POOL POWER!
10 Hong Kong swimming spots
When the mercury rises, 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. Adult admission is just $17 during the week and $19 at weekends, while concession rates are $8 during the week and $9 at the weekend – and children under three are free! Here are some of our favourites.
HONG KONG ISLAND #1 Kennedy Town Swimming Pool
K-Town locals with young kids make a beeline 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
#2 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’s an indoor and outdoor pool, with a toddlers’ pool outside. It has a snack bar and lounge chairs.
7 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai
#3 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 that flock to the park. The complex has five pools, including a deepwater diving pool, a shallow children’s pool and a paddling pool. There’s also a good-sized area with sun-loungers to relax in, and a family changing room.
1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay
#4 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 ginormous! There are two main pools, two teaching pools, a training pool, a diving pool, a toddler pool and another pool that’s 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
#5 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 this 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’s also a sun-lounger area and four indoor heated pools.
Kowloon Park, 22 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
#6 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
#7 Jordan Valley Swimming Pool
This is a good choice if you have younger children as the swimming pool complex has a number of features well suited to the smaller swimmer. There are four leisure pool areas, with slides, water guns and other water play equipment, and also a family change room.
6 Choi Ha Road, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon
NEW TERRITORIES
#8 Sai Kung Swimming Pool
This public swimming pool has a lovely leisure pool area with a fountain and water slides suitable for various 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
#9 Tsing Yi Swimming Pool
This pool is well known to fans of water-slide action, as it has a good selection of slides suitable for older children. You’ll also find a toddlers’ pool and a family changing room.
51 Tsing King Road, Tsing Yi
#10 Tung Chung Swimming Pool
This is another pool with convenient family changing facilities. The complex includes an indoor pool and an outdoor training pool. There are three opening sessions a day, so check the website for times.
5 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung