If you’re looking to swim in a pool, Sydney has plenty of choice. From ocean pools to swanky indoor facilities, you can splash out without having to worry about a little drizzle or that burst of chilly Sydney wind.

If you want to feel like an Olympic champion, dive into one of the ten competition length lanes at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Or, if you’re a beginner, head to the training pool and take things slowly. And when it’s time for some family fun, you can drift along Rapid River, speed down the water slides and be rained on by squirting volcanoes at Splashers Water playground.

Then there are Sydney’s famous open-air rock pools. Many of these beautiful spots are found on the city’s beaches and have been enjoyed by swimmers for generations. In Manly, the iconic Fairy Bower Pool offers a magical spot to swim surrounded by bronze sculptures and protected from surf waves. Or, for a stunning beach setting, head to Coogee where you’ll find the secluded Wylie’s Baths or McIver’s Ladies Baths.

And if you love the idea of swimming in a natural ocean pool, you can also take a dip at the new Marrinawi Cove. This harbour pool in one of Sydney’s hottest precincts, Barangaroo, is a real gem and was created thanks to clean-up efforts around this part of the harbour. It’s a quiet, gentle spot where you can swim and sunbathe in the pristine waters while enjoying great views of the Sydney skyline.

Ocean pools have been a Sydney institution for over 200 years and are one of the city’s most beloved outdoor attractions. Located on the base of cliffs and rocks at the edge of almost every Sydney beach, they are free to use all year round. In summer, you’ll find these secluded spots are packed with beachgoers, but head to the sands in winter and you’ll have it all to yourself.

There’s also a huge variety of heated indoor swimming pools throughout Sydney, from modern high-performance centres to retro-cool public pools and leisure centres. These swimming spots make it easy to keep up your swimming routine even when the sun isn’t shining, and they’re perfect for kids who will love to splash about in the wave pool, whizz down the slide and splash around at the water playground.