Swimming is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Studies show that when people swim three times a week, they feel more energetic and have lower stress levels. Moreover, when you are in the pool, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and cool weather around you. This can help you get in a relaxed mood, which makes it a perfect place for family outings.
Despite the coronavirus restrictions, many of Hong Kong’s pools are still open. Some are even offering fun activities for kids, such as water slides and splash buckets. Moreover, some pools have lockers where you can store your stuff while you are in the pool. You will need a coin to use these lockers, but the good news is that they are refundable.
Public swimming pools are a great way to stay active and cool on hot days in Hong Kong. There are 44 public swimming pools in Hong Kong; 9 on Hong Kong Island, 13 in Kowloon and 22 in the New Territories. They are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Adult admission is HK$17 during the week and HK$19 on weekends and public holidays, with concession rates available for seniors, students and children.
Jordan Valley is a fab little-kid-friendly pool in Kwun Tong that is great for preschoolers, kindergarteners and little swimmers under 10 years old. It has a few swimming lanes for laps, but the highlight is the area with all the fun stuff – water slides (including baby slides), water-squirting dolphins and sharks, floating mini aquatic animals to sit on, a water fountain to dance under and lots more. It is also close to Hammer Hill Road, which means it can get busy.
The Kennedy Town Swimming Pool is another popular destination public pool for families. It has an indoor and outdoor pool as well as a Jacuzzi and two children’s pools. The kids’ pools are the real draw, with a slew of water slides and fountains for kids to slide down and play in while mums and dads swim some laps.
You can also head to Belcher’s Bay Park to splash and play in the outdoor pool at the beach. It is a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike, and the outdoor playground has slides and a pirate ship to keep kids entertained when they’ve exhausted their energy swimming. It is also conveniently located in central Wan Chai.