Want to go swimming and smell the sea breeze minus too much sand in your pants? Perhaps it’s time to explore and enjoy the many Northern Beaches rock pools sprinkled along the coast!
These wonderful, natural ocean and harbour pools on the Northern Beaches offer not only fabulous sea views but also refreshing and relaxing ocean water.
They make a perfect alternative to our usually crowded beaches and offer safe and relaxing swimming experiences far from the madding crowd. And we’re pretty lucky the autumn weather is still warm enough occasionally to swim.
There are so many famous rock pools in the Northern Beaches, why not start with our top picks below?
Fairlight Rock Pool
You’ll find Fairlight Rock Pool just 10 minutes away from Manly Wharf, behind the Spit to Manly walkway and right next to Fairlight Beach. This laid-back hidden gem is a perfect seaside getaway if you’re looking to enjoy a tranquil and relaxing swim.
You can swim laps in this walled rock pool and, if you have kids in tow, you can watch them frolic in the small paddling pool that’s right next to the main pool.
Freshwater Rock Pool
The 50-metre eight-lane Freshwater Rock Pool is located on the northern tip of Freshwater Beach. Freshwater Rock Pool is accessible from Freshwater Beach and down a flight of stairs if you’re coming from the car park on Lumsdaine Drive.
Here, you can enjoy stunning views of the beach as well as the ocean towards North Head as you swim a few laps or just float around in idleness.
North Narrabeen Rock Pool
Located a little past the estuary leading to Narrabeen Lagoon on the northern end of North Narrabeen Beach, North Narrabeen Rock Pool is sure to deliver magnificent views of the coast all the way to Long Reef.
The pool is accessible from Narrabeen Park Parade, which you can find opposite the NRMA Lakeside caravan park. North Narrabeen Rock Pool is 50 metres long and features a timber boardwalk that separates the larger lap pool from the rest of the swimming area.
If you’re swimming with kids, the northern section of the rock pool makes for a great spot for children, as it is shallower than the rest of the pool. There are also several natural rock pools where sea creatures abound next to North Narrabeen Rock Pool. Here, your kids can have plenty of entertainment and satisfy their curiosity about the sea. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on them while they’re fossicking, as blue-ringed octopuses have been known to inhabit rock pools.
Fairy Bower Rock Pool
With the pair of bronze sculptures called ‘The Sea Nymphs’ or ‘The Oceanides’ by Helen Leete marking the spot, it’s difficult to miss this triangular-shaped saltwater rock pool along Marine Parade.
Fairy Bower Rock Pool is considered the ideal spot to sunbake or simply cool off after a vigorous swim or snorkelling session at the neighbouring Shelly Beach.
The Northern Beaches – a haven for rock pool lovers
Aside from the Northern Beaches rock pools mentioned here, there are so many others in the area, like North Curl Curl, Palm Beach, Queenscliff, Mona Vale, Avalon and Collaroy.
In fact, you can devote a couple of days just exploring and enjoying the uniqueness of each of the many natural swimming pools in the Northern Beaches. So, why not start now and experience every single one of them?