Like many lido stories I have read, the Havre des Pas bathing pool was constructed out of a need to better society. The Jersey Swimming Club was established in 1865 and like the first instructional manual back in the 16th century, it was created out of concern over the amount of drownings around the island. Originally the plan was to have two tidal pools, one for men and the other for women, but only one was built on the shore that was leased from the Crown. The pool was opened May 22 in 1895.
Where is Havre des Pas Bathing Pool?
Havre des Pas Bathing pool is located to the east of St Helier in Jersey. You can walk to the bathing pool from Liberation Station St Helier in 15 - 20 mins.
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When the tide is out the little beach can provide you entry to the tidal pool, or you can use the walkway which is useful come high tide.
How much does it cost and what are the facilities like?
Havre des Pas Bathing Pool is free to use. The location is shared with The Lido, which is only open to patrons, this is a pay-for pool and bar area.
If you are visiting the island by car, it is advised to leave your car at your accommodation and utilise the impressive Liberation Bus route network to get to the bathing pool, as parking was limited, if any at all.
There are changing facilities if you don’t feel confident in public changing or you left your Changing Tube at home. To wash the salt off there are fresh water shower facilities available. Spotted on one trip to the pool, a savvy lady was showering with an exfoliation glove. An FYI for anyone wanting to have a pamper session after the salty exposure for silky smooth post-swim skin.
Swim kit is generally left on the concrete seating platforms and there is that general respect that open-water swimmers have that you can expect your kit to be there when you get back from the swim.
How was the swimming at Havre des Pas Bathing Pool?
In the early morning, around 6.30am, the bathing pool was a dream. The oyster catchers morning call was harmonised with the gulls and crows that gathered by the shoreline. The sun slowly rose as were the morning regulars that were dipping before work. The moon still hovering in the morning sky you can feel your breath deepening and slowing as you take stock before you start your day.
After school breaks for the day, this morning feeling is not replicated. If yelling bags of hormones, screaming little children, and families en masse, are not your thing, avoid the bathing pool at these times. The amount of people at the bathing pool in the evening is a great sign of its popularity with the locals and tourists. Overheard on the bus were local schoolchildren making plans so that they could be in the pool by 4pm. Swimming is very much an important part of locals' daily routines. But if you want and prefer a quiet swim, go early.
The experience of swimming in a tidal pool was welcomed during our stay in Jersey, especially due to the week of hot weather.
Entering and exiting the pool is something of a knifes edge sort of entry as, at any moment, you might go arse over tit, due to the slippery tidal sea water and what it leaves behind. On two consecutive visits, we saw one person ill-advised run and then subsequent fall. Later we saw the same man with an ice pack on the fallen shoulder. The next day, a little Scottie dog thought he was a sledge dog and began to run which made the gentleman owner suddenly very wet as he found himself on the floor.
Odour was another aspect. Egg and sulphur came to mind but these were fleeting assaults on the senses that were generally overawed by everything else around.
If lucky enough to return to Jersey, Havre des Pas bathing pool will certainly be on the list.
It’s great that it's still there really, as the pool wasn’t used during the German occupation, and following bad weather, and the 1970s indoor pool opening, meant that it fell into disrepair.
Thankfully though it’s still here after a major restoration project that saw it reopened in 2000. It’s well worth a visit to experience a teaching pool that was inspired to help people learn to swim and reduce drownings and recently prevented this swimmer from melting in the summer sun.
