Enjoy a variety of drop-in swimming programs at pools across the city. Indoor pools are open year-round and outdoor pools are open mid-June through mid-September. Beaches are supervised in the summer and there are many other water-play options open seasonally.

To explore instructor-led programs and classes visit Swim Lessons. For details about advanced instructor-led programs and classes that can lead to employee opportunities, visit  Aquatic Certifications section on Leadership and Employment Readiness Certifications.

View Map for Locations & Schedules

Aquatic Fitness is a water-based fitness class that includes cardio, muscle conditioning, flexibility and strength-building exercises for people aged 13 years or older. Equipment provided.

Types of Aquatic Fitness include:

  • Arthritis
  • Boot Camp, a workout using the principles of cross-training and high-intensity interval training
  • Caregiver and Baby, a shallow water workout where caregivers can bring their six to 18-month-old babies
  • Deep, a workout in deep water
  • Mind and Body, for people who enjoy Pilates, Tai Chi and Yoga
  • Older Adult (age 60+)
  • Pre/Post-Natal, for women who are pre- or post-delivery
  • Running, a low-to-no-impact running program
  • Shallow, a workout in shallow water
  • Sports Conditioning, a high-intensity class that enhances sports performance and injury prevention
  • Women only
  • Walking, a low-to-no-impact walking program

Most locations offer drop-in aquatic fitness on a first-come, first-served basis. To find a pool location that offers drop-in Aquatic Fitness near you, visit the drop-in Swim and Water Play Drop-in Map.

Aquatic Fitness Drop-in Fees

Prices do not include tax. Tax will be applied at the time of purchase, where applicable.

Membership Type Youth (13 to 18 years) Adult (10 to 59 years) Older Adult (60+ years)
FitnessTO All Access – Day Pass $7.83 $15.64 $7.83
10-Visit Aquatic Fitness Class $62.81 $125.10 $62.81
Single Visit Aquatic Fitness Class $5.32 $10.64 $5.32

Entry to aquatic fitness classes closes 10 minutes after class start time.

Aquatic Fitness at Outdoor Pools

Aquatic Fitness is available at select outdoor pool locations on a drop-in first-come, first-served basis. Pay-as-you-go is not available for outdoor pool locations. A key tag (membership) is required to participate. Review the Memberships & Multi-Visit Passes below for additional information on memberships.

Reserve a Spot

Some locations offer reserve a spot for Aquatic Fitness. Search for one of the following locations on the Swimming and Water Play Drop-in Map.

Locations Offering Reserve a Spot

Aquatic fitness Reserve a Spot is only offered at the following select indoor pools:

For more information and inquiries, email aquatics@toronto.ca.

New Reserve a Spot activity spaces are released Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. for the following Monday to Sunday. Fees may apply at check-in.

Make a Reservation

  1. Create an account online for you and members of your family or log into your Online Registration and Booking account.
  2. Use the drop-in Swim and Water Play map to search for one of the locations listed above.
  3. Select the map pin for its status and to find the View Schedule button.
  4. Select View Schedule to find available Reserve a Spot times.
  5. When you find a date and time you prefer, select Reserve.
  6. A new window will open in the registration and booking system. Select Enroll Now to add the activity to your cart and log in using your e-mail and password.
  7. Select a Participant from the drop-down to identify which member of your household you are making a reservation for, then choose Add to Cart.
  8. Review the activity details, agree to the waivers and click checkout to complete the reservation.
  9. After completing the reservation, take a screenshot or print the receipt to show on-site.

Your Reserve a Spot will be honoured for five minutes beyond the scheduled start time. If you do not arrive within five minutes of the start time, your spot will be given to someone in the walk-in line.

Reserve a Spot is available to Toronto residents only and waitlists are not kept or monitored.

Withdraw from your Reserve a Spot activity

Cancel your Reserve a Spot online up to one day before the activity is scheduled.

  1. Log in to your online account.
  2. Under Payment and Order Management select Transaction and Payment History.
  3. Find the Activity you wish to withdraw from and select Withdraw
  4. Select the withdrawal reason from the drop-down menu and select Withdraw
  5. Review the activity and select Finish

If you need to cancel your Reserve a Spot the day of, email pfrcustomerservice@toronto.ca or call 416-396-7378, Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Leisure Swim

Open swim with shallow and deep areas separated. Supervision requirements, age restrictions for swimming alone, and swim tests for deep end access apply. Review the Swim Test & Supervision Requirements section below for additional information.

Types of Leisure Swim include:

  • Adapted, for clients with a disability and their caregivers
  • Adult (age 18+)
  • Family
  • Men only
  • Older Adult (age 60+)
  • Open and Inclusive, a swim incorporating all gender expressions and body types
  • Preschool, for children up to five years of age and their caregivers
  • Women only
  • Youth (age 13 to 24)

Leisure swim is free at all indoor and outdoor pools.

Lane Swim

Open swim for swimming continuous lengths or widths for individuals 7 years of age and older unless otherwise indicated. Swimmers are encouraged to bring their own personal equipment. Swim tests for deep end access apply.

Types of Lane Swim include:

  • Long (50 metre) Course
  • Men only
  • Older Adult (age 60+)
  • Short (25 metre) Course
  • Women only

Lane swim is free at all outdoor pools.

Indoor Lane Swim Drop-in Fees

Lane swim has a fee at indoor pools. See fees below. Select indoor pools offer free lane swim. To see a list of the free centres, visit Free & Lower-Cost Recreation Options.

Membership Type Youth (13 to 18 years) Adult (10 to 59 years) Older Adult (60+ years)
Indoor Lane Swim Drop-in Fees do not include tax. Tax will be applied at the time of purchase, where applicable.
FitnessTO All Access – Day Pass $7.83 $15.64 $7.83
FitnessTO Plus Swim – Day Pass $2.20 $4.39 $2.20
Older Adult Lane Swim Not available Not available Free
10-Visit Lane Swim $20.90 $41.38 $20.90

Lane Swim Guidelines

To maintain a safe and enjoyable lane swim, the following guidelines are recommended:

  • The minimum age requirement is seven years old and the ability to pass the swim test.
  • Swim in the lane that best describes your type of swimming: fast, medium or slow/leisure.
  • Change lanes at the end of the pool, not in the middle.
  • Swim in the direction indicated by the signs.
  • Passing should occur cautiously to prevent injuries to others, especially when using equipment.
  • Avoid collisions by being aware of your surroundings, especially when others are pushing off the wall.
  • Listen to the advice given by lifeguards.

Swim Test

To pass the swim test, individuals must show the pool staff:

  • Comfort in the water.
  • Swim a minimum of two widths (or equivalent distance) in shallow water without stopping. Distances may increase based on the size or shape of the facility.

Individuals who can’t pass the swim test must stay in the shallow end of the pool. Children nine years of age or younger who can’t pass the swim test must also be directly supervised in the pool by their caregiver.

Supervision Requirements and Wristbands

For the safety of all swimmers in the pool, supervision ratios must be always followed. Supervision ratios and admission requirements are developed:

All children nine years of age or younger are given a wristband to identify whether a caregiver must be within arm’s reach.

A caregiver must be:

  • 14 years of age or older
  • Responsible for the direct supervision of the child(ren) in and out of the water
  • Remain within arms’ reach
  • Dressed in proper bathing attire
  • Capable of swimming in the deep end, if accompanying a child into the deep end

Any child(ren) in any type of child seat (e.g. stroller, baby bucket or other type of child seat) must be directly supervised and within arms’ reach of a caregiver at all times while in the facility.

Check the chart to learn more about caregiver requirements to enter the facility and whether a caregiver is required to be within arms’ reach.

In a group setting, the caregiver ratios are based on the youngest swimmer or whether a swimmer passes the swim test.

Wristband Colour and Supervision Requirements
Age Upon Entry into Pool: does not take Swim Test or does not pass Swim Test Once in Pool Area and Passes Swim Test
Five years and younger
  • Pink wristband: can swim in the shallow end
  • Maximum of two children to one caregiver
  • Caregiver must remain within arms' reach at all times
Not applicable. Children five years and younger cannot enter the deep end
Six years
  • Orange wristband: can swim in the shallow end
  • Maximum of four children to one caregiver
  • Caregiver must remain within arms' reach at all times
  • Orange and Green wristband: can swim in the deep end
  • Maximum of four children to one caregiver
  • Caregiver must remain within arms' reach at all times
Seven to nine years old
  • Orange wristband: can swim in the shallow end
  • Maximum of four children to one caregiver
  • Caregiver must remain within arms' reach at all times
  • Green wristband (orange wristband will be removed by staff): can swim in the deep end
  • No caregiver required

 

Ten years and older
  • No wristband: can swim in the shallow end
  • No caregiver required
  • Green wristband: can swim in the deep end
  • No caregiver required

Day Camps and Groups

Camp staff should contact the facility directly to plan a visit.

Pool Use

  • Those with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by a caregiver familiar with their condition.
  • Shower with soap and water before you enter the pool.
  • All swimmers must change from street clothes to a swimsuit and/or clean clothing used only for swimming.
  • All outside shoes must be removed before entering the pool deck.
  • Strollers, baby buckets and wheelchairs may be placed in designated areas.
  • For swimmers who are not toilet trained:
    • we recommend specially designed swim diapers or pants.
    • cotton diapers are only allowed if snug plastic pants are worn to cover the diaper.
    • disposable diapers are not allowed as they fall apart with too much water and clog the pool’s filters.

Change rooms

  • Children six years of age and younger can use the change room with their caregiver regardless of the child’s gender.
  • Children seven years of age and older must use the change room designated for their gender.
  • Some pools have a universal change room
  • You can make alternate arrangements with facility staff if change room accommodations don’t work for you.

Lockers may be available in change rooms to store items. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lock. The City of Toronto is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Gender-Specific Swim Activities

Gender-Specific Swim activities provide a more comfortable space for those who prefer gender-specific settings.

Gender identity characterizes an individual’s internal sense of gender – male, female, trans male, trans female, and non-binary. Gender identity may or may not align with sex assigned at birth and characterizes one’s personal understanding and gender experience.

Parents and Caregivers

Caregivers’ gender identity must align with the gender-specific activity type to access the pool enclosure, change rooms, and spectator/viewing area(s).

Participants Aged Zero to Six

Children aged zero to six of all gender types will be allowed in the pool enclosure, change rooms, and designated spectator/viewing areas, where available, and when appropriately supervised by a caregiver whose gender identity aligns with the gender-specific program type.

Participants Aged Seven and Older

Participants aged seven and older must attend swim activities and access spaces, such as change rooms, pool deck and spectator areas, that align with their own gender identity.

Accessibility

The City of Toronto is retrofitting its pools for accessibility. Some indoor facilities are open for physical therapy and some offer warm water pools. View the list of Accessible Recreation Facilities and Equipment to learn more. To find out whether an indoor or outdoor location will meet your needs, call the Adapted and Inclusive Recreation Services Hotline at 416-395-6128 or email  aiscw@toronto.ca.

Water Temperature at Indoor Pools

The pool temperature of City-owned locations will vary between 26 to 29 Celsius (78 to 84 Fahrenheit).  Select locations have adjusted temperatures outside this range to meet activity needs and accessibility. Visit Accessible Recreation Facilities and Equipment to learn more.

Saunas and Hot Tub/Therapeutic Pool Use

  • Users must be 14 years of age or older.
  • Allowed usage for a maximum of 15 minutes.
  • Shower with soap and water before and after use.
  • Pregnant women and individuals with high blood pressure are discouraged from using these amenities.
  • Head coverings including bathing caps are discouraged to prevent overheating.

Photography

If you want to take pictures of your child while they are swimming, you must speak with staff at the facility first. Using a phone, tablet, camera or other electronic or photographic device is not allowed in washrooms and change rooms at any City of Toronto facilities.

FitnessTO memberships are available for lane swim and drop-in aquatic fitness classes.  Fitness memberships are great for users who attend drop-in activities on a regular basis.

Buy memberships and multi-visit passes online or at your local City pool. Learn how to get an online registration and booking account.

Memberships and multi-visit passes for lane swim and aquatic fitness are available in the form of a key tag. If purchasing a membership online, and you do not have a key tag, please visit your local community centre. There is a $14.13 replacement fee for lost or stolen key tags.

Existing printed punch cards (multi-visit passes) will be honoured until they run out.

Additionally, buy the following pass or card at the front desk of a community centre.

  • Day Passes and Single Visit Passes are ideal for beginners or occasional users (these passes expire and are for indoor pools only).
  • 10-visit Passes (these passes do not expire).