To feel so disappointed I can't get in the pool

[Pikola]

Very much a first world problem. It is however ruining our holiday a bit and I can't see a solution.

We came to Cyprus expecting the weather to still be a bit chilly, its Feb. Its absolutely baking lovely hot and sunny. Fantastic! But the pool is so cold it's basically unusable, no one has got in it. My husband has tried three times and had to get out straight away.

It's lovely getting all in the sun but part of the fun is cooling.off in the pool.

It sounds silly but it's putting a bit of a dampner on things as I can't really sit in the heat for long without it and I really love swimming pools on holiday.

We are in Paphos, it's lovely. Any tips??

Went to Cyprus for my birthday one year, early November. Pool fecking freezing. So we bought a lilo and took it in turns to see who could make it across the other side on the thing without accidentally falling in - bloody hilarious!

Really that's crazy

YABU because you knew the pool was unheated when you booked.

I think it depends on the shade and wind.

We're in Tenerife at the moment and the pool is a bit chilly but usable. Was in Gran Canaria last year and it was too cold to use. The difference this year is that it's getting direct sunlight all day, while the hotel is blocking the wind coming down the mountain in the afternoon. The one in Gram Canaria was shaded all morning, and had a strong sea breeze running over it all day.

I think the size of the pool matters as well. Bigger surface will heat up quicker, but also lose it quicker. And deeper ones will retain their heat for longer.

This is why I will not go away on spring or autumn without a heated pool being available. It ruins my holiday when there's only a freezing pool available.

It’s Winter! I’m not sure what you were expecting? You’re lucky it’s sunny and warm.

People seem to get confused - also the poster who is disappointed with the weather in Spain in Feb/March. What were you expecting?

If you are that bothered you need to pay more money and ensure the pool is heated. Just be grateful you have sun and warmth.

It is very annoying and this happened to us on a holiday in Cyprus. Everyone was in the jacuzzi most of the time. Now whenever I book a holiday I make sure there is a heated pool.

I do a little open water swimming (8 mins in the lake yesterday!), thus I know how good cold water swimming can be.
It's entirely different to the sort of swimming I think OP wants to do. Usually holiday/hotel pool swimming doesn't mean taking your wetsuit and your guidelines on how to avoid cold water shock!

Not many about are there? It’s quite frustrating!

I swam in the sea at Paphos last March because I couldn't bear the thought of flying all that way and not getting into the Mediterranean. It was cold, no doubt about it but just about do-able. However, I was delighted at how warm and sunny it was, and by all the flowers in bloom which we wouldn't see here until high summer. Spring in Cyprus is the perfect time to walk and sight see without turning into a sweaty mess and I second the previous poster who suggested exploring the archaeological park right by the harbour as it's very hot and dusty in the summer. Walking along the coast path (which has little shade) is also good in Spring with lots to see and plenty of opportunities for a drink or snack along the way. I'm not sure which of the hotels have a heated pool but would Google those with spa facilities as a starting point.

I’m going to Spain in May, and booked a hotel with a heated pool. I know it won’t be warm enough to swim in an unheated pool at that time of year. It’s frustrating to see a lovely inviting pool that you can’t use. Enjoy the sun 🌞

If it has been chilly, which you expected, would you have been going in the pool?

Surely the warmth and sun is a bonus. Do what you'd planned on doing if it had been chilly.

I love a cool pool - get in quickly and go straight off for a few lengths to acclimatise, but this does sound very cold for an occasional leisure/recreational swimmer.

We were in a French campsite once, in the heat - the main unheated but pleasant temp pool, with slides etc for children was v busy so we headed off for another empty, tucked away lanes pool that I had noted and tested with my hand the evening day before. Must have been sun addled the next late morning because I failed to take into account the different time of day and the tall row of trees that the pool was totally shaded by : I dived straight in and was so shocked by the icy temperature that I just laid on the surface, not moving. My DH said he thought I was somehow concussed and was about to come and fish me out when I came to and swam for the steps at great speed. At about 4pm it was lovely in there !

I would have assumed Cyprus and anywhere in the med in Feb is too cold for pools or the sea. Needs a few months of sun to warm the sea and pools are usually shut or not heated until april.

The Annabelle has a spa with a rooftop indoor pool. I think they may sell day passes.

To be honest I wouldn't expect an unheated outdoor pool in the northern hemisphere to be useable from late october until april. Feb is probably the worst possible time for outdoor swimming.

Cyprus is quite a bit further north than the canaries.

If you want real winter sun mauritius or st Lucia are a better bet.

Also - how warm you can feel sat in direct sun in the middle of the day, isn't a reflection of how warm a pool can get. Overnight the temperature will plunge and at this time of year the sun isn't high enough for long enough to take the chill off a pool.

Max temperature there today is about 16-17°. Lows of 6-7°. That's a million miles from "very hot"! An unheated pool will of course be very cold in such cool weather.

I know

weird that the op either thinks that temp is “very hot”

or… lied? Weird

If you were expecting it to be chilly, but it's actually quite warm, then what's to be disappointed about?

TBH, I wouldn't go to Cyprus in February and expect to be outdoor swimming.

It says it's 17C there right now, so pleasant, but hardly baking. And it'll be single figures overnight.

So you were expecting the weather to be cooler, but the pool to be warmer - but surely the only way that's possible is with a heated pool? And that's something you check before going, so I can't work out why this is a surprise to you.

YABU to go on holiday to a small island and complain that the pool is too cold when you've the sea right in front of you.

Why do people go to coastal locations for their holidays yet sit by a manmade pool? I just don't get it.

Not really a helpful or relevant comment 😂

Pool - right there. Not salty. Towel and stuff nearby and not getting sandy.
Easy access to loo, maybe hotel room, snacks/drinks, shower.
Might have a paddling pool for the smalls. Easier to keep an eye on kids.

Sea - none of the things.

I've only been on one holiday where we had access to a pool. The sea and the pool are both wonderful, and each have pros and cons.

My advice is to go straight in, don't over think it. Just dunk yourself right down, until the water is over your shoulders; this is the ONLY way! You'll scream at first, but then you'll feel fine and be right at home 😂. Be brave op! I've done this before, it works.
Warmer weather doesn't make much difference to unheated pools ime, esp if they don't have a solar cover. If anything the hotter you are, the more extreme the experience of submerging is. The price of heating pools is very expensive, so a lot of places don't do it.