Some pools are for splashing. OCBC Aquatic Centre is for swimming. Built to World Aquatics guidelines and home of Singapore Aquatics, the Kallang venue has staged SEA Games races, World Aquatics Championships water polo and the World Para Swimming Championships, and on an ordinary weekday morning you can swim laps in the very same water.
Whether you are a triathlete chasing your 1,500 m split, a masters swimmer who needs a proper 50 m pool, or simply want a lap lane that is not packed with inflatables, here is your complete guide to swimming at OCBC Aquatic Centre.
Venue Overview & Pool Specs
- Address: 7 Stadium Drive, Singapore 397632
- Opening Hours: Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, 7am to 9.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
- Competition Pool: 50 m with 10 lanes, 3 m deep.
- Training Pool: 50 m with 8 lanes, 1.35 m to 2 m deep.
- Diving & Multi-Purpose Pool: 25 m wide and 5 m deep.
- Seating: Up to 6,000 spectators on race days.
- Managed By: The Kallang Group (tel: +65 6653 8900, 7am to 10pm daily).
Entry Prices & Peak Hours
The Kallang lists two price tiers: Local Resident and Standard.
- Adult, Peak: $2.20 (Local Resident) or $2.90 (Standard)
- Adult, Non-Peak: $2.00 (Local Resident) or $2.60 (Standard)
- Child, Student, Senior (55+) & Persons with Disabilities, Peak: $1.10 or $1.40
- Child, Student, Senior (55+) & Persons with Disabilities, Non-Peak: $1.00 or $1.30
- Peak Hours: Weekday evenings from 6pm to 9.30pm, plus all day on weekends and public holidays.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard or PayNow only.
Training at OCBC Aquatic Centre: Sessions That Work
1. The Triathlon 1,500 m Time Trial
- The Session: Thirty lengths of a 50 m pool. Warm up with 400 m of easy swimming and drills, then swim it at race effort.
- The Tip: The Competition Pool is set to 50 m on Monday and Thursday to Saturday, and to 25 m on Wednesday and Sunday. The Kallang marks this schedule as tentative, so check before a key session.
2. The Lunchtime Aerobic Set
- The Session: 10 x 100 m at a steady effort with 15 seconds of rest between each.
- Best For: Weekday swimmers. Non-peak entry runs from 7am to 6pm, and that is when the lanes are at their cheapest.
Practical Swimmer's Tips
- Swim Off-Peak: Weekday mornings and afternoons are both cheaper and quieter than the after-work rush.
- Remember Tuesdays: The whole centre is closed every Tuesday.
- Check Before You Go: National meets close the venue from time to time, and The Kallang posts the dates on its swimming page.
- Bring a Card: Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or PayNow only.
Getting There & Transit Logistics
- By MRT: Stadium (CC6) is the closest station, about 350 m away. Kallang (EW10) is about 700 m away.
- By Bus: The stops on Nicoll Highway outside the National Stadium (80211 and 80219) are served by 10, 14, 16, 70 and 196.
Train with a squad
Swim sets are easier to stick to with a lane full of training partners. Find a triathlon club with weekly swim sessions on ATHLO+.