The temperature's climbing. The sun's shining. What better way to enjoy steamy weather than having sex in the water? 

Just like eating on a patio or having a picnic makes meals more fun, being intimate in new places can spice up your sex life. But before you strip off your bathing suit and get wet, water sex requires a few precautions. Here’s what you need to know.

Can you have sex in water? 

Can you have sex in a hot tub, pool, lake, or ocean? Of course. But just because you can doesn’t mean you always should.

The reality is a bit more complex than those steamy romance movies lead you to believe. This is because of potential bacteria, irritation from pool chemicals, and dryness from a lack of lubrication. Thankfully, there are tons of ways to make getting it on in a pool, hot tub, or natural body of water safe and comfortable. The first thing you should do? Learn about the risks.

Is it safe to have sex in water? Pros and cons 

Having sex in water can add a fun twist to intimacy, but it's not a perfect practice. Here's a list of pros and cons so you can decide whether it’s right for you: 

Pro: Buoyancy  

Your body experiences less gravity in water, making it easier to experiment with different sex positions — particularly ones you find challenging on land. Feeling lighter in your body can make you feel more flexible, which can help you and your partner explore new things easily.  

Pro: Increased sensory experience 

Water sex can be a sexy sensory experience. The water against your skin can intensify physical sensations, heightening pleasure during foreplay and intercourse. This unique environment also stimulates your other senses, like sight and smell. 

Pro: Variety and excitement 

If you and your partner always have sex in your bedroom, on the couch, or in the car, mixing things up with a new location can be an exciting break from routine. Whether it's the privacy of a home shower or a secluded spot on the beach, changing the setting of sex can add some spark to your relationship. Just don’t do it somewhere you could get caught. 

Con: Risk of infections 

Is it safe to have sex in the ocean or another body of water? Most water environments, especially public ones like lakes and community pools, contain bacteria and other microorganisms that increase your risk of developing an infection. If you're planning on having sex in water, consider the cleanliness of the environment and whether it’s worth the risk.  

Con: Natural lubrication issues  

While you can have sex in a pool, bath, or other body of water, it's important to know that water washes away the body’s natural lubricant. This increases friction and makes vaginal intercourse less comfortable — and potentially painful. Always use lube during water sex, even if you don’t usually. 

Con: Broken condoms

Do condoms work in water? The short answer is sometimes. Water can compromise the effectiveness of condoms, contributing to slippage and breakage. This risk is heightened by reduced natural lubrication because the boost in friction can lead to tears and irritation. Try other methods instead, like hormonal birth control or diaphragms.

4 things you need to know before having sex in water 

Before you take the plunge, there are a few need-to-know essentials. A little prep and knowledge can mean the difference between a splash and a washout, so check out these four facts:  

1. You can still get pregnant 

Unfortunately, having sex in water doesn't magically prevent pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy from water sex and sex on land is the same because sperm can still reach and fertilize an egg. If you don't want to get pregnant, play it safe by using contraception or sticking to activities that don’t involve P-in-V. 

2. You may get a urinary tract infection (UTI) or yeast infection 

Mixing sex and water can boost your chances of coming down with a UTI or yeast infection. These infections happen because the water pushes bacteria up into the urethra or vagina, upsetting the balance in those delicate areas. The risk increases if the water quality is poor or contaminated.

3. You can still get sexually transmitted infections (STIs) 

Having sex in water also doesn't lower your chances of transmitting or contracting STIs. If anything, the added complications of having sex in water — like broken condoms — can make having safe sex practices more difficult. Use a different birth control method if you can, and as always, get tested regularly.

4. Foreplay might be risky 

Foreplay, oral, and hand stuff also have their risks. This is because sexual activities like digital penetration, AKA fingering, can quickly introduce bacteria to sensitive areas like the anus or vaginal canal, increasing your risk of contracting an infection. This is just another reason to carefully consider the cleanliness of the water you're playing in. 

6 tips for having water sex 

If you want to make water sex more fun and less risky, these tips and tricks will get you on the right track. Here are six ways to improve your experience: 

1. Find a private spot: Choose a secluded area for privacy so you and your partner are comfortable and undisturbed. Whether it's a private pool or a far-off area in nature, avoid picking somewhere with too much foot traffic. Don't give non-consenting folks a show they didn't sign up for. 

2. Stay close to the shore: If you choose a natural body of water, stay safe by staying close to shore. This allows you to quickly switch to dry land if needed and avoid non-sexual risks like drifting too far off or getting too tired to swim back.

3. Use silicone-based lube: Water is the anti-lube. Invest in a high-quality, silicone-based lube that won't wash away to keep things slick. Bonus tip: Silicone lubrication is safe for most condoms and some sex toys. Just don’t use it in natural environments because it could disrupt the ecosystem.

4. Put the condom on first: Have the penetrating partner slip a latex condom on before going underwater to help avoid trapped water or slippage. Because condoms may tear more easily in water, especially with added chemicals like chlorine, consider other methods of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy. 

5. Take it slow: There's no need to rush when you're having water sex. Take things slowly to reduce the risk of slips, avoid too much friction, and enhance intimacy. 

6. Consider saving penetration for dry land: Sometimes, the best part of sex is the build-up, so consider using the water for erotic foreplay. Once you're both in the mood, move things somewhere private on land to get the best of both worlds. You’ll reduce risks and make penetration more pleasurable.

The best positions for water sex 

Having sex in the water is awkward because you can’t just lie down like you would on a bed. The best positions are the ones that help you feel stable — without getting a mouthful of water. 

Positions where the penetrating partner stands and the receiving partner wraps their legs around them work well because they make it easy to balance without losing your footing. A variation of a standing position is another option. Similar to doggy style, both partners have their feet on the ground, and the penetrating partner enters from behind. 

Sitting positions also work, particularly if you're in a space like a Jacuzzi with built-in seating. To try this out, have the penetrating partner sit, and the receiving partner can straddle them facing toward or away. These positions are supportive, so you can stay comfortable and safe and have sex for longer. 

Spice up your sex life with Quinn 

Want to explore water play without actually getting wet? Quinn audios can help. Immerse yourself in a steamy beach hookup in Beach Holiday, catch the eye of a handsome merman in Seas the Day, or experience a romantic nighttime walk along the water in It Comes in Waves.

The Quinn platform’s ethical erotic content is a fun way to spice up your sex life on land — and get to know more about your sexual likes, dislikes, kinks, and fetishes. 

To access thousands of narrated sex stories, guided masturbation sessions, and playlists, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.