Where to Swim in the Royal National Park
The Royal National Park has a surprisingly good range of swimming spots — ocean beaches, sheltered lagoons, freshwater pools in sandstone creek country, and rock platforms carved by the sea. Here's a guide to the best options and what suits different kinds of days.
Wattamolla Lagoon
Wattamolla is the most accessible swimming spot in the park and one of the most beautiful. A waterfall feeds a sheltered lagoon that opens onto a small beach — calm, clear water that's safe for families and easy to reach from the car park.
On a warm day it gets busy, but arrive early or visit mid-week and it's a genuinely lovely spot. The lagoon is tidal, so the water is refreshed regularly. Some visitors jump from the rocks above the waterfall into the lagoon — whether that's appealing or alarming probably depends on who you're travelling with.
Karloo Pool and Olympic Pool
Both pools sit in the sandstone creek country of the park's interior, reached on foot from Heathcote Station. Karloo Pool is around 40–50 minutes from the station — emerald green water, sheltered bush setting, and considerably fewer people than the coastal spots.
Olympic Pool is further along the creek — larger, longer, and often entirely empty. The extra walk keeps the crowds away.
We've written a full guide to both pools here: [Karloo Pool and Olympic Pool — Royal National Park Freshwater Swimming Guide]
Deer Pool
Deer Pool sits on the Marley Track, roughly halfway between the road into Bundeena and Marley Beach. It's smaller than Karloo but has a waterfall feeding into it — enough to swim under on a hot day. A good place to stop for lunch on the way to or from the beach.
The name comes from the deer that occasionally pass through the park. Sightings are rare but not unheard of.
Rock Pools and Ocean Swimming near Garie Beach
Garie Beach is the park's largest surf beach and worth the drive down. The road reopened in 2024 after a lengthy closure for major structural repairs — new stairs have been built on the southern end replacing the old clifftop track, and a new lookout has been added to the walkway.
For calmer water, the rock platforms around the park's coastline offer various natural pools depending on conditions and the tide. These aren't formal ocean pools but they're part of what makes the RNP coastline worth exploring slowly.
A Note on Figure 8 Pool
Figure 8 Pool at Burning Palms is one of the most photographed spots in the Royal National Park — a naturally formed rockpool shaped like the number 8, carved into the sandstone platform. It's genuinely worth seeing.
It is not, however, a casual visit. Access requires descending to Burning Palms Beach and rock hopping around the headland, and the platform is only safe around low tide in calm conditions. Waves on this section of coast can be sudden and powerful. Check tide times and swell forecasts carefully before going, and don't proceed if conditions look marginal.
We don't include Figure 8 Pool on our tours — the access requires a separate licence and the safety considerations make it unsuitable for a guided day trip. But if you're planning to visit independently, the NSW National Parks website has current access information.
green and serene Olympic Pool
pristine pool before OP
just walk off the rock into the refreshing green
capped and cool
