Whether indoors or outdoors, Auckland's swimmers, paddlers and splashers are blessed with options.
Take a look at our pick of the options below and find out more about Auckland Council's pools and leisure centres here.
Albany Stadium Pool
Designed for family fun, this facility has a whole range of interactive water features such as the over-the-pool climbing wall, inflatables and water cannons. For toddlers, there are shallow pools and a splash pad.
Vector Wero, Manukau
Whether you’re an adrenalin junkie or just want a cruisy day on the water, this whitewater park beside the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau has got you covered, with two rafting courses, the highest man-made waterfall in the world, and a 9000sqm lake you explore by kayak or paddleboard.
Te Ara Moana Kayak Trail (starts at Ōmana)
This self-guided five-day sea-kayak tour will have you paddling 50km along Auckland’s south-eastern coastline, with overnight stops at beachfront campgrounds. Departing from Ōmana Regional Park, you’ll encounter natural wonders and lush wildlife before arriving at Waharau Regional Park. Alternatively, spend a day having a more relaxed time exploring part of the trail.
Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, Māngere
Five pools and two waterslides offer endless fun from December to the end of March. There’s also a splash pad, with water features, that is perfect for the little ones, while the 2.6m-deep ‘bombing’ pool keeps the big kids entertained. There are also indoor pools, saunas, a communal spa pool, a swim school, and a fitness centre.
Lloyd Elsmore Park Pool and Leisure Centre, Pakuranga
This has everything under one roof for all things fitness – cardio, strengthening, toning, group classes and swimming. Kids will also love the splash pad full of fountains, mist-sprayers and water-play fun.
Parnell Baths
The largest saltwater pool in New Zealand, this has been a popular spot for over a hundred years, with 60m lanes for solo laps, an interactive aqua playground, cafe, spa, toddlers’ pools, and swim school over the summer months.
Water Sports
If you’ve been itching to try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or kayaking, Pt Chevalier, Mission Bay, Ōkahu Bay, Castor Bay and Takapuna Beach are some of the best spots to hire gear and have a lesson. For the well-seasoned pros, try out a full-body SUP fitness session, or paddleboard yoga to really test your balance and coordination
Aqua Classes
Across Auckland leisure centres, there is a range of low-impact aqua group fitness classes to help you shape up and have a heap of fun. From Aqua Zumba and Aqua Karate to aerobics, aqua jogging and classes with equipment and buoyancy belts, working out in the water doesn’t have to mean just doing laps.
Check before you swim
Before you take the plunge this summer, check out the Safeswim website for up-to-date information on water quality, wind, waves and tides as well as jellyfish swarms and other hazards. Safeswim is a fantastic tool to help keep you and your whānau safe.
With long summer days finally here and your favourite swimming spot calling, now is a great time to think about how to stay safe around the water.
