The best public pools in Singapore

Calling all NSmen – there's a new place to kick it with the fam. HomeTeamNS' new 21,000-square-metre, five-storeyed Khatib Clubhouse has opened its doors to welcome NSMen and their families to revel in its many eco-friendly innovations, and first-of-its-kind facilities and amenities. It's also the first clubhouse to introduce an eco filtration system for its swimming pool where the water is sanitised without the need for chemicals like chlorine – talk about being sustainable.

Swim with a view at Safra Yishun. Forget booking a chalet by the seaside – the pool space is surrounded by lush greens, furnished with massive umbrellas, deck chairs and structures to mirror one. Squeeze into your swimwear and make a splash at the gargantuan rock with built-in slides by the outdoor rock-climbing wall. With the inter-connected water linkways, you can waddle your way to the lap pool or the next section without having to get yourself out of the water and onto the scorching hot floor.

One for the kids – make a splash at this indoor water playground (from $8, free for babies below 18 months) that stretches out to 23,000 square feet. It has five slides and eight play decks, all interconnected by climbing structures. Big buckets of water topple at random over a few areas, so expect most children to cluster around that splash pad to get dunked. You probably don’t want to leave your toddler under that waterfall – head instead to a separate wading area, specially for those aged 18 to 36 months, where water jets gently spray streams at you. 

From high-speed flume rides to four-storey slides and wave pools, there’s plenty to do at this water paradise. More than just swimming pools, this Pasir Ris must-visit is decked with a plethora of slides, ladders, water cannons and fountains, perfect for cooling off if doing laps aren't your thing. Get your heart pumping with the exhilarating trip down the 'Ular-Lah' raft slide, with its high, banked corners and 360-degree spins. 

A perennial favourite among Westies, Jurong East Swimming Complex was the first public pool in Singapore to offer a lazy river (complete with a float, no less), wave pool, and fun slides to the masses. Since its opening in 2000, this swimming complex still hasn't lost its appeal – the tower of three spiraling water slides are perpetually packed, along with the wave pool and lazy river that gently lulls you along the perimeter of the facility. If you're there to do some real swimming, there's also a competition pool somewhere in the complex.

Relatively smaller as compared to its sister pool – Jurong East Swimming Complex – but all-around great fun, this pool is decked with a water playground that includes a three-storey tube slide, guaranteed to keep the kids occupied for long. For some serious laps, dive into its indoor and outdoor 50-metre pools. Alternatively, have a lazy dip in its jacuzzi or grab a float for a drift down the lazy river.  

Slides are always popular with both kids and adult and Pasir Ris Swimming Complex has two of them to play with. There's also a competition pool, a training pool, two kiddy pools fitted with fun water features, and a jacuzzi where you can park yourself to keep an eye on your kids and not miss out on all the fun. Additionally, this swimming complex is one of the 'greenest' pools of the bunch, the entire building is fitted with energy-saving features such as rainwater harvesting system – the collected water is used to water surrounding plants, of which it has many – and even vertical green walls that are as Instagram-worthy as they are practical (it's said to reduce ambient heat gained).

Located on the sixth level of Our Tampines Hub, this breezy rooftop facility gives ritzy infinity pools a run for their money. There are a total of six pools: a training pool, a ten-lane competition pool, a multi-purpose pool (you know, for water polo and synchronised swimming events and stuff), a Jacuzzi pool for chilling, an interactive pool, and a wading pool. The last two are meant for the little ones – the garden-themed kiddy pool even has flower pot misting spouts and a kid-sized waterfall to get really drenched in. 

Unless you live somewhere along the North-East MRT line, this public pool is a little bit out of the way but it's definitely worth the trek, especially if you've got active kids who love to slide. The most eye-catching feature in this swimming complex is the eight colourful giant slides – there are both open-top and tube slides – that sends the young (or the young-at-heart) splashing straight into the pool. There's also a relaxing jacuzzi and kiddy pool – fitted with a small slide for the toddlers – to dip in. But if you're looking for a challenge, check out the two Olympic-sized pools, with group swimming lessons conducted regularly throughout the week.

This venue is temporarily closed 

Head up to Kallang Wave Mall's rooftop – and don’t forget your swimsuit and sunblock. While Splash N Surf has a water play area open only to kids, there’s a lazy pool (currently closed temporarily) that allows both children and adults to laze in, for a grand sum of two bucks. You and your kiddo can also learn to half-pipe surf at the Stingray and master riding on the boogie board and kneeboard – unfortunately that'll cost you a little more, prices start from $30/hour and up.