Sydney is famous for its opera house and bridge, but it also has more ocean pools than any other city in the world. The sheltered pools, often carved from sandstone cliffs, function as public swimming pools and beach safety measures. Their walls allow waves to wash in, but exclude large sharks and other marine life that often attack surfers. In addition to offering recreational and learn-to-swim opportunities, the pools serve as refuge from dangerous surf rips that cause many surf rescues and coastal drownings in Australia.

People of all ages can enjoy a swim whenever they want, without the hassle of expensive pool fees or crowds. Swimming is great for fitness and can help reduce joint problems, as water is buoyant and allows the body to move freely. It’s also an excellent way to keep up with the kids and get them in shape, especially when they’re prone to spending all day at school.

Owning a pool can also increase your social life, providing the perfect spot to entertain friends and family. The possibilities are endless as you can host barbeques, drinks or even a pool party.

If you’re looking to buy a swimming pool in Sydney, be sure to research your options carefully. Ensure that the pool builder you choose is licensed to work in NSW, and that they can show you their licence before starting any work. You should also read the terms and conditions of the warranty carefully to make sure you’re fully protected.

Some local councils have preservation orders on certain trees, so you may need to check with them before having a pool built. You also have to make sure your pool complies with Sydney’s strict pool safety laws. This includes a fence with a minimum height of 1.2 meters and a gate that’s self-closing and self-latching. It’s also important to keep the area around the pool free from climbable objects like chairs or potted plants, which could be used as ladders to scale the fence.

In recent years, some popular ocean pools have been closed. Parramatta in western Sydney lost its pool in 2017 when it was shut to make room for a new stadium, and the iconic Bondi pool is currently closed for much-needed repairs. The Berejiklian government promises a “like-for-like” replacement pool for the site, but it’s not clear when that will happen. In the meantime, the pool’s plight has raised questions about how the Berejiklian government allocates funding for swimming infrastructure.