Yamba's ocean pool is a 33 m rectangle cut into the rocks at the south end of Main Beach, below the lighthouse, with a wading pool for small children. Built in 1969, it's free and where much of this easygoing holiday town takes its morning swim.
Key facts
- Type
- Ocean pool or baths
- Length
- 33 m
- Facilities and access
- Southern end of Main Beach
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- Not at the pool; Main Beach patrolled in season
- Parking
- Car park at Main Beach
- Best time to go
- Mornings, calm day at mid tide
- Water quality
- GoodMain Beach (Yamba), 0.1 km away. Sampled 9 Mar. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Yamba, NSW
What it's like
The pool sits at the foot of the headland at the end of Yamba's main surf beach, with the lighthouse above and the Pacific spilling over the seaward wall at high tide. At 33 m it's long enough for real laps, and the wading pool next door keeps toddlers happy. Maclean Shire Council built it in 1969, which makes it one of the younger ocean pools in NSW. Yamba has an inground Olympic pool for competition, but the ocean pool is where locals go for the pleasure of it.
When to go
Morning swims are a local habit, and a calm day at mid tide gives the best water. School holidays bring crowds, as Yamba fills up with visitors.
Getting there and facilities
The pool is at the southern end of Main Beach, below the surf club. There's a car park, public toilets, showers and a picnic area, with a cafe right by the beach and the town centre a short walk up the hill.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards at the pool itself, though Main Beach is patrolled in season. Waves can spill over the seaward wall at high tide, so keep small children in the wading pool.