As Cape Town's summer season comes to a close, residents are reminded that public pools have now closed for the year, with the exception of Sea Point Pavillion pool and indoor pools.

Pools that will stay open include Long Street, Retreat and Strand and Blue Downs.

The City of Cape Town says the service of lifeguards on duty will also come to an end. However, the risk of drowning remains present, especially during the off-season when supervision is limited.

Cape Town’s Water Rescue Network will continue to respond to emergencies, but services will be reactive only.

"Don’t become another statistic. Please obey warning signs, avoid swimming on isolated beaches and always remain within your swimming ability. Learning to identify rip currents can save your life," says Francine Higham, Mayoral committee member for community services and health.

During the past season, which runs from September to April, 14 fatal drownings occurred along the coastline, which is equal to the number recorded the previous season. Of these, 12 victims were male and four were under the age of 18. A total of 49 non-fatal drownings were also recorded.

In 2024, five people drowned during the off-season.

A total of 660 509 patrons visited the City’s swimming pools between October 2024 and 10 April 2025. Notably, over 389 000 of these visitors were children aged three to 16.

Among the most visited facilities, Sea Point pool was the busiest, with a peak attendance of 3 900 patrons on December 26, 2024, which marked Boxing Day. Other high-traffic facilities included Mnandi, Brown's Farm, Bellville, and Delft pools.

‘The City would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to all lifeguards for their commitment and dedication to public safety during the summer season. We also encourage residents and visitors to stay vigilant and practice water safety year-round,’ added Councillor Higham.

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Lifeguard season comes to a close