23 Tampa Bay pools that you should totally not sneak into

WTR Pool and Grill

7700 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, FL 33607, (813) 281-0566
Price: weekdays are free, weekend events are $10-$20
WTR Pool and Grill, located on top of the Godfrey Hotel, throws some of the craziest, scantily clad, parties in town. But if you’re looking for a more family-friendly day, their pool, cabanas and all, are free of charge during the week.

Photo via WTR Pool and Grill/Facebook

Epperson Lagoon

31885 Overpass Rd, Wesley Chapel, FL 33545, (813) 527-0775
Price: $20 a person, children under 3 are free
A man made lagoon is just a gigantic pool, right? This 7.5-acre, crystal blue lake and beach has a little something for all ages and activity levels, featuring a waterslide, swim-up bar, floating obstacle course, concert area and kayak rentals.

Photo via Epperson Lagoon/Facebook

Don CeSar

3400 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, (727) 360-1881
Price: $50 day pass
A $50 day pass to this iconic, massive pink landmark can give you a taste of the good life without breaking the bank. You can use their pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, fitness center, and even utilize the Don CeSar's private beach access.

Photo via Josh Hallett via Flickr/CC2.0

The Epicurean

1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, (813) 999-8700
Price: price of spa treatment of choice
Alright, so The Epicurean doesn’t offer day passes, but if you buy any spa treatment at the Evageline Spa, you can use the pool all you want, for as long as you want. Their cheapest thing on the spa menu is a hand scrub for $40.

Photo via The Epicurean/Facebook

Hillsborough River State Park

15402 US-301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592, (813) 987-6771
Price: $4 per person, children under 5 free
Hillsborough State Park offers biking, canoeing, kayaking and pretty much all the other nature-oriented activities that Florida’s other state parks have. But one thing that makes it stick out is it’s half acre pool, surrounded by a large deck and grassy area to relax in.

Photo via floridastateparks.org

Hollander Hotel

421 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 873-7900
Price: free; requires cabana reservation
In the heart of downtown St. Pete, Hollander Hotel has the best weekend pool parties around, with party themes changing every week. It’s a fun (and much less expensive way) to experience their beautiful pool and poolside bar.

Photo via Hollander Hotel/Facebook

Saddlebrook Resort and Spa

5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 , (813) 907-44190
Price: rooms starting at $150
Okay, Saddlebrook probably the most expensive pool option on this list, but it deserved a spot simply because of the quantity and quality of the pools they have at this massive resort and spa. They have a half-million gallon superpool with water basketball and volleyball, swimming lanes, and hot tubs.

Photo via Saddlebrook Resort and Spa/Facebook

Cuscaden Pool

2900 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605 , (813) 242-5302
Price: $4 a person
A historical public pool cemented (literally) in the middle of Ybor City, Cuscaden Pool has recently reopened after being completely renovated. Swim in a brand new pool with a little bit of that old Tampa feel.

Photo via City of Tampa Flickr

South Tampa YMCA

4411 S Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33611, (813) 839-0210
Price: YMCA memberships are $37-$85 a month depending on membership
There’s over 13 YMCA’s in the Tampa area alone, with every facility offering tons of activities and amenities, including a brand new pool. They also offer lifeguard training, water safety classes and swimming lessons.

Photo via South Tampa Family YMCA/Facebook

Childs Park Pool

1227 43rd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, (727) 893-7730
Price: $3 ages 13 and up
Childs Park pool is one of St.Petersburg’s dozens of public pools scattering the city. With a new pool facility, shaded picnic area, flume slide, and splash pad is definitely worth the $3 entry fee. They even have a twliglight swim Fridays from 6:30-9:30, if swimming in the dark is your thing.

Photo via stpeteparksrec.org

Northshore Aquatic Complex

901 N Shore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 893-7727
Price: $4.50, ages 13 and up
The only public St. Petersburg pool that’s more than a $3 entry, probably because of it’s downtown, prime waterfront location and offers more amenities than the other city pools. This premiere aquatic complex features a 50 meter pool with diving board, 25 yard training pool with zero depth entry, and a play pool with a giant flume slide.

Photo via stpeteparksrec.org

Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center

05 Beverly Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511, (813) 689-0908
Price: $10 day pass
This non-profit organization has been serving the community since 1963, offering swim lessons, swim team, after school programs and youth camps. For only $10 a day, you can have access to their entire facility.

Photo via BSAC/Facebook

Sulphur Springs Pool and Park

701 E Bird St, 33604, (813) 931-2156
Price: free
This large family pool features four 25-yard lap lanes, zero depth entry, splash pad, and many water slides; and it sits right next to Sulphur Springs historical park, right on the Hillsborough River. The City of Tampa website says that in the right conditions, manatees can be spotted.

Photo via CARD-USF/Facebook

Marker 8 on the Water

1420 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698 , (727) 738-5000
Price: food and/drinks
This waterfront tiki bar, restaurant, and event space is now equipped with a heated pool, with a perfect view of the Gulf. Whoever said you can’t eat after swimming is a liar. Down some raw oysters and shrimp cocktail hop in the Marker 8’s pool, located in the Beso Del Sol Resort.

Photo via Marker 8 on the Water/Facebook

Hula Bay Club

5210 W Tyson Ave, Tampa, FL 33611 , (813) 837-4852
Price: food and/or drinks
Who doesn’t love a semi-cheesy, Florida-themed, outdoor tiki bar and restaurant? Hula Bay Club offers drink specials, fresh seafood, and live music like its counterparts, but their pool (next to a bar, of course) makes them stand out.

Photo via Hula Bay Club/Facebook

Courtyard by Marriott

102 E Cass St, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 229-1100
Price: rooms starting at $125 per night
This hotel’s heated outdoor pool is listed as a fitness amenity, but it’s totally okay if you just want to lay poolside with a drink in your hand. When you’re looking for a quick city escape without ever leaving the city.

Photo via Marriott/Facebook

Walter Fuller Pool

7883 26th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710, (727) 893-7636
Price: $3 ages 13 and up
With slides, splash pads, and low and high dive boards, the $3 entry fee is totally worth an afternoon of the kids tiring themselves out while you lay in the shade. We would suggest using the baseball and tennis courts in the Walter Fuller sports complex, but we know it’s way too hot for that. Pool it is.

Photo via stpeteparksrec.org

Tahitian Inn

601 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609, (813) 877-6721
Price: food and drink of choice
No need to book a night’s stay at this boutique hotel, because anyone who orders food and/or drinks at their outdoor bar and restaurant has access to their pool, poolside lounge chairs, and even their cabanas (so we’ve been told).

Photo via Tahitian Inn/Facebook

Tradewinds Island Resort

5500 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706, (800) 249-1667
Price: $45 day pass
Huge inflatable water slides, banana boat rides, beach bars, mini golf, paddle boats––Tradewinds Island Resort offers various types of aquatic fun that won’t make you think twice about coughing up $45 for a day pass. Oh, and they have pools too.

Photo via Tradewinds/Facebook

Bobby Hicks Pool

4120 W Mango Ave, Tampa, FL 33616, (813) 832-1216
Price: free
Because it is the only Olympic sized public pool in Tampa, Bobby Hicks pool is probably one of the most popular public pools in the Tampa Bay area. This pool is open year round, with free entry, unless your taking one of their many swimming lessons and water safety courses.

Photo via tampagov.net