What a tanning ledge is
A shallow, flat-bottomed extension of the pool shell, usually 5 to 8 feet wide and 6 to 10 feet long, at a depth of 9 to 12 inches. You can stand on it in water that's just above ankle-deep; you can sit on it in water that's just above waist-deep; you can place a chaise lounge on it and sit in the water. Most builds add two to four bubbler water features cut into the ledge, which produce soft arcing jets that double as visual interest and pool circulation.
How we build a tanning ledge that works
Size it for how you'll use it
A ledge sized for one person is a wasted ledge. A properly sized ledge fits two chaise lounges with space between them, or four adults sitting. Under 40 square feet is cramped.
Sized so the pitch disappears
Like the rest of the pool floor, a tanning ledge has a slight engineered pitch, about 1/8 inch per foot, toward the main drain so debris and rainwater wash off. Sized large enough across the slope, that pitch is imperceptible underfoot and a chaise lounge sits flat. Sized too small, the slope shows up as a chair that tips or a corner that holds leaves.
Bubblers installed to spec
We plumb the bubblers on their own zone so you can run them independently of the main filtration. Two to four bubblers is usual; six is ambitious.
Sun-exposure planning
The ledge orientation determines whether you're getting afternoon or morning sun. We talk through where the shadows fall before the hole is dug.
- Families with young children, the shallow depth is safe and usable
- Adult-focused backyards where loungers and cocktails matter more than lap swimming
- Remodels where we can cut a ledge into an existing shell
- Builds with budgets around $100,000 and up, the ledge is one of the features homeowners use most
Tanning Ledge / Baja Bench / Sun Shelf Design, frequently asked.
What's the difference between a tanning ledge, Baja bench, and sun shelf?
They're the same thing. Builders use different names regionally. Baja bench is more common in Arizona and California; sun shelf is more common in Texas and Florida; tanning ledge is the catch-all term.
Can I add a tanning ledge to my existing pool?
Yes. It's one of the more common remodel features we cut into existing pools. We remove a section of existing shell, extend the pool footprint by the ledge dimensions, shoot new structural walls, and match the new surface to the rest of the pool. Budget $12,000–$18,000 for a ledge addition on an existing pool, versus around $1,000 built into new construction.
How deep should a tanning ledge be?
9 to 12 inches. Any shallower and water evaporates too fast and splash-outs are constant. Any deeper and you can't comfortably sit on a chaise lounge without half your body underwater. 10 inches is the sweet spot for most Inland Empire backyards.
Do I need bubblers on a tanning ledge?
Functionally no, the ledge works without them. Visually and acoustically they're worth it. Two bubblers at $650 and up each (installed) add roughly $1,300 to the build and turn a static ledge into a water feature. Almost every ledge we build includes at least two.
