For any swimmer who’s grown up in a pool, there are few things that feel as nostalgic as the wafty scent of chlorine or the echo of splashing water in an indoor pool. Most swimmers have been to more pools than they can count. Your home pool, a few in your local area you regularly go to for meets, and a couple others you may have traveled the country for, and of course, that one pool you just always swim well at. Maybe it’s corny, but it also might just be true: they hold memories.
Beyond familiarity, however, there are some pools that can stand out simply for what they are. Whether it’s location, history, or the atmosphere they create, here are seven “bucket list” pools you should dive into before you retire.
IU Natatorium
Photo Courtesy: Ide Takahisa
Located in Indianapolis, the Indiana Natatorium is about as iconic as it gets in American swimming. The venue has hosted everything from NCAA Championships to Olympic Trials to world record performances from iconic names like Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky. In short, it’s what swimmers would call a “fast pool.”
Bondi Icebergs Pool
Set right along the scenic Australian coastline, Bondi Icebergs Pool is one of the most visually striking and iconic swimming locations in the world. You’ve probably seen aesthetic images of it on Pinterest or Instagram. Waves crash over the edge of the deck, spilling into the pool and blurring the line between open water and lap swimming. It’s not your typical training environment, but on a perfect day, it’s a dream experience.
Ranier III Nautical Stadium
For Formula One fans – or anyone who’s watched Cars 2 – this pool located in the heart of Monaco is instantly recognizable. Nestled along the harbor of one of the most expensive locations in the world, the pool offers a surreal combination of luxury, European cityscapes, and clear blue water (chlorinated and ocean!). Although it might be less accessible than others, this swim offers the whole experience.
Montreal Olympic Pool
Built for the 1976 Olympics, the Montreal Olympic Pool carries decades of history within its walls. The unique architecture and massive competition space make it feel larger than life, reminding swimmers of the dream global stage that you can reach as an athlete. The pools in this center were all recently renovated in 2015 to fit with current standards and now serve as a location for exercise to the public and for many competitive athletes.
London Aquatics Centre
On the Olympic note, the London Aquatic Centre also gives swimmers the opportunity to have the olympic experience. This complex was built for the 2012 Olympics and, according to its website, is one of the most technologically advanced swimming facilities in the world. It offers two 50-meter pools and the chance to swim at the same facility where countless records were broken.
Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center
Photo Courtesy: The City of Fort Lauderdale
The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center is one of those pools that has truly seen the sport evolve. For decades, it’s been a training base for Olympians and elite swimmers, and it continues to host major national and international meets. With recent renovations bringing it up to modern standards, it blends history with a fresh, high-performance feel. It’s the kind of place where you expect to go fast.
Woollett Aquatics Center
Sitting in Irvine, California, Woollett Aquatics Center is a popular location for high-level competition, such as USA National Championships. The site will also host the 2026 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. With multiple state of the art pools and a reputation for hosting some of the fastest up and coming swimmers in the world, it’s a pool any swimmer would love to get a few laps in.
At the end of the day, a pool is a pool. A black line is still a black line. But every once in a while, you get the chance to swim somewhere that makes you pause before pushing off the wall. These are those places.