Beat the heat at Cape Town’s public pools

Summer has arrived in Cape Town with a blast of hot air, as the mercury soars above 30 degrees this week. And while some of us are lucky enough to enjoy a sparkling blue pool in the backyard, for many, that’s a luxury we can only dream of in heat like this.

Luckily, the City of Cape Town operates a network of 36 public pools across the city, which residents can enjoy for a cheap-cheap entry fee. Unfortunately, not all of them are open yet, and most that have opened only welcome swimmers on weekends for the moment.

That’s because Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department has confirmed a phased reopening of community pools for summer 2025/26. Public pools will be open weekends-only from 17 October to 30 November 2025 (usually 10am-6pm, with last tickets at 5.30pm). Daily opening begins from 1 December 2025, and is set to run through until mid-April 2026.

But if you’re hot in Cape Town right now? Pack your cozzie and head for one of these: 

Cape Town public pools open daily:

Long Street Indoor Pool

Retreat Indoor Pool

Strand Indoor Pool

Bluedowns Indoor Pool

Sea Point Pool

Community pools open from today, weekends only:

Athlone

Bellville Central

Bonteheuwel

Browns Farm

Eastridge

Elsies River

Emthonjeni

Hanover Park

Lentegeur

Morningstar

Muizenberg

Observatory

Parow North

Trafalgar

Community Pools open weekends, from November (date to be announced)

Khayelitsha

Langa

Newlands

Parow Valley

Ruyterwacht

Westridge

Community Pools open from December (date to be announced)

Atlantis

Bellville South

Delft

Goodwood

Kensington, Manenberg

Mnandi Coastal Pool

Ravensmead

Wynberg

Entry fees for public pools 

Sea Point Pavilion: R37.50 adults, R22 children.

Bellville: R39 adults, R22 children.

Long Street Indoor Pool: R39 adults, R22 children.

Strand Indoor Pool: R39 adults, R22 children.

Blue Downs Indoor Pool: R19 adults, R4 children.

Retreat Indoor Pool: R19 adults, R4 children.

All Community Outdoor pools: R9 adults, R3 children

[Includes Athlone, Atlantis, Bonteheuwel, Browns’ Farm, Eastridge, Elsies River, Emthonjeni, Goodwood, Hanover Park, Lentegeur, Manenberg, Parow North, Parow Valley, Ravensmead, Ruyterwacht, Vulindlela, Westridge, Wynberg, Newlands, Mnandi and Muizenberg.]

Planning a pool visit? Don’t forget…

• You can check exact opening times and entry fees on the City of Cape Town’s swimming pools website.
• Sea Point swimming pool is now cashless, accepting card payments only.
• No alcohol is allowed at any pool. Like, ever. Don’t even try.
• No glass containers, tents or pets allowed
• Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by an adult

Want to swim for free? Head for a tidal pool near Cape Town!