Encinal Swim Center is a City of Alameda municipal aquatic facility with two pools that runs summer Aqua Camps and youth swim lessons. Aqua Camps operate from mid-June through early August, alongside private and group summer swim lessons offered Monday-Thursday for children from infants up. Managed by the Alameda Recreation and Park Department.
Camps
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp on the Water: Jurassic Explorers | Jun 22 – Jun 26, 2026 | 5–12 | $600/wk | Past season |
| Camp on the Water: Harry Potter | Jul 6 – Jul 10, 2026 | 5–12 | $600/wk | Past season |
| Camp on the Water: Cardboard Boat | Jul 13 – Jul 17, 2026 | 5–12 | $600/wk | Past season |
$550 Res | $600 NRes
PAST_SEASON; operator marks this week FULL
Availability shown as of Aug 8, 2026.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact City of Alameda directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
Google Reviews
Powered by GoogleYou get what you pay for. Very hit or miss when it comes to young children group instruction. One week we would have a great instructor who engaged the kids and was creative in getting them to try new things. Another week it seemed like a different instructor had no idea how to work with young children and it was a frustrating experience.
My grandkids did not swim, and were terrified of getting water on face last summer. Last fall, 2024, we came to the pumpkin party. The grands started to see water as fun. We took 2 sessions of weekly winter lessons, and 9 yr old started to put face in water. 5 year old actually sat on steps without clinging to adult. The shallower pool is warm even in winter, so we started attending water events. The larger pool is for lap swim, advanced swimmers and cold! This summer kids did 2 weeks of lessons. The 9 year is actually swimming, reached 3rd levels in 2 weeks. The now 6 year old can hold face under water, move underwater for 5 seconds. Is not terrified, loves the water now. I can't say enough for how much the lessons changed our grandkids. During lessons, parents wait outside gate. During public swim, we can sit and put towels on the grassy area inside. The changing room is ancient, but clean, and everything works great, including a heater on cold days. (This is a high school pool, looks like it" Lots of working showers heads and hot water. No private changing areas, "wrap and go" after lessons encouraged. Note Summer 2025, lots of road work, so check Google driving instructions to figure out how to reach pool.
OH I have many memories of that pool I can remember going to work one day cause I worked right next door to the school and it was a rainy day and the tide was really high and it happened to be when they were remodeling the pool and giving it a new look when the pool was successfully drained and I came into work early that day only to find out that the pool popped completely out of the socket 😂😆 OH I think everyone messes up good in life we just have to be big enough to accept it but I couldn't imagine seeing the pool all the way out the pool is gigantic and I can't remember how but I'm sure they must have waited for the tide to go out before they could put it down and hold it down damn but I never swam in the pool but I would love to one day because I think the zero gravity would work wonders on my back or maybe I just wait until the right gravity comes back for me. I'm good I think I'm supposed to feel this hard gravity now it hurts like hell but I won't give up I'm trying really trying.🤕
We like taking our kids for swimming lessons at Encinal Swim Center in the summer. They enjoy learning how to swim and usually are placed with 2 other kids. Sometimes they will have 4 kids in the group. The instructors are nice and patient with all the kids. I recommended it to parents of my kids classmates as an option. Some prefer to be indoors and they go to Aquatech instead. It's harder to get a spot there since it as set times for everyone.
Great outdoor pool. They have covered seating for observers. The kiddie pool was very warm. Lifeguards were on duty. Lockers we're very reasonably clean but hot water never arrived. Staff/service was hit and miss. Prices were a good value. Thanks!






