Sex In a Pool: 6 Realities & Tips to Actually Make It Work

If you're old enough, you might recall a deliciously campy, critically-panned film called Showgirls, starring Elizabeth Berkley as an up-and-coming dancer. If you've seen it, the pool scene probably comes to mind instantly. Let's jog your memory.

Chasing stardom, Berkley's character Nomi gets tangled up with several people along the way, including an agent played by Kyle MacLachlan. In one scene, the two share champagne before Nomi wanders off toward the pool, shedding clothes as she goes.

MacLachlan's character follows, pouring champagne over her bare skin and licking it from her chest. She then dives under to perform oral sex, and the scene wraps with standing pool sex and plenty of movement. The film flopped, but "the pool scene" still lives on in cultural memory.

At first glance, it looks incredibly hot. Hollywood — and skinny dipping in general — has convinced plenty of us that nothing beats getting intimate in the shallow end. But does pool sex actually live up to the fantasy, or is it purely a cinematic trick? And if you want to try it anyway, what should you know first? Here's everything you need.

The Downsides of Pool Sex

Pool sex isn't glamorous the whole way through. Here's why.

1. Pools are surprisingly unsanitary.

Most people shower before and after swimming, both to rinse off before entering and to wash away everyone else's residue afterward. Water and damp environments are ideal for bacteria, and that's usually not a huge concern since you're not typically inserting anything into your vagina at the pool. Sex changes that equation, though, raising your odds of bacteria making its way in. Even a properly chlorinated pool can throw off your natural pH and lead to a bacterial infection.

2. Condoms and pools don't mix well.

Even assuming you've got a condom handy when things heat up, putting one on in the water is a real challenge. Same issue applies to shower or bathtub sex. Watch out for pool water causing the condom to slip or break once it's finally on. If condoms are your sole method of protection against pregnancy and STIs, you might want to think twice about ditching your swimsuit!

3. Water actually dries you out.

You'd assume being submerged would keep you naturally lubricated during underwater sex, but that's not how it works. Pool water tends to leave things feeling drier, not wetter. Come prepared with silicone-based lube, since it won't wash away as easily as other formulas.

Learn: What is lube and how it makes sex more enjoyable.

4. You risk getting caught.

For some people, the appeal of pool sex, outdoor sex, or sex in any public setting comes precisely from that risk of discovery. The tension can add real intensity — but getting caught has genuine consequences. In a public or hotel pool, you could be banned or even hit with public indecency charges. Think it over before you dive in.

5. It's not exactly considerate.

Would you want to swim somewhere other people have had sex? What about your kids stumbling on a couple in the act, or your peaceful evening interrupted by moans from the pool? Sex drives can feel urgent, but it's worth waiting for a setting where you're not intruding on someone else's space. It can come across as pretty rude otherwise.

6. Pool positions are genuinely tricky.

The logistics of pool sex rule out anything resembling standard missionary. Water shifts and pushes back against your movements, everything gets slippery, and nobody wants an ER visit because of a pool sex mishap. Generally, the more of your body you can keep supported, the better your odds — and avoid grabbing onto anything not built to bear weight.

Here are a few position ideas worth trying in the pool:

• Sit on the edge while he stands in the water for standing sex — try draping your legs over his shoulders.
• Have him sit on the edge while you perform oral from within the pool. Tips on giving oral to a guy.
• Rest your back, arms, and shoulders against the pool's edge to support your upper body, then wrap your legs around his waist and control the pace with your hips.
• Use the pool steps to your advantage — sit a few stairs up so your lower half stays submerged, lean back on your elbows, and let him enter from above with his feet in the water and hands braced on the stairs behind you.
• Kneel on the steps and let him take you from behind. If there's a very shallow end, doggy style works there too.
• Have him sit on the stairs while you straddle or kneel over him in a modified cowgirl position.
• Rest your upper body on a pool float with your legs trailing behind you as he enters while standing.
• Lean forward against the pool's edge, bracing yourself on the deck outside the water while he takes you from behind — this one works best when you're closer in height.

Browse this ultimate list of sex positions for even more ideas you can adapt for the pool!

Give Pool Sex a Try Anyway

We've covered a lot of the downsides of pool sex, but it might still be worth trying at least once purely for the novelty. We get it — he's wet, you're wet, warm weather makes you more easily aroused, and you're already surrounded by half-dressed bodies at the pool. Maybe it's the thrill of possibly getting caught, or how good you feel in your new swimsuit, or simply the urge to try something new. If you're going to do it, do it right.

Bring both condoms and lube. Practice putting on a condom in the shower beforehand so you know what to expect. Pack a spare in case one breaks.

Have an exit strategy ready if you need one. Check out the pool layout before undressing, and look for a more secluded spot — behind a bush, decoration, or slide, for example. If public settings aren't your concern, borrow time at a friend's private pool instead. Keep towels within reach for a quick cover-up.

Keep in mind that any position relying on him to support your weight carries real risk if he loses his footing, which is why many couples skip the pool entirely in favor of the more manageable bathtub sex. Read more here. A private beach cabana or a poolside lounger can also scratch that itch instead!

Shower and urinate afterward to lower your risk of vaginal or bladder infection — more on why you might experience burning after sex here. And choose a well-maintained pool whenever possible!

A bit of planning goes a long way toward making pool sex genuinely enjoyable — though you might discover it just isn't your thing no matter the position. That's completely fine too! We've got plenty of other ideas to keep your sex life exciting.

December 4, 2020