About
Outdoor swimming pool for water polo and scuba diving.
The water in the Florida Pool is consistently maintained at 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The Florida Pool, a historic and refurbished 50-yard facility (originally 1929), is highly regarded by users, often considered the best pool at the University of Florida. It features 8 wide lanes, sufficient depth (up to 12ft at the deep end), and two large digital clocks. An update in July 2022 added a very cold water fountain. Other amenities include powerful cooling jets in summer, two bathrooms (each with a shower, though some mention only one shower), and available swim gear like kickboards and pull buoys. Access requires a Gator ID and membership. While generally praised for being a great place to swim for all skill levels, including the Gator Swimming Team, some quirks were noted: a unique water jet in lane 5, a sloping shallow end wall, and the need for more consistent vacuuming. The original water fountain was considered outdated, and there are no lockers, though security hasn't been an issue. Heating can be inconsistent in winter, there's no shade, and hours can be 'wonky' or closed on event days. Despite these minor points, many users are 'spoiled' by it and find it an amazing asset.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
July 29th, 2022Karl Kuchma
07282022 UPDATE: New water fountain that seems to have a direct connection to some far away glacial water runoff, the water's wicked cold. I believe you must have a Gator ID and membership to swim here. This is the site of the original pool that dates back to 1929. Back then, Olympic long course pools were 50m, but someone in Gainesville may have only had a yard stick when it was built. I wasn't there. This pool is 50yds and so is considered to me to be "long course-light." Since the original construction, the pool has been refurbished. It's a great pool to swim in. 8 wide lanes provide plenty of space. The pool depth at the shallow end is sufficiently deep. There are two, LARGE digital clocks to motivate or discourage you depending on you conditioning. During there summer, there are two powerful spraying jets to cool the pool water. There are two bathrooms with a shower each I believe. Expert level advice: Don't swim in 5 to the right of the life guard stand at the shallow end. The water circulating jets on the floor of the pool are aligned right down the middle of this lane and push water straight up. Another odd characteristic of the pool is that the wall at the shallow end seems to slope away, closer to you at the top then the bottom. The pool could use a little more vacuuming, but it's not obnoxious. The water fountain allows you to fill easily a 24 oz water bottle, though it could be updated. No lockers to store your personal items, but I have never had an issue there. They have swim gear available, kickboards and pull buoys. If you bring the guards Starbucks, then you'll be their new best friend and they'll save you first. They suffer from unnui, so that should perk them up. It's never loud or obnoxious there, so far. Swimmers of all levels including Gator Swimming Team once in a while staying loose. Bring sun screen. There's no shade over this pool. That's Ben Hill Griffin stadium in the background. The pool is closed on event days. Hours are a little wonky sometimes.
July 14th, 2025Arjan Singh Bhalla
This is such an amazing swimming pool , UF RecSports has a great asset. This pool has me spoiled so much that I can never fully like swimming pools elsewhere.
March 14th, 2019Leidy Patricia Moreno Cadena
It is the best pool to swim in the University. However, it just have one shower and two restrooms.
October 7th, 2024Chingtak Kitayama
Nice pool. They also open from 6:30 to 8:30 in the weekdays morning and there are few people swimming since most people can't get up. Need UFID to enter.
April 6th, 2021Hunter Borman
I took my open water scuba diving course here. The pool is nothing exceptional but fairly functional. The heating could be applied more consistently in the winter but it was never freezing cold, always with some amount of heating. The pool is fairly deep at the deep end with a max depth of 12ft. The bathrooms outside each hold about 3 people and include showers that are helpful for rinsing off yourself or any equipment.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6:30 – 8:30 AM, 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 – 8:30 AM, 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 – 8:30 AM, 12:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 – 8:30 AM, 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 7:00 PM |
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