Opened in 1887, Bronte Baths is one of the oldest and most photographed ocean pools in Sydney. Its best known regular was Evelyn Whillier, who at 18 competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and at 20 won gold in the 1938 British Empire Games.

The enchanting, triangular Fairy Bower Pool was built by locals, for locals, in 1929. It's located alongside Marine Parade, between Manly and Fairy Bower beaches. 

Mahon Pool's intertidal position makes it subject to fierce doses of Pacific swell. Drop by when the water's high and the wind's a-blowing for the biggest waves and most adrenaline-fuelled fun (just be careful getting in and out). 

Members of Sydney's toughest swimming club, The Icebergs, have been proving their mettle here since 1929. To stay in the gang, you must meet every Sunday throughout winter and swim at least one lap of the pool.

Bilgola Beach forms the floor of a steep coastal valley. It's one of the northern beaches' most secluded spots, and one of the best beaches in all of Sydney. 

Boys, butt out. McIver's is the only coastal pool in Australia for ladies only. It's been that way since 1922, when the Randwick and Coogee Ladies Swimming Club took over the lease from the McIver family.

Found just south of McIver's Baths, Wylie's welcomes people of all genders. The 50-metre Sydney ocean pool offers 180-degree panoramas of the ocean, including views of Wedding Cake Island.

Curl Curl's exposed, east-southeast position makes it one of Sydney's most exciting but dangerous beaches. The southerly swell surges in, driving waves to heights of 1.5 metres or more and powering hazardous rips. 

Cronulla's main ocean pool lies in the 300 metres of rocky platforms dividing South Cronulla Beach from North Cronulla. Opened in 1932, the Sydney ocean pool first served as a training facility for local lifeguards. 

For smaller crowds and a laidback, local feel, head to Malabar Ocean Pool. Created in the 1890s, it was closed down by the 1970s (as was surrounding Long Bay) due to pollution.