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The hottest month of summer is here and promises to be a scorcher. Luckily Travelstart’s summer swimming guide is all about keeping things cool for sunseekers and serious swimmers alike. Whether you’re looking to do some elegant poolside lounging, cocktail-in-hand, or you favour a full-on Olympic work-out, Travelstart’s got you covered.
Go for Olympic Gold at Ellis Park Swimming Pool, JHB
Image of Ellis Park Pool courtesy of Design Indaba
The biggest and best public pool in Jozi, Ellis park is Olympic-sized and heated in winter. Join in the festive atmosphere on the weekend with families and friends braaing while enjoying the occasional dip. Go in the week to get in some serious Olympic-sized, 50m a shot lengths.
Open: From 7:00 to 19:00 from Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 to 17:00 on Saturday & Sunday
Cnr North Park Lane & Erin St, Doornfontein
Call: 011 4025565
Rates: R8 for adults and R5 for kids, free for senior citizens
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? The verdict: both
A slick city-break in Jozi calling your name? For cheap and convenient flights to Johannesburg go here.
Dive in at De Jong Diving Centre, Pretoria
Courtesy of De Jong Diving Centre Youtube Video
There’s a lovely lawn area and 3m, 5m and 10m diving boards, diving lessons and lifeguards available. This is the ideal environment for learner divers (both on the board and beneath the water), there’s a diving team and as an onlooker you might catch some spectacular dives on display.
Open: From Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00, open seasonally
Roper St, Muckleneuk, Pretoria
Rates: R3 for preschoolers, R5 for scholars and pensioners and R10 for adults
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? The verdict: serious-swimmer
The Party’s at Poolside
Courtesy of Poolside Facebook Page
Dj’s, a sparkling poolside and thai chicken curry on the menu make this your go-to-weekend-pool-party. Order an icy drink at the bar and look forward to a day of great party vibes.
Open: From Tues to Fri open from 09:00 to 21:00. From Sat to Sun open from 12:00 – 22:00
281 Commissioner Street Maboneng
Rates: On a non-function day entrance is free
Call: 082 754 9745
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? The verdict: definite sunseeker
The Tuks High Performance Centre, Pretoria
Courtesy of The Tuks High Performance Centre Facebook Page
This world-class sports facility was opened in 2002. There’s a heated indoor pool available as well as an Olympic standard outdoor pool with 1500 seats in the pavilion.
University of Pretoria Sports Campus, Burnett Street, Hatfield Pretoria
Call: 012 484 1700
The rates are organised in 6 month or 12 month installments. For the public there’s an initial R600 joining and a R310.00 per month rate (for 6 or 12 months). If you join as a family you’ll get a discount of R440.00 for a husband and wife and R150.00 per month per child under 18 years. Pensioners don’t have to pay a joining fee and only pay R200 per month. Students at TUKS only pay R250 per month plus the joining fee.
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: high-performance, serious swimmers and enthusiasts of all fitness levels
Moletsane Public Swimming Pool, Soweto
Image courtesy of Kenalemang Madikgetla via Moletsane Swimming Pool Facebook Page
Awesome braai facilities, a kids’ paddling pool, on-duty life guards and swimming lessons on offer make this a kid-friendly fun day out for the whole family.
Call: Aaron on 011 932 4031
286 Mokgatla and Mokakola streets, Moletsane, Soweto, Johannesburg
Rates: R3 for kids, R5 for adults
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: both
Infinity at Southern Sun Hyde Park
Experience the infinity pool at the Southern Sun Hyde Park. The gorgeous metallic water reflects the sky while you take in the Sandton city skyline. Order a drink from the island bar and relax on a deck chair.
Call: 011 341 8080
Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg
Rates: the pool is open to hotel guests only
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: Sunset-seeker
Four Seasons Westcliff Pool
Book a spa treatment or spoil you and your partner with a romantic city break this Valentine’s Day at the uber luxe Four Season’s Westcliff. The 25 metre heated lap pool is only available to adults or teenagers booked-in for a treatment at the spa.
Open: 6am -10pm
Call: 011 481 6450
Rates: most spa treatments start at R780 depending on the treatment
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: the lap pool is ideal for luxurious laps after your spa treatment
Kivietskroon Pool
Why not escape the city heat and head a short way out to the country for a romantic weekend away at Kivietskroon or maybe just a day out picnicking under leafy trees and having a drink at the poolside bar followed by a refreshing dip.
Open: The poolside bar is open from 10:00 till 19:00 and serves tea and coffee, refreshments and cocktails.
Call: 0860 543 848
Plot 41, Reier Road, Kameeldrift-East, Pretoria
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: Sunseeker deluxe
Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel
If you’re looking to do some serious poolside mingling then look to the rooftop bar at the elegant Radisson Blu in Sandton. This is perfect for business travellers looking for a luxe stay a swift 55 steps from the Gautrain. 2 for 1 drinks and live entertainment each Friday from 17:00 to 19:00. Unfortunately you have to be staying at the hotel to swim in those beautiful blue waters but the general public can enjoy the poolside atmosphere with sunset drinks.
Call: 011 286 1000
Corner of Rivonia Road and West Street, Sandton, Johannesburg
Rates: Order an aptly named “terrace sunset” for R65 or half that during the Friday 2 for 1 special.
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: definitely a sunset-seekers paradise
Family fun at Linden Pool
Linden Park Swimming Pool image courtesy of Lupiniarc WordPress
Linden pool is a heated, indoor swimming pool excellent for winter days and cool enough in summer. This pool is splash-friendly with kids happily playing with inflatable pool toys, though half of the 25m pool is allocated to professional coaches and their pupils.
Contact Neil Stewart on 011 025 8009
4th Avenue, Linden, Johannesburg
Corner 11th Street and Fourth Avenue, Linden, Central Johannesburg
Open all year round Monday to Friday from 6:00 to 18:45 and Saturdays from 7:00 to 17:45. Sunday & Public holidays from 8:30 to 17:45
Rates: R12 for adults, R9 for kids, free for pensioners. Season tickets cost R278 for adults and R136 for kids.
Sunseeker or serious swimmer? Verdict: a bit of both
Also read:
Due to Covid restrictions pools do function normally ? and why both Joburg and PTA has only 10best swimming pools or they where nominated regionally.Next moment the advert should include best LTS programs around areas.
Hi Norman,
Thanks for reaching out.
We write content on different cities, counties etc.
This blog is referring to pools around Joburg & Pretoria area, on the research done back in 2016 when this blog was posted.
We might right another blog for Cape Town or Durban in the near future.
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