Terrigal Rock Pool

Where is Terrigal Rock Pool?

Terrigal Rock Pool is located at the southern end of Terrigal Beach, on the Central Coast of NSW. 95 kms and a bit under an hour and a half drive north of Sydney.

We parked in the carpark just to the north of the Surf Club off Terrigal Espalanade. As we looked south the pool was so small we couldn’t even see it!

Why Terrigal Rock Pool is a great place to swim

Terrigal Rock Pool is not for everyone (maybe myself included). Not big or deep enough for laps on my visit (the ocean was way more inviting that day).

But, looking at the positives, this ocean pool would be a great spot to bring little kids for a paddle. Good access down the ramp for mothers with prams.

Also a super safe place for those not confident to swim in the open ocean.

A lovely walk and view from the boardwalk above.

How big is Terrigal Rock Pool?

The pool is roughly 20m in length, and about 20m across at it’s widest, but more like 10m for “swimmable” space.

You can wade in and at it’s deepest (2 hours before low tide) it was about as deep as I am high (1.6m).

The pool is tiny, and I’m not going to lie, I was pretty underwhelmed.

You should swim at Terrigal Rock Pool at high tide

To get Terrigal Rock Pool at it’s best, I’d highly recommend checking and going either side of the high tide.

At low tide, there simply isn’t enough water to swim in.

What is the water temperature like?

On the day in August 2024 that was cloudy and cold, even Damien the Duck packed it in with a flat battery. If I had to guess the water temperature was a freezing 15 degrees.

How much does it cost to swim at Terrigal saltwater rock pool?

Free entry

When is Terrigal Sea Pool open?

Open 24 hours

Are there lifeguards on duty at Terrigal Rock Pool?

No lifeguards on duty at Terrigal Rock Pool.

The beach is patrolled from September though to April.

Is there car parking at Terrigal rock pool?

Free car parking just north of the surf club with probably a 300m walk to the pool.

More car parking about half that distance walk just south of the ocean pool off Terrigal Esplanade.

Is Terrigal Rock pool and beach wheelchair and pram accessible?

Great access to the level of the pool. The ramp zig zags down from the board walk so that it is not too steep. There is a bench seat half way down.

A small step from the end of the ramp into the sandy shallows of the pool.

Perfect for parents with prams and toddlers.

What are the changeroom and shower facilities like at Terrigal Rock Pool?

Cold water outdoor showers located just north of the pool on the boardwalk.

Toilets and changerooms with cold water showers located at the south end of the Surf Club building which is about a 300m walk north along the esplanade from the pool.

Can I take my dog to Terrigal Rock Pool?

This is an interesting one. I don’t think you can’t. The sign on the boardwalk just above the rock pool says make sure you pick up your dog’s poo.

Dogs can definitely walk on a leash on the boardwalk, and there is an off leash park just a bit further south.

Most rock pools prohibit dogs, but the signage here doesn’t specify that. Fido, you might have found a sneaky one to swim in???

Visiting Terrigal Rock Pool

Visiting Terrigal Rock Pool was on a bit of a whim. We had been visiting iPerform Lab on a seperate work project in Erina, when host Aaron suggested we check out Terrigal. It seemed mad to travel this far and not tick an ocean pool off our list.

We parked just north of the surf club and had understood that the pool was at the north end of the beach. Looking north we saw nothing so we consulted the map and realised we had to head south. As we walked along the esplanade a small concrete structure became visible and Sarah was convinced this was our destination. I said there was no way that was the pool (it looked like some kind of small drainage structure from a distance).

As we got closer, it became apparent that she was right, and this indeed was our destination. It was pretty disappointing. If I hadn’t set out on this quest to try and swim in every ocean pool, there is no way I would have bothered. Even Damien the duck didn’t want to bother and refused to even turn on to give me a water temp. I can confirm it was freezing!

I would give it another chance on a warm sunny day at high tide, but at low tide on a cold, cloudy Winter’s day, it was by far the least impressive pool I have been in so far. Unfortunately I’d have to describe my experience as Terr-ible at Terrigal.