Neptunes Waterpolo and Swimming Club

This one was worth the wait.

I first tried for a swim here on Sunday morning, after walking down from the Hilton Malta along the edge of St. Julian’s harbour. The pool looked fantastic on Google Maps, but Sunday turned out to be free-for-all public swim — kids, floats, chaos everywhere. I bailed and went for a very sweaty walk along the waterfront in 32° full sun instead.

Last night we came back for dinner at a restaurant right by the pool. It looked spectacular lit up after dark — just one lone swimmer powering out laps under the pool lights, which made me want to jump in right then and there. After a couple of Coronas I decided I was definitely coming back for a morning swim, no excuses.

Arrived just after 8am today to find the pool packed with swim club athletes, most in Malta team caps, powering up and down. No one was at the small reception desk, so I hovered poolside until I managed to ask one of the coaches about public lanes. For a moment I thought I was out of luck, but she kindly told me public hours start at 10am — and that I was welcome to use a free lane in the meantime.

Jumped in - Shoulder still not 100%, so I kept things short and easy. The water temperature was perfect, though a bit cloudy with only 2–3m visibility. I set the watch to 33.3m, and tried to ignore the fact I was being outpaced on both sides by swimmers thirty years younger than me.

Water polo is huge in Malta, and it shows — every pool and even the harbours are set up with goals. Many of the pools are 33m, which I’ve since learned is the standard water polo size.

I wrapped up 1.2km and tried to check in afterwards, but the desk was still unmanned. So this one goes down as a free swim — a brilliant facility, and hopefully more people head their way thanks to the praise. A real highlight of swimming in Malta.