Maternity Swimwear Australia: One-Pieces, Bikinis and Tankinis
For maternity swimwear in Australia, start with a one-piece with room through the tummy and adjustable straps. Ripe’s Ultimate One Piece is worth a look for regular pool use; its Tie Front One Piece suits beach days and occasional swims. Prefer two pieces? Cake’s Shake Nursing Tankini offers fuller-bust sizing, while Ripe’s Monterey Nursing Bikini has nursing clips but very limited stock.
Updated October 2026. We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This is a researched shopping guide based on Australian brand listings, garment details and available sizes. The best swimsuit is the one that fits your bust and body comfortably now. Prices are left out because sale offers and size availability can change quickly.
Maternity swimwear at a glance
| Swimsuit | Worth considering for | Main detail to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe Ultimate One Piece | Regular visits to a chlorinated pool | Non-nursing design; adjustable straps |
| Ripe Tie Front One Piece | A gathered maternity one-piece | Removable bust pads and back clip |
| Ripe Dune Stripe One Piece | A patterned, nursing-friendly option | Rib fabric, adjustable straps and bust tie |
| Ripe Monterey Nursing Bikini | High-waisted maternity bikini with feeding access | Only XS was available when checked |
| Cake Shake Nursing Tankini | Fuller bust and two-piece coverage | D–G cup chart; label-misprint notice |
Stock was checked on the brands’ Australian storefronts. Some Ripe pages displayed conflicting availability messages, so the sizes noted below reflect the available variants at our check. Select your actual size before ordering. A size appearing in a chart does not mean it is in stock.
Five maternity swimwear options to consider
Ripe Ultimate One Piece: for regular pool use
The Ripe Ultimate One Piece in Black · Check price on Amazon AU is the most practical starting point here if you plan to swim regularly. Ripe describes its polyester fabric as chlorine resistant. It has tummy gathers, removable bra cups and adjustable straps that can also cross over at the back.
Those adjustments give you something to work with if the shoulder fit needs tweaking. Try both strap arrangements before deciding whether the suit feels secure when you reach forward. A swimsuit that looks right standing still can feel quite different during a stroke.
The limitation is feeding access: this is labelled non-nursing. It may still earn a place in your wardrobe after pregnancy, but do not buy it expecting drop-down cups. At our check, XS through XL were available; XXL was unavailable. Choose it for the pool-oriented fabric and adjustable fit, rather than a promise that one size will last your whole pregnancy.
Ripe Tie Front One Piece: for a classic maternity shape
The Ripe Tie Front One Piece in Black · Check price on Amazon AU has a V-neck, a tie at the bust, adjustable shoulder straps and a back clip. Ripe lists removable bust pads and gathers at the hips to accommodate a bump.
It is worth comparing with the Ultimate if you want a different neckline or a one-piece for a mix of beach and pool visits. The clip closure is a useful detail to inspect closely in the photos: make sure the back arrangement is something you can comfortably fasten yourself.
This suit uses polyamide and elastane, rather than the Ultimate’s chlorine-resistant polyester. Ripe’s care instructions call for rinsing after use, cold hand washing and drying in the shade. It is a reasonable shortlist option for occasional swimming, but frequent pool users should compare the fabric care requirements.
XS to XL were available when checked. XXL appeared in the range but was unavailable. Do not assume that sizing up automatically gives better bust support.
Ripe Dune Stripe One Piece: for a nursing-friendly patterned suit
The Dune Stripe One Piece in Washed Indigo/White · Check price on Amazon AU offers an alternative to plain black. Ripe lists stretch rib jersey, a V-neck, adjustable straps and a tie at the bust, and describes the suit as nursing friendly.
That makes it worth a look if you want to wear your maternity swimmers into the feeding months. Nursing friendly is still a detail to investigate: check how the fabric and tie move to allow access, and whether you would be comfortable feeding that way.
The rib texture is a style choice, not evidence of extra bust support. Compare your measurements with the chart and pay attention to the neckline in the larger product images. XS through XXL were available in the live listing at our check.
Choose this for its pattern and feeding-friendly design. If easy clip-down access is your main requirement, compare it with a swimsuit that explicitly has nursing clips.
Ripe Monterey Nursing Bikini: a limited-stock two-piece
The Monterey Nursing Bikini in Black · Check price on Amazon AU has a V-neck top with adjustable straps and clip-release nursing access. Its high-waisted bottoms have gathering across the belly.
This suits someone who prefers a bikini but wants more tummy coverage than an under-bump brief. The two-piece design also means you do not have to pull a wet one-piece down for every toilet visit.
There is a significant catch: only XS was available when checked. S, M, L and XL were unavailable, and the listing was marked final sale. Treat it as a possibility for a matching size, rather than the general recommendation for maternity bikinis.
Check the final-sale terms before paying and make sure both halves of the set suit your measurements. A good fit in the top is not enough if the briefs dig in. The clips are a documented feature; they do not establish how much support the top will provide for your particular bust.
Cake Shake Nursing Tankini: for fuller-bust coverage
The Cake Shake Nursing Tankini · Check price on Amazon AU is a two-piece set with a tankini top and briefs. The Australian listing describes D–G cup capacity, a racerback, hidden flexi-wire, removable pads, adjustable side drawstrings and drop-down nursing cups.
It is worth comparing if your bust needs more consideration than a general dress-size chart allows. Use Cake’s band-and-cup conversion chart for this exact style. The brand flags a label misprint and specifically directs shoppers to the online chart for sizing.
A tankini gives belly coverage with the convenience of separate pieces. The drawstrings let you adjust the sides, although that does not mean every torso length will fit equally well. The brand also flags final sale and excludes swimwear from its ordinary returns. Read the current terms before ordering.
The page offered purchase and indicated low stock when checked. Confirm the chosen size and colour before ordering. This is the fuller-bust candidate in our shortlist, but comfort around the flexi-wire and band remains a personal fit question. Nursing access is useful only if you also like wearing the suit.
How to choose pregnancy swimwear that fits
Start with current measurements
Measure your bust, underbust and hips, then use the chart for the exact garment. Your usual clothing size is a starting point, not a reliable substitute for those measurements. Brands can use different size ranges, and one style can fit differently from another within the same range.
Look for room through the tummy without a loose bust or seat. If you are shopping early in pregnancy for a holiday much later, adjustable straps and gathered fabric give you options, but no listing can guarantee how your body will change.
A longer torso can make a one-piece pull at the shoulders even when its width seems right. A two-piece may be easier to fit in that situation. If buying online, check whether the brand provides a garment length as well as a body chart.
Think about the swimming you actually do
For laps, ask whether the straps and neckline stay comfortable when you reach, turn and lift your arms. For beach days, you may care more about coverage, an easy toilet break and a design you feel happy wearing.
Repeated chlorine exposure is another reason to compare fabric descriptions and care instructions. Do not treat every stretchy maternity swimsuit as equivalent to a suit specifically described as chlorine resistant.
You also do not need dedicated maternity swimmers if your existing bikini still fits comfortably. Separate pieces can leave room for a bump, provided the top and briefs are not digging in or slipping. Buying a new suit is a practical choice, not a pregnancy requirement.
Separate maternity fit from nursing access
Maternity swimwear makes room for a pregnant body. Nursing swimwear provides a way to reach the breast, such as clips or movable fabric. Some pieces do both; others do only one.
Ask yourself whether feeding access is useful for the swimming you expect to do after birth. If you already own swimmers for later, it may make more sense to focus on a good pregnancy fit now. For wider planning, our newborn shopping checklist can help you decide what deserves space in the budget.
Plus-size maternity swimwear: look past the size label
An XL is not a consistent measurement across brands, and a chart ending at size 18 will not serve everyone. This shortlist has limited coverage beyond that range. We have not verified a broad-stock specialist option for larger sizes.
Compare bust capacity, underbust fit, hip measurements and torso length separately. If a set’s top and bottoms do not both suit you, look for separates that allow different sizes. A retailer’s general plus-size or maternity category is not proof that a specific swimsuit will fit.
Returns and care before you click buy
Read the swimwear return conditions before ordering, particularly for sale stock. Check whether hygiene liners and tags must stay attached, whether trying on over underwear is required, and whether a return gives a refund or store credit. Final-sale stock deserves extra care when choosing a size.
Try the suit on indoors according to those conditions. Reach up, sit down and bend gently to check the coverage and strap fit. Keep packaging until you have made your decision. Follow the garment’s own washing instructions rather than assuming it can go in with everyday clothes.
Swimming during pregnancy
Australian Government pregnancy activity guidance includes swimming among suitable activities and advises adapting exercise as your body changes. Talk to your GP or midwife about what suits your pregnancy, especially if you have complications or are starting a new routine.
For more ideas, see our guide to exercise during pregnancy. Planning a quiet week before baby arrives? Our maternity leave ideas cover other ways to use that time.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy maternity swimwear in Australia?
Ripe Maternity and Cake Maternity both have Australian storefronts with the verified styles linked above. Check the product page for your size, delivery destination and return conditions. Stock varies by colour and size, particularly in sale collections.
Can I wear a normal bikini while pregnant?
You can keep using swimmers that fit comfortably. A maternity bikini is useful when you want a different belly fit or nursing access, but the maternity label alone does not make it a better choice. Recheck bust and brief fit as your body changes.
Is a maternity tankini better than a one-piece?
It depends on your preferences. A tankini offers separate pieces and belly coverage; a one-piece avoids a gap between top and bottom. Torso length, bust fit and how often you need to take it off are more useful comparisons than choosing one style for every mum.
Should I size up in a maternity swimsuit?
Follow the exact brand’s chart using current measurements. Maternity cuts already allow extra room in certain areas, so automatically going up a size can leave other areas loose. If you are between sizes, check the brand’s advice and return terms.
What should I look for in plus-size pregnancy swimwear?
Look for actual measurements, suitable bust capacity and enough torso length. Confirm that the required size is available, rather than relying on an XL or XXL label. We could not verify a widely stocked option beyond this shortlist’s size range.
