Bermagui Blue Pool – The Sapphire of the South Coast

Bermagui Blue Pool: A Jewel on the Sapphire Coast

Tucked beneath the sea cliffs at Bermagui, the Blue Pool is one of the most stunning ocean baths in Australia. Filled with deep-blue seawater and surrounded by rugged rock walls, it's a place where swimmers, photographers and travellers all stop to take in the magic. For more South Coast swimming spots, see Flat Rock in Meroo National Park or Hell Hole Falls near Nowra.

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Carved into the rock in the 1930s, the pool is refreshed by the tides of the Pacific Ocean. On calm mornings its surface mirrors the sky; on windy afternoons, waves crash over the walls in a dance of foam and sunlight.

You'll find the Bermagui Blue Pool in Swim New South Wales, our guide to the state's best swimming spots, from rainforest waterfalls to ocean baths.

Blue Pool History

The Blue Pool grew out of an older swimming spot known as the Blue Hole. Built in the 1930s with backing from the local community, it opened in 1938 and has been a symbol of Bermagui's community spirit ever since.

A mosaic whale artwork greets visitors at the lookout above, where views stretch across the Sapphire Coast to Gulaga (Mount Dromedary). The setting is as much about atmosphere as swimming: wild ocean on one side, a calm pool on the other.

Swimming at Bermagui Blue Pool

• Water conditions: The pool is tidal and filled by the ocean, so expect cool saltwater. At high tide and in big swell, waves wash into the pool, so keep to calm days unless you're a strong, experienced ocean swimmer.
• Facilities: Change rooms sit at the top of the stairs near the car park, with a shower on the way back up.
• Getting down: A long, steep set of stairs (around 70 steps) leads down from the car park on Scenic Drive to the pool.
• Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon for calm water and soft, golden light.

For more visitor information, see the Visit NSW page.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring goggles: the visibility underwater is incredible.
• In summer, arrive early, as the car park fills quickly.
• Visit around low tide for the clearest, stillest water.
• It's treasured by locals: keep it quiet, take all rubbish home and leave rock life untouched.
• Combine your trip with nearby Camel Rock or Horse Head Rock.
• Respect the ocean: don't swim during heavy swell or storms.

Bermagui Blue Pool FAQs

Is Bermagui Blue Pool free?

Yes. It's a free public ocean pool with a marked car park on Scenic Drive.

When was the Blue Pool built?

It was built in the 1930s and opened in 1938, replacing an older swimming spot called the Blue Hole.

Can you swim at the Blue Pool at high tide?

You can swim on most tides, but waves wash into the pool at high tide and in swell. Low tide on a calm day gives the stillest water.

Are there change rooms at Bermagui Blue Pool?

Yes, at the top of the stairs near the car park, plus a shower on the walk back up.

More Coastal Gems Near Bermagui

If you love the Bermagui Blue Pool, you'll also enjoy:

• Horse Head Rock: Bermagui's famous horse-shaped rock formation.
• The Pinnacles: striking red and white cliffs near Tathra.
• The Bogey Hole: Newcastle's convict-built ocean bath.
• NSW Ocean Pools Guide: the best tidal pools and rock pools across the state.

Final Thoughts

The Bermagui Blue Pool is more than just a swimming spot. It's a piece of coastal art shaped by nature and history. Whether you come for a sunrise dip, a photo or a quiet moment by the sea, it's one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.

For more swimming spots like the Blue Pool, from hidden waterfalls to heritage ocean baths, grab a copy of Swim New South Wales.