The weather is heating up and with the sun shining, it’s time to hit the pool! The best way to keep the kids entertained is to have a splashing good time at one of the many public pools in Macau. For a small fee, do a few laps to get your daily dose of cardio or cool off with a dip in the pool with your pals. Remember to apply a lot of sunscreen too!
Those who want to enjoy the public swimming pools managed by the Sports Bureau will have to select one of the three schedules available daily. Tickets can now be purchased online–which the government encourages to avoid queues at the door. Residents can become members of the “Sport Easy” plan and use this to book their time slot here (only available in Portuguese and traditional Chinese).
Estoril Swimming Pool
(See featured image above)
Talk about going local, the Estoril swimming pool is located in the middle of a compact street, Estrada da Vitória. It’s right behind the iconic façade of Hotel Estoril e Piscina Municipal (Estoril hotel and municipal swimming pool), in Tap Seac Square. Estoril pool is surrounded by area schools and considered a swimming sports complex–with an Olympic pool–but it’s still open to other visitors. It resumes business around April. Estoril’s swimming pool is frequented by avid swimmers but also families and friends looking to have sun all day long. It’s also one of the few Macau public pools with higher depths. Maximum capacity: 220 persons
How much: MOP $15 (adults), MOP $7 (children and valid student card holders); memberships – MOP $260 to MOP $1,230
Opening hours: *Daily, 7:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–10:30pm (3rd slot)
*Closed on Wednesdays from 7:00am–11:00am
Estoril Swimming Pool Estrada da Vitória, Macau, +853 2858 0746, www.sport.gov.mo
Carmo Swimming Pools
If you’re around Taipa, then Carmo Swimming Pools are a must for a quick splash. Another one of Macau’s sports areas, it’s located near the Taipa Houses-Museum, the complex not only has gymnasiums but also houses two pools: an indoor (heated) and an outdoor one. The first is 25 meters long and 2.1 meters deep, while the outdoor one extends to 17 meters and its maximum depth is 1.5 meters.
They’re great for beginners to practice! Important tip: Don’t forget your shower caps! Built in 1994, Carmo Swimming Pools is located in Taipa Village, where you can find several places to dine, drink and stroll. The outdoor pool is only opened during the summer months, usually from May to September.
How much: MOP $15 per person (day rate), MOP $5 per person (night rate)
Opening hours: *Daily, 7:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–10:30pm (3rd slot)
Carmo Swimming Pools Rua da Restauração, Taipa, +853 2882 5202, www.sport.gov.mo
Also read: Great Picnic Spots in Macau
Sun Yat-Sen Park Swimming Pool
Sun Yat-Sen Park is a hidden gem in Macau. Filled with green areas, running paths for fans of exercise, and even some fitness equipment, this is a very cool place to head to with the kids or even just a book in hand. You might not know that this huge area also hosts a public swimming pool with the same name. Usually populated by locals, it’s a nice one to take the whole family. The park is quite close to the Gongbei border, which is ideal for those looking to have a day trip in Zhuhai or go for cocktails after a sunbathing day. Maximum capacity: 110 persons.
Also read: Where to Find Outdoor Fitness Equipment Around Macau
How much: MOP $15 (adults), MOP $5 (children)
Opening hours: *Daily, 7:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–8:00pm (3rd slot)
*Closed on Mondays from 7:00am–11:00am
Sun Yat Sen Park Avenida Comendador Ho Yin, Macau, +853 2833 3000, www.nature.iam.gov.mo
Taipa Central Park Swimming Pool
Another great pool in Taipa’s neighborhood is located in Taipa Central Park. More of a playground than a sports complex, the swimming pool is equipped with fountains and lounge chairs. The park also features sports fields and a library. The pool is opened seven days a week–closed on Monday mornings. The whole park–including the swimming pool–is one of Macau’s most family-friendly places, very popular amongst locals and their kids, as well as foreigners and people looking to relax for a few hours during weekdays.
It’s usually packed on weekends, especially Sundays, which can be good: take your kids there and they’ll surely make new friends! Common Table and Caesar are two of the spots you can go for lunch or snacks. Maximum capacity: 230 persons
How much: MOP $15 (adults), MOP $5 (children)
Opening hours: *Daily, 7:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–9:00pm (3rd slot)
*Closed on Wednesdays from 7:00am–11:00am
Taipa Central Park Swimming Pool 7 Rua de Seng Tou, Taipa, +853 2886 0072, www.sport.gov.mo
Also read: Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails
Photo credit: Ksenia Kuzmina
Hác Sá Park Swimming Pool
Moving on to Macau’s famous black sand beach–Praia de Hác Sá: situated at the end of Coloane island, the beach also has a vast park with the same name, featuring a kid’s playground, a restaurant, sports facilities and a swimming pool called Piscina de Hác Sá–literally translated into “Hác Sá pool”. Usually visited by nearby picnic-goers and those who prefer to dive in a pool than the beach, it’s also very popular amongst experienced swimmers and water lovers as it’s an Olympic kind of pool and deep enough to train those swimming skills.
Also read: Best Things to Do around Hac Sa Beach
Hác Sá swimming pool is the perfect place for barbecuing or having a picnic in Coloane. It also closes during lunchtime, but we’ve got the best suggestion to dine close to this pool and get back there! Try dining at Fernando’s Restaurant and if you need some pointers on what to order, check out our review here. Maximum capacity: 230 persons
How much: MOP $15 (adults), MOP $5 (children), MOP $7 (seniors and valid student cardholders); monthly memberships – MOP $180 (adults), MOP $75 (children under 12 and valid student cardholders) and MOP $90 (seniors)
Opening hours: *Daily, 8:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–9:00pm (3rd slot)
*Closed on Thursdays from 8:00am–11:00am
Hác Sá Park Swimming Pool Estrada de Hác Sá, Parque de Hác Sá, Coloane, +853 2888 2289, www.sport.gov.mo
Cheoc Van Swimming Pool
The most popular public swimming pool in Macau–amongst both locals and tourists–is definitely Cheoc Van’s. Despite the long stairway in the middle of the forest from the bus stop down to the water, people still enjoy going there for a long pool day. Just like Hác Sá’s, this pool is also located beside the beach, allowing swimmers to have a relaxing view of the horizon while freshening up. There’s an area catering for toddlers and kids which is far from the deepest area, keeping the little ones safe.
However, if you’re into deeper waters, worry not: this is one of Macau’s deepest pools, with a maximum depth of three meters! There are also lots of plastic chairs and tables, as well as loungers. People can grab a table with some shade to keep their things, although there are also lockers on the premises. There’s also a snack and drinks machine inside the complex. After a swim, visitors love grabbing brunch or dinner at the nearby Italian restaurant, La Gondola. Maximum capacity: 160 persons
How much: MOP $15 (adults), MOP $5 (children), MOP $7 (seniors and valid student card holders); monthly memberships – MOP $180 (adults), MOP $75 (children under 12 and valid student card holders) and MOP $90 (seniors)
Opening hours: *Daily, 8:00am–11:00am (1st slot), 12:00pm–4:00pm (2nd slot), 5:00pm–9:00pm (3rd slot)
*Closed on Mondays from 8:00am–11:00am
Cheoc Van Swimming Pool Estrada de Cheoc Van, Coloane, +853 2888 2582, www.sport.gov.mo
Also read: Cheoc Van Beach: Sun, Sand, and Sea
This article was originally written by Leonor Sá Machado in April 2017 and updated in April 2021.
