Dreaming about a swim spa in your backyard? You’ve come to the right place. Here we talk about all things swim spas: what are swim spas and how they are used, how to choose the right size, why buy Australian made swim spa, and the all-important detail: cost.
We’ll let you know exactly what is involved and guide you in choosing the best swim spa for you. Let’s dive in!
Whether you want to throw the kids in for a cool off, luxuriate in a mid-winter hydromassage, or perform some serious swim training, a swim spa is a great, affordable option.
Truly the best of both worlds, a swim spa is similar to a spa pool as they:
However, swim spas also have the benefits of a pool. Swim spas:
There are many different configurations, sizes, and depths. Let’s take a closer look at the details.
As you investigate before buying a swim spa, you may come across terms such as plunge pool or dualzone. These are a particular type of swim spas for different requirements. Below is a snapshot of how we categorise our swim spas to help you choose the best swim spa for you.
The classic all-year option. Highly customisable with a range of sizes, features, and swim jet choices. Each swim spa type can come in Classic, Premium, or Extreme, catering for child’s play through to extreme swim training.
Swim Spas offer many benefits over traditional pools, they are portable and self-contained, so there’s no need for excavation or plumbing work. They can replace a gym membership with fully adjustable swim jet configurations to ensure you can walk, run or competitively swim in your own backyard. Combining jetted massage jets allows you to also enjo the hydrotherapy benefits to soothe muscle aches and pains. Economical heating solutions turn your Sapphire swim spa into an all-season swimming pool solution.
A pool and spa combined. Dualzone splits your seated and swimming areas so more people can enjoy the pool, whatever they feel like doing. Dualzone are available in Classic and Premium options.
These are similar to a small pool with a generous open swim area perfect for families. This smaller pool heats quickly, has fewer seats, and low strength jets, perfect for a little resistance and rehab but not for swim training.
Find detailed specifications on each swim spa’s product page.
Sapphire Spas plunge pools offer a year-round alternative to traditional swimming pools. With efficient heating systems, you can keep the pool warm in winter and cool it down in summer. Additionally, including swim jets allows for light exercise or fun water play for kids.
Sapphire Spas are proudly Australian made and manufactured, providing warranty, care commitment across New Zealand and spare parts. Every swim spa is meticulously crafted from premium materials, and we can customise your spa to your exact requirements.
Using quality materials, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel frames, premium-grade acrylic shells, and robust plumbing and electrical systems, means your spa will stand the test of time. Not only that, because we don’t skimp on quality materials, you’re investing in a swim spa with great heating and insulation systems saving you from high heating and other unexpected costs down the track.
Read more about why Australian made spa pool are better suited for New Zealand climate.
Explore stunning Swim Spa installations throughout New Zealand and discover how these innovative aquatic features transform outdoor spaces into luxurious retreats. Whether nestled within lush gardens or overlooking breathtaking landscapes, each installation showcases the versatility and elegance of Swim Spas. From serene backyard oases to stylish poolside settings, these inspiring examples demonstrate the endless possibilities for enhancing your outdoor living experience with a Swim Spa.
M5 workout swim spa installation by Paramount Pools and Spa, Auckland
Swim Spa installed by Pool Clinic, Wanganui, New Zealand
Swim Spa installed by Spa Pools Otago, New Zealand
M6Watersedgeswimspa installed by Paramount Pools and Spa, Tauranga, New Zealand
As we’ve mentioned, the swim spa is a versatile piece of equipment satisfying a range of uses.
Swim spas provide resistance for use in physiotherapy as well as luxurious seating options for recovery and relaxation.
Our Extreme swim spas include jet settings to challenge even the strongest swimmers. Configure your spa just the way you like it with options to create an aquagym, complete with rehab and fitness benefits, and for simple enjoyment.
A splash with the kids in the heat of summer or a relaxation spot in winter, nothing beats a swim spa!
Swim spas typically range from 3m to 6m in length and are 2.3m wide and 1.3m deep. To choose your optimal size, think about the following areas.
Compared with their larger cousins, the inground pool, swim spas are versatile when it comes to positioning them on your property. As well as the backyard, swim spas sit nicely on a deck or patio, or in the sunroom or garage. Talk to our retailers across New Zealand for positioning recommendations and inspiration.
Remember! Allow extra space around the swim spa for the floor pad, accessing each side of the spa, external heaters, safety gates etc.
The myWorkout Series Swim Spas offer an exercise solution that is both effective and gentle. With the natural buoyancy of water, your workout becomes a low-impact activity, easing strain on your joints while maintaining mobility and flexibility.
Beyond serving as a fantastic workout space, the myWorkout swim spa offers additional benefits. Strategically positioned jets target key muscle groups, aiding in post-workout recovery. Utilize the powerful jet stream to strengthen muscles during your workout, or enjoy a relaxing soak after hitting the gym to facilitate quicker recovery and promote optimal muscle relaxation. Paired with a wholesome dinner with loved ones, it's the ideal conclusion to a productive day.
With myWatersedge Series swim spas, you can actively participate in your child’s swimming lessons right from the comfort of your backyard. This welcoming atmosphere cultivates water confidence, turning your spa into a dynamic learning center for the entire family to participate in and enjoy.
Available in lengths of 4m, 5m, and 6m, the myWatersedge swim spa presents an excellent alternative to traditional backyard swimming pools. As a portable spa, it offers a simpler installation process compared to conventional pools, sparing you from extensive structural modifications or labor-intensive construction work.
We’ve considered if you’ll use the spa primarily for fitness, therapy, or enjoyment. Now you need to think about who and how many people will use the swim spa. Is it the whole family at once where you’ll need space for seating and play? Do you want to maximise the number of people seated at once (we can cater for up to 12 seats)? Are there young tots who can sit in the shallows of a plunge pool while you enjoy the depths?
You can find the recommended maximum people on swim spa range.
Of course, budget plays a part in how big we can go. Think about what you can reasonably spend on a swim spa. Our spa retailers across New Zealand are happy to recommend the best swim spa options for your budget. We strongly recommend you choose a quality spa as cheaper materials can end up costing you far more in heating and reduce the lifetime of your swim spa. We talk budget in the next section.
With a wide variety of sizes and features, there’s a swim spa to suit your budget. As a guide, an Australian-made, quality swim spa starts at around $15,000 and ranges up to $40,000 depending on your size, features and equipment. This is a little more than the average spa pool but a fraction of the cost of a traditional pool. And with the versatility to use throughout the year, swim spas offer bang for your buck.
On the less expensive side, you can’t go past our plunge pools. With a single pump, simpler plumbing, and strategically removed jets, we’ve created these to be big on enjoyment for a smaller budget.
If you’re looking for a larger swim spa, powerful jets, numerous pumps, elaborate plumbing, extra features, there are plenty of spas in the range, with optional extras if budget allows.
You’ll also need to consider the ongoing costs of heating and running the pool.
The quality of your swim spa, its size and features, as well as your climate, the seasons, and electricity prices all affect running costs. Based on an average 6,000 litre swim spa, we estimate the average running cost at $9*per day—a little less in summer and a little more in winter.
To reduce running costs, choose a quality swim spa with an external heat and cool pump; these come as standard in most Sapphire swim spas.
*Disclaimer: The electricity cost may fluctuate; however, the figures provided are as accurate as possible at the time of writing.
Ready to decide and buy your very own swim spa? Read our spa customer reviews, then come and see our spas in action at our retailers across New Zealand. Get inside, try out the seats, and see how roomy they really are.
Happy exploring for the perfect spa!