swimming Pools
Kennedy Town Swimming Pool
K-Town locals with young kids make a bee-line for their state-of-the-art, heated public swimming pool, as it caters brilliantly for young families. It has great swimming areas for the kids, a family changing room and even a jacuzzi! Architecture buffs will appreciate the sleek, futuristic design of the complex, with part of the roof designed so that swimmers have views over the water.
2 Sai Cheung Street North, Kennedy Town
Morrison Hill Pool
This swimming pool is tucked away in a little pocket between Happy Valley, Causeway Bay and Wan Chai and is a good option for a quieter swim as it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some of the other public facilities. There is an indoor and outdoor pool, with a toddlers’ pool outside. It has a snack bar and lounge chairs.
7 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
Victoria Park Swimming Pool
Victoria Park is a much-loved recreational hub for Hongkongers, and its swimming pool is designed to cater for the throngs of families which flock to the park. The complex has five pools, including a deep-water diving pool, a shallow children’s pool and a paddling pool. There’s also a good-sized area with sun loungers to relax and a family changing room.
1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Pao Yue Kong Swimming Pool
As Wong Chuk Hang becomes increasingly popular, more and more people are cottoning on to this public swimming pool complex, which is absolutely huge! There are two main pools, two teaching pools, a training pool, a diving pool, a toddler pool and another pool ideal for older kids. The kids’ pools have a variety of slides and other water play features. It also has sun loungers and a family changing room.
2 Shum Wan Road, Wong Chuk Hang
Kowloon Public Swimming Pools
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool
When the little ones tire of looking at the flamingos and exploring the various play areas in the park, take them for a swim in the park’s swimming pool complex. Spread across two levels, there are three outdoor leisure pools of irregular shapes linked together by waterfalls, a footbridge, one circular paddling pool and a sun bathing area. There is also a sun lounger area and four indoor heated pools.
Kowloon Park, 22 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool
This is one of the more legendary of the city’s public swimming pools as the indoor pool area has a pirate ship with water cannons on it! The outdoor facilities are equally as appealing to kids, with a sprawling selection of spaces including a toddler pool, a number of water slides and a fountain.
30 Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Jordan Valley Swimming Pool
A good choice if you have younger children as this swimming pool complex has a number of features well-suited to the smaller swimmer. Its has four leisure pool areas, with slides, water guns and other water play equipment. It also has a family change room.
6 Choi Ha Road, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon
New Territories Public Swimming Pools
Sai Kung Swimming Pool
This public swimming pool has a lovely leisure pool area with a fountain and water slides suitable for varying ages, which will keep the kids happy. Meanwhile, mum and dad can enjoy a few laps in the main pool area and enjoy the spectacular Sai Kung views!
12 Wai Man Road, Sai Kung
Tsing Yi Swimming Pool
This pool is well-known by water slide fans, as it has a good selection suitable to older children. It also has a toddlers’ pool and a family changing room.
51 Tsing King Road, Tsing Yi
Tung Chung Swimming Pool
This is another pool with family changing facilities. There’s an indoor pool and an outdoor training pool. They have three sessions a day; check the website for times.
5 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung
The public swimming pools are closed for cleaning on different days of the week. They are also closed periodically for annual maintenance and repairs. Check the individual schedules on the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website for details.
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