Blue Pool, Bermagui: The best ocean pool in NSW?
The Blue Pool in Bermagui is a stunning ocean pool carved into the rocks. It is regularly flushed with seawater, entry is free and there’s plenty of marine life for snorkellers to enjoy.
The Blue Pool in Bermagui, New South Wales, is one of the most spectacular places to swim on the Sapphire Coast.
The name comes from the colour – the Blue Pool in Bermagui reflects the blue skies overhead. This is testament to how clean and clear the water is – seawater regularly charges in to flush the pool.
Blue Pool, Bermagui: Carved from the rocks
Like several other ocean pools in New South Wales – such as the Merewether Baths in Newcastle, the Aslings Beach Rock Pool in Eden, Wylie’s Baths in Coogee and the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool in Kiama – the Blue Pool is carved out of the coastal rocks. This Sapphire Coast swimming spot lies at the base of a rocky cliff face. Unlike many other ocean baths, it has a natural, curving look to it, rather than being hemmed in between straight walls.
Swimming and snorkelling at the Blue Pool, Bermagui
You can still swim a few laps at the Blue Pool, however – it’s around 50 metres long, and it has been since it was enlarged in 1939.
This isn’t really a pool designed for the lap-swimmers, however. Bermagui’s Blue Pool is far better suited to those who wish to slowly pootle about in the water. This is particularly the case if they’re got a snorkel and mask, as there’s plenty of aquatic life to see.
Anemones, crabs, nudibranchs and sea stars live in the Blue Pool, along with several species of fish.
Blue Pool facilities and whale-watching platform
Access to the Blue Pool is via a flight of rocky steps. There’s a toilet, cold shower and changing room next to the pool, as well as a viewing platform. From this platform, there are tremendous views of the coast and, during the spring months, you can see migrating whales.
Entrance to the Blue Pool in Bermagui is free.
Other things to do in Bermagui include Bermagui River kayak tours.
Where to stay in Bermagui
The best Bermagui accommodation choices are:
- For dog-friendly accommodation with a prime harbourside location: Harbourview House.
- For a kid-friendly holiday park: Ingenia Holidays Ocean Lake.
- For a solid, affordable motel with free parking: Bermagui Motor Inn.
More New South Wales travel
Cross the Parramatta River on the Mortlake Ferry.
Splash around in the rock pool at Burgess Beach, Forster.
Go surfing at Tuncurry Beach in Tuncurry.
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Go stargazing in the Dubbo Observatory at the end of the Mudgee to Dubbo drive.