The Trials and Tribulations of Underwater Sex

It does have a way of devolving into more trouble than it’s worth—but that was before you read this.

- Kayla Kibbe

The wet-and-wild hookup in the ocean/ pool/hot tub fantasy is a mainstay for a reason, but the often uncomfortable realities of water-based banging have left it with a reputation for being one of those better-in-your-mind sex things.

To be fair, there’s a lot working against it. Water has a tricky way of washing away your body’s natural lubrication, and an insufficiently lubed situation can lead to pain or vaginal or anal microtears (yikes). Worse yet, any bacteria lurking beneath the water’s surface is basically an infection waiting to happen, explains sex coach Lucy Rowett.

But fear not. If an aquatic sex sesh is a must-hit bucket list item for you, there are ways to turn this good-in-theory scenario into a very-hot-in-reality sexperience. The trick is leaning into the foreplay of it all instead of trying for actual underwater penetration. Before you dive into the deep end, wade on through this expert guide. 

IT’S ALL ABOUT OUTERCOURSE