Shallow 6–12" platforms perfect for lounge chairs, umbrellas, and kids. The most popular pool feature for Florida's year-round sunshine — included on nearly every new build.
Typical investment: $3,000 – $15,000
A sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or Baja shelf) is a shallow, flat platform in your pool — typically 6 to 12 inches deep — where you can place lounge chairs, umbrellas, or simply sit and cool off without fully submerging. It's the perfect spot for reading, lounging, or watching kids in the pool.
In Florida's year-round sunshine, sun shelves are the most requested pool feature. Nearly every new Macaw pool in Volusia, Seminole, and Flagler counties includes one. They're also a popular addition during pool renovations.
Every sun shelf is designed for your pool and how you plan to use it.
Shallow 6–12" deep platform, typically 5×10 ft. Perfect for lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shallow water lounging.
Larger 8×16+ ft ledge with room for multiple lounge chairs and an umbrella. Popular for families and entertaining.
Add gentle bubbling water features to your sun shelf — visual interest and the soothing sound of moving water.
Underwater LED lighting on the sun shelf creates a stunning nighttime focal point and improves safety.
Built-in sleeve in the shelf for a pool umbrella — shade exactly where you want it, no base needed.
Sloped entry that gradually descends from deck to pool depth — like a beach. The ultimate luxury shelf feature.
Sun shelf positioned below a raised spa, with warm water spilling onto the ledge — a warm, relaxing shallow area.
Add horizontal lounging jets to your sun shelf for a built-in water massage while you tan.
Any shape or size to fit your pool design — curved, rectangular, or freeform to match your pool's aesthetic.
We discuss how you plan to use your sun shelf — lounging, kids, entertaining — and design the right size and features.
On new construction, the sun shelf is designed into the pool from the start — no additional timeline. Included in the standard build.
Adding a shelf to an existing pool requires demolition of the affected area, rebar tying, gunite, and refinishing — typically 2–3 weeks.
Add bubblers, LED lighting, umbrella sleeves, or spillover features during the shelf construction.
Interior finish applied, shelf filled, and features tested. Owner walkthrough of all shelf features.
We build and service features across 9 counties.
Sun shelves (tanning ledges) are the #1 most popular pool feature in Central Florida — and it's easy to see why. A shallow 6–12 inch platform lets you place lounge chairs directly in the water, set up an umbrella for shade, let small children play safely, and stay cool without fully swimming. In Florida's year-round sunshine, a sun shelf dramatically increases how much you use and enjoy your pool.
Nearly every new pool built by Macaw Pool Builders in Volusia, Seminole, and Flagler counties includes a sun shelf. They're also the most common addition during pool renovations — adding a tanning ledge transforms an existing pool's usability without the cost of a full rebuild. Adding a standard sun shelf during new construction adds $3,000–$8,000 to the build; adding one during renovation costs $6,000–$15,000 due to demolition and refinishing.
Popular sun shelf upgrades include bubblers (gentle water features), LED lighting (dramatic nighttime effect), integrated umbrella sleeves (shade without a base), and beach/zero entries (sloped entry like a beach). The ultimate luxury is a tanning ledge with spa spillover — warm water from a raised spa cascades onto the shelf, creating a warm, relaxing shallow lounging area.
Standard sun shelves are 6–12 inches deep — enough to sit in, place lounge chairs, and stay cool without fully submerging. The exact depth is customized to your preference.
Adding a standard sun shelf during new construction costs $3,000–$8,000. Adding one during a renovation costs $6,000–$15,000 due to demolition and refinishing work.
Yes — sun shelves are the most common renovation addition. We demolish the affected area, tie in new rebar, apply gunite, and refinish. Typically takes 2–3 weeks.
Lounge chairs (with weights to hold them down), umbrellas (with a built-in sleeve), bubblers, and even kids' toys. The shelf is designed for lounging, shade, and safe shallow play.
Get a free consultation on adding a sun shelf to your new build or existing pool.
Property managers, pool owners, and builders — tell us what you need and we'll match you with the right certified technician.
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