Just next to the headland at the southern end of Collaroy Beach is Collaroy Rockpool.
Collaroy Rock Pool is one of the more unique and irregular shaped rock pools in Sydney.
The ocean pool hugs the rock shelf and follows the curve of the adjacent headland, meaning it has no parallel walls and isn’t a traditional oblong shape! This makes it a popular place for photography, especially drone photographers.
The pool faces eastwards towards the ocean and the panoramic views whilst you’re swimming are just spectacular.
Enjoy endless views along the 3.5km long stretch of sand on Collaroy Beach and Narrabeen Beach as you’re swimming. Plus Fisherman’s Beach is located very close by, just on the other side of the rocks.
Like many of the rock pools in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Collaroy Rock Pool features two interconnecting pools: a main pool and a smaller children’s pool.
The main pool is a lovely 50-metre pool with 8 lanes marked – ideal for swimming laps. Plus there is a 18 metre shallow pool adjacent for toddlers, which makes it an ideal place for families to visit in the summer months!
Waves don’t really seem to flow over the pool wall, except at high tide.
There is a concrete promenade around Collaroy Rockpool, as well as a chain fence around the ocean side of the pool.
There is enough space to walk around the edge of the rock pool, or sit down and enjoy the stunning views of Collaroy Beach and Narrabeen Beach.
It’s a great spot to relax as big waves rarely crash into the pool, except when the sea is rough!
There isn’t much shade by the pool, so make sure you’re protected from the sun if you do choose to hang out here!
Collaroy Rockpool Amenities
Disability access at Collaroy Rockpool is good, featuring a wheelchair ramp with a gradual slope into the pool. It has handrails on both sides so there is easy access for people with limited mobility.
By the rockpool are outdoor showers, and you’ll find toilets and changing facilities in the Collaroy SLSC building, located 300 metres from the rockpool.
The changing facilities are open from 4.30am – 11pm, which just shows how much the Northern Beaches lifestyle revolves around the beach!
And with bright lights shining onto Collaroy Rockpool at night time, it means you can also go swimming here around sunset or after dark, which is really magical!
At Collaroy Beach there is also a small park, a picnic area and a children’s playground so you could easily make an afternoon of it. There are also lots of laid-back cafes nearby on Pittwater Road for a post-swim coffee!
History Of Collaroy Rockpool
The suburb of Collaroy was named after the iron paddle steamer ship PS Collaroy that got stranded and ran aground here in 1881.
Collaroy Rock Pool was officially opened in 1926, and in 1937 it was deepened and made into a proper 55 yard pool.
When Is The Collaroy Rockpool Cleaned?
Collaroy Rockpool is generally cleaned every Tuesday during the summer months, and even the Tuesday doing the winter months. You can check the Collaray rockpool cleaning schedule online as it sometimes can change.
How To Get To Collaroy Rockpool:
If coming to Collaroy Rockpool by car, you’ll find lots of pay and display parking from 7am until 7pm at the beach car park. If you have a Northern Beaches council sticker then parking is free.
To get to Collaroy Rockpool from Sydney CBD on public transport, take the B-Line B1 bus from Wynyard to Collaroy. This is the fast bus and it should take around 40 minutes.
Frequent buses from Wynyard drop you off on the main Barrenjoey Road. From there it is just a five minutes’ walk from the beach.
To get to Collaroy Rock Pool from Manly, take the 199 bus for around 25 minutes. It’s then just a short 300-metre walk from the bus stop to the rock pool.
Despite Collaroy Rockpool being so close to the main road, it feels like a whole world away when you’re swimming in the water here!