It is summer, time to jump in the pool! How better to cool off? Autumn? Sure. Get a few laps in before winter. Winter? Soak up some of that warm water from a heated pool. Spring? Summer’s just around the corner, time to get in shape. Swimming pools on Whidbey? It makes more sense the more you think about it. Whidbey is an island, surrounded by water. Don’t ignore it. Jump into it. Safely, of course.

Whidbey Looks A Little Different: 

Fly over some neighborhoods in the US and see blue splotches covering backyards with open-air pools scattered among the houses. A few outdoor pools exist on Whidbey, but they’re rarer. Maybe that has something to do with trees and their needles or leaves. Rain doesn’t bother swimmers. And, lightning is rare here.

The most obvious pools may be the ones you hear about but can’t see while driving around. Many pools are indoors, like the one off Midway in Oak Harbor. The Navy base has at least one. Year-round swimming happens.

Visitors may relax in pools if their hotel has one.

Pools on Whidbey:

Between the two extremes of municipal and individual pools are the neighborhood ones. Several neighborhoods come equipped with large pools. Indoor ones may be year-round. Outdoor ones may be more seasonal. If you’re not a resident of that neighborhood, see if you can buy a membership, like at a country club; or, maybe you can buy a recreational lot that is hard to build on, but that grants you amenities.

Each pool has their differences. 

• John Vanderzicht Memorial Pool in Oak Harbor is a public aquatic center offering lap swimming, lessons, water aerobics, and recreational swim sessions. 
• Island Athletic Club in Freeland is also a fitness club with an indoor pool, sauna, and aqua fitness classes for members. 
• Useless Bay Golf & Country Club in Langley is a private country club with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and golf course for members. 
• Admiral’s Cove Pool in Coupeville is a private community pool with a picturesque view of Penn Cove and access for residents that also offers public swimming lessons in the summer. 
• Bon Air heated community pool in Coupeville is a private outdoor community pool.
• Scatchet Head in Clinton is a private community pool that is covered and has a view straight south down Puget Sound.
• Sandy Hook Yacht Club Estates is a seasonal outdoor community pool near a marina in Clinton.

Personal Pools: 

And yes, some houses have outdoor pools, but some have indoor pools. Some even have pools that can be indoor or outdoor depending on whether they roll back a wall. 

If you really want that luxury (or necessity for some) of having a pool at your place, talk to the County about building one. Be prepared for permits and lots of rules. Or, find a house for sale that already has one and buy it, the house, that is. If you aren’t already working with an agent and need one to help you search connect with us here. 

In Addition to Pools: 

Keep in mind though that when talking about swimming you may find people who skip the pools and use nature’s waters. Lakes get you the fresh water experience, without having to worry about tides. Or, use the waters that define the island’s borders, Puget Sound, the Salish Sea, our bit of the Pacific Ocean. A hint, though, find other swimmers and officials who know the currents, depths, restricted areas, and boat traffic issues. And make sure you’ve got the gear and dry clothes for our perpetually cold waters (~50F). 

You may not see swimming opportunities  until you look for them, but an island in a temperate part of the world can provide plenty of opportunities and options to swim for fun or exercise or both.

If this article got you thinking about moving to a community with a pool or about buying a home with a pool consider reaching out to your agent today to start the discussion. If you are not currently working with an agent and would like to be paired with a trusted realtor connect with us here so that we can get your questions answered.