In a city with no shortage of pristine beaches, it may seem strange that Sydney’s iconic ocean pools remain a hidden treasure. But this unique and beautiful natural feature, tucked into rock clusters and tiny seawalls along the coastline, is no ordinary pool. In fact, it’s more like a natural whirlpool, filled and emptied with seawater on a continual basis as the tide changes.
These saltwater pools are a peculiarly NSW treasure; nowhere else in the world has as many. From Manly’s triangular Fairy Bower to Coogee’s historic Wylie’s to Olympic-sized South Cronulla, these pools are a haven from the pounding surf. Each one has its own personality, but they all share the same sense of timelessness.
Every day before the surfers and soft sand runners, pilgrims clutching towels and goggles trek over the spray and cliffs to these patches of tamed ocean. Some swim, some float, and some just sit. Photographers come, too, drawn by the same beauty that’s enchanted artists for generations.
The pools are a refuge for the shy and cautious from the power of the sea, and for older swimmers who want to avoid the sharks that roam the harbor waters. But while they’re an oasis from the harshness of the sea, the pools are not a safe haven from all dangers. A shark slammed into the rocks of the Fairy Bower in Manly earlier this year, and locals are bracing for the return of a predator that has killed at least two swimmers in the past decade.
Unlike the concrete pools found at swimming centres and waterparks, these natural pools are free to enter, and they’re always a short walk or a pleasant swim from people’s homes. Their beauty, and their connection to the natural environment, makes them a vital part of Sydney’s culture. That’s why it’s important to protect these special places from the very real threats of climate change, over-tourism, and other pressures.