In a city where the summer heat is notorious, there’s no better way to beat the scorching Hong Kong sun than to dive into one of our city’s many scenic pools. From swimming lanes and leisure pools to water playgrounds for the kids, a visit to these Hong Kong swimming pools is sure to keep everyone cool this summer.
While swimming is a fantastic exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels, it’s especially important for children to develop a good swim habit early in life. The benefits of swimming are vast, ranging from promoting healthy weight to lowering the risk for cardiovascular diseases and strokes. Moreover, swimming reduces stress and can even help alleviate depression. In addition, it boosts energy levels and promotes a healthy metabolic rate.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that swimming is one of the most popular activities among people of all ages and backgrounds. In fact, it is the most popular sport in the world! Nevertheless, some children still struggle to find the confidence to swim in open waters. Thankfully, public swimming pools are a great place to practice their skills. These indoor and outdoor swimming pools feature a range of swimming pools and slides to suit all levels, including a learn-to-swim pool and a wave pool. In addition, they also have a small shop where you can buy swimming costumes, floats and pool toys for the little ones.
For those who prefer to take a dip in the open air, Hong Kong has 22 public swimming pools that are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The entrance fees are HK$17 per person on weekdays and HK$19 on weekends. However, concession rates apply for those with disabilities, above 60 years old, between the ages of 3 and 13, or full-time students.
If you’re looking for a place to relax in the sunshine while enjoying breathtaking views, Kerry Hotel’s rooftop infinity pool is the perfect choice. Surrounded by tropical plants and overlooking Victoria Harbour, this pool is a freeing space where you can banish all your worries. The pool deck is also adorned with white lounge chairs, making it the ideal spot to soak up the sun and get your tan on.
Another must-see pool is Sai Ying Pun’s spectacular complex, which features a large Olympic-sized pool with lanes for swimmers to practise their strokes, as well as a leisure pool where you can just unwind and enjoy the view. In addition, the complex also has a water playground with swirling slides, making it the perfect destination for a day of fun in the sun!
With only 40 percent of the city’s 600 seasonal lifeguards showing up for duty, a full reopening of public beaches and pools is unlikely this year. But don’t let this dampen your spirits, as there are plenty of other ways to cool off this summer. From scenic poolside activities to refreshing shaved ice, here are some of our favourite places to escape the sweltering Hong Kong weather.