Dundee Olympia Leisure Pool (Olympia Leisure Centre)

Dundee Olympia is best thought of as a city-centre leisure pool that happens to do ‘proper’ water-park energy surprisingly well — four flumes (including the Cannonball drop), a wave pool, a rapid river, bubble beds, a dedicated toddler pool, and a dive pool with boards, all inside the same complex.

What matters most when you plan your visit is that features vary by session. If you arrive at a quiet weekday time, you will still get swimming, and usually waves and the toddler area, but you might not get the full flumes, rapids, dive boards, and Cannonball at the same time. The ‘peak’ sessions are where Olympia feels most like an indoor water park.

Prices and session times last checked: 2:45 pm, 29 December 2025 (official venue website).

• Type: Indoor leisure pool with flumes, waves, rapids, toddler pool, and dive pool.
• Address: Olympia, 3 East Whale Lane, Dundee, DD1 3JU.
• Phone: 01382 432300
• Email: olympia.centre@leisureandculturedundee.com
• Signature thrill: The Cannonball flume — a 3.8 m drop into the dive pool.
• Typical visit length: Many visitors find 1 – 2 hours is the sweet spot for flumes plus a warm-up swim.
• Do you need to book? For leisure swimming, lane swimming, and the toddler pool, the venue says there is no need to book — you can walk in.
• Lockers: Returnable £1 coin deposit, plus ‘mini spinners’ for drying swimwear.
• Parking: Pay-and-display parking is available at the adjacent multi-storey car park (per VisitScotland).

Olympia’s layout makes it easy to tailor the visit to your group. Families usually gravitate towards the leisure pool and toddler pool first, then add flumes and rapids once everyone is warm and confident. Teens often go straight for the flumes — especially on peak sessions when the full set of features is running.

Two practical details to know before you leave home:

• Bring a £1 coin for lockers — you get it back at the end.
• Choose your session carefully — Olympia explicitly labels periods as off-peak, peak (full facilities), and reduced features, and the difference is real.

If your main goal is ‘proper water park’ fun (flumes + rapids + dive pool features), planning around the peak/full facilities sessions is the biggest upgrade you can make.

Leisure pool: waves, rapid river, and bubble beds

The leisure pool is the heart of the experience. It is where the wave sessions, the rapid river, and the bubble beds sit — the features that make Olympia feel lively even when you are not doing flumes back-to-back.

If you are visiting with mixed ages, this is usually the best ‘base’ — adults can stay in comfortable depth, younger swimmers can play near the edges, and you can rotate people onto slides without feeling split up. (Always follow staff guidance and the child admission policy.)

Four flumes — including the Cannonball drop

Olympia lists four flumes, and notes that they exit into aqua catches (run-out catch areas), with features like LED light effects and clear sections.

The standout is the Cannonball flume, which drops 3.8 m into the dive pool. It is positioned very clearly as the ‘bravest’ option — and it is also the one most affected by timetable quirks (see the session guide below).

Toddler pool: separate, calmer, and built for under-8s

For younger children, Olympia has a dedicated toddler pool with smaller slides and interactive features, and the venue highlights it as a key family area.

Access is designed to be gradual — broad stairs and handrails — which is helpful when you are visiting with toddlers who are still building water confidence.

Dive pool and boards: great fun, but it is session-dependent

The dive pool is part of the leisure experience, but it is not always ‘on’ in the same way as the leisure pool. The venue describes it as 4 m deep, aimed at confident swimmers, with 1 m and 3 m springboards, and a 5 m platform.

Two important operational notes from the venue:

• The 3 m and 5 m boards are not available when the Cannonball flume is operating (timings can change).
• The venue publishes specific windows for 5 m platform access (for example: 7:30 pm – 8:00 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday), and notes that the Cannonball is not available at those times.

If your group includes divers and flume fans, you will get the best experience by checking the live timetable on the day, then picking the session that matches your priority.

Olympia is also a serious swimming facility. It states that it has a 50 m pool that can transform into separate areas (including the dive pool, an activity pool, and a 25 m training pool) using moveable floors and walls.

For visitors who want a calmer swim, the venue says public lane swimming is available in the 25 m training pool.

This ‘two-sided’ identity is helpful for families — one part of the group can do a calmer swim while others focus on flumes, provided your supervision arrangements fit the child admission policy.

Olympia labels leisure swimming sessions as off peak, peak, and reduced features. Here is what those labels mean in practice, based on the venue’s own definitions:

• Off peak / limited facilities: Leisure pool access including waves, plus the toddler pool and play structure.
• Peak / full facilities: Leisure pool access including waves, water slides, rapid river, dive boards, Cannonball flume, plus the toddler pool and play structure.
• Reduced features: Leisure pool access including waves, slides, and river rapid, plus the toddler pool and play structure — no dive pool or Cannonball flume at these times.

The venue also notes that, during term time, flumes, rapids, and waves run between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Monday to Friday, and at weekends, while during school holidays they can be available more broadly.

Leisure swimming session times (as published)

These are the leisure swimming session blocks shown on the venue page (always check the live timetable for updates):

• Monday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (off peak) | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (reduced features)
• Tuesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (off peak) | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (peak)
• Wednesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (off peak) | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (reduced features)
• Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (off peak) | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (peak)
• Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (off peak) | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm (peak)
• Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm (peak)
• Sunday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (reduced features) | 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm (peak)

Last admissions: The venue states last admissions are 30 minutes before closing for these sessions.

The Cannonball flume: one extra limitation to note

Olympia also notes a specific restriction: no access to the Cannonball flume on Sundays 10:00 am – 12:00 pm due to ‘learn to dive’ sessions in the dive pool.

If your family is travelling in specifically for the Cannonball, aim for a peak session (and avoid that Sunday morning window).

Olympia publishes leisure pool swim prices on the venue page:

• Leisure Pool Swim (standard): £6.80
• Leisure Pool Swim (concession): £5.30
• Leisure Pool Swim (juvenile, under 18): £5.30
• Family ticket (2 adults + 3 children): £21.00
• Additional child: £3.20

It also lists discount categories (for example, Young Scot swim discounts, and a Kidz Card discount for juveniles), which can be useful if you are visiting regularly.

For most families, this is the simplest part: the venue says there is no need to book for lane swimming, the leisure pool, or the toddler pool — you can arrive and pay on site.

However, two practical caveats:

• Capacity is finite, especially in peak school holiday weeks, so arriving earlier in the session is sensible if you are travelling in. (This is common-sense planning rather than a published promise.)
• The live timetable is your friend — features and pool programming can change, and the venue states the timetable is live and subject to change.

Olympia is in Dundee city centre at East Whale Lane.

By car: VisitScotland notes pay-and-display parking at the adjacent multi-storey car park, and provides driving directions from both the east and the west (Perth side) along the city-centre routes.

The venue publishes detailed access information. Highlights include:

• External automatic access doors at each end of the atrium.
• Reception with a low-level section for wheelchair users, plus induction loops.
• Level access routes to the pools with good corridor width, and doors suitable for wheelchair passage.
• An accessible changing room with disabled toilet, shower, ceiling hoist, movable bench, and privacy screen for carers.
• A submersible platform lift for the training pool and the activity pool, plus a gently sloped entry into the leisure pool.
• The café and viewing areas are reachable by lift.

Olympia describes a family-friendly changing village and specifies two details visitors appreciate:

• Lockers operate with a returnable £1 coin.
• ‘Mini spinners’ are available to dry your costume quickly (useful if you are continuing your day in town).

Olympia’s child admission policy is detailed, but the most useful points for families can be summarised clearly:

• A supervising adult must be at least 16, must accompany the child into the water, and must keep close contact and constant watch.
• All children aged 7 and under must be accompanied in the water on a 1:1 basis.
• The policy sets stricter maximum ratios in certain areas — for example, in Olympia’s wave pool the supervising adult is limited to one child in several scenarios (including non-swimmers, and children aged 3 and under), with conditional allowances for two children aged 4 – 7 if both use swim aids or are certified swimmers.
• In Olympia’s toddler pool, the policy allows a supervising adult to accompany multiple children under certain conditions (for example, children being able to swim or wearing swim aids), with a maximum laid out in the policy.

Olympia publishes service notices and customer updates, including annual maintenance windows. All pools (including leisure pool, flumes, rapids, and toddler pool) were unavailable during 1 – 8 December 2025 while gym and studio facilities remained open.

If you want the full water-park experience

Choose a peak/full facilities session so you get waves, slides, rapid river, dive boards, and the Cannonball (subject to the venue’s operating times).

If you have toddlers and want calmer water

An off-peak session can be ideal: you still get leisure pool access (including waves) and the toddler pool, but the overall environment can feel less intense.

If you are visiting on a term-time weekday and want flumes

Aim for the after-school window: the venue notes flumes, rapids, and waves are available 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Monday to Friday in term time.

If you specifically want the Cannonball

Avoid Sunday 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, when the venue says the Cannonball is not accessible.

Because Olympia is central, it pairs well with a ‘swim then explore’ day in Dundee:

• V&A Dundee (1 Riverside Esplanade) is Dundee’s design museum on the waterfront — useful if you want a warm, indoor plan after swimming.
• Discovery Point and RRS Discovery sit on the waterfront and are a major family-friendly attraction in the same area.

If the weather is on your side and you want fresh air, Broughty Ferry Beach is a popular sandy beach near Dundee, with views at the Tay estuary.

Dundee Olympia receives a broad mix of feedback from visitors, reflecting both the excitement of its attractions and some of the challenges it has faced during redevelopment. Following its refurbishment and reopening in late 2023, reviews have become increasingly positive, particularly in regard to the upgraded facilities and expanded family features.

Olympia

4.3

Based on 1084 reviews

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Steph M.

21:27 11 Aug 25

Decent sized swimming pool good few flumes great for kids the family thoroughly enjoyed it here! We have been quite a few times! Would definitely recommend to families good prices for entry but the flats swimming gear etc is well over priced!

Mark W.

07:59 11 Aug 25

Great pool. Was my first time going there and went with my wife, our 3 year old daughter, some family and our friends. Was 10 of us that went. Little kids pool was great and shallow for little ones and the other part of the pool with the lazy river was good. The siren for the wave machine going on, seemed a bit too much and scared my daughter when it went off. I get why they need it and for the older kids its great but I don’t fully understand why it need to be soo loud, specially when the kids pool is right next to it and the end of the flumes is there too. Just a short siren niose with a warning would surely be enough to let people know the wave machine is about to be turned on.
The fumes were great and my nephew had a blast on the, although there was no lifeguard or sign at the bottom of the stairs telling people that they can’t wear their glasses on the fume nor have them in there pocket, my friend went all the way up the stairs and then was told he can’t wear his glasses and had to leave them at the top, so he had to go down the fume then walk up all the stairs to get his glasses to walk all the way back down the stairs again.
It is a great pool for family’s to go too and kids to play and have fun. The diving pool looked good and the lanes that they had out away for the kids and play pool is good from what my parents said.
The changing village was a bit confusing for a first time goer, as told when we first went in that we had to get change in our colour code area but then when we got out and were looking for a family cubicle in our colour code area but there wasn’t one, I asked if we were allowed to go to a different colour area to get changed as there was a free family cubicle and was told that you allow to get changed wherever you like, you just have to use the the lockers in the colour youve been given. So that was a bit confusing that two different people as telling people to different things.
We would go back but probably not until my daughter is a bit older and can fully enjoy everything this pool has to offer.

G M.

16:16 07 Aug 25

This review is for the gym only. Only one bench for dumbells. Only one set of dumbbells for each weight. No cable machines for back. Only 2 spots for stretching. Very limited if you want a good workout. Go somewhere else. Only saw cold showers. The worse Leisure center I have been too.

Zdeněk F.

20:11 25 Jun 25

We had a blast here with our little son. We almost wore out our swimsuits on the slides—we went down them so many times! The artificial waves were great too! We really enjoyed it. Plus, the entrance fee was very reasonable.

Pauline M.

17:14 19 Jun 25

Fab friendly place.
Kiddy pool for the tots with tiny chute and water bucket
Fun pool with lazy river, waves and water fountain.
Flumes of all twists, winds and speeds.
A diving pit which doubles as the plunge for the cannonball flume.
There’s a training and activities pool that has the facility for differing depths depending on what’s required.
And of course the main swim pool, which is just what it says.
Lifeguards are always on hand
Changing and shower facilities are always clean and staffed appropriately.
There is a fully equipped gym and instructors which are happy to advice
And also studios for dance and fitness sessions.
So much in a small space

Ryan G.

02:47 03 Jun 25

Its great, old olimpia was amazing so many childhood memories made. But the new one has had some issues and spent some time closed to fix them. But the staff are really nice, everything looks clean. I was in at the gym so not swimming but it looks fun.

Andrew C.

17:15 17 Nov 24

First time swimming here and definitely won’t be our last!
The swimming pool has a variety of different areas you can go to and is huge in size!
You are given a colour when you enter to change at and when it’s called it’s your time to leave (ideal when you’ve got kids as they can’t argue they don’t want to leave)
Kids pool is really good, nothing like that where we live!
Only let down was there a few showers not working and same with the hair dryers but that’s not the reason you go to the pool so can’t really complain!

Leslie M.

12:39 17 Aug 24

Great pool for the kids with the dive boards ,waves ,and flumes plenty to keep adults and kids occupied . Downside was the Cafe is closed and no vending machines either . The cafe was always busy so I do not understand the closure

Safety & Cleanliness

Lifeguard Coverage: Lifeguards are visible and attentive, particularly in the leisure pool and flume zones.

Cleanliness: Multiple reviews since reopening praise the improved hygiene standards, clean changing rooms, and regular cleaning of shared spaces.

Safety Measures: Visible signage, enforced age/height limits for flumes, and separate zones for young children all contribute to a safer experience.

Visitors with young children or mobility concerns have generally found the environment safe and accessible, with responsive staff willing to assist.

Dundee Olympia is a strong choice if you want an indoor water park in Dundee that works for mixed groups: younger children get a dedicated toddler space, older kids and teens get proper flumes and a rapid river, and adults can combine the leisure pool experience with serious swimming facilities.

The only ‘gotcha’ is that the experience depends on timing. If you build your visit around the venue’s peak sessions (and bring that £1 coin), it becomes one of the most reliable rainy-day family options in Dundee.

Explore the vibrant and family-friendly atmosphere of Dundee Olympia through our curated photo gallery. From the sleek, modern exterior of the leisure centre to the lively flumes, splash zones, and Olympic-standard diving pool inside, these images showcase why Olympia is one of the top indoor water attractions in Scotland.

Whether you are planning a fun-filled day with the kids, a thrilling ride down the flumes, or a focused lane swim, the visuals capture the variety and excitement that await you at Dundee’s premier water park.

Dundee Olympia stands out as one of the most exciting indoor water parks in Scotland. Following its significant refurbishment and reopening, the centre has re-established itself as a top destination for family activities in Dundee and a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. With its mix of thrilling flumes, relaxing wave and bubble features, and dedicated toddler zones, Olympia truly caters to all ages and interests.

What makes Olympia particularly impressive is the balance it strikes between leisure and health. From Good Boost sessions for rehabilitation to the Power Swim and AquaFit classes, the facility goes beyond fun to deliver serious fitness benefits. Add to that a fully equipped gym, and Olympia becomes more than a day out—it becomes a lifestyle option for the Dundee community.

We appreciate how accessible the venue is, both in terms of location and inclusivity. The centre’s attention to detail, from baby changing areas to accessible hoists and designated swim timetables, shows a commitment to making sure everyone can enjoy what is on offer.

If we had to highlight one area for potential improvement, it would be the limited food offering. However, the venue’s proximity to Dundee’s city centre and waterfront means that refreshments and meals are only a short walk away.

For those searching for a swim pool near me, a leisure pool in Dundee, or even a fun indoor escape during rainy Scottish weather, Dundee Olympia remains one of the top tourist attractions in Dundee—especially for families, groups of young adults, and aquatic fitness fans.

If you have visited Dundee Olympia Leisure Pool pool we would love to hear from you.

Leave your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments section below — your insights help other families make the most of their water park adventures.