Fort Myers' Custom Pool Tanning Ledge Specialists
Florida sunshine deserves a pool that’s built for it. A custom tanning ledge from A&E Pools, LLC gives you a shallow, sun-soaked platform right inside your pool — perfect for lounging in the water, cooling off without fully submerging, or watching the kids play in a safe, manageable depth. Also known as sun shelves or Baja shelves, tanning ledges are one of the most popular and functional pool features we install throughout Fort Myers and Southwest Florida, and for good reason: they make every pool more enjoyable for every member of the family.
A tanning ledge is not just a design trend; it is a genuinely functional feature that changes how your family uses the pool every day. Relaxing on a lounger in a few inches of water, giving young children a safe splash zone, or hosting fountain bubblers that add movement and sound: a tanning ledge delivers more value per square foot than almost any other pool feature. We have designed and built them across Southwest Florida since 2017, backed by more than 10 years of experience building pools and features that last.
As a licensed (CPC1459515) and insured contractor and proud FSPA member, we engineer every ledge to exact specifications: correct depth, proper drainage slope, flush integration with the interior finish, and strategic placement that maximizes sun exposure through the day. Bubblers, umbrella sleeves, and LED lighting are coordinated through your pool automation system, so the ledge is as convenient as it is beautiful. We serve homeowners throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties.
There is more to a great tanning ledge than adding a shallow shelf to one end of the pool. Placement, size, depth, shape, and orientation to the sun all decide how much you actually use it. A ledge positioned to catch full afternoon sun gets far more use than one shaded by a roof overhang. We design ledges in a range of sizes, from compact entry shelves just wide enough for a lounge chair to full-width platforms spanning an entire end of the pool, with depth typically kept between 9 and 12 inches: shallow enough for loungers and toddlers, still refreshingly cool.
For added features, we frequently build in-floor bubblers that push water up through the ledge surface, a spa-like effect children love, plus umbrella sleeves set flush into the ledge for shade without deck clutter, and flush-mounted LED lighting controlled through the Pentair app. All finishes, Florida Stucco, StoneScapes, and NPT, are matched to your pool for a completely cohesive look. Visit our Fort Myers showroom to see samples and talk through the possibilities.
A tanning ledge becomes even more of a destination with the right complements. Add bubblers and pair them with Water Features elsewhere in the pool for a layered water experience, position Fire Features near the ledge for an ambient after-dark glow, or anchor the other end of the pool with a Spillover Spa: a relaxing lounge entry on one side, a therapeutic hot spa on the other.
Going all in on your pool design? Explore the full range of Pool Features & Add-Ons, including Swim-Up Bars, water features, and fire elements, every feature designed to work together as one resort-style environment. Flexible pool financing options through Lyon Financial, HFS Financial, and Viking let you include everything you want from day one.
Yes. We design and install custom pool tanning ledges, also called sun shelves or Baja shelves, throughout Fort Myers and Southwest Florida, including Naples, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Beach, Sanibel Island, Babcock Ranch, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and North Port. Every ledge is custom-designed to match your pool’s dimensions, finish, and hardscape for a fully integrated result.
A tanning ledge, also called a sun shelf, Baja shelf, or wading shelf, is a built-in shallow platform at the entry end of a pool. It typically sits 9 to 12 inches below the surface, ideal for reclining on a lounger while staying cool, giving young children a safe play area, and hosting features like bubblers and umbrella sleeves. It is one of the most versatile, family-friendly features a custom pool can have.
Absolutely. In-floor bubblers create a gentle fountain effect enjoyable for all ages, umbrella sleeves go flush into the surface so shade never means deck furniture in the way, and LED lighting can be embedded in or near the ledge. All bubbler and lighting controls integrate with the pool automation system, managed from your smartphone.
They are most commonly and cost-effectively incorporated during new pool construction, built as a structural part of the shell and plumbing from the ground up. Adding one to an existing pool is a bigger undertaking involving structural modification and pool resurfacing, with feasibility depending on your pool’s shape, size, and construction. We assess honestly during a free consultation and tell you whether a retrofit is practical for your situation.
The same premium finishes as the rest of your pool: Florida Stucco, StoneScapes, or NPT. We match the ledge to your pool’s interior for a seamless appearance, with edge and water line tile coordinated to the overall design. View every option in person at our Fort Myers showroom.
Placement relative to the sun is one of the most important design decisions we make, and something many homeowners only think about after the pool is built. In Fort Myers, where the sun travels predominantly in the southern sky, we typically recommend positioning the ledge on the north side of the pool for maximum direct sunlight through the day. We analyze your property’s orientation, surrounding structures, and tree cover during design to place the ledge where it earns its keep. This is the detail that separates a ledge you use constantly from one that sits in the shade.
Planning a new pool or upgrading your existing one, A&E Pools designs and builds custom tanning ledges that are functional, beautiful, and made for Florida’s year-round outdoor lifestyle. See finished ledges in our project gallery, then contact us for your free, no-obligation consultation.
