A spray diffuser for a pool cleaner is coupled to the end of the tail sweep hose which expels pressurized water out of the end of the hose. The diffuser includes a flow shaping nozzle configured to form a diverging pressurized water stream. The shaping nozzle can be attached directly to the end of the hose with a flow obstruction of the shaping nozzle immediately adjacent the flow discharge. A dissipating portion dissipates the pressurized water stream when the spray diffuser is positioned above the surface of the water to prevent water spraying out of the pool.