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Hong Kong’s subtropical locality means one thing, namely, a lot of hot. That’s right, eight months of the year it’s shorts and t-shirt weather in the SAR and for six months during the summer high humidity can make getting around sticky business. Indeed, July and August see average temperatures of 35 degrees exacerbated by 90 plus per cent atmospheric moisture. That’s a veritable Turkish bath! And while a plethora of beaches offer respite it’s not always practical to hit the sand and surf.
Thankfully the territory is home to some fine public swimming pools, typically modern, clean and affordable. Thus taking a dip is always an option, whether to exercise or simply to cool off. What follows are some cool pools to check out, excluding exclusive clubs and residence-only hotel facilities, which don’t permit day swimmers. Public pools typically cost 17HKD for adults, 8 for students, the elderly and children. You can use your MTR octopus card to pay but don’t forget 5HKD for the locker.
Kowloon Park Swimming Pool
In heart of Tsim Tsa Tsui, surrounded by lofty skyscrapers, is one of Hong Kong’s finest public gardens. Fittingly then, this rare oasis of green should be home to one of Hong Kong’s finest leisure facilities. The pool has both indoor and outdoor sections. The former is popular with the serious swimmer set, the later attracts lounge lizards looking to get a poolside tan or strut their stuff in front of potential partners. Faux waterfalls and lagoons only make the outdoor piscine more appealing during the height of summer.
Hours: 1st Session: 6:30 am - 12:00
2nd Session: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
3rd Session: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tuesday closed for cleaning.
Nearest MTR: Tsim Tsa Tsui.
Victoria Park Pool
Another leisure enclave set in a park, this time across the harbour on Hong Kong Island. As well as trees and gardens, the park is home to tennis courts, ping-pong tables and open spaces for traditional exercises like tai chi and qigong. For these with an interest in history there’s also the last remaining Queen Victoria monument to check out in Hong Kong. But the centrepiece is the pool, or pools – though this time both are indoors. There’s an Olympic length pool, often used for galas, and a smaller pool used for lessons or diving from a series of boards that climb to the celling. The downside is that this pool does get crowded at peak hours, while the changing rooms appear to have been designed by snake with penchant of tight spaces.
Hours: 1st Session: 6:30 am - 12:00
2nd Session: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
3rd Session: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Nearest MTR: Causeway Bay.
Kennedy Town Swimming Pool
Over on the west side of Hong Kong Island, Kennedy Town is fast becoming Hong Kong’s hipster enclave with craft beer joints and wine bars popping up all over the neighbourhood. But if you need to get out of the heat, just opposite Belcher Park, there’s another public leisure facility to enjoy: Kennedy Town Swimming Pool. There are, in fact, five pools, a leisure pool for kids, a Jacuzzi, a training pool, and indoor secondary pool and an outdoor secondary pool, the later of which offers stunning views of Hong Kong harbour. The added bonus is that Kennedy Town is a tad far from the fray in Central and Admiralty meaning crowds are slightly thinner.
Hours: Hours: 1st Session: 6:30 am - 12:00
2nd Session: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
3rd Session: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wednesday closed for cleaning. Nearest MTRs: Hong Kong University, Kennedy Town.
Other Pools
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department manages a total of 43 public swimming pool complexes in Hong Kong, of which nine are on Hong Kong Island, 13 are in Kowloon and a further 21 are located in the New Territories. You’d be wise to check out their website for opening times, directions and closure notices, as pools periodically close maintenance. Further information on swimming in Hong Kong can be found here, just don’t forget your goggles and swimming hat.