Watsons Bay Baths is a calm, netted harbour pool right beside the ferry wharf, with a boardwalk, two floating pontoons and the city skyline across the water. It was the first tidal harbour pool in Australia to give wheelchair users access to deep water, and it's a fine excuse for a ferry ride and a long afternoon by the bay.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour or river baths
- Good to know
- Step-free or ramp access
- Facilities and access
- Two floating pontoons, boardwalk, seating, deep-water wheelchair access
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Public transport
- Ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay
- Best time to go
- Weekday mornings in the warmer months
- Water quality
- GoodWatsons Bay, 0.2 km away. Sampled 27 Oct. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Watsons Bay, NSW
What it's like
The enclosure sits on the harbour side of Watsons Bay, a sheltered pocket of clear, flat water edged by a timber boardwalk and benches. Swim out to the pontoons, haul yourself up and look back at the city. The deep-water entry for wheelchair users is still rare at any harbour or ocean pool in NSW.
When to go
Weekday mornings are calm and quiet. On summer weekends the day-trippers and long lunches arrive with every ferry. Harbour water is cold in winter, so this is mostly a warm-months swim.
Getting there and facilities
Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay wharf; the baths are right beside it. Fish and chips, cafes and the waterfront pub are a short stroll along the bay, and the South Head walk starts nearby.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards at the baths. Give the water a few days after heavy rain.