SUNBURST BAY AQUATIC CENTER
Amenities
The Reef
S Zero depth entry leisure pool
S Variety of water play features
S Water walk
S Current channel
Parking & Trails
The Cove
S Eight 25-yard lane lap pool
S Diving boards and drop slide
S Climbing wall
S Accessible entry
Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center is accessible by walking or biking the trail system and by car with plenty of bike racks and parking in front of the building.
Admission
Other Amenities
S Splish & Splash body flume slides
S Plenty of deck and lawn seating
S Shade sails and cabanas
S Locker rooms
S Snack Shack with plaza seating
S Oasis Party Room
S Sand Volleyball Courts (located outside of Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center)
Season passes will be valid from opening day until Labor Day. Passes may be purchased any time before or during the season.
Children 2 years and under are free. To qualify for resident rates an individual must reside within the boundaries of the Cary Park District. Residents support the Park District through tax dollars. While boundaries of other taxing bodies in the community are different, you may confirm whether you are a Cary Park District resident by looking at your tax bill under the taxing bodies you support.
Children 2 and under are free. For a family with more than four individuals, a combination of pass sales may be necessary to accommodate the needs of your family.
Rules & Guidelines
Visit carypark.com for a list of Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center rules that promote a safe and fun environment for all our guests. Rules and guidelines are also posted at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center. Thank you in advance for abiding by these rules.
SUNBURST BAY AQUATIC CENTER
Hours of Operation
Opening Weekend: May 24 - 30
Saturday, May 24 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday, May 25 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Monday, May 26 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday - Friday Closed
Open Swim May 31 - August 10
Monday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
Friday* 11:00 am - 6:30 pm*
* Members may enter at 10:00 am on Friday Reef and Splish & Splash slides
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday* 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Sensory Swim: 10 - 11 am*
Season Pass Holders
Enter Early on Fridays
2025 season pass holders may enter Sunburst Bay at 10:00 am on Fridays from May 31 to August 10, 2025.
Open Swim: August 11 - 22
Monday - Friday 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Open Swim: August 23 - September 1
Monday - Friday Closed
Saturday 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Sunday 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Labor Day: Sep. 1 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
* New this year - Sensory Swim every Sunday from 10:00 - 11:00 am. During Sensory Swim there will be no music or spray features. Whistles will only be used for emergencies.
The Snack Shack will close 1 hour before Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center closes for the day. Guests must leave the facility 30-minutes after the closing announcement. The Cove lap pool will close at 4:00 pm on June 10 and 24 and July 15 and 17 for Cary Barracuda swim meets and at 7:30 pm on June 12 for a Cary Barracuda Swim Team Event. The Reef and Splish & Splash will remain open during swim meets and the swim team event. Dates are subject to change. Changes will be posted at the Admissions Desk, carypark.com, and RainOut Line. On June 28 Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center will close at 1:00 pm and the reopen at 3:00 pm for Stars N’ Stripes Fest attendees.
View photos from last year’s special events at Sunburst Bay
SUNBURST BAY AQUATIC CENTER
Lap Swim
Lap Swim: June 2 - August 10
Monday - Friday (2 lanes) 5:30 - 7:30 am
Saturday (8 lanes) 6:00 - 8:00 am
Everyday (2 lanes) During open swim hours listed above
Lap swimmers may pay the daily fee or purchase a season pool pass to attend lap swim.
Fun in the Sun Birthday Party Package
Make your next birthday a splash! Pool parties include the use of the Oasis Room, swimming, pizza, juice boxes, and cupcakes. Parties are 2.5 hours in length with 90 minutes of swimming and 60 minutes for lunch and cupcakes. Fee is $425 for Cary Park District residents and $600 for non-residents for up to 24 guests. Additional guests (up to 40 guests) are $15 each.
Rentals
Cabana Rental
Rent one of our eight cabanas and enjoy a vacation-like experience. Each cabana features 2 loungers, 2 chairs, a table, and water. Plus, order from the concession stand from the comfort of your cabana. Our guest service staff will bring your order for
Parties take place during open swim hours:
To schedule a Fun in the Sun Birthday Party, please complete a Fun in the Sun Application found at carypark.com. lica ti on.
Monday & Wednesday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm 2:00 - 4:30 pm 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm 2:00 - 4:30 pm
After Hours Pool Rental
Rent Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center for your own private party. Rentals are Monday - Thursday, 8:00 - 10:00 pm, Friday & Saturday, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, and Sunday, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Oasis rental is an additional fee.
Oasis Party Room Rental
Rent the Oasis for your summer gathering. The Oasis holds up to 40 people. It also includes a refrigerator with freezer, sink, microwave, and counter space to prepare for your gathering. Tables and chairs are included and can be set up to your specifications. Swimming is an additional fee.
Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center Rental Forms
Rent A Cabana
To rent a cabana, please complete a Cabana Rental Application.
Rent SBAC After Hours
To schedule an after hours pool rental, please complete a Rental Application.
Rent The Oasis Party Room
To rent the Oasis, please complete a Rental Application.
Fun In The Sun Birthday Party
To schedule an after hours pool rental, please complete a Rental Application.
SUNBURST BAY AQUATIC CENTER
Aqua Fitness
Register for an entire session of a class to be guaranteed a spot. If you prefer to try one class at a time or workout as your schedule allows, you may pay the per class R/NR daily fee: $20/$30 Aqua Combat & Surfboard Yoga, $14/$21 all other aqua fitness classes. Group Fitness Unlimited Passes or punch cards are not accepted for Aqua Fitness classes.
Aqua Combat
Aqua Combat will have you striking and kicking like an MMA pro! Gain muscular strength, endurance, and coordination through water resistance training and choreographed mixed martial arts inspired movements. This takes kickboxing to a whole new level. All levels welcome. Min/Max: 4/10
Aqua Jog & Strength
Express
Come out for this unique class that is held in the current channel. Walk, jog, or run against the resistance of the moving water and finish with a good stretch. All levels welcome. Min/Max: 4/20
Aqua Zumba
Aqua Zumba brings both Zumba and water resistance together in one awesome pool party! Structured like a standard Zumba class, Aqua Zumba is dancing to motivational music with unique dance moves and combinations - except it’s in water. All levels welcome.
Surfboard Yoga
The hottest new fitness phenomenon has made its way to Sunburst Bay! Tone your body while increasing your balance, strength, flexibility, and mobility through this slow flow yoga class. What could be more relaxing than yoga on water? No paddleboard or surf experience necessary. All levels welcome. Min/Max: 4/10
Total Body Aqua
Join in on the fun and get a full body workout with Total Body Aqua! This class will incorporate different exercises and techniques that will work all major muscle groups. This class is a great cardiovascular workout and strength builder. All levels welcome. Min/Max: 4/20
SUNBURST SWIM SCHOOL
Sunburst Swim School is a unique program that challenges participants to learn and grow as a swimmer, starting with the basics of water safety and building a skill set that enables swimmers to be safe in aquatic settings, and even advance to competitive levels if they choose. The swim instructor team is diligently trained by experienced instructors and Swim School coordinators. With safety being the program’s priority, lifeguards are always on duty while swimmers are in class.
Sunburst Swim School offers 7 levels
S Guppies
S Starfish
S Goldfish
S Dolphins
S Stingrays
S Sharks
S Pre-Swim Team
Swim Lesson Registration Deadline
The deadline for swim lesson registration is 48 hours before the session begins.
Swim Lesson Rules
A letter will be sent to parents following enrollment in the swim lesson program. Please refer to this letter for important information on lessons, rules, and guidelines.
Swim Lesson Cancellations
Always assume lessons will be held. In the event of questionable weather, visit carypark.com and click on the RainOutLine banner on the home page. There you may select to receive text alerts, e-mail alerts, or you can download the app. You may call 847.639.6200 to hear a recorded message of updates.
Unless otherwise listed, cancellations due to inclement weather will usually be made up on the Thursday within the session. Make-ups or refunds will not be granted if the participant does not show up for a scheduled lesson that is held.
Guppies - Swim With Me
Parent & Child
Swimmers explore the water accompanied by a parent or guardian. The purpose of this course is to give young swimmers a positive introduction to swimming. Instructors will provide structured lessons including skills such as blowing bubbles, bobbing underwater (not required), and kicking feet! Participants can expect to play games and sing songs, all while introducing their little swimmer to the pool! Max 12/session
Starfish - Water Exploration
Preschool Age
Swimmers gain comfort in the water without being accompanied by a parent. This level gives young swimmers an opportunity to learn about water safety, while also learning basic skills that are all performed with direct support from instructors. Skills will include blowing bubbles, bobbing underwater, floating with support, kicking feet, and more! Level requirements include willingness to get in the pool with instructors. Max 12/session
Goldfish - Water Independence
Preschool & School Age, Teenagers, Adults
Swimmers will learn basic swimming safety and survival skills, including but not limited to, floating without assistance, treading water, and combining arm and leg action to perform freestyle and backstroke swimming. Level requirements include being comfortable in 3-5 ft. of water, blowing bubbles, and willingness to bob head underwater without assistance. Max 20/session
Dolphins - Stroke Introduction
School Age, Teenagers, Adults
Swimmers will improve their freestyle and backstroke abilities, as well as be introduced to breaststroke. This level will also revisit treading water, and introduce headfirst entries. Swimmers can expect to gain endurance in the pool at this level. Level requirements include prior knowledge and ability to perform freestyle and backstroke without assistance. Max 16/session
RainOutLine
Receive weather related program and facility information at your fingertips. Areas include:
Community Center
Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center
Preschool & ET KidZone Sites
Athletic Fields
Walnut Hollow Disc Golf Course
Dog Park
Camp ECHO
Stingrays - Stroke Development
School Age, Teenagers, Adults
Swimmers will be exposed to all four competitive swimming strokes. Instructors will focus on refining swimmer’s freestyle and backstroke skills, while giving swimmers foundational knowledge on breaststroke and butterfly. Swimmers will also review treading water and headfirst entries. Level requirements include confident ability to perform freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke without assistance. Max 16/session
Sharks - Stroke Refinement
School Age, Teenagers, Adults
Swimmers will practice stroke drills to improve their ability to perform the four competitive swimming strokes. Swimmers will also improve their endurance in this level by swimming laps. This level will also introduce flip turns, diving off swim blocks, and more! Level requirements include knowledge of all four competitive strokes and ability to swim at least 25 yards without stopping. Max 12/session
Pre-Swim Team
School Age, Teenagers, Adults
Swimmers will perform all four competitive swim strokes proficiently. Swimmers will also be introduced to swim team practice structure and terminology. Swimmers can expect to swim several laps of each stroke during a lesson, in addition to practicing drills and swim team skills such as flip turns and dives. Level requirements include ability to perform all four competitive strokes, and ability to swim at least 200 yards during a 45- minute lesson. Max 12/session
SUNBURST SWIM SCHOOL
Semi-Private Swim Lessons
All ages Instructor: Staff Min/Max: 2/4 per instructor Semi-private swim lessons offer individualized instruction for all ability levels from Goldfish through Stingrays. Descriptions for each level can be found on page 15. Unfortunately, there are no make-ups or refunds if the participant does not show up for a scheduled lesson.
Private Swim Lessons
All ages Instructor: Staff Min/Max: 1/5 Private swim lessons offer one-on-one instruction for students at any age and ability level. Unfortunately, there are no make-ups or refunds if the participant does not show up for a scheduled lesson.
Mon/Wed 6/16-6/25 6:15-7:00 pm
Mon/Wed 6/16-6/25 8:15-9:00 am
am
Mon/Wed 7/21-7/30 6:15-7:00 pm 17732
Mon/Wed 7/21-7/30 8:15-9:00 am
Sunburst Swim School offers 7 levels! Turn to page 15 for descriptions.
SUNBURST SWIM SCHOOL
Group Lessons
Scuba Discovery
Ages: 10 years & older
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater? If you want to try scuba diving, but aren’t quite ready to take the “dive” into a certification course then this experience is for you! While not a scuba certification course, Scuba Discovery is a quick and easy introduction to what it takes to explore the underwater world. This class is taught by PADI certified divers. Participants must be at least 10 years old and no prior scuba diving experience is necessary. All equipment is provided.
Instructor: Crystal Blue Diving Staff Min/Max: 2/4
Sound Bath and Guided Meditation
Under the Stars
Ages: 14 years & older
Come join us for a meditative and healing experience at Sunburst Bay Aquatic Center. Participants will be “bathed” in resonant sounds using instruments like gongs, singing bowls, chimes and drums. Sound baths are great for anxiety and stress relief and often times provide a sense of peace and tranquility. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring a blanket and a pillow. Participants can enjoy this experience either floating around the pool or relaxing on a lounge chair on the deck.
Instructor: Nancy Meyers with Happy Hour Yoga