Hong Kong offers some of the finest swimming pools to beat the heat this summer and enjoy a refreshing dip. To help cool off in style during this heatwave, these aquatic paradises boast stunning panoramic views – ideal spots to take a refreshing swim during a scorcher.
Hong Kong boasts 44 public swimming pools, with 9 on Hong Kong Island, 13 in Kowloon and 22 in the New Territories managed by Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Each venue features free-form pools or water slides – and while they may often be busy with visitors, swimming offers an ideal way to keep fit, socialise with friends or spend quality time with family.
Tsing Yi Swimming Pool is an excellent destination for the entire family, featuring four separate swimming pools: main, teaching, leisure and one designed specifically for toddlers. Plus it’s situated in a peaceful part of town so there won’t be as much congestion to contend with than at more popular spots like City Centre sites; meaning you can unwind and relax during your swim experience without too many crowds around you!
Hammer Hill Swimming Pool is another of Hong Kong’s premier public pools, perfect for families as a destination public pool with water slides and other fun activities. Furthermore, this public pool provides an opportunity for children to take swimming lessons safely while developing an appreciation of aquatic sports.
Hotel ICON boasts an incredible rooftop heated pool that provides stunning views of Hong Kong’s skyline and harbour – the ideal spot for an enjoyable swim with Hong Kong as a backdrop! Open daily from 06.00-22:00, non-hotel guests may use this heated pool on weekdays from 06.00-22.00 with passes costing HKD 600 for adults and HKD 300 for children under 12 years old.
The coronavirus ban on pools and beaches has left thousands of competitive swimmers out of the water and may hinder elite swimmers over time, according to Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA). They warned that pool closure would have an “catastrophic” impact on training systems used by Olympic-calibre swimmers in Hong Kong.
Lifeguards are essential to swimming safety; yet in recent years, the LCSD has reduced lifeguard numbers from about 2,400 to 1,580. In response, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Lifeguards Union has expressed displeasure with these cuts; many swimming pools now bear signs protesting this decision. They urge the government to allow schools or training centers that do not employ lifeguards to use pools if a qualified instructor will always be present; similar restrictions should apply at skate parks and beaches.