Vanston Baths, also called Sandringham Baths, is the southernmost of the netted enclosures along the western shore of Botany Bay, off Vanston Parade, Sandringham. It's free and close to parking, a much-loved local swim for a group of regulars aged from nine to 90.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour or river baths
- Cost
- Free
- Lifeguards
- No
- Best time to go
- High tide, calm day
- Water quality
- GoodSandringham Baths, 0.1 km away. Sampled 29 Oct. Data: NSW Beachwatch, CC BY 4.0.
- Town
- Sandringham, NSW
What it's like
A line of pylons and netting encloses a patch of calm bay water off a small beach, with stairs leading down into the water. The regulars, who call themselves the Beach Gang, swim here year after year and treat it as their own. It's a simple, unfussy place: bay water, a view across to the Kurnell peninsula and very few tourists.
When to go
High tide is best, when the stairs reach well into the water and there's enough depth to swim. Calm days after dry weather give the cleanest water.
Getting there and facilities
The baths are off Vanston Parade, Sandringham, with parking close by, which makes them one of the easier Botany Bay baths to reach. Facilities nearby are basic.
Good to know
There are no lifeguards. Sandbags protecting the seawall can drift over the stairs and grow slippery algae, and swimmers have reported sea lice, so take care getting in. Bayside Council plans to replace the pylons and netting.