Bangkok Swimming Classes: Best Schools, Costs & Safety Tips

My one-year old daughter stood at the edge of the pool, knees bent and hesitant. I stood below her, in the pool, ready to catch her. I turned to my wife to signal to her to watch Big M’s first jump. I turned back and reached out my hands to catch my daughter. But when I looked at the edge of the pool, she was gone.

I looked down and saw bubbles on the water. I could make out her brown hair smeared among the blue of the pool. But before I could reach down to grab my daughter, she sprang up to the surface of the water. I grabbed her, ready to flip her so that her stomach was on my arm and I could smack her back, thinking she must’ve swallowed water. But before I could do so, her eyes widened and a smile crossed her face.

Relax,” the swimming instructor said. “Kids instinctively stop breathing when they go under water.”

That was my daughter’s first day of swimming class. And as a father-daughter duo, we’ve come a long way. Her in her swimming abilities and me being more relaxed. I now throw my daughter, now four years old, into the deep end of the pool knowing she’ll hold her own.

And I’m happy about this. I think swimming is a necessary life skill. And I’m glad my daughter is learning how to master her body.

Signing your son or daughter up for swimming classes is a big deal if you think about it. You obviously want your kids to be safe. You want them to get the best instruction possible. And you want to make sure the swimming skills they learn at swimming class are transferable to other pools or even the beach or lake or river.

And it takes a reputable and qualified swimming school to pull these things off.

What You’re Going to Learn in This Guide

You’re going to learn what your son or daughter will learn at swimming class, what questions to ask prospective swimming schools, and which three popular swimming schools in Bangkok live up to their promises.

What Your Kid’s Going to Learn

From personal experience and research, what I found is that most swimming schools in Bangkok teach kids the same things in the same sequence and use roughly the same methods. That means songs and games for babies and toddlers and formal training for kids and teens.

What separates one school from the next, though, is the quality of instructors. As with all realms of teaching, if your son or daughter has a passionate and patient and encouraging swimming instructor, they’ll feed off the instructor’s energy and be more comfortable in the pool.

I’ve also noticed that some instructors tend to be more patient and less aggressive with students. Whereas other instructors are patient but more aggressive. I prefer aggressive teachers who are going to push my daughters just beyond their limits. But having an aggressive teacher the first time around can be a bit nerve-racking. Especially if you’re not yet comfortable with your baby or toddler going under water.

So in addition to having fun, playing games, and interacting with their teacher and other kids, your son or daughter is going to learn a few important things about swimming.

Pool Safety

The first two things your son or daughter will learn is how to “monkey climb” across the edge of the pool and how to climb out. If your son or daughter ever falls into a pool, you want them knowing how to make it to the edge and using their hands to “walk” down to the ladder or pull themselves out of the pool. They’ll pick up on other safety habits like walking around the pool, going in and out using the stairs, and being aware of other people around them in the pool.

Confidence

It’s amazing how kids instinctively know not to breathe when under water. But that doesn’t mean they’ll be confident to go under right away. It takes time and a good teacher to make it happen. Your kid’s swimming instructor should know how to make kids feel comfortable going under water and handle the process in small stages. When this happens your son’s or daughter’s confidence will grow.

Technique

Your son or daughter won’t only be learning how to swim, but how to swim correctly. Your son’s or daughter’s swimming instructor should instill good technique from the beginning. Bad habits are hard to correct.

Important Questions To Ask

You’ll probably have your own questions to ask the swimming school, questions based on the needs of your daughter or son. But here are three general questions you’ll want to ask prospective swimming schools.

Are your instructors certified?

When my family and I first moved to Thailand, we decided to rent a condo in Bangkok. The condo had a great big outdoor pool. And after school and on weekends, lots of parents who lived in the condo would drop their kids off at the pool to learn with unqualified swimming instructors. They were basically people who spent a lot of time in the pool and taught people on the side for money.

But watching the instructors (and having had my daughters enrolled in a swimming school), I noticed the instructors didn’t know much about teaching kids how to swim. And I wondered, if anything serious were to happen, would they know how to help the kid. I’m sure all swimming schools hire only certified instructors, but it’s worth asking.

Do your instructors know CPR and first aid?

If the swimming instructor is certified, then most likely they’ll be qualified to give CPR and first aid. But you should ask about the swimming school’s policy when it comes to this. Do schools require their instructors to renew their qualifications every six months? every year? Do they check upon hiring the instructor and then never check again? Ask important questions.

What’s your policy on missed classes?

Your daughter or son will probably miss a few swimming classes during their term. At roughly THB650 per class, you want to make sure your kids can make up any missed classes. Most schools will let them make up missed classes, but make up classes are on the school’s terms. This means your daughter or son will have to make up their missed classes when it’s convenient for the school, not for you.

How to Choose the Right School Before You Enroll

Certification, CPR training, and a fair missed-class policy cover the basics. A few more practical checks help you find a school your kid actually looks forward to each week, rather than dreads.

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• Book a trial class first. All three schools below offer some form of trial lesson. Watching how an instructor handles a nervous or distracted kid tells you more than any brochure or website.
• Check the student-to-instructor ratio. A lower ratio means more individual attention. Bangkok Swim Academy’s Learn to Swim classes run 3:1 for beginners and 4:1 for higher levels, a useful benchmark when comparing other schools.
• Compare session length. Bangkok Dolphins’ Jump Start Lessons run 30 minutes; Bangkok Swim Academy’s Learn to Swim classes run about 45 minutes; Lets Asia’s Fast Fins classes run between 45 minutes and an hour. A younger or easily distracted child often does better with shorter, more frequent sessions.
• Ask whether you can join mid-term. Lets Asia prorates its fees so students can start at any point in the year. Not every school does this, so check before you commit to signing up partway through a term.
• Pay attention to how the instructor talks to your kid, not just to you. A teacher who makes eye contact, uses your child’s name, and keeps instructions short and encouraging tends to hold a young swimmer’s attention far longer than one who only addresses parents from the pool deck.

Location

Aside from the safety aspects of swimming class, location is the next most important thing you’ll want to consider when enrolling your kids in a Bangkok swimming class. When you tack on time and extra money spent on gas, swimming classes tend to be more expensive than what’s written on paper. So try to pick a swimming school that’s close to you.

When you go to the swimming school to check it out, take a peek around the outside of the school. Most swimming schools are outdoors, covered by a canopy. This means the quality of air on the outside of the school will affect the quality of air on the inside of the pool.

And if you need help getting to any of the swimming schools mentioned below, don’t forget to check out our guide to Bangkok transportation.

What to Bring to Your Child’s First Swimming Lesson

Most Bangkok swimming schools supply pool access, kickboards, and other equipment, but a few things are worth packing yourself before the first class.

• Swimwear that fits snugly. Loose trunks or a one-piece that rides up distracts a beginner. A rash guard is a common add-on for sun protection during outdoor lessons.
• A swim diaper for toddlers who aren’t potty-trained. Most pools require one. Swim diapers hold in solid waste but aren’t leak-proof, so the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking and changing them roughly every 60 minutes, away from the poolside.
• Goggles, if your child is old enough to use them comfortably. Ask the instructor whether goggles are used at your child’s level. Some schools introduce swimming without goggles first, to build comfort with water on the face.
• A swim cap, if the school requires one. Policies vary by school and by pool, so confirm ahead of the first class.
• Sunscreen applied before you arrive. Most pools in Bangkok are outdoors under a canopy, so kids still pick up plenty of sun over a 30- to 60-minute class.
• A dry towel, a full change of clothes, and a snack for afterward. Kids get hungry fast after a lesson, and changing out of a wet swimsuit quickly helps avoid a chill in an air-conditioned car or mall afterward.

Swimming Schools

Below are three popular swimming schools in or near Bangkok.

Bangkok Dolphins

Bangkok Dolphins has many locations around Bangkok. Its main office is located on Sukhumvit 49/9 inside the Racquet Club and offers classes for kids age 4 and older. It also has a swim center for infants at their Sukhumvit Soi 39 location. Infant swim courses are available at its Yen Akart and Udom Suk locations. All Bangkok Dolphins instructors teach in English and are certified under AustSwim or STA.

Courses

Bangkok Dolphins offers four different types of swimming courses for infants as young as 3 months old to children and adults looking to learn the basics of swimming. It also holds squad training for children and teens looking to swim competitively. You can request a free trial before committing to a course. 

Bangkok Dolphins also regularly organize a five-week summer camp for kids ages 4 to 12. It can also set up pool parties for birthdays and events for up to 20 children.

Squad Training
If your son or daughter has completed the Learn-To-Swim program, they can join the Pre-Squad training classes. These classes are aimed at kids who want to compete or train like they’re going to compete. Some classes require training twice per week. 

Jump Start Lessons
These classes are designed for both children and adults looking to learn the basics of swimming and gain some confidence in the water. Classes are 30 minutes each for five consecutive days. 

Parties and Events
If you’d like to have your son or daughter’s next birthday party or special event at Bangkok Dolphins, you can rent its pool and facilities. It’ll cost you THB8,500 per hour for parties of 20 children at its Soi 39 location. It can also host parties in your home or condo and include all equipment and staff upon request.

Swimming Camps
Twice a year, you can enroll your son or daughter in one of Bangkok Dolphins’ Swimming Camps. Its swimming camps are five weeks long in the summer and one week during October. Swimming camp classes start at 9:00 AM every day and end at 2:00 PM. The cost is THB8,200.

Terms

Bangkok Dolphins has three terms a year. The first term begins in August of each year and ends in December. The second term runs from January to mid-April, and the third from late April to late June.

Cost

The cost of Bangkok Dolphins depends on which courses you enroll your child in. On average, it’s around THB800 per hour, with a one-time registration fee of THB1,000.

Contact

If you’re interested in enrolling your kids in Bangkok Dolphins or celebrating a party or event at one of its swim centers, here’s how to get in touch.

Bangkok Dolphins Head Office
Sukhumvit 49/9 Racquet Club
Wattana Bangkok 10110
Phone 080 565 7558
[email protected]

Sukhumvit Soi 39
No 1 Promsri Soi1, Sukhumvit 39
Wattana Bangkok 10110
Phone 081 622 2799
[email protected]

Yenakart
Rama 4, Soi Yenakart
Sathorn, Bangkok 10120
Phone 083 298 0519
[email protected]

Udomsuk Swim Center
1 Soi Chaloem Phrakiat Ratchakan
Thi 9 Rd Soi 13 Nong Bon
Prawet, Bangkok 10250
Phone 089 553 6989
[email protected]

Goethe Sathorn
18/1 Soi Goethe
Sathon, Bangkok 10120
Phone 080 565 7558
[email protected]

Bangkok Swim Academy

Bangkok Swim Academy is a premier swimming school in Thailand, offering classes for infants and children. It has three training locations in Bangkok, including the BEST Aquatic Center on Sukhumvit 71, which offers infant, toddler, and adult swimming classes. 

Its other two locations at Berkeley International School and Brighton College focus on competitive training classes. Its own swim team, the Bangkok Elite Swim Team (BEST), is currently the National Short Course Champions of Thailand. Its instructors are STA and ASCTA certified, with some having competed at the national level. The head coach has even coached Olympic-level swimmers.

Courses

Bangkok Swim Academy has swimming courses from infants aged 4 months to children up to 14 years old. It has distinct squad training programs for different levels ranging from 7 years old to adults. During the summer, the school holds six week training camps for both beginner and competitive swimmers.

Mother and Baby Swimming

This course is designed for parents and their children between the ages of 4 months to 3 years old. Infants can practice basic kicking and arm movements, develop their balance, and spend time bonding with their parents. Sessions are usually once per week for 30 minutes.

Learn To Swim 

Learn To Swim is for toddlers, children, and adult beginners. In this course, students learn the basic techniques of freestyle swimming, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. To avoid distractions in class, the student-to-instructor ratio is low. Level 1 swimmers have a ratio of 3:1, while Levels 2 to 5 have a ratio of 4:1. Each session lasts about 45 minutes.  

Competitive Swimming

Bangkok Swim Academy places a strong emphasis on their competitive swimming courses, offering seven different levels of squad training. The entry-level Bronze training requires swimmers to be able to swim 50 meters in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke before joining the class.

Those training in Junior and National Performance classes are expected to represent the BEST team at the Thailand National Championships. 

Swimming Camps

The BEST Aquatic Center hosts an annual summer training camp for six weeks during July. The competitive training camp runs from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, Monday to Friday, and costs THB15,000 for the full six weeks. 

Cost

The cost of Bangkok Swim Academy is similar to Bangkok Dolphins, at THB800/session for kids on average.

Terms

Contact them via LINE or e-mail to inquire about term start dates.

Contact

If you’re interested in enrolling your infant, toddler, or kid in one of their swimming classes, contact them below.

BEST Bangkok Swim Academy 

193 Soi Pridipanomyong 42
Yeak 5 Sukhumvit Soi 71
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Phone 098 251 9649
LINE: bestswimteam
[email protected]

Lets Asia

Lets Asia is located on Sukhumvit Soi 31 and is the largest international swimming school in Thailand. The school prides itself on its training methods, which blend Japanese and Canadian strategies. And the owners are decorated swimmers, having competed and excelled in Canada and Japan’s swimming circuits. Swimming lessons are offered in both English and Japanese.

Courses

Lets Asia offers a variety of swimming courses, including infant and children’s courses, race training courses, and maternity and adult courses. Members can also participate in the International School of Bangkok’s swim competition by invitation. Additionally, the facilities are available for rent for birthday parties, and it offers summer camps for children.

Little Splasher
The Little Splasher swimming course is divided into two levels. Level 1 is designed for babies aged 6 months to 3 years old, while Level 2 is for children aged 3 to 8 years old. Initially, a parent or guardian must accompany the child in the water.

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But the goal of the course is for the child to be able to swim independently for at least 3 meters by the age of 3. In Level 2, swimmers will begin learning the basic skills for front and backstrokes. 

Fast Fins
Fast Fins swimming course is for children who’ve graduated from the Little Splasher’s course. In this course, your son or daughter learns all the major swimming strokes and is encouraged to swim between 25 and 50 meters. Classes last between 45 minutes and an hour long. Kids who excel in this course will be invited to the Lets Asia swim team.

Lets Asia prices by term, at around THB10,000 to THB13,000 depending on class length.

There is a one-time membership fee of THB1,000 per child and a 50 percent discount starting with your third child. 

Swim Team

As aforementioned, the swim team is by invitation only for kids age 7 to 17. The courses are designed to teach students how to prepare for races. Classes are held either at the Sukhumvit location or in Nichada Thani.

Adult Swimming

Adult swimming classes are available only privately at THB850 per class. Lets Asia also offers aqua aerobics and maternity group classes for adults, however, lessons are held in Japanese. 

Parties and Events
To host your son or daughter’s next birthday party or event with Lets Asia, you have a few options. The first choice is to have the party at its Soi 31 location or your pool on Sunday afternoons only.

You get two instructors, equipment, and games for one hour. There is an additional THB1,000 travel fee for parties hosted at your place. You’re limited to 20 kids age 4 and older. 

Your second choice is to have your kid’s party at The First Steps International Preschool’s garden playground.

Swimming Camp
Let’s Asia hosts an eight-week long camp during the summer, and one-week long camps during the winter and Songkran. Children aged 4 to 11 get to play sports, swim, and do arts and crafts from 9:00 AM to 2:15 PM from Monday to Friday.

Terms

Lets Asia has three terms a year. The first term lasts 16 weeks and begins in August and ends in December. The second term begins in January and ends in April. Term 3 is only 10 weeks from April to June. Fees are prorated so students can join at any time of the year. 

Contact

If you’re interested in enrolling your kids in Lets Asia or celebrating a party or event at their swim center, here’s how to get in touch with them.

Lets Asia Swimming School
80 Sukhumvit Soi 31
Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Phone 02–258–8085
LINE @letsasia

Prices, schedules, and contact details for these schools change from time to time, so confirm the current details directly with the school before enrolling.

Water Safety Beyond the Pool

Swimming lessons at a certified school are one part of keeping your kid safe around water in Thailand. Drowning is the leading cause of death for Thai children under 15, according to the World Health Organization, though a national prevention program cut child drowning incidents by roughly a third between 2014 and 2020.

• Supervision doesn’t stop once your kid can swim. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that children who’ve had swimming lessons still need close, constant supervision in or around water, even when a lifeguard is present.
• Skip the arm floaties for open water. The CDC advises against relying on air-filled or foam toys as safety devices. On an island trip, a river outing, or a boat, a properly fitted life jacket is the safer choice.
• Currents at beaches and rivers behave differently from a calm swimming pool. Ask locally about conditions before letting your kid swim unsupervised in open water.
• Hotel and condo pools aren’t always staffed. Many private pools around Bangkok have no lifeguard on duty at all, so the same close supervision that applies at the beach applies at your own building’s pool.

Check that your family’s health insurance covers accident-related treatment, and know which private hospital in Bangkok is closest to your usual pool, before you need either. If your family spends time near rivers or flood-prone areas during the rainy season, our monsoon and flash flood safety guide covers the risks beyond the swimming pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions parents ask most often about swimming classes in Bangkok.

Where can kids take swimming classes in Bangkok?

Three well-established options are Bangkok Dolphins (multiple locations on Sukhumvit and in Sathorn/Prawet), Bangkok Swim Academy (BEST Aquatic Center on Sukhumvit 71, plus training at Berkeley International School and Brighton College), and Lets Asia (Sukhumvit Soi 31). All three run programs from infants through teens.

How much do swimming classes cost in Bangkok?

Group classes for kids average around THB800 per session at both Bangkok Dolphins and Bangkok Swim Academy. Lets Asia prices by term, at roughly THB10,000 to THB13,000 depending on class length, plus a one-time THB1,000 membership fee per child. Prices change, so confirm the current rate with the school before enrolling.

What age can kids start swimming lessons in Bangkok?

Most schools start infants as young as 3 to 6 months old in parent-and-baby classes. Bangkok Dolphins accepts infants from 3 months, Bangkok Swim Academy from 4 months, and Lets Asia’s Little Splasher program starts at 6 months.

Are swimming lessons in Bangkok taught in English?

Yes. Bangkok Dolphins and Bangkok Swim Academy teach in English. Lets Asia offers lessons in both English and Japanese, reflecting its Japanese-Canadian training approach.

Can adults take swimming lessons in Bangkok too?

Yes. Bangkok Dolphins’ Jump Start Lessons cover both children and adult beginners, and Lets Asia offers private adult classes at THB850 per class as well as Japanese-language aqua aerobics and maternity group classes.

What’s the difference between private and group swimming lessons in Bangkok?

Group classes are the standard format at all three featured schools and are cheaper per session. Private lessons, such as Lets Asia’s adult classes, cost more per class but offer one-on-one instructor attention and more flexible scheduling.

Are Bangkok swimming instructors certified?

At the schools profiled here, yes. Bangkok Dolphins instructors are certified under AustSwim or STA, and Bangkok Swim Academy instructors are STA and ASCTA certified, with some having competed at national level. The article recommends confirming certification and CPR/first-aid training directly with any school before enrolling.

Do Bangkok swimming schools run holiday or summer camps?

Yes. Bangkok Dolphins holds a five-week summer camp plus a one-week October camp, Bangkok Swim Academy runs a six-week competitive training camp each July, and Lets Asia offers an eight-week summer camp along with shorter winter and Songkran camps.

What should I bring to my child’s first swimming lesson?

Bring well-fitting swimwear, a swim diaper if your child isn’t potty-trained, sunscreen applied before you arrive, and a towel and change of clothes for afterward. Check with the specific school about whether goggles or a swim cap are required at your child’s level.

Are swim diapers required for toddlers who aren’t potty-trained?

Most pools in Bangkok require one. Swim diapers hold in solid waste but aren’t leak-proof. Check and change them roughly every 60 minutes, away from the poolside, per US CDC guidance.

Are arm floaties safe to use instead of a life jacket?

No. The US CDC advises against relying on air-filled or foam toys as safety devices, since they can deflate or slip off. For open water like a river, an island trip, or a boat, use a properly fitted life jacket instead.

How can I tell if a swimming school is the right fit before enrolling?

Book a trial class and watch how the instructor handles your child directly, not just how they talk to you. Compare the student-to-instructor ratio and session length against other schools, and ask whether you can join partway through a term if your timing doesn’t line up with the start of a new one.

Now, on to You

When it comes to swimming classes you also want to be sure you’re getting the most for your time and money.

No matter which swimming school you choose for your baby, toddler, kid, or competitive teen, make sure the instructors are qualified and experienced. One mishap in the swimming pool could pull your kid’s confidence in the wrong direction. But encouragement, guidance, and patience could push your kid in the right direction and make learning how to swim an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.