Fairy Bower Sea Pool-Manly

Manly's Ocean Pool

Fairy Bower Sea Pool is one of those super-photogenic pools. The combination of it’s quirky triangular shape and the sculptures that stand guard poolside lend itself to an instagrammer’s delight. The sculptures are officially called “The Oceanides”, but are fondly referred to “The Sea Nymphs” by locals. Sea nymphs are female spirits of sea waters according to Greek Mythology. This place has such a good vibe, maybe it’s the Oceanides looking over it?

After being destroyed in a severe storm in 2016, locals raised a bucket load of money to have them repaired and reinforced in bronze to help them withstand the weather.

My visit to Fairy Bower Sea Pool

Oh, Fairy Bower, you stole a little piece of my heart! I loved this pool. So little and cute, definitely a quick dip and a sunbathe kind of pool, rather than one suited to doing laps. The outlook is beautiful, and when I go back next time (this one is top of my list for a revisit), I’ll be sure to pack my snorkel.

Fairy Bower sits alongside The Cabbage Tree Bay Nature Reserve. The day I visited in December 2024, would have been perfect to go for an underwater explore, the water was still and clear, and the sun was shining. Unfortunately it was a bit of an impromtu visit, I found myself in Sydney for another reason about 26 mins away from Fairy Bower and with a bout an hour of time to spare, so I didn’t have much time to go for a snorkel.

The pool itself is super cute, triangular in shape, and surprisingly uncrowded despite the beautiful weather. As you can see from my photos, there was hardly anyone in the pool. Maybe I saw a total of ten, but only about 3 in the pool at one time, so it was never crowded.

How deep is Fairy Bower Sea Pool?

The deep end is listed as 1.5m deep, but I am about 158cm tall, and it was just overhead in the deepest part, so more like 1.6 or 1.7m. The shallow end is about knee height as you enter from the stairs.

How big is Fairy Bower Sea Pool?

30m end to end, although it’s too shallow to swim at the shallow end. About 15m across at it’s widest point. It certainly is “fairy” sized!

My review of Fairy Bower Rock Pool

This place has so much to offer, you could definitely spend the good part of a day here. A swim in the pool, a laze in the sun on the side, a walk north to Manly Beach, a snorkel in The Cabbage Tree Nature Reserve, a bite and a coffee from one of the super cute cafes right next to the pool, a browse in the art gallery just next to the pool, and a walk down to Shelly Beach to the south.

I love the sculptures overlooking the pool. They lend themselves to some beautiful photos. It’s hard to imagine the seas being big and rough enough to damage them when you see this area on a calm day. That’s the ocean for you isn’t it, though?

I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful part of the world. I’ll be back for sure!

How much does it cost to swim at Fairy Bower pool?

Free entry

When is Fairy Bower pool open?

Open 24 hours a day, except for cleaning, which usually takes place on a between Wednesday and Friday night according to Northern Beaches Council.

Are Lifeguards on duty at Manly ocean pool?

No lifeguards on duty.

Is there Car Parking near Fairy Bower lap pool?

Free parking at the Penninsula car park. I managed to get a spot at the north end of Bower street, 2 hours free parking. From here you walk south and hang a left at Bower Lane. This brings you out on the Marine Parade walkway and the pool is not far along when you turn right at the end of the lane.

Are there BBQ Facilities near Fairy Bower saltwater pool?

Electric BBQ facilities located at nearby Shelly Beach.

Is Fairy Bower Pool Wheelchair and Pram accessible?

Fairy Bower Rock Pool is listed as wheel chair accessible. To get to where the pool is, I’d agree with this. To actually get into the pool, there are about 10 stairs at the shallow end, and a ladder at the deep end. No good for wheelchair access. I would also say difficult to get a pram on the pool level, but good for the kids to splash in the shallow end.