The BEST Beach Saunas in Wales

Wales, the glorious stronghold of the Celts! Even as an Englishman with an Irish passport, who sounds like an Aussie, when I do find myself visiting my English home, it is the wild beauty of Wales that calls to my heart. This gorgeous and untamed land of windswept mountains, spectacular sunsets, craggy coastlines and rolling hills, with its often charming and fun-loving inhabitants, is at the centre of my UK plans whenever I am visiting.

I’ve been lucky enough to explore Wales on a few occasions and have crafted some beautiful memories there, but my best experience in Wales was both hot and cold.

I’ll set the scene. You’re sitting in a cocoon of warmth, the sea gently lapping against the shore as the rain taps on the wooden roof. You feel your muscles relax with every breath of hot air before plunging into the icy waters of the ocean, giggling likely and jolting awake with a feeling of rejuvenation. This is when you are your most fucking alive, the stars studding the sky above you, a fire beckoning on the beach, the waves rolling against you and slapping sense and action into you!

Yes, my amigos, this is a beach sauna and cold plunge in Wales. Get excited because once you’ve experienced this invigorating rush of contrasts, you’ll be constantly thinking about returning. 

I know I am. 

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Why Beach Saunas in Wales?

I mean, why not, right? Beach, sauna, Wales… I’m sold! But seriously, Wales is the real gem in the crown when it comes to visiting the UK and what better way to embrace its natural beauty than indulging in some self-care right on the beach. 

Saunas have been a mainstay of wellness in many cultures across the world, from the Nordics to the Balkans and even the similar experiences of the Onsens, jjimjilbangs and Hamans of the East. 

Enveloping the body in warmth has been shown to relax the mind, loosen stiff joints, clear pores, lower blood pressure, boost blood flow and relieve muscle soreness. 

But why Wales? 

Well, if you’re looking to recharge, reset and relax, then Wales is the best destination in the UK. With a growing wellness scene, stunning outdoor landscapes, amazing wild swimming and THE best beach sauna experience, it’s the obvious choice. 

Wild wellness is all about us as humans reconnecting to nature, and by taking a sauna on the beach, you not only place yourself right in the middle of it, but you also give yourself the opportunity to take a memorable and scenic cold plunge too. 

It’s the definition of bliss and euphoria all at once. Trust me on this, the combination of hot and cold, all whilst being on one of the most ruggedly beautiful beaches in the UK, is LIFECHANGING! 

The Rise of Beach & Wild Saunas in the UK

Wellness tourism is booming all over the world right now. Think, people heading to Bali for Yoga retreats, meditation centres in India, Ayahuasca healing in Peru or fitness journeys in Thailand. But you don’t have to travel to the other side of the world to get involved in strengthening your mind and healing your body.

In fact, with a beach sauna in Wales, it’s all about embracing the raw, windswept shores of the UK, rather than escaping them. This is, instead, experience-based wellness, using the environment around us to inspire. 

Wales is ahead of the curve in this respect. Here, connecting with nature comes, well, naturally! It feels only fitting that this be the place where you can quieten your mind, stabilise your mood and rejuvenate your spirit. 

Of course, this being Wales, adventure is in its DNA. So stepping out of the warm embrace of the sauna into the cool waters of the sea completes the experience. 

Invigorating, grounding, unforgettable – That’s what a wild sauna in Wales is all about. 

The Best Beach Sauna in Wales: Ty Sawna, South Wales

Whilst the scene is still growing in the UK and there are a number of great beach saunas to pick from, my absolute favourite is Ty Sawna in South Wales. 

These traditional wood-fired saunas are situated right on the picturesque Oxwich Bay beach in the Gower, making them feel wild and remote whilst also being within a short drive or a scenic bike ride from Swansea City. They offer the perfect balance of accessibility and tranquillity. 

Offering two beautifully crafted bespoke Barrel Saunas, one which accommodates 8 people and the other 10, Ty Sawna is all about the community vibe of sauna experiences. With sweeping views out towards the Atlantic through the panoramic half-moon windows, you get both a cosy and authentic sauna experience whilst being able to soak in the stunning ocean views. 

Their philosophy is all about relaxing your mind, body and spirit in an environment in which you can escape technology and connect with yourself, those around you and nature. Whether you want a meditative space to quieten down your mind or a social vibe in which to connect with your friends, family, or new folks, they’ve created the ideal environment for that. 

Personally, I love my ice baths when I’m at home in Bali and getting in first thing is a big part of my day. However, compared to the natural plunge pool of the ocean, they are incomparable. The sheer feeling of invigoration that comes from stepping straight out of the sauna into the cool waters of the Celtic Sea is unparalleled. 

My ritual here is to spend 15 minutes in the sauna, meditating and doing some breath work, before dipping into the sea, cooling down and soaking in my surroundings. I’ll repeat this during my stay to gain the full benefits of hot to cold exposure. If you don’t fancy a dip, then using cold buckets or just stepping out into the cool air still gives you the full experience whilst allowing you to connect with nature. 

Throughout the year, Ty Sawna also organises events, guided rituals and community gatherings. These offer a wider experience where you can learn new practices, engage with the community or reconnect with the natural flow of the seasons. 

In particular, the Full Moon Sauna was a magical and enchanting experience, which included guided breathwork, allowing me to connect with the energy of the full moon. This was followed by a calming sauna session and salt scrubs before being rounded off by warm drinks, stories and laughs around the fire on a starry night. 

I also loved my experience of the fully guided 90-minute Sauna ritual. This immersive journey took me through the four elements: Air, Water, Fire and Earth. This carefully crafted sauna cycle allowed me to awaken my senses in a way I’d never done before. With grounding salt inhalations, natural body scrubs, aromatherapy infusions and thermal leaf whisking, I really was taken on a journey in both mind and body.  

I’ll be honest. This stuff is addictive, and the powerful feeling of rejuvenation afterwards always makes me long for a return when the stresses of work and the world start to creep back in. 

Thankfully, Ty Sawna offers great membership packages that make it easier to prioritise your well-being and make a commitment to regularly resetting and slowing down when your body tells you it needs a rest. With their packages, taking care of your mind and body is easy and affordable. Plus, staying in nearby Swansea makes it easy to access.

Practical Info For Ty Sawna:

• Location: 

Oxwich Bay beach, Gower Peninsula, near Swansea. 

• Prices:

£90 for 55 minutes for up to 10 people. 
Communal sessions £12 per person for 55 minutes. 

• Memberships:

5 Session Package – £65
10 session Package – £130
Communal sauna experiences to use as you wish over 12 months. 

• Facilities: 

Two saunas. Changing rooms. Showers. Storage boxes for valuables. 
Access to public toilets and parking. 

• Session Types:

Private, Communal and event-based guided rituals. 

• How to book 

You can book directly on the Ty Sawna website.

Other Saunas in Wales

Of course, whilst Ty Sawna is my personal favourite sauna in Wales, there are a bunch of others out there doing great work in different areas of the country. 

Sawna Bach – The Scenic Sauna (Anglesey & Llanberis)

With two locations in some of the most beautiful locations in North Wales, Sawna Bach is the ideal spot if you’re looking to mix it up between beach and lakeside saunas. 

Porth Tyn Tywyn on Anglesey is one of my all-time favourite beaches in North Wales. It offers that perfect combination of stunning scenery and rugged, unspoilt vibes that make you feel a world away from the stresses of day-to-day life. 

Offering group and private authentic wood-fired saunas, Sawna Bach offers flexible ways to visit. They also have membership packages, locals discounts, sauna packages and events like their full moon and Welsh language chat sessions. 

In addition to their beachside location, they also offer a different vibe at their Llanberis site, which offers cold plunges in Lake Llyn Padarn right in the heart of the mountains. 

Cedar Hut Sauna – Cwt Sawna Cedr (Anglesey)

Starting out as a lockdown project, Cwt Sawna Cedr offers a different approach. Their mobile, wood-fired sauna is made from Welsh Western Red Cedar, hence the name! Unlike others on this list, their locations rotate throughout the year to make the most of the changing seasons, tides and weather. 

Two of their most common locations are Trwyn y Penrhyn (near Penmon Point) and Lligwy Beach. Both offer a slightly different vibe. Trwyn y Penrhyn affords views across the Menai Strait and of the Carneddau mountains. Whereas Lligwy Beach is a wide open beach with shallow waters and rock pools, famous for its picturesque dunes. 

They offer a much more rustic and minimalistic set-up with the saunas being hand-made by Matt, one of the owners, from an old mobile home. They also offer shared (between 4-6 people) and private experiences as well as packages, passes and gift certificates. Plus, some of the best hostels in Wales are in the region too, so you’ve got somewhere to stay.

Casgen Sawna (Colwyn Bay) 

Casgen Sawna offers a kinda “pop-up” type of experience with their wood-fired barrel sauna at Porth Eirias. With 30-60 minute sessions on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am and the odd “sunset sauna club” on Wednesday evenings, it’s a much more low-key affair. But trust me, taking a cold plunge as the sun sets across the water is worth the wait. 

However, they still offer events where they team up with other local wellness providers, like their “Flow into Autumn”, which combines yoga, sea dips, sauna and embracing the changing seasons. 

Sawna Criccieth Sauna (Criccieth) 

Overlooking the stunning Cardigan Bay, Sawna Criccieth Sauna is a Scandinavian, wood-fired sauna perched above the eastern beach. They offer private sessions (up to 8 people) and shared (up to 6 people), as well as some great packages through their “Sauna Club”. 

It offers a different set-up to all the others on this list by having a two-tiered bench facing a long panoramic window, meaning it’s even easier to take in the views whilst relaxing. This also means beginners can choose the lower level for a more entry-level experience. 

For the cold plunge, they also offer a wider range of ways from their “cool-down” trailer, including an outdoor bucket shower, a cold water shower, a cold-water plunge pool and of course, the option to swim in the sea. This means that if conditions in the ocean are too rough, or you’re not a confident swimmer, you can still take a plunge. 

Sauna and Cold Plunge Benefits 

In case you were still wondering, here are just a few of the benefits of a sauna and cold plunge cycle. For me personally, this, alongside strength training, is one of the key foundations of looking after my mind and body. It ensures I’m in the best possible place mentally and physically to travel, work and nurture important relationships. 

Sauna Benefits –

Cold Plunge Benefits

Combined Hot – Cold Therapy

• Stimulates circulation and cardiovascular health
• Flushes toxins and lactic acid
• Strengthens your nervous system
• Leaves you feeling deeply refreshed, grounded, and alive

Practical Guide for Visiting A Sauna in Wales

If you’re planning on hitting up a beach sauna in Wales, then I’ve got a few practical tips so you can make sure you have the absolute best time… which you absolutely will! 

Fitting a sauna into your Wales itinerary is highly recommended, and these are the things you should know beforehand to maximise your enjoyment. 

Best time of year to visit a beach sauna 

Visiting a beach sauna is great any time of year, and the health and well-being benefits make it a commitment that should be fostered regularly. 

However, there are times of the year that can be even more enjoyable. 

At the extreme ends of the spectrum, winter and summer offer vastly different experiences where the cooling sea plunges or the warmth of the sauna might feel especially welcome or require that bit extra mental fortitude! 

That in itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but it should be factored in. That said, winter is particularly atmospheric, and the feeling of warmth that comes from escaping the cold air is a magical experience. At this time of year, you’re also going to gain the most from your cold plunge into the chilly Welsh sea! 

Personally, my favourite times of year are autumn and spring, when everything feels that bit milder and the transition between warmth and cool feels even more natural. Autumn still retains that dark atmospheric vibe, whilst spring always fills me with this feeling of rejuvenated energy and hope. 

What to Bring 

• Towels x 2

One for sitting on in the sauna and one to dry off with after your cool plunge or ice bucket. 

• Water

Stay refreshed during your sauna time by bringing a reusable water bottle. Most facilities have drinking water available for refills. Note that glass bottles are often not permitted. 

• Swimwear

Arriving with your swimwear underneath your clothing is the ideal way to prep for your sauna and transition seamlessly into your cold plunge. It’s also the best clothing to use for communal saunas. Make sure whatever you wear has no metal. 

• Flip Flops

These are ideal footwear for transitioning from the sauna to the beach. 

• Warm Clothes

Remember to pack some warm and dry clothing to change into after your session. A blanket is also ideal if you want to sit and relax on the beach afterwards. 

Things to Know

• Make sure to take off any metal jewellery or watches before heading into the sauna, as it can heat up and cause burns. 
• Avoid taking any electrical items, such as phones, inside as they generally don’t react well to the extreme heat. 
• Be sure to hydrate well before and after your time in the sauna, as it’s easy to get dehydrated. 
• Be sure to listen to your body, especially if you’re new to sauna. Don’t push yourself if you feel faint, dizzy or uncomfortable. 
• Build up the time you spend inside and try to keep it to a maximum of 15 minutes, get out, refresh with a 1-3 minute cool plunge and then go again. But be sure to start off small and see how you feel first. This goes for the cool plunge as well as the sauna. 
• Consult your doctor first if you are pregnant, have heart, blood pressure issues or other ongoing illnesses, if you’re unsure. 
• Nudity! Usually, if you book a private sauna, then yes, you can go “the German or Finnish way”. But you must make sure you’re covered up in communal areas and outside of the sauna. If you book a communal experience, then nudity isn’t usually permitted. In this case, swimwear is often preferred, but whatever you’re comfortable in, as long as it’s safe, is fine. But breathable, lightweight clothing you can swim in is recommended. 

Booking tips 

When booking your beach sauna experience in Wales, you should be sure to book as far in advance as you can, as they often book out at popular times of the year. This is one of the biggest tips for visiting the UK anyway, but definitely in terms of sauna experiences.

Also, check seasonal changes to operations and weather reports. Being out in nature might mean that during the winter, hours are reduced due to shorter daylight hours. Equally, weather can also play a part, and extreme conditions can mean cancellations or adjusted experiences. 

Be sure to also check out the events calendars for each place and see if these fit into your schedule or expected experience. These can be great ways to introduce yourself to the community and to sauna if you’re unsure. At the same time, you might prefer to go on a date where there isn’t an event on. It’s all up to you. Plus, these events usually sell out even further in advance. 

Be sure to check in advance the cancellation policy of the beach sauna you’d like to visit, just in case your plans change. Also, double-check and understand whether you’re booking a private or communal experience, so you know what to expect and to manage expectations before arriving to any surprises! 

Final Thoughts on Best Beach Saunas in Wales

Ok folks, there we have it. I hope you’re feeling pumped about trying a beach sauna in Wales, because I’ve already sneakily opened another tab to look for flights back to Swansea. Sorry, not sorry!

And whilst I recommended a beach sauna in Wales as a whole, I can honestly say that the experience, warmth, and community I found at Ty Sawna have made me want to return time after time. I particularly loved how their events allowed me to learn more about how to utilise saunas and other connected practices, which I was then able to work into my own routine. 

Being so connected to nature through beach saunas and sea plunges has been revolutionary in my personal journey of mental and physical well-being. Balancing training, work, travelling, starting new businesses and trying to maintain long-distance relationships with family and friends can be hard. But through my newfound love of beach saunas and nature-based wellness, I’ve been able to feel much more grounded and vastly reduce my stress levels. 

It turns out, you don’t have to fly halfway around the world to find peace; sometimes it’s waiting on a windswept Welsh beach.