As the summer heat kicks in, I’m always on the lookout for fun weekend activities to enjoy with my dogs. I’d been curious about Swimply—a platform that lets you rent private backyard pools by the hour—so I finally gave it a try. And let me tell you, it was pawfect for my water-loving golden retriever, KENZO!
In this post, we’re sharing how Swimply works, what our experience was like, and some helpful tips you’ll want to know before booking a pool day for your pup.
What Is Swimply? Rent Private Pools By Hour
Swimply is an online marketplace (and app!) that allows people to rent private backyard pools by the hour—think Airbnb, but for swimming pools.
Pool owners list their pools, and guests can browse, book, and enjoy a private swim. It’s a pretty cool option, especially for those looking for a more private and relaxed swimming experience with family or friends.
And yes—some Swimply pools are dog-friendly, letting you bring your pup along for the splashy fun!
I had a great time browsing Swimply’s dog-friendly listings, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a pool that was exclusively for dogs. That definitely made me hit the BOOK button right away!
Currently, there are over 15,000 Swimply pools available in 150+ cities across the U.S., Canada, and Australia—including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Toronto, Sydney, and more.
On the Swimply website, you’ll find listings with a dedicated pet swim option under the Pet Parks tab—pawfect for planning a swim day with your dog.
Swimply rental rates vary since each host sets their own hourly price. Rates depend on factors like location, pool size and features, amenities, guest count, and host reviews.
For KENZO’s swim session, it cost us $63.25, with the host allowing 2 human guests per 1 dog.
How Does Swimply Work? As A Guest
I booked my dog’s swim time directly through Swimply’s website, and it was surprisingly simple!
Here’s how it works:
1. Create an Account
2. Search & Browse – Look through available pools near your location
3. Book – Choose your desired day and time
4. Payment – All handled securely through Swimply
5. Confirmation – You’ll receive a “Booking Confirmed” email from Swimply (this is where you’ll find the exact address of the pool you booked)
When I booked, I included a message to the host to let her know it was our first time visiting her property.
After my booking was confirmed, the host responded with a warm welcome and shared helpful info on where to park and how to access the backyard pool.
Renting A Pool For My Dog To Swim – Our Experience
We rented a Swimply pool specifically so our dog, KENZO, could enjoy his own private swim day—and he absolutely loved it!
We typically take him to the Swim Club Bone Adventure for a 30-minute session, but Swimply rentals are booked by the hour, which was awesome. It gave KENZO enough time to swim, rest, and go again at his own pace.
Since this was our first time at the host’s property, she greeted us as we parked and let us know the pool was ready. She kindly directed us to the pool entrance.
To reach the backyard pool, we entered through the side of the house, passing through two gates. Overall, the backyard and pool were clean and well-maintained. Several umbrellas were set up around the pool to provide shade, which was a thoughtful touch.
There was an artificial grass area designated as a potty spot, though it did have a bit of a smell and could’ve used a quick clean.
The host also provided a few pool toys and a dog life jacket, though we didn’t end up using them.
One important note: the host requested that all dogs be brushed before entering the pool — which we made sure we did!
After brushing KENZO, we let him off-leash to explore the backyard and pool area. He wasted no time and jumped right in! The wide pool entry had steps, which made it easy for him to get out on his own.
It took us a little trial and error to figure out the best spot for KENZO to jump in. Since he loves launching himself into the water, I did get a bit nervous when he jumped too close to the pool’s edge. After testing a few spots, we found that the area near the artificial grass—also the deepest part of the pool—was the best jumping zone for him.
Also, there was some outdoor furniture on the far side of the pool (I kind of wish it wasn’t there), but KENZO didn’t care — he was all about jumping, swimming, and fetching his toy.
It was a hot day, and KENZO definitely had the best time cooling off with his very own Swimply swim session.
10 Tips: Things to Consider When Renting on Swimply
1. Not all pools are dog-friendly—double-check the listing or message the host to confirm.
2. Read the reviews! They can give helpful insights into the property and about the host.
3. Bring your own dog essentials: water toys, towels, brush, etc.
4. Potty your dog before entering the property.
5. Keep your dog leashed when arriving and entering the property.
6. Follow the host’s rules and always be respectful!
7. For your dog’s safety, supervise them at all times.
8. Be mindful of your booked swim time—don’t overstay.
9. Leave the property as you found it (or better!).
10. Adjust your expectations—remember, you’re renting someone’s private swimming pool. And don’t forget to leave a thoughtful review to help the host and future guests!
Is Swimply Worth It?
If your dog loves to swim and you’re looking for a private, fun, and new environment, Swimply can absolutely be worth it.
Based on our experience, it was totally worth it—and we’ll most likely book another swim day for KENZO.
In terms of cost, it’s actually cheaper than what we usually pay for a 30-minute session at the Swim Club Bone Adventure.
Renting a dog-friendly pool through Swimply gave us a great, low-stress experience and allowed KENZO to enjoy his swim day to the fullest.
If you’re thinking about trying a dog-friendly Swimply pool—go for it!
Use this Swimply link to get a $10 credit toward your dog’s first swim session.
