Bathers urged to be cautious as Cape public pools close as winter approaches

With Cape Town’s public pools have now closed for the winter season, with the exception of indoor pools and Sea Point, the City of Cape Town has reminded residents that the risk of drowning remains present, especially during the off-season when supervision is limited.

PICTURE: Pixabay

The municipality said 14 fatal drownings occurred along the coastline, during the Summer season, which is equal to the number recorded last season. Of these, 12 victims were male and four were under the age of 18. It added that a total of 49 non-fatal drownings were recorded during this period. In 2024, five people drowned during the off-season.

‘’Our sincerest condolences go out to those who lost loved ones to drowning this season. Our lifeguards do all they can to save lives and are dedicated to ensuring each season is as safe as possible,’’ said Francine Higham, Mayco Member for Community Services & Health.

‘’Don’t become another statistic. Please obey warning signs, avoid swimming on isolated beaches and always remain within your swimming ability. Learning to identify rip currents can save your life,’’ she added.

Cape Town’s public pools have now closed for the winter season, with the exception of indoor pools and Sea Point, which operate throughout the year: Blue Downs, Long Street, Retreat, Strand, and Sea Point

Figures provided by the City revealed that 660 509 patrons visited the City’s swimming pools between October 2024 and 10 April 2025. Notably, over 389 000 of these visitors were children aged three to 16.

Among the most visited facilities were Sea Point Pool, which was the busiest, with a peak attendance of 3,900 patrons on 26 December 2024. Other high-traffic facilities included Mnandi, Browns Farm, Bellville, and Delft Pools.

Done by: Elona Sibunzi