Kiama and Gerringong Rock Pools

Ocean Pools of the South Coast: A Local Guide

The stretch of coastline between Kiama and Gerringong is home to some of the most picturesque ocean pools in New South Wales. Carved into the rocks at the edge of the sea and filled naturally by the tides, these pools offer a safe, salty swim with the sound of surf breaking a few metres away.

Five ocean pools sit within a fifteen-minute drive of Kiama, and each one has its own character. Some are wide and calm, suited to families and slower swimmers. Others sit exposed to the swell and reward stronger, more confident visitors. Whatever your preference, the South Coast delivers a swim you will remember.

Ocean Pools to Visit Between Kiama and Gerringong

1. Blowhole Point Ocean Pool, Kiama

Set at the base of Blowhole Point beneath the lighthouse, the Blowhole Point Ocean Pool is Kiama's most central swim. Rebuilt in recent years by Kiama Municipal Council, it is now one of the largest and best-maintained pools on the South Coast, with lane markings, wide steps, and a shallow section suited to children. On calm mornings the water is glassy and clear, and the walk from central Kiama takes under ten minutes. For guests staying in a Premium Suite in Kiama at The Bellevue Boutique Hotel, the pool is barely five minutes on foot from the front door.

Free to visit. Open year-round. Access is by paved path and a short set of stairs.

2. Kendalls Beach Rock Pool, Kiama

South of the town centre, Kendalls Beach is a sheltered cove between two rocky headlands, and the rock pool sits at its southern end. The pool is smaller and more natural than Blowhole Point, filling and emptying with each swell, and the surrounding sandstone shelf is a favourite spot for families to picnic and children to explore.

Kendalls sits directly on our guide to the Kiama Coast Walk, and combining a morning walk with a swim at Kendalls makes for one of the most rewarding half-days you can spend in Kiama.

3. Continental Pool, Bombo Beach

A short drive north of Kiama, Continental Pool sits at the southern end of Bombo Beach beneath the dramatic basalt columns of Cathedral Rocks. It is the wildest of the local ocean pools, exposed to the open ocean and often refreshed by the swell breaking on the surrounding shelf. Best for stronger swimmers, and best visited at low to mid tide when the water settles.

The setting alone is worth the drive. Cathedral Rocks is one of the most photographed geological features on the South Coast, and the pool sits directly beneath them.

4. Boat Harbour Rock Pool, Gerringong

Fifteen minutes south of Kiama, Boat Harbour Rock Pool is a natural pool carved into the rocks below Boat Harbour Headland in Gerringong. Access is by a set of concrete steps down from the car park, and the pool itself is deep, clear, and framed by rock walls on three sides.

It is a spectacular swim on a still day, and one of the favourite spots of local free divers. On big swell days it can be dangerous, so always check current conditions on Beachsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia's official beach safety service, before you enter.

5. Werri Beach Rock Pool, Gerringong

At the northern end of Werri Beach, this pool is family-friendly and one of the calmer options in the region. It sits close to the sand, is easily accessed, and has been a favourite of Gerringong locals for generations. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it: Werri Beach itself is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the South Coast.

When to Swim

Ocean pool season on the South Coast runs longer than most visitors expect. Water temperature stays swimmable from late October through to the end of April, with the warmest months being February and March when the sea sits around twenty-two degrees. Winter swims are for the brave, though a small and dedicated group of Kiama locals swim at Blowhole Point Pool year-round. For guests staying in a Deluxe Suite in Kiama at The Bellevue Boutique Hotel, the ensuite bath tub is a welcome warm-up after an early morning winter dip.

Two simple rules for a safe visit. Check the tide before you go: mid tide is usually the sweet spot, high tide sends the swell over the walls, and very low tide can leave shallower pools too still to swim. Check the Bureau of Meteorology swell forecast the night before, especially for the more exposed pools at Continental and Boat Harbour. A calm morning is worth waiting for.

Plan Your Visit

The rock pools of Kiama and Gerringong sit within a small, walkable radius of central Kiama, making them a natural highlight of any stay on the South Coast. Whether you are travelling with children, planning a weekend of gentle swimming and coastal walks, or simply looking for a quiet salty morning before breakfast, the ocean pools of the region are a genuine local treasure.

The Bellevue Boutique Hotel sits in the heart of Kiama, a short walk from Blowhole Point Pool and Kendalls Beach and an easy drive from the pools further north and south. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or a longer stay, our accommodation in Kiama puts the best of the South Coast coastline within reach of your front door.

Related Articles

• The Shoalhaven Coast Wine Region: A Coastal Treasure: a cellar door route through the wineries south of Kiama, from Cambewarra Estate to Crooked River.

• The Ultimate Getaway Destination for Your Bucket List: reasons Kiama should be on your NSW South Coast bucket list.