Did you know you can enjoy a sauna by the sea? Well it seems to be the new way of enjoying this ancient form of wellness and that’s at the beach, with warm wooden boltholes popping up along the South West 660.
Saunas are known to have cardiovascular benefits, help soothe muscle aches, flush out toxins and aid deeper sleep. The word ‘sauna’ is old Finnish and means “earth” or “snow pit.” Saunas use dry heat produced from a stove or hot rocks to increase the rooms temperature to between 70 and 90°C with very low humidity.
According to the British Sauna Society, nearly 50% of the 86 public or pop up saunas in the UK are based near a body of water (correct at Feb 2024).
You’ll be pleased to know that there are 15 along the South West 660 with direct access to the ocean where you can hunker down, stay warm and enjoy a partial or full sea view, and combine it with a sea dip for highly effective hot and cold therapy.
Go solo and enjoy a communal sauna with like-minded folk, or book a private slot for you and a group of friends, with some seating as many as 12 people. Some have extra offerings – cold water baths, mud masks, salt scrubs, in addition to natures offering of sunrise, sunset and even full moon evenings too.
Here are all the Seaside Saunas that we’re aware of, along the 12 route sections of South West 660, all of which have private and communal sessions available.
Route 1 (Sandbanks to Weymouth):
The Saltwater Sauna, Sandbanks, Dorset
Dark wooden lodge style hut with quadrilateral viewing windows out to sea, this sauna is tucked away alongside the dunes. Why not book a 90 minute guided ritual which includes cool shower, scrub, mask and aromatherapy infusions.
Number of people: 4 people for guided session, up to 8 people for private and communal
Studland Sauna Hut, Knowle Beach, Dorset
With two saunas available, a cosy shed-like version and a larger rectangular one, both with viewing windows towards the sea. Sunrise and moonrise can be enjoyed here and sunset turns the cliffs behind the sauna pink. Age 14+ allowed.
Number of people: Cosy sauna allows maximum of 6, large sauna allows maximum of 10
Revive Wild Spa, Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth
Barrel shaped sauna, with a view of the fire and the sea. Private 30 minute family slot allows children aged 8+. Guided fire and ice experience available and sunrise can be enjoyed here.
Number of people: Maximum of 8
Route 2 (Weymouth to Lyme Regis):
Seaside Sauna Haus, Seatown, West Dorset
Positioned on the seafront, this cedar wood ‘squircle’ sauna has a small viewing window, L-shaped seating and water buckets outside for a cool down if the sea isn’t your thing. You can enjoy both sunrise and sunset here depending on the time of year. Full moon saunas highly recommended. No communal sessions here, and children over 4 years old can take part.
Number of people: Maximum of 6
Shoreline Sauna, Lyme Regis, West Dorset
Domed hut with porthole viewing window out onto the harbour wall and sea, with water buckets for a cold splash if you’re up for it, and of course the sea!
Number of people: Maximum of 6
Route 4 (Exeter to Dartmouth):
Halogi Fire and Ice Sauna, Brixham, South Devon
Situated just above Shoalstone Sea Pool, this horsebox sauna is a short waddle away from a cooling sea dip. They also have 3 fantastic Urban Ice Tribe ice baths to dunk yourself into. 16 years and over welcome.
Number of people: 5 for communal sessions, 6 for private
Sea Kayak Devon, Blackpool Sands, South Devon
Set back from the shoreline, this barrel shaped sauna has two viewing windows out to sea.
Number of people: 4 for a communal session, 6 for private
Route 6 (Plymouth to St Austell):
Escape Swim, Carlyon Bay Beach, St Austell
Barrel shaped sauna with semi circle window to enjoy the views, where you can enjoy beautiful sunrises.
Number of people: 7 people for communal sessions, and maximum of 10 people for a private session
Route 7 (St Austell to Penzance):
Escape Sea Swim and Sauna, Maenporth Beach, Falmouth
Barrel shaped sauna with semi circle window to enjoy the views, where you can enjoy beautiful sunrises.
Number of people: 7 people for communal sessions, and maximum of 10 people for a private session
Route 9 (St Ives to Padstow):
Escape Sea Swim and Sauna, North Quay, Hayle
Barrel shaped sauna with semi circle window to enjoy the views, based on the slipway at North Quay, right by the riverside.
Number of people: 7 people for communal sessions, and maximum of 10 people for a private session
Olla Hiki Sauna, Newquay Cornwall
Rectangular sauna with landscape window giving views of the sea. You can enjoy add-ons including salt scrub and sauna infusions. They plan to move around South-West Cornwall, and are currently in this position until May 2024. From mid-May they will be at Watergate Bay Cliffs, and July to September they’ll be at Sea View Tipis, Bedruthan Steps.
Number of people: Maximum of 7
Route 10 (Padstow to Clovelly):
Saunas by the Sea, Harlyn Bay, Nr Padstow, Cornwall
Large rectangular sauna with big viewing window. Children over the age of 13 can join in, with under 16’s needing to be accompanied by an adult. Sunsets can be enjoyed here.
Number of people: Maximum of 10You can book an add
Ocean Soul Sauna, Bude, North Cornwall
With a panoramic half-moon window, this ‘squircle’ wooden sauna is on Crooklets Beach and has cold water baths in addition to the sea on its doorstep. Enhance your visit with an add-on of sea salt body scrub or clay face mask. Sunset can be enjoyed here.
Number of people: Maximum of 8
Route 11 (Clovelly to Lynton):
Saunas by the Sea, Baby Bay, Polzeath, Cornwall
Large rectangular sauna with big viewing window. Children over the age of 13 can join in, with under 16’s needing to be accompanied by an adult. Sunsets can be enjoyed here.
Number of people: Maximum of 10
Sea Sauna, Saunton Sands, North Devon
‘Squircle’ wooden structure with floor to ceiling tinted privacy glass window, viewing out to the sea. Complimentary essential oils are included.
Number of people: Maximum of 12 people
Thanks to our wild swim enthusiast and contributor Lauren Heath for sharing these.
