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Original poster

Do you mind a seawater pool on holiday?

23 replies

Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:32

Just researching holidays and surprised how many have sea water rather than fresh water pools. I don’t think kids would like the salty seawater in the swimming pool. But maybe I am missing something? Lots of very nice hotels seem to have them?

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 12/12/2023 12:36

I prefer it.

All2Well · 12/12/2023 12:38

By "fresh water" what you actually mean is chemically treated chlorinated water.

Sea water pools are healthier, better for the environment and the more natural of the two options.

Original poster
Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:39

Captainmycaptain do you mind me asking why ? Or is it just a general feeling ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:40

So the sea water pools aren’t treated ? (Sorry for my ignorance)

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 12/12/2023 12:41

We had one in Greece, honestly we all hated it and it pretty much spoilt the holiday!

Itsbeginningtolookalotlike · 12/12/2023 12:42

I like a salt water pool, more gentle than colouring. However we went on a cruise and the pools were actual sea water and it was very salty and drying.

BigBoysDontCry · 12/12/2023 12:42

We are a swim in the sea family as a preference, but where it's a pool we all prefer non sea water. I know that makes no sense, but it is what it is....

Ponderingwindow · 12/12/2023 12:42

Do you mean a saltwater pool that is kept clean and regulated or just one that has random seawater pumped in?

saltwater pools are wonderful. They feel much cleaner than chlorinated pools and are gentler on the skin.

if I ever have enough money to have my own pool, I would want a saltwater pool.

EasterMummie · 12/12/2023 12:43

Out of interest Tokyo what was it you didn't like?

I heard they are gentler on your skin?

Caspianberg · 12/12/2023 12:43

Much prefer. You can swim underwater without chlorine in eyes.

Original poster
Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:43

We have a local swimming pool here in the uk which is seawater and the kids like it for novelty but they do complain about the saltiness and the stinging eyes and prefer normal swimming pools generally. So I just am reluctant to go somewhere with a seawater pool for that reason. They don’t mind actual sea water just in a pool they aren’t so keen , but I wonder if perhaps they would come around to the idea

OP posts:
Original poster
Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:45

Oh I am not sure if they are sea water or salt water , maybe require more research. Thanks it’s really interesting to hear opinions on this

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 12/12/2023 12:46

As a child I found my eyes stung much more in the saltwater pool than the "fresh" water pool.

As an adult I choose to stay seafront and swim in the sea, but I would probably choose chlorinated pool over seawater for small children at least.

500milesaway · 12/12/2023 12:54

I ruled out hotels because of salt water pool (was thinking sea water) and then watched a program about them

Now I would book and give it a chance.

Original poster
Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:56

@500milesaway what did the prog say? I had not idea so interesting to hear about them being gentler on skin and better for environment. I suppose I should have realised all the chlorine is obviously not good for environment

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 12/12/2023 12:59

Wupity · 12/12/2023 12:39

Captainmycaptain do you mind me asking why ? Or is it just a general feeling ?

They are often refreshed daily by the tide. They are more buoyant and don't contain chlorine.

TokyoSushi · 12/12/2023 13:21

@EasterMummie this one was particularly salty, I think it was because the DC use the pool in a different way to the sea, so lots more jumping in off the side, going underwater etc. So lots of salty water in your eyes, mouth etc.

cheezncrackers · 12/12/2023 13:28

I've swum in salt water pools at hotels, but they aren't filled with untreated seawater! I much prefer them, because they don't make your skin smell, the chemicals are more gentle on skin than chlorine, and they don't bleach swimwear.

snowlady4 · 17/12/2023 20:14

Seems to be the in thing. My sister lives in Spain and paid a small fortune to have her pool system changed from chlorine to salt.- as did many of her neighbours.
They say it's far better for your skin, hair colour and eyes!- and reduces the maintenance required for a chlorine system.
I don't find it salty like the sea. It doesn't bother me at all.

mrsbyers · 17/12/2023 20:21

They tend to make my eyes hurt initially and can kick off sinus irritation

CoolShoeshine · 19/12/2023 15:04

My kids have eczema and won’t go in saltwater pools as it stings their skin.

Didiplanthis · 19/12/2023 15:16

Lots of places seem to be moving over to them... its seems to vary hugely what they are like.. the first one we came across was horribly salty and my children wouldn't go in it. Bit we have since been in others which were fine ! The hotels do seem to be trying with the environmental stuff. The pools are much colder as many don't heat if the outside temperature is above a certain level ( and the air con/heating is restricted too ) and saltwater over chlorine is definitely becoming more common.

minipie · 19/12/2023 15:16

Some pools use a system of breaking down salt (sodium chloride) tablets to make chloride ions - this kills germs without the downsides of chlorine. These pools are wonderful to swim in, they do not taste salty or leave salt on your skin or sting your eyes like seawater does, and they don’t irritate eyes or skin like chlorine pools do. The water tastes and smells like drinking water. (But wouldn’t recommend drinking a lot of it!)

An actual seawater pool, I would not like.

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