Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp expands public swimming at Bonapartedok near MAS from June 14, 2025, offering at least 30 free swim days. Stijn De Rooster leads; 5,000 joined last year.
As VRT News reported, starting June 14, 2025, the dock will be open for swimming every weekend, to offer at least 30 days of public swimming. Antwerp plans to expand the event this summer at the Bonapartedok near the MAS. The city is still deciding on the exact schedule, but wants to make this a regular summer activity.
To manage the larger event, Antwerp is looking for an operator to handle the daily tasks and ensure a safe and fun experience for all swimmers. The city has set clear standards for service quality and visitor safety.
How will Bonapartedok’s expanded swimming days benefit Antwerp?
Antwerp is adding things like toilets, changing rooms, and lockers. Officials mentioned that the goal is to make swimming at the Bonapartedok fun for all. The swimming will remain free. Stijn De Rooster, who is in charge of Sports, says they want to build on last year’s success and make the dock a regular summer destination for everyone.
He mentioned that the city aims to make open-water swimming at the Bonapartedok a pleasant and inclusive experience, ensuring that the expanded schedule and improved amenities will attract both residents and tourists.
Outdoor Swimming Belgium, a group that supports outdoor swimming, is excited about Antwerp’s plan to let people swim more at the Bonapartedok near the MAS. They think it’s a great idea, especially because Antwerp doesn’t have any public outdoor swimming pools right now.
Spruyt, who speaks for the group, said it’s been warm since May 1st, 2025. He also mentioned that the swimming pond in Boekenbergpark was only open to the Deurnese polar bears, a cold-water swimming group.
“We counted on the city to keep its promise,”
Says Sigrid Spruyt.
“More open swimming water is urgently needed in Antwerp, and in fact in the whole of Flanders.”
Starting Saturday, May 17th, 2025, 2 popular spots will reopen to the public. People can head to the Boekenberg swimming pond in Deurne or the De Molen open-air swimming pool on the Left Bank, and they’ll be open daily until mid-September 2025. The De Molen pool has even gotten a makeover. Starting May 24th, 2025, the outdoor pools at Sportoase Groot Schijn, a modern sports centre in Deurne, will also open their swimming areas.
In 2024, the “6 Blissful Swimming Days” at the Bonapartedok near the MAS were a big success. About 5,000 swimmers enjoyed a free swim in Antwerp. Because of this success, the city plans to expand the event this summer.
