Why you shouldn’t swim at the Watsons Bay Baths in Sydney

The Watsons Bay Baths in Sydney are a poor imitation of NSW’s stunning ocean pools. Walk to Camp Cove or Parsley Bay for a swim instead.

Taking the Watsons Bay ferry from Circular Quay is one of the most idyllic ways to spend a sunny day in Sydney.

It’s worth it just for the budget Sydney Harbour cruise, stopping near the seaplane terminal and Catalina in Rose Bay before continuing on to Watsons Bay.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
(Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
(🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.

Swimming at Watsons Bay Baths?

Watsons Bay is most famous for its fish and chips. Doyle’s is a Sydney institution, and a beer at the Watsons Bay Hotel is rarely a bad idea either.

But if the sun is out, you might fancy getting in the water. Especially if you’ve just tackled the Rose Bay to Watsons Bay walk. And that’s where the Watsons Bay Baths come into the equation.

Watsons Bay Baths in Watsons Bay Sydney. Great view, not so great pool.

Ocean pools in Sydney and NSW

New South Wales has a series of utterly spectacular ocean pools, dug into the rocks. Try the rock pools at Aslings Beach in Eden, or near the Kiama Blowhole in Kiama. Or maybe Bogey Hole in Newcastle.

In Sydney itself, there are several fabulous ocean pools. Try one at Bronte, Coogee, Malabar or Dee Why. And with this wealth of options, you may be forgiven for thinking that the Watsons Bay Baths will be amazing, too.

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View from Watsons Bay Baths

In one respect, the Watsons Bay Baths really are spectacular. The view of the city is wonderful. But that applies to the whole shoreline of Watsons Bay. If you just want to enjoy the city view, do it while eating fish and chips.

The Watsons Bay Baths are, in all honesty, a bit of a swizz. You might get romantic visions of a specially-designed pool, but realistically it’s just a roped off section of the harbour. There’s essentially a shark net strung between two small wharfs, and that’s about it.

Best places to swim near Watsons Bay

The Watsons Bay Baths are clean to swim in, but compared to other parts of the harbour, the water can be a bit murky and weedy.

If you do take the ferry to Watsons Bay and fancy a swim, you’re far better off going for a little walk. Go north and you hit the delightful Camp Cove. Go south, and Parsley Bay or Milk Beach in Vaucluse are much better options.

This article came as a result of a Melbourne to Sydney coastal road trip in March/ April 2022. This trip was supported by Tourism Australia.