Dive in to our pool!

The pool at the Berkeley Y is open for drop-in Lap Swimming and Water Walking for members ages 13+. Looking for Swim Lessons? Learn more here!

Learn more and see the schedule below!

Details & Guidelines

Berkeley Lap Pool Hours:
Mon - Thurs, 5:30am - 8:30pm | Fri, 5:30am - 7:30pm | Sat - Sun 7:30am - 4:30pm

Adult Open Exercise (Grace's Pool, 18+):
Mon / Wed, 7:30am – 12:00pm
Tues / Thurs / Fri, 7:30am – 1:00pm

Key Details to Note:

Locker Rooms are open for changing, showering, and day-use lockers are available
Bring your own towel – there is no towel service at the Y
Showers are required before entering the pool

Lap Pool Guidelines

Maximum of four swimmers allowed per lane at a time.
Maximum of six water walkers in the walking lane at a time.
1-2 swimmers: split the lane down the center with each swimmer staying to their own side of the lane.
3-4 swimmers: circle swimming, counter-clockwise, in speed-appropriate lane.
Members must enter the pool from the end nearest the lifeguard.
Lanes will be designated by speed (Fast-Medium-Slow). Swimmers should swim in the lane that best matches their swimming ability.
Members are required to notify all other swimmers in the lane before joining.
If you are swimming solo or splitting a lane, be prepared to switch to circle swimming if a 3rd swimmer wishes to join the lane.
If you need assistance finding an appropriate lane, ask the lifeguard for help.
Lifeguards reserve the right to ask swimmers to move to another lane to facilitate traffic flow in lanes. Members are expected to move lanes if requested by the lifeguard to do so.
The pool will close 30 minutes before the branch to ensure adequate time for members to shower/change.
YMCA of the East Bay members may swim at any of our three lap pools

Info for Adult Open Exercise (Grace’s Pool):

Grace's Pool is a warm water pool appropriate for low-to-moderate exercise only. Regular lap swim is not advised. No fins are allowed.
Adult Open Exercise in Grace's Pool is a drop-in program for members (18 years and older) for self-guided aquatic exercise. No reservations are required but members are expected to be courteous when sharing the pool space with others. Participants may be asked to move and/or circle swim/walk if they are using more space than needed or pool is crowded. Equipment is provided (noodles, bar bells, kickboards, aqua belts) on a first-come, first-serve bases. Members are responsible for returning used equipment when they are done with it.
The larger open area closest to the steps is for members exercising vertically or swimming on their front with their heads up. This is an appropriate area for members who wish to do stationary exercises, water walk/jog, or swim head-up on their front.
The lap lane nearest the wall with the windows is for members swimming horizontally (head-down freestyle, head-down breaststroke, or any backwards swim stroke). A maximum of 4 members at a time are allowed in the lap lane. When 1-2 swimmers are present in the lane, members will each stay to one side of the lane. When 3-4 swimmers are present, all members in the lane must circle swim and should allow others to pass them at the ends of the lane if necessary.
The lifeguards will organize the pool as needed and members may be asked to move or change exercise type as needed. Members who fail to follow lifeguard instructions will be asked to leave the pool area.

Family Swim

Family Swim is swim time for kids ages 6 months to 12 years and their parent/guardian.

Schedule: Fridays, 3:15 - 5:15pm, Saturdays, 2:00 - 3:30pm, and Sundays, 9:00 - 11:15am. Additional times to follow.

Swimming at Berkeley

Dive in to our pool!

Details & Guidelines