How to Enjoy Your Hot Tub in the Rain: Embrace the Elements

May 28, 2025 Max Piggott

For many hot tub owners, rain means keeping the cover on and waiting for it to pass. But a soak in light rain can be one of the most relaxing ways to use your spa.

With a bit of shelter and a few sensible precautions, a rainy soak can be calm, cosy and memorable. Here is how to enjoy your hot tub in the rain safely and comfortably.

Why soak in the rain?

Warm water and cool drizzle are a lovely combination. A soak in light rain can:

help you clear your head and lift your mood
give you a soothing background sound to relax to
feel refreshing and peaceful
make for a romantic or quiet, reflective evening

As long as there is no lightning or strong wind, there is no reason to stay out of the spa just because it's raining. When a proper storm is forecast, follow our storm checklist for hot tub owners instead.

Tips for a safe, comfortable rainy soak

Add some shelter

A little rain is refreshing, but you don't want to be soaked through. Consider:

a pergola, gazebo or parasol to keep off the worst of it
a clear polycarbonate roof so you stay dry and can still see the sky
outdoor curtains or privacy panels to block the wind

Make it cosy

A few extras make a rainy soak feel like a treat:

waterproof LED lights or candles
a tray of warm drinks nearby, such as herbal tea or mulled wine
a dry towel or robe within reach
a Bluetooth speaker for some quiet music

Check the water afterwards

Rain can dilute the water and change its balance. After a long soak in wet weather:

test the pH and sanitiser levels
add shock if needed
check the filter for debris blown or washed in

Watch your step

Wet surfaces are slippery. Always:

use anti-slip mats on decking
have a spa step with a grippy surface
consider handrails if your hot tub is raised on a platform

Safety: when not to use your spa

Don't use your hot tub during:

thunderstorms or lightning
strong winds
flooding
Electrical components and water don't mix in dangerous weather. If in doubt, stay out.

Rain, wind or storm: when to soak and when to wait

Not all wet weather is the same. Use this as a quick guide before you take the cover off.

Conditions	Soak?	What to do
Drizzle or light rain, little wind	Yes	Have a towel and robe under shelter, and put the cover back on as soon as you get out.
Steady rain	Yes, ideally under cover	A gazebo or pergola keeps rain off your head and stops the water level creeping up while the cover is off.
Strong or gusty wind	No	Keep the cover strapped down. Wind can catch an open cover and damage the hinge, the straps or a cover lifter.
Thunder or lightning	No	Get out straight away and stay indoors until the storm has passed.
Flooding around the spa	No	Switch off at the isolator if it is safe to reach and do not use the spa until a qualified person has checked the electrics.

Staying safe in wet weather

Rain does not make the water itself any less safe, but it does change the area around the spa. A few habits make a big difference.

Light the route. Rainy evenings get dark early. Low-level path lighting between the back door and the spa makes it much easier to see puddles and steps.
Use a step with drainage. Our Universal Spa Step is slip resistant and has water drainage channels, so it does not hold a film of water on the tread. You will find steps in our spa accessories range.
Get in and out slowly. Hold the edge of the spa, keep one hand free and never jump in. Acrylic tops and wet decking are both slippery.
Keep electrics protected. Never bring a mains-powered radio, heater or lamp near the spa. Use the spa's own lighting and audio, or battery-powered waterproof lights.
Keep chemicals indoors or in a sealed box. Rain can soak through cardboard packaging and damage the contents.
Never soak alone in bad conditions. If the weather turns, you want someone else around.

Looking after the cover in the rain

The cover is your spa's best protection against wet weather, and it needs a little attention of its own when the weather turns.

Clear standing water. Rain collects in dips on top of the cover. Brush it off regularly. Standing water is a drowning risk for small children and adds weight that strains the cover.
Keep the straps locked. Cover straps and locks stop the wind lifting the cover and stop children getting into the spa.
Do not let the cover sit in a puddle. When you take it off, fold it onto a cover lifter or stand it somewhere dry rather than laying it on wet ground.
Add a weather guard. A cover guard sits over the cover and protects it from harsh rain, ice, snow and tree sap. A weather guard / spa cap fitted over your cover adds an extra layer of protection from the rain.
Watch for a heavy cover. If the cover feels much heavier than it used to, the foam inside may be taking on water. A waterlogged cover insulates poorly and should be replaced.

A cover lifter makes a rainy soak far more pleasant, because you can fold the cover back in seconds and have it on again quickly when you get out. A top-mount lifter needs about 25 cm of clearance behind the spa.

Temperature settings for a rainy soak

Cool rain on your head and shoulders makes the water feel cooler than it is, which can tempt you to turn the heat up. Keep within the normal range instead.

Canadian Spa Company hot tubs can be set between 26°C and 40°C. Do not try to go above 40°C.
Set the temperature well before you plan to get in and keep the cover on while it heats. Opening the spa to check on it lets heat escape into the cold air.
If you are staying in for a while, a slightly lower setting is more comfortable than a very hot one, and you are less likely to overheat.
Keep the cover on between soaks on wet days. An open spa loses heat quickly in cold, damp air and the heater has to work harder to recover.

Shelter options at a glance

Option	Rain protection	Good to know
Gazebo with sides	High	The Fraser Gazebo has two protective sides, a sloped roof with a central skylight and a 2.7 x 2.7 m interior that takes a hot tub up to 228 x 228 cm.
Pergola with a solid or louvred roof	Medium to high	Breaks the wind while leaving airflow for steam. See our guide to choosing a pergola, gazebo or canopy.
Canopy or awning	Low to medium	Quick to add, but driving rain still gets in.
Parasol	Low	Fine for drizzle. Take it down in wind.

Hot tub in the rain FAQ

Is it safe to use a hot tub in the rain?

Yes, in light or steady rain with no wind, thunder or lightning. Take extra care on wet steps and decking, and get out at the first sign of a storm.

Does rain affect the water chemistry?

It can. Rain dilutes the water and can shift the balance, and wind-blown debris adds to the load on the filter. Test pH and sanitiser after a long wet soak and adjust as needed.

Can rain make my hot tub overflow?

If the cover is left off in heavy rain the level will rise. Keep the cover on when the spa is not in use, and check the water sits about 25 mm above the waterline after very wet spells.

Should I leave the cover off to let rain top up the water?

No. Rainwater is unbalanced and carries debris from the air and nearby trees. Top up with the hose through the filter housing instead and rebalance afterwards.

Will the rain damage my hot tub?

Canadian Spa Company hot tubs are built for outdoor use all year round, so rain itself will not harm the spa. Keep the cover clear of standing water and strapped down, and protect the cover with a weather guard if your spa is exposed.

Ideas for a rainy soak

Quiet soak: close your eyes and listen to the rain hitting the water.
Date night: dim the lights, play soft music and share a warm drink.
Thinking time: bring a waterproof notepad and jot down ideas.
Hot and cold: use a Chill Tub before or after for contrast therapy outdoors.

You don't need perfect weather to enjoy your spa. Light rain can make a soak feel even more special, like having your own private spa.

Keep safety in mind, keep the spa protected and enjoy it. A bit of rain is no reason to miss a soak.

Choosing a hot tub?

Compare our hot tubs and swim spas, or visit our showroom near Gatwick.

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