Venetian Pool — Attraction in Coral Gables

INITIAL REViEW (late Nov 2017): Visited on a day in November in week of Thanksgiving before the holiday. Maybe 25-30 guests during our 4 hour visit, meaning there was a lifeguard for about every 3-4 people, the entire enormity of the pool to the kids. The "caves", however, are closed for all but two 30 minute "openings", when a lifeguard would wade into one opening and stand-duty, allowing kids to "explore". The snack bar was also closed (how can they economically staff it with only 30 guests?), but there was a soda/beverage vending machine at the entrance, and the good news is that they permit you to bring outside food into the park. The staff was attentive and even with few people at any one time in the pool, it was easy to observe the on-guard lifeguards constantly scanning the pool, from left-to-right, over and over again. Mid-way through the day, my 10 year-old came to my chair with his hand clasped to the back of his next, believing he had been bitten by a bee, and we visited the lifeguard, who called a more senior lifeguard over with a first aid kid, and who topically treated the apparent sting -- my son was happy as a clam with 15 minutes of the incident, and he was promptly back in the water. Also of note on days like this is that there was PLENTY of FREE STREET parking right outside the park/pool entrance. And I would recommend spending at least a few minutes looking at all the historical photography that is located after the admission gate -- its amazing to consider that the pool dates back at least 93 years in those photos, and to consider that everyone in those photographs has likely long since been deceased. Yet, there they all are, caught in striking black and white photography, in swimsuits from their era, enjoying the almost-the-same Venetian Pool.

One criticism: It may seem cynical to complain about ticket prices for one of the larger swimming pools, at least in Florida (which is remarkable), particularly when there are few other guests, and its a GREAT weather day -- but the entrance prices are expensive. I think It was over $40 for one adult and two kids, and for that, it merely allows you to enter the park ... pool chairs are strictly controlled by the lifeguards, and it was $5 more to rent one (another comment said this was $10, but that was not the case during my visit and the signage clearly showed $5 as the rental fee). This must be too much for many other guests, who were sitting on the few park benches or even on beach towels, rather than pay the $5 rental, apparently.

UPDATE: We visited again on Feb 17, 2019, President’s Day Weekend. The management did not staff appropriately, and cited “unexpected crowd” for keeping the cave closed in the afternoon, meaning my kids couldn’t explore the one thing there is to do in the swimming pool. I hate to complain, but WTF — charge $35 (full price) for entry at 3:20PM when you close at 4:30PM, BUT don’t run the whole pool program? That is over the top laziness. I’m taking a star off the rating. Sorry, lame management and poor effort, just punching their time clocks. 4 Lifeguards and lady manager just congregating meanwhile with the “senior lifeguard”, at least not busy enough to stop to explain how understaffed they are, how “unprepared for the crowds!” Did I already say how lame they...

Beautiful place to spend the day relaxing and getting some relief from the heat and humidity.

Some things to consider before going:

1.) Most of the bigger Pool area is @ 4ft deep at its shallowest. There is a kids area with more shallow water, but the rest of the pool is not suited for small children that can’t swim, unless you use their life jackets or bring your own. The facility lifejackets are free of charge.

2.) You might want to bring your own food, plan on leaving, or have a delivery if you need lunch or dinner. When we went, their concessions were open, but there was only chips and candy for sale.

3.) Seating is somewhat limited. The benches surrounding the pool can go fast.

4.) The water is chlorinated. During our visit, it was highly chlorinated. So much so, that it bleached most of our absorbent fabrics that weren’t swimming fabric. We even used the showers after swimming to rinse as much chlorine out as possible before leaving.

5.) The pool wasn’t crowded. I think they make sure to cut off admission at a good number to prevent overcrowding. Our family greatly appreciated this about the pool.

6.) The water was comfortable for us. The high for the day we went, was in the 80’s. The water was a good temperature. Not too hot or too cold.

7.) There are no slides or diving boards for anyone wondering.

8.) Parking is limited, but free.

9.) Lifeguards are on duty, and appeared to be vigilant, but they are human and can’t always see everything all of the time. I believe the deepest part of the pool is @ 8’, but if you or anyone in your group are not confident swimmers, please use the lifejackets or don’t cross the roped off areas. I had to save a man from drowning. A lifeguard did assist me once he saw what was happening, but please recognize and respect...

A great place to visit if you're in Miami, we went mid-week and it was pretty empty in the pool.

Admission was $15pp, a little expensive maybe but we enjoyed it enough for it to be worth it. Person on front desk was quite unhelpful and unfriendly, definitely not familiar with customer service which is a shame as they're the front face of the pool.

Facilities were plenty, lots of lockers and toilets. There wad, however, a lack of space for men's changing. One small bench in a small room, which seems silly considering the amount of lockers inside. There was also a cleaning trolley left in the toilet all day.

The pool was nice, very large and clear. Some plants and leaves in the water as expected given the surroundings. Not a lot of seating spaces pool side, though when we went there was enough, can't comment on what its like on a busy day though.

A lot of the facilities were sectioned off though, parts which looked interesting that is. The top of waterfall had a small path closed off for example, which would have otherwise been nice to access. The cave in the pool was also sectioned off for long periods and open for very short periods, defeating the purpose of having one there in the first place. I imagine they have to have a lifeguard supervise it, and they would rather sit inside chatting/doing nothing than actually working.

Can't comment on the cafe, although there was plenty of seats and tables with or without umbrellas for you to eat at. We brought our own food, they don't check or anything so I encourage doing so.

All in all a nice pool and enough to spend a few hours/half a day. Personally beaches get annoying with all the sand and living nearby to this, it's a great alternative to get some sun, water...