The city has just under 60 public swimming pools and for many Joburgers, weekend mornings or afternoons spent splashing about at the local pool is one of the highlights of a city summer.
This swimming season runs from Mon, Sep 1, 2025 – Tue, Mar 31, 2026, and the city has announced that 51 swimming pools will be open – with 32 open right through, and the remaining 19 pools opening in a staggered manner as maintenance is completed. We're pleased to say that one of our favourites, the Olympic-sized heated pool at Ellis Park is ready to herald the change of season. Popular pools, such as the historic Orlando Swimming Pool in Soweto will open at a later date to be advised by the city. Please check the list at the end of the article which indicates the status of each swimming pool.
Where to go swimming in Joburg
ELLIS PARK SWIMMING POOL
A historic pool with attractive period features, Ellis Park Swimming Pool is one of the few Olympic-sized pools in the city and is a popular venue for swimmers looking to put in some training hours. There are three pools: the heated Olympic pool, a kiddies' splash pool and a 25m unheated pool that is only open during the busiest periods. The main pool is divided into two halves. One half has lanes for serious swimmers, and the other is a free-for-all, open area usually packed with local kids from the nearby suburbs who easily spend the whole day here during the summer months. The changing rooms have lockers (bring your own padlock) and there's a small tuck shop selling soft drinks and snacks. Head there in the week to get in some training, or alternatively spend a Saturday there splashing about. Just a note: Ellis Park can get exceptionally busy over peak holiday periods, but the vibe is unparalleled.
Cnr North Lane and Erin Street, New Doornfontein.
This indoor swimming pool is open all year round and is heated. A half-Olympic-sized pool, it is very popular with families, particularly those with kids who are learning how to swim, as well as more serious swimmers who make use of the dedicated training lanes. There is also a small (unheated) baby pool outside. A particular pleasure is to swim here during one of Joburg's summer thunderstorms as the sound of the rain pounding off the pool's dome-shaped, corrugated iron roof is quite dramatic. If you get a seasonal membership at Linden you can also use it at Zoo Lake pool.
NOTE: According to City of Johannesburg, the Linden pool meter is currently faulty, and the Linden Pool is closed until the issue is resolved. No reopening date has been confirmed yet.
ORLANDO SWIMMING POOL
Opened in Soweto in 1954, Orlando's Olympic-sized swimming pool was constructed through a fundraising initiative led by Reverend Trevor Huddleston, an Anglican priest and anti-apartheid activist who is famous for his unwavering support for the people of Sophiatown during the forced removals of the 1950s. There are several public swimming pools in Soweto (including Power Park, which is notable for its view of the iconic Soweto cooling towers) although this is the largest and oldest of them all. The length makes it a great option for those looking to do more serious swimming but this should not deter families and those looking to cool off, as it is also a popular spot for outings over the weekend.
Makhetha Street, Orlando West, Soweto.
PATERSON PARK SWIMMING POOL
Completed in 2019, this swimming pool was built as part of the new Paterson Park Multipurpose Centre. As well as an open-air swimming pool, the new centre also has a soccer pitch, five-a-side fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a pavilion, and a multi-functional sports hall. Reflecting the birdlife of Norwood's Paterson Park, the building is decorated with a colourful collection of bird murals and installations that were created by local artists as part of the ArtMyJozi project.
Paterson Park, Norwood.
SYDENHAM SWIMMING POOL
A Joburg family favourite, this spacious outdoor pool is one of only a few in the city that has diving boards, making it a popular place for daredevil teens to show off in the summer. For the little kids, there is also a separate children's splash pool area. With something for the whole family, it is a great place to head to if you are looking to escape the city's heat.
Cnr 12 & Dunvegan Street, Sydenham.
VERITY PARK SWIMMING POOL
This unusual swimming pool in Parkhurst's Verity Park is curve-shaped, which makes it slightly impractical for doing laps. We don't mind, because its location in one of Joburg's most fashionable suburbs means boutique shopping and plenty of cafés and ice-cream parlours are just a few blocks away on 4th Avenue, making it an added bonus for families who like to come here at weekends and splash about.
Verity Park, Cnr 14th Street and 5th Avenue, Parkhurst.
Built in the 1930s, this well-maintained, historic pool retains its original features. Probably the most unique thing about the Zoo Lake baths is its perfectly square shape of 30m by 30m. There are no demarcated lanes per se so pick a direction and do your laps. Or for fun, you can always opt for a full circuit – just watch out for the teenagers practising their dive bombs near the shallow end. Arrive early to mark out your picnic spot on the grassy area overlooking the pool or if the sun is blazing you'll find shade on the bleachers. On weekends look out for the ice-cream bicycle doing the rounds.
Cnr Prince of Wales and Lower Park Dr, Parkwood.
Tips for swimming at Joburg pools
Joburg's public swimming pools are open Tue – Fri from 10:00 – 18:00 and weekends from 09:00 – 17:00 during the swimming season (September through March). Pools are open on public holidays and Mondays during school holidays from 09:00 – 17:00. Regular Mondays remain closed. Pools are also closed on Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill, and New Year’s Day. Entrance prices vary but generally start at R7 p.p. for children and R21 p.p. for adults. Seasonal tickets are also available. Some of the city's pools have free entrance (we are only aware of Hofland Park in Bezuidenhout Valley, but there may be others).
In the spring, even if the temperatures hit 30 degrees, the water in the pool is usually bracingly cold, while by mid-November you'll find it to be a much more tolerable temperature for cooling off on a hot day. If you want to swim outdoors during the autumn and winter months, the only outdoor swimming pool that stays open year-round is Ellis Park.
Run by the City of Joburg, all public pools have lifeguards. While there are changing rooms and cold showers, most Joburg pools do not have lockers, so you might want to consider locking your valuables in your car or leaving one of your group to watch your belongings. At the swimming pools that do have lockers (such as Ellis Park), you will need to bring your own padlock.
You are allowed to bring in your own drinks and snacks, although alcohol, glass bottles, and braais are forbidden. Some pools also have a tuck shop where you can buy cold drinks and sweets.
Pool status for the 2025/2026 swimming season
Note that opening depends on water cleanliness and the availability of sufficient staff and pool maintenance supplies from the city. Upgrading is ongoing, so some pools will be opened in a staggered manner with a few opening in September, some in October, and others in November. During the season, pools have been known to close abruptly for maintenance issues. We have listed above the Joburg pools that we've frequented and can recommend from personal experience.
Below, find the complete list of pools that are open, undergoing maintenance, or remaining closed for the season, which is from Mon, Sep 1, 2025 – Tue, Mar 31, 2026.
POOLS OPEN FROM MON, SEP 1, 2025
Region A (Diepsloot, Midrand, Ivory Park, Fourways, Sunninghill, Woodmead)
Rabie Ridge (1072 Stilt Avenue, Rabie Ridge)
Region B (Northcliff and parts of Sandton, Rosebank, Bryanston, Randburg)
Roosevelt Park (Cnr Anton van Wouw and Preller Rd, Roosevelt)
Windsor East (Viscount Ave and George Street, Windsor East)
Verity Park (14th Street, Parkhurst)
Blairgowrie Pool (Conrad & Suzman Drive, Blairgowrie)
Region C [Roodepoort and parts of Randburg (Bram Fischerville, Thulani, Florida)]
Florida Lake (Florida, Roodepoort)
Florida North (610 Ontdekkers Road, Florida, Roodepoort)
Roodepoort (50 Exner Street, Manufacture, Roodepoort)
Region D (Soweto, Doornkop, Diepkloof and Meadowlands)
Dobsonville (3290 Nonhlanhla Street)
Moletsane (266/8 Mokhatla & Makakola Streets)
Meadowlands (173 Motswedi Street, Zone 2)
Noordgesig (375 North Street)
Orlando (3959 Ngiba Street, Orlando East)
Pimville (Motjatji Street, Zone 6)
Power Park (Sheffield Road, which is just off Chris Hani Road, close to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital)
Senaoane (1925 Mabalane & Makhetha Street)
Klipspruit Splash Pool (1244 Mofokeng Street, Klipspruit)
Region E (Parkwood, Highlands North, Orange Grove, Sydenham, Alexandra, Wynberg, Morningside, Douglasdale)
Paterson Park (17th Street, Orange Grove)
Sydenham (Cnr 12th & Dunvegan Street, Sydenham)
Region F (Inner city and Johannesburg South)
Moffat Park (Corner of Southern Klipriviersberg and Nephin roads, Moffat Park)
Crown Gardens (Ulster Crescent off Xavier Street, Crown Gardens)
Forest Hill (25 Golf Street, Forest Hill)
Rhodes Park (45 Ocean Street, Kensington South)
Ellis Park (Cnr North Park line, New Doornfontein)
Pioneer Park (Cnr 11th and Rosettenville Road, Wemmer Pan)
Hofland Park (3rd & 4th Streets, Bez Valley)
Region G (Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Lenasia, Eldorado Park and Protea)
Eldorado Park Ext: 9 (8608 Cnr Daniel and St Vincent Road Eldorado Park Ext: 9)
Eldorado Park Ext: 4 (5476 Cnr Heerengracht and Kremetart Streets, Eldorado Park Ext: 4)
Lenasia Ext: 2 (3749 - 19 Olifant Street Lenasia Ext: 2)
Lenasia Ext: 10 (8906 Cnr Shari and Alabama Streets Lenasia Ext: 10)
Lenasia South (6721 Cnr Wimbledon and Wellington Drive Lenasia South)
POOLS OPENING LATER IN THE SEASON (SEP, OCT, NOV)
Region A (Diepsloot, Midrand, Ivory Park, Fourways, Sunninghill, Woodmead)
Ivory Park (Freedom Drive, Ivory Park)
Region B (Northcliff and parts of Sandton, Rosebank, Bryanston, Randburg)
Riverlea (Ashburton Street, Riverlea)
Coronationville (Glencairn Street, Coronationville)
Linden Pool (Cnr 4th Ave and 11th Str, Linden)
Ochse Square (Cnr 3rd and 10th Street, Albertville)
Newclare (Steytler Street, Newclare)
Robin Hills (Cherry Drive, Robin Hills)
Vrededorp (13th Street, Vrededorp)
Kensington B (Abington Street cnr Sirdar, Kensington B)
Region C [Roodepoort and parts of Randburg (Bram Fischerville, Thulani, Florida)]
Little Falls Resort (5 Falls Road, Little Falls)
Davidsonville (49 Edward Mitchell Street, Davidsonville)
Region D (Soweto, Doornkop, Diepkloof and Meadowlands)
Diepkloof (Imminik Street, Zone 1)
Jabavu (Cnr Mlangeni and Mbatha Drive)
Jabulani (02229 Isikwama Street, Jabulani)
Region E (Parkwood, Highlands North, Orange Grove, Sydenham, Alexandra, Wynberg, Morningside, Douglasdale)
East Bank (1562 Springbok Crescent, Alexandra)
Zoo Lake (57 Lower Park Dr, Parkview)
Region F (Inner city and Johannesburg South)
Southern Suburbs (1 Short Street, Oakdene)
Turffontein (Eastwood Street, Turffontein)
Brixton (Cnr High and Mercury Street, Brixton)
Malvern (Cnr Marathon Street, Malvern)
Yeoville (Cnr Kenmere and Rocky Street, Yeoville)
Region G (Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Lenasia, Eldorado Park and Protea)
Drieziek Construct site new pool Drieziek 3, Orange Farm
POOLS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
Region B (Northcliff and parts of Sandton, Rosebank, Bryanston, Randburg)
Windsor West (Princess Ave, Cnr Alice and Alexander Street)
Region F (Inner city and Johannesburg South)
Robertsham (Cnr of Irma and Gorse Roads, Robertsham)
Region G (Ennerdale, Orange Farm, Lenasia, Eldorado Park and Protea)
Lenasia Ext: 5 (6489 Gazelle Avenue, Lenasia Ext: 5)
Ennerdale Ex: 9 (Cnr Town and Katz Roads, Ennerdale Ext: 9)
Orange Farm Ext:6 (15825 Link Road, Orange Farm Ext: 6)
Eldorado Park Proper Ext: 8 (Cnr Goud and Bluefin Streets, Eldorado Park Proper Ext: 8)
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