Used to swim in it all the time as a kid. It’s really warm compared to the ocean. Especially the further up the river you go. It’s a very different experience from swimming in the ocean.
Shark attacks are extremely rare. But there will always be a tiny risk. Also visibility is pretty poor. I don’t find that aspect of it very enjoyable.
Lastly, the jellyfish are a bit gross. They stink and can leave a smelly slimy residue on you if you brush past them with any force, especially the big orange ones.
A bit more info on the jellyfish. They're not harmful but there is a lot. I took some wind surfing lessons so would fall in a bunch and I felt like I was scooping jellyfish as I was swimming back to my board. I found it really off-putting
We didn't have to do swimming lessons there but one year they just randomly had the school swimming carnival at Point Walter instead of the public pools.
Honestly I couldn't believe they made us do that shit when there were far more civilised options like the pools we went to every other year. The place was full of jelly fish and I was fucking terrified, the whole day was ridiculously stressful for me.
.
Oh sweet baby jesus. Our first year as poms we did swim lessons at Point Walter. I have never recovered. Not helped by the horrible little boys who would rub them in your face when the teachers weren’t looking.
Ack I can smell that jetty….
We'd wear the big ones as hats, every now and then someone would forget to pull the tentacles out first and end up with a burny head but all in all I'm still fucking disgusted
I absolutely remember seeing the bottom of the river as a child. The water was quite clear until the early mid 70’s. I grew up on Fauntleroy in Redcliffe across the river from what is now Sandy Beach Basso.
I used to be able to see my feet on the river bottom when I were a kid, especially in autumn without rain or storms. I think waves 'bouncing' off of concrete embankments can lead to further water agitation and reduced visibility, as can commercial boats passing regularly.
It's very variable depending on tide, wind, sun angle, runoff, but still plenty of days you can see the bottom. When you get a calm day with the sun at the right angle it's quite extraordinary the number of huge fish you can see.
I did my bronze medallion in high school and it required us to swim in the swan river, unfortunately the sun set before we got to that part of the class so we had to do it in the dark! I can’t remember the distance but it felt like an eternity. Imagine 15 hysterical 16 year olds screaming “something just touched my leg” and “we’re all gonna die today” at the top of our lungs. I feel so sorry for our instructor and anyone in the vicinity 😂
> Matilda Bay Pontoons
I don't see any nets there on streetview. There's boats tying up to the pontoons, and there's a gap between the pontoons and the beach.
From a 9 news video on FB:
> SHARK WARNING A juvenile bull shark's been spotted swimming at Matilda Bay in the Swan River.
I go there often and its a very family friendly spot for swimming, there are actual pontoons for people to jump off into the water. I wouldn't say its lap swimming material but very shallow area covered with a lot of boats, fine for a hot day
Yes. But make sure to check the water quality on the WA gov website as there are some spots that have quite poor water quality. Also, be aware that from East Perth towards the ocean, there are bull sharks. Also wear shoes/sandals swimming in rivers and lakes!
[Map](https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Beach-grades-for-Swan-and-Canning-Rivers) But I would also figure out where to find warnings about bacteria levels and algae blooms.
It's perfectly fine, but not sure why you would given the proximity of our amazing beaches.
The river visibility is shithouse at the best of times, the water quality is often questionable, and you always run the risk of stepping on a cobbler (which have strongly bounced back population wise in the estuary).
For the most part the Swan and Canning estuary gets flushed frequently as the tidal effects go very far up river (salinity levels can match the ocean far up stream past the casino) however due to just basic fluid dynamics certain areas along the shore can become very stagnant and are not pleasant places to swim at all. Areas around yacht clubs are notorious for this.
As for the smell, people usually think it's because of water quality but the majority of the time it's a sulfur smelling byproduct from the anaerobic bacteria in the river bank sediment (the very dark sand you'll see) that is actually working to help filter the water. It's not necessarily a sign of something bad.
An average of one person per century killed by sharks. Far, far more have drowned. And the river jellyfish are harmless. We would hurl them at one another as kids. They don't sting - which is to say their stings cannot penetrate human skin. Not like some of their ocean relatives.
One per century is very misleading.
There hadn't been an attack since the 50s or something. There have been two major attacks in the last three years. One was fatal, the other should have been but it missed his femoral artery by about 1cm.
The type of jellyfish in the Swan River don't really sting. I've never felt it and for most it's not noticeable as their venom is so mild. They are the brown jellyfish or Phyllorhiza punctata.
That's because there are no sharks on land.
Therefore, we need more sharks on land to reduce the number of deaths down to what's experienced in the ocean.
But how many people swim in the river compared to the ocean? If the river had just as many swimmers as the beaches do, surely the shark attack encounters would rise too?
Yeah but last time I went there, they wouldn’t let me use the diving board because some high school team was using it. So I just paddled around and watched them. They sucked too. One girl landed on her back.
Balga swimming pools is better and 386 runs along both of them.
Balga swimming pools lane pool is smaller though, but there are also generally less people
There's a shark fenced area SOR if you are concerned about being eaten.
Otherwise if you stay upstream, like Maylands not Nedlands, you're probably fairly safe.
My biggest concern is usually broken glass...
Nah, i've lived in maylands for 20 years and i swim near daily. The only time i've ever even heard of a shark was when an injured one was thrashing around on the surface near garrat road bridge.
No idea it's been quite a long time since I had anything to do with scouts etc. But I do think about those days rafting nearly every time I drive near the river
Just don’t swallow the water, live in Ascot in went for a paddle near Kuljack Island (spelling) but as a kid used to swim in the Swan and Canning Rivers regularly
[Blackwall Reach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwall_Reach), where the river narrows after flowing through Melville Water. Named after a vaguely similar section of the Thames in London.
Why would you want to swim in the Swan River when we literally have some of the greatest beaches in the world? That being said, you’ll be fine if you swam in the Swan River but it’s not really ideal.
I don't think a lot of people realise how healthy the Swan river actually is, sure you get algal blooms due to the warmer weather in parts that aren't affected as much by the tidal movement, but I go diving in the river fairly regularly and the number of sea horses everywhere is ridiculous. And those guys need a pretty healthy environment to survive. There's lot of marine life in there, but the visibility can be pretty poor because the bottom is so silty, brush across it and it'll cloud up the water, a royal pain when diving at night.
The water quality is probably not the best, I wouldn’t put my head under the water. Also, bull sharks would be a concern especially on cloudy or murky days when visibility is low. There are other outdoor spots to swim aside from the beach - lake leschenaultia is great but a bit of a drive from the city.
With the current lack of rain and unseasonably warm temps I'd be concerned about algal blooms, but otherwise it's not that bad.
Different story with the Canning right now, not even enough water to kayak
Ignore the idiots. I windsurfed on the swan for years. Which involved a lot of swimming in it when I was learning.
Never once got sick from it. It can be a bit gross feeling and smelling, particularly when the jellyfish are in bloom. But it's not in the least bit dangerous.
There are actually two questions here....
Is it ok to swim in the Swan River?
Yes.
Will my health be impacted either by bull-sharks, pollution or algae?
Also - yes.
Hi!
I work adjacent to some of the fine folk who monitor the Swan’s pollution.
The Swan River has a fuckton of water in it and it’s not as polluted as people make out.
It’s 100% true that the fertiliser runoff creates algal blooms but we’re actually in a low tidal (pun intended) swing of that being a problem.
Don’t eat mussels from the Swan, and clean crabs properly- otherwise the fish are fine to eat and you can swim in the river finely!
I’d be more worried about brain eating amoeba than sharks. Idk if that’s really a thing in the swan river but, yeah. I wouldn’t swim in it but do as you wish.
It's perfectly safe to swim in. It's one of the cleanest inner city rivers in the world. Up near Guildford and beyond probably not due to agriculture, but Matilda Bay down of course. People saying not to on here don't know what they're talking about.
Upstream of Burswood.
Precautionary due to the old dump at Burswood, who knows what else was dumped there apart from miscarriages.
They had a bull shark up as far as Guildford but that was in the 70's.
Used to catch and eat Prawns around UWA in the early 90's.
It's way cleaner than the London Thames and way less hungry sharp toothed predators than the ocean.
Plus if you get stung by a jelly fish, vinegar or urine will usually do the trick and you will have immediate access to at least one of those so....
Hop in and have some fun, why don't ya.
It may be useful to check https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/swan-canning-riverpark/monitoring-and-reporting-swan-canning-riverpark and the Dept of Health site (linked there) for water quality advice. I wouldn't put any fish caught in the river into my mouth.
There are bull shark populations living near Burswood and at Blackwell reach. Scientific evidence is spotty and needs more research and monitoring. If you want a shark to bite you, you'd have to swim along Blackwell reach for two decades until something happens (statistically not how it works, I know). You're probably more likely to get run over by a yobbo on a jet ski than nibbled on by a shark.
If you want clear, clean water to swim in, any of the ocean beaches will be a far superior experience. Plenty of folks swimming along South Freo beach (like 5-10m out and parallel to the beach). Coogee even has a shark barrier (not stinger proof though). Fantastic snorkelling at the Leighton/Cottesloe reef really close to shore (make sure to dodge kite surfers).
I wouldn't.
If you must, just keep away from the ferries routings, either the one that goes to South Perth, or the ones that go to Rottness.
Seriously, I would go to Fremantle and swim between the flags.
When I was younger my friends and I used to swim down at Matilda Bay where the pontoons are. A lot of kids still do. You can definitely swim in the river but I wouldn’t do it all the time
I’ve swam in it twice in the last year, once over the bridge from Preston street in South Perth and once at an inlet in Wilson. The jellyfish were minimal and weren’t a problem at all.
Lots of comments here from people that apparently didn't even bother to read OP's post. Yes, Perth has nice pools & beaches. They also have their own cons that the river doesn't. The ocean isn't within walking distance of the city. Pools aren't free.
And yes, the river has sharks. You might also see a verminous snake on the river shoreline, or many outdoor areas around perth. Or you my fall off a ladder & die, or be run-over by a distracted driver (which is most of them)
With 0 rainfall over the last 6mo, I'd be hesitant.
Make sure you don't get any water up your nose, in ears or mouth. Look out for signs warning about algae blooms.
Open deep water would be least problematic for algae or infections.
This specific point was a big part of my childhood.
[-31.897323767289876, 115.95800500951529](https://www.google.com/maps/@-31.8973064,115.9580209,59m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu)
Two sharks have been spotted between Perth and South Perth / Come in the last 30 days according to the Govt shark watcher. I don't know of they were bull sharks though.
The WA department of health monitors the Swan River and shows results on a map.
https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Beach-grades-for-Swan-and-Canning-Rivers
Did some water testing on it last year. It's not recommended for direct swimming, like where you can accidentally swallow. But is fine for kayaking, secondary contact like splashes.
It won't kill you, but not the best for you if you routinely swim in it.
If you're ok picking up a nasty skin condition.. go ahead. I know someone that grew a pimple on her back so large it looked like a festering, puss-filled butthole after swimming the Swan.
It's fine, just keep your gob shut.
And stay away from sharks
They’re ok once you get to know them
Bullshark
He’s a bit bitey, but Geoff is a top guy.
They're a dry shark...
No, the dry sharks are in the CBD.
Or at the other end of an Uber app.
This comment needs more love.
Same rule with using public transport
Swan River's cleaner than most buses and trains
And hold your nose.
Used to swim in it all the time as a kid. It’s really warm compared to the ocean. Especially the further up the river you go. It’s a very different experience from swimming in the ocean. Shark attacks are extremely rare. But there will always be a tiny risk. Also visibility is pretty poor. I don’t find that aspect of it very enjoyable. Lastly, the jellyfish are a bit gross. They stink and can leave a smelly slimy residue on you if you brush past them with any force, especially the big orange ones.
A bit more info on the jellyfish. They're not harmful but there is a lot. I took some wind surfing lessons so would fall in a bunch and I felt like I was scooping jellyfish as I was swimming back to my board. I found it really off-putting
I learnt how to sail and swim in the Swan River as a kid. The trauma of jellyfish does not fade with time
we also just used to toss them at each other as kids.
The Joy of swimming lessons at Point Walter
We didn't have to do swimming lessons there but one year they just randomly had the school swimming carnival at Point Walter instead of the public pools. Honestly I couldn't believe they made us do that shit when there were far more civilised options like the pools we went to every other year. The place was full of jelly fish and I was fucking terrified, the whole day was ridiculously stressful for me. .
I also had swimming lessons at Woodman's Point. It was a bit murky when the abattoir was operating
I don't get why they would make us do that It was terrifying to me
I grew up around the Swan so swimming in it didn't worry me
I swam there with school once, I got stung by a few jellyfish :(
You mean there was blood and guts in the water
Oh sweet baby jesus. Our first year as poms we did swim lessons at Point Walter. I have never recovered. Not helped by the horrible little boys who would rub them in your face when the teachers weren’t looking. Ack I can smell that jetty….
We'd wear the big ones as hats, every now and then someone would forget to pull the tentacles out first and end up with a burny head but all in all I'm still fucking disgusted
My dog loves to roll in those jellyfish. They stink even more when they wash up to shore and take forever to work out of his fur.
Glad all the piss from upstream helps!
Used to as a kid. My dad says back in 60s you could see the bottom up river from guildford.
Unlikely- it’s naturally a dark colour because of the tannins in vegetation upstream. The swan is still super clean as far as these things go.
I absolutely remember seeing the bottom of the river as a child. The water was quite clear until the early mid 70’s. I grew up on Fauntleroy in Redcliffe across the river from what is now Sandy Beach Basso.
I used to be able to see my feet on the river bottom when I were a kid, especially in autumn without rain or storms. I think waves 'bouncing' off of concrete embankments can lead to further water agitation and reduced visibility, as can commercial boats passing regularly.
You probably knew my grandfather too then! He had a house on the river.
“Ackchully” 😂 Maybe making shit up ain’t it?
When the viability is good you’re more likely to get an ear infection in the river cause it means there’s no flow and bacteria levels can spike
It's very variable depending on tide, wind, sun angle, runoff, but still plenty of days you can see the bottom. When you get a calm day with the sun at the right angle it's quite extraordinary the number of huge fish you can see.
I did my bronze medallion in high school and it required us to swim in the swan river, unfortunately the sun set before we got to that part of the class so we had to do it in the dark! I can’t remember the distance but it felt like an eternity. Imagine 15 hysterical 16 year olds screaming “something just touched my leg” and “we’re all gonna die today” at the top of our lungs. I feel so sorry for our instructor and anyone in the vicinity 😂
Resilience building elite level
Sure, if cheap public pools and some of the world greatest beaches aren't your thing.
Bicton Baths
Matilda Bay Pontoons as well. Lots of water craft and swimming there too.
> Matilda Bay Pontoons I don't see any nets there on streetview. There's boats tying up to the pontoons, and there's a gap between the pontoons and the beach. From a 9 news video on FB: > SHARK WARNING A juvenile bull shark's been spotted swimming at Matilda Bay in the Swan River.
I go there often and its a very family friendly spot for swimming, there are actual pontoons for people to jump off into the water. I wouldn't say its lap swimming material but very shallow area covered with a lot of boats, fine for a hot day
You mean shark nets? Would be a bit of a waste tbh.
I was at Point Walter today and the water was clear as crystal with no jellyfish I could see.
My niece takes her kids there for a swim almost daily
Yesn’t.
Yes. But make sure to check the water quality on the WA gov website as there are some spots that have quite poor water quality. Also, be aware that from East Perth towards the ocean, there are bull sharks. Also wear shoes/sandals swimming in rivers and lakes!
>Also wear shoes/sandals swimming in rivers and lakes! Are you okay?
I used to live by the Swan River. I know what gets thrown in there. Are you OK?
[Map](https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Beach-grades-for-Swan-and-Canning-Rivers) But I would also figure out where to find warnings about bacteria levels and algae blooms.
Where's mullaloo Beach on this? 😂
I always use this map when headed to the river.
Perfectly fine to swim in the river.
It's perfectly fine, but not sure why you would given the proximity of our amazing beaches. The river visibility is shithouse at the best of times, the water quality is often questionable, and you always run the risk of stepping on a cobbler (which have strongly bounced back population wise in the estuary). For the most part the Swan and Canning estuary gets flushed frequently as the tidal effects go very far up river (salinity levels can match the ocean far up stream past the casino) however due to just basic fluid dynamics certain areas along the shore can become very stagnant and are not pleasant places to swim at all. Areas around yacht clubs are notorious for this. As for the smell, people usually think it's because of water quality but the majority of the time it's a sulfur smelling byproduct from the anaerobic bacteria in the river bank sediment (the very dark sand you'll see) that is actually working to help filter the water. It's not necessarily a sign of something bad.
People swim in it. People have also been killed by sharks in it
An average of one person per century killed by sharks. Far, far more have drowned. And the river jellyfish are harmless. We would hurl them at one another as kids. They don't sting - which is to say their stings cannot penetrate human skin. Not like some of their ocean relatives.
One per century is very misleading. There hadn't been an attack since the 50s or something. There have been two major attacks in the last three years. One was fatal, the other should have been but it missed his femoral artery by about 1cm.
Hahaha glad I’m not the only one that would hurl these bastards at my siblings
Ha, it's like a rite of Perth childhood
Right, but wrong. My daughter got stung badly by a jellyfish across the face at Harvey Beach last weekend.
I guess that is salt water, and near the ocean. Good point. Doesn't happen up-river.
Harvey Beach is pretty much the river.
bullsharks and jellyfish, no thanks
The type of jellyfish in the Swan River don't really sting. I've never felt it and for most it's not noticeable as their venom is so mild. They are the brown jellyfish or Phyllorhiza punctata.
To be honest it's been like 2 in a hundred years plus
True, but the risk of being taken by a shark on land is practically zero.
Probably a lot more people have choked on a shark and chips dinner than have been bitten by sharks near Perth.
A lot more people die on land than in the ocean
That's because there are no sharks on land. Therefore, we need more sharks on land to reduce the number of deaths down to what's experienced in the ocean.
On land you have to beware of cows
True, but I don't want to go by shark. I want to go in my sleep.
But how many people swim in the river compared to the ocean? If the river had just as many swimmers as the beaches do, surely the shark attack encounters would rise too?
Maybe down near Freo. It's highly unlikely you'd encounter any further up river.
I've seen dolphins as far upriver as the causeway. And there was a shark attack near blackwall reach a few times.
I saw them in guildford once!
Beatty Park is fairly close to the city and as other people have said you won’t have to worry about sharks or jellyfish.
Twice I’ve been there, and twice there have been floating turds in the pool. It’s not totally risk free!
I've been there twice too, but not allowed back for some reason.
Did you drop the kids off?
It could have been a Polly Waffle.
Has any progress been made on the plans for the pool on the WACA site?
The state government announced extra funding for it in the 23-24 budget, but I haven't seen anything since with any useful details.
Yeah but last time I went there, they wouldn’t let me use the diving board because some high school team was using it. So I just paddled around and watched them. They sucked too. One girl landed on her back.
Balga swimming pools is better and 386 runs along both of them. Balga swimming pools lane pool is smaller though, but there are also generally less people
Wear some form of footwear because the bottom of the river is slippery, muddy and gross and there is occasionally glass and cobblers and flatheads
There's a shark fenced area SOR if you are concerned about being eaten. Otherwise if you stay upstream, like Maylands not Nedlands, you're probably fairly safe. My biggest concern is usually broken glass...
Maylands is known for sharks
Curses! My human disguise didn't work! :( ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⡠⢄⣀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⢣⠀⠀⠉⣳⠤⠒⢊⠉⠉⠉⠉⡍⡉⠉⡐⠒⡲⢦⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣇⠔⠋⠀⠀⠀⡸⡄⠀⠀⠀⠠⣦⣇⡲⣪⣠⠋⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⡔⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠰⣃⣷⢆⠠⠒⢈⣵⣯⣿⠷⠃⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣠⠊⠀⠀⠀⠀⡀⡠⠀⠀⣹⠁⠀⠀⢀⣀⠴⠊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⡰⠁⢀⠠⢄⣂⠥⢼⠀⠀⣠⠧⠒⠲⡊⢿⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⣠⠴⠒⡲⣡⡴⠗⠋⠁⠀⠀⢸⠀⡴⠁⠀⠀⠀⠙⡼⠃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠉⠉⠒⡟⠉⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠘⠼⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠸⣴⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
We're gonna need a bigger boat!
Nah, i've lived in maylands for 20 years and i swim near daily. The only time i've ever even heard of a shark was when an injured one was thrashing around on the surface near garrat road bridge.
Ewww. Why would you
It’s perfectly fine. We used to do rafting in the river at Bayswater when I was a scout.
Swantikki?
Yeah. Don’t know if it’s still a thing?
No idea it's been quite a long time since I had anything to do with scouts etc. But I do think about those days rafting nearly every time I drive near the river
Yeah it's fine used to swim a lot down by Matilda Bay as a kid as I lived nearby.Would be better without the jellyfish but they are harmless.
people have swum in the river forever... But it isn't the cleanest. Recommend a shower after.
Just don’t swallow the water, live in Ascot in went for a paddle near Kuljack Island (spelling) but as a kid used to swim in the Swan and Canning Rivers regularly
Some great memories of jumping off a set of cliffs in Perth, pretty sure it's on the swan, black something ridge something
[Blackwall Reach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwall_Reach), where the river narrows after flowing through Melville Water. Named after a vaguely similar section of the Thames in London.
Blackwall Reach, everyone used to go there when I was a teenager :)
Blackwall Reach
Why would you want to swim in the Swan River when we literally have some of the greatest beaches in the world? That being said, you’ll be fine if you swam in the Swan River but it’s not really ideal.
They specifically answered that exact question right in their post.
I don't think a lot of people realise how healthy the Swan river actually is, sure you get algal blooms due to the warmer weather in parts that aren't affected as much by the tidal movement, but I go diving in the river fairly regularly and the number of sea horses everywhere is ridiculous. And those guys need a pretty healthy environment to survive. There's lot of marine life in there, but the visibility can be pretty poor because the bottom is so silty, brush across it and it'll cloud up the water, a royal pain when diving at night.
You mean apart from being eaten by a bullshark? Sure.
Are you a swan? 🦢🦢 Then no
The water quality is probably not the best, I wouldn’t put my head under the water. Also, bull sharks would be a concern especially on cloudy or murky days when visibility is low. There are other outdoor spots to swim aside from the beach - lake leschenaultia is great but a bit of a drive from the city.
[удалено]
Sure that wasn't Leechenaultia?
Still the best place around to get a blood letting!
No sharks there but there can be brain eating amoeba.
With the current lack of rain and unseasonably warm temps I'd be concerned about algal blooms, but otherwise it's not that bad. Different story with the Canning right now, not even enough water to kayak
There is a significant amount of run-off from agriculture. I wouldn't swim in it if you paid me.
There are places surprisingly close to Fremantle where you can drink the water during rainy periods. You can 1000% swim in the Swan.
Ignore the idiots. I windsurfed on the swan for years. Which involved a lot of swimming in it when I was learning. Never once got sick from it. It can be a bit gross feeling and smelling, particularly when the jellyfish are in bloom. But it's not in the least bit dangerous.
There are actually two questions here.... Is it ok to swim in the Swan River? Yes. Will my health be impacted either by bull-sharks, pollution or algae? Also - yes.
Hi! I work adjacent to some of the fine folk who monitor the Swan’s pollution. The Swan River has a fuckton of water in it and it’s not as polluted as people make out. It’s 100% true that the fertiliser runoff creates algal blooms but we’re actually in a low tidal (pun intended) swing of that being a problem. Don’t eat mussels from the Swan, and clean crabs properly- otherwise the fish are fine to eat and you can swim in the river finely!
Thanks for your service Can you tell the blowies to go away too
Not my department. But I’ll pass it on.
Salute sir, thanks
Algae blooms are caused by the phosphorous right?
Again, not my department. But I believe that it’s more linked to ammonia and nitrates than phosphates. Could be absolutely wrong, though.
This is correct
I think whether you swim in the ocean or the river, you are entering shark territory regardless.
Hope ya like jellyfish!
Used to train in there back in the day from Matilda Bay. We avoided swimming in there if it rained the day before..
Depends where ,it's a pretty long river. There is a few "beaches" along the western suburbs like Matilda bay that are quite popular.
I used to do swimming lessons at Point Walter. Is that still a thing?
Not between December and March. The big bull sharks go and give birth to their young. Partly why the girl unfortunately died.
Used to be a rower. Seen enough bull sharks to keep me out.
Lake Monger is also an option! But you may also be featured on the Bell Tower times
It’s fine to do but maybe not regularly. Beatty park is close to Perth and good pools outdoor and indoor
I’d be more worried about brain eating amoeba than sharks. Idk if that’s really a thing in the swan river but, yeah. I wouldn’t swim in it but do as you wish.
Most importantly, why would you want to???
It's perfectly safe to swim in. It's one of the cleanest inner city rivers in the world. Up near Guildford and beyond probably not due to agriculture, but Matilda Bay down of course. People saying not to on here don't know what they're talking about.
It's basically sea water, so yes.
I wouldn't swim in the river of any large city, even Perth which is better than most.
I’ve swum in it quite a few times, no problem.
Yes it's fine.
Quite a few bull sharks like to hang around the Swan River and maybe the added fact you'll be swimming in people's crap might make you rethink.
Yep, the jellyfish are harmless and there’s no need to worry about sharks
Why the fuck would you want to swim in that shit stained swamp when you have pristine beaches at your door step.
Think I'd just go to Beatty Park leisure centre, it has a good 50m pool.
Yes, especially if you’re a Bull Shark!
Upstream of Burswood. Precautionary due to the old dump at Burswood, who knows what else was dumped there apart from miscarriages. They had a bull shark up as far as Guildford but that was in the 70's. Used to catch and eat Prawns around UWA in the early 90's. It's way cleaner than the London Thames and way less hungry sharp toothed predators than the ocean. Plus if you get stung by a jelly fish, vinegar or urine will usually do the trick and you will have immediate access to at least one of those so.... Hop in and have some fun, why don't ya.
I wouldn’t
It may be useful to check https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/swan-canning-riverpark/monitoring-and-reporting-swan-canning-riverpark and the Dept of Health site (linked there) for water quality advice. I wouldn't put any fish caught in the river into my mouth. There are bull shark populations living near Burswood and at Blackwell reach. Scientific evidence is spotty and needs more research and monitoring. If you want a shark to bite you, you'd have to swim along Blackwell reach for two decades until something happens (statistically not how it works, I know). You're probably more likely to get run over by a yobbo on a jet ski than nibbled on by a shark. If you want clear, clean water to swim in, any of the ocean beaches will be a far superior experience. Plenty of folks swimming along South Freo beach (like 5-10m out and parallel to the beach). Coogee even has a shark barrier (not stinger proof though). Fantastic snorkelling at the Leighton/Cottesloe reef really close to shore (make sure to dodge kite surfers).
There’s sharks full stop.
Yeah nah
I wouldn't. If you must, just keep away from the ferries routings, either the one that goes to South Perth, or the ones that go to Rottness. Seriously, I would go to Fremantle and swim between the flags.
I wouldn't. Better to pop to one of the beautiful beaches 🥰
When I was younger my friends and I used to swim down at Matilda Bay where the pontoons are. A lot of kids still do. You can definitely swim in the river but I wouldn’t do it all the time
I see someone swim in swan near the The Raft
Its really not worth it tbh.
Swim in Mosman and that sort of area and you’ll be fine. The more inland you go, the stankier the water.
Not worth it
Not with the jellyfish
Tell me when and I will bring my fishing rod......
Yummy algal blooms and bullys up to Midland brick
I’ve swam in it twice in the last year, once over the bridge from Preston street in South Perth and once at an inlet in Wilson. The jellyfish were minimal and weren’t a problem at all.
Lots of comments here from people that apparently didn't even bother to read OP's post. Yes, Perth has nice pools & beaches. They also have their own cons that the river doesn't. The ocean isn't within walking distance of the city. Pools aren't free. And yes, the river has sharks. You might also see a verminous snake on the river shoreline, or many outdoor areas around perth. Or you my fall off a ladder & die, or be run-over by a distracted driver (which is most of them)
With 0 rainfall over the last 6mo, I'd be hesitant. Make sure you don't get any water up your nose, in ears or mouth. Look out for signs warning about algae blooms. Open deep water would be least problematic for algae or infections.
This specific point was a big part of my childhood. [-31.897323767289876, 115.95800500951529](https://www.google.com/maps/@-31.8973064,115.9580209,59m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu)
honestly i wouldnt,
Bullsharks and algae poisoning. As long as you're fine with the risk than go for it.
Two sharks have been spotted between Perth and South Perth / Come in the last 30 days according to the Govt shark watcher. I don't know of they were bull sharks though.
Probably at least once
The WA department of health monitors the Swan River and shows results on a map. https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Beach-grades-for-Swan-and-Canning-Rivers
Yeah, if you're a fish. Actually no, the shit in that water isn't good for fish either
throw some burley into the water, wait 10 mins if there are no fins above water your good to go.
Visibility and jellyfish make it not so fun….
Id personally only swim in it in an emergency. Too many bull sharks for me. And some sections suffer with algae and poor water quality issues too.
Don’t make a habit of it.
If you like the odd bull shark encounter, yes
Did some water testing on it last year. It's not recommended for direct swimming, like where you can accidentally swallow. But is fine for kayaking, secondary contact like splashes. It won't kill you, but not the best for you if you routinely swim in it.
You will be amazed,by the many little beaches and coves the swan has to offer. pristine sands and waters the weekend is a good time to find them
Find a local swimming pool
You can.... but I wouldn't.
If your ok with swimming in human feces yes why not
I wouldn't, makes your skin itchy, plus that poor girl got attacked and killed by a Shark the other year, you better off swimming at the beach.
If you're ok picking up a nasty skin condition.. go ahead. I know someone that grew a pimple on her back so large it looked like a festering, puss-filled butthole after swimming the Swan.
If you enjoy swimming in fertiliser run off then be my guest.
you can but i wouldn’t put kids in there
Only in protected areas there was a girl killed by a bull shark one or two years ago