If you want a pool where you can swim as well as enjoying all the benefits of hydrotherapy, a swimming spa could be the answer you’re looking for. These hybrid designs are becoming more and more popular in backyards across Australia.
But is a swim spa the only option if you want the best of both worlds? Here we take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of swimming spas and the alternatives available to you if a swim spa isn’t quite what you’re looking for.
What are swim spas?
As the name suggests, a swim spa is a larger version of a regular spa, which allows some room for swimming. It has spa jets installed, giving you all the hydrotherapy benefits of a spa. Turn the jets off, and it doubles as a small swimming pool.
Many people view swimming spas as a good compromise between the two – but they aren’t always the right choice for everyone.
What benefits do swimming spas offer?
Swimming spas are gaining in popularity because they can offer a number of important benefits:
1. Health
Swim spas are very good for your health as they give you a private place to swim in your own backyard. This means you are likely to swim far more often than if you have to visit the beach or a public pool.
Swimming has many health benefits, as it is one of the best all-round workouts. It uses all the muscles in your body without putting the strain on your joints associated with other sports like running. Swimming is great for:
- Improving cardiovascular health
- Building muscle strength and endurance
- Losing weight and burning calories – an hour of swimming burns off as many calories as an hour of running
- Reducing the risk of diseases including heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Swimming is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages, including pregnant women.
As swim spas also include hydrotherapy jets, these become even more beneficial for health. Hydrotherapy is regularly used to help people recovering from muscular injuries, as it speeds up the healing process and relieves pain. It can also help to alleviate the symptoms of health conditions, including MS and arthritis.
Additionally, hydrotherapy can improve the appearance and quality of the skin, as it helps the skin to release toxins.
2. Wellbeing
As well as the physical health benefits, swimming and hydrotherapy also offer advantages when it comes to wellbeing and improved quality of life.
Being in the water is shown to relax you and reduce stress and anxiety, which are becoming more common problems in today’s fast-paced world. Having your own swim spa enables you to dip in and calm down whenever you need to de-stress.
Swimming also increases your energy levels and gives you a more positive outlook, as well as improving your quality of sleep. This makes it a lot easier to face whatever life throws at you. It also boosts your immune system, so you’re less likely to catch colds and other inconvenient illnesses.
In addition, swimming can be a highly sociable form of exercise, as it’s something you can enjoy with friends as well as alone.
3. Convenience
Swim spas are highly convenient options for people who want to enjoy swimming and hydrotherapy on a regular basis. They are also ideal solutions for anyone who does not have a lot of space in their backyard, as a swim spa is much smaller than a regular swimming pool.
Are there any disadvantages to swim spas?
If you read any number of swim spa reviews online, you’ll quickly realise that the main disadvantage of a swimming spa is the lack of space. It is designed to be a cross between a swimming pool and a spa pool, so it is naturally smaller than a regular swimming pool. This can be frustrating for anyone who takes swimming seriously, as a swim spa doesn’t offer enough space for swimming laps.
As swim spas are designed around the hydrotherapy benefits as well as swimming, they tend to have larger seating areas than regular pools, like you might expect in a spa pool. This reduces the swimming area even further and can cause obstructions for swimmers.
Swim spas are also not ideal for families. The jets can provide too much current to be safe for young children who are not yet confident in the water, so they will need supervising much more carefully than they would around a regular pool. The design of a swim spa also does not offer enough room for families to play games in the water or all enjoy the pool together at the same time.
Are there any alternatives to swim spas?
If you want to enjoy all the benefits of hydrotherapy along with the swimming space offered by a regular pool, there is an alternative which might suit you better. A pool and spa combo truly offers the best of both worlds for those who have enough room for it.
A pool and spa combo is a full-sized swimming pool with a separate spa section. The two sections can be incorporated together as part of the same design, with the same styling and colours used, so they can look as if they’re part of the same pool. Alternatively, you can have one section raised higher than the other, to create an original and eye-catching design feature.
Pool and spa combos are an ideal choice for families, as they offer enough room for swimming and games together in the main pool while offering the option of a hydrotherapy section with larger, more comfortable seating for any family member who wants to relax in peace or has an injury. They are also a great choice for serious swimmers, who can use the spa section to relieve muscle tension after a serious workout in the pool.
Check out the swimming pool and spa combos we’ve installed to get inspiration for your new pool & spa project.
Pool/ spa combo and swim spa prices
When you’re making your choice between a swimming spa and a pool and spa combo, it’s important to look at swim spa cost in comparison to the larger alternative.
Swim spas cost between $30,000 and $55,000 on average for a high-quality model, although it’s possible to purchase a lower-quality version for a cheaper price than this.
In comparison, a pool and spa combo is much more expensive. This will cost you approximately twice the price of a swim spa. However, it offers a great deal more versatility and more benefits. As a highly functional and beautiful design feature, it will also increase the value of your home much more than a swimming spa, as it offers plenty of swimming space, which is what most home buyers are looking for.
Before you make your decision, it’s important to work out what you can afford, and talk it through with everyone else who will be using it, so you can choose the best product for your budget and lifestyle.
Swim spa prices in 2026 and beyond in Australia
In 2026, swim spa prices will continue to show a wide range depending on model, features, and installation region. For the Australian market, the average swim spa cost for a premium unit in major cities like Geelong or Melbourne typically falls between $31,000 and $55,000, with entry-level options starting from around $18,999 and ultra-premium models reaching up to $89,999 or more. Small-sized swim spas (about 4m to 4.5m) are priced from $31,000 to $35,000, medium units (4.5m to 5m) cost $35,000 to $40,000, and top-tier dual-zone spas (often 6m) can exceed $55,000.
It’s important to note that the swim spa cost extends beyond initial purchase. Running costs in 2026, powered by improved insulation and energy-efficient heat pumps, usually land in a range of $150 to $300 per month, or $1,800 to $3,600 annually, with possible savings when leveraging advanced heat pump technology. These prices remain much lower than for traditional in-ground pools, and with the benefit of year-round usability and reduced maintenance, swim spas remain an attractive investment for homeowners seeking an affordable fitness, relaxation, and aquatic therapy option.
Swim spa cost in Geelong and the surrounding area
For Geelong and the surrounding areas, swim spa prices are broadly in line with national 2026 averages, but local retailers offer a wide variety of models and customisation options tailored to the region’s needs. In Geelong, entry-level swim spas typically start from around $20,990, with mid-range and advanced models reaching up to $69,995, giving buyers plenty of choice for different budgets and backyard sizes. Well-known local providers and several national brands offer installation, after-sales service, and support directly in Geelong and nearby locales like Torquay and Victoria’s West Coast.
Swim spa dealers in the Geelong area emphasise features such as energy efficiency, hydrotherapy jets, and locally-made construction, often providing dedicated after-sales servicing and parts support. Customers in Geelong can visit bricks-and-mortar showrooms to explore options that suit both compact courtyards and expansive backyards, ensuring that the swim spa cost delivers value and longevity for local conditions. Many Geelong suppliers also offer portable and second-hand spas alongside new installations, helping match a broad spectrum of budget and lifestyle preferences throughout the region.
More information about swim spas and pool/ spa combos
If you would like to find out more about alternatives to swim spas, or you would like a pool and spa combo of your own in your backyard, please contact us. Our specialist team will be happy to advise you on all the options available.