Jane's Midlife Journey

The Saltwater Sauna is a collection of Finnish saunas in huts overlooking the beach. Here, you can relax in the sauna, whilst enjoying the stunning sea views through a panoramic window, then pop outside for a refreshing dip in the sea. And repeat…

How to get to the Saltwater Sauna

Sandbanks

The Saltwater Sauna has three locations : the first is on Sandbanks Beach, just past the end of Bournemouth Promenade, 4 miles west of Bournemouth. It can almost be reached via a pleasant stroll/cycle along the Promenade (at the end of the prom, at Shore Road, turn left and continue along Banks Road to reach Sandbanks). By car, it is a 5 mile drive from Bournemouth along the coast.

By Bus

The number 50 Breezer bus, which runs between Bournemouth and Swanage, and the number 60 Breezer bus from Poole both stop at Banks Road, a 5 minute walk from the sauna.

Parking

There is a large Pay & Display car park at Sandbanks, although it is a very popular spot in summer and spaces can fill up quickly. There is additional, paid parking on Banks Road. In either location, parking costs £1.70 for one hour in winter and £3 for one hour during the rest of the year. Further details can be found here and here.

Avon Beach

The second location is on Avon Beach, just past Christchurch, 7 miles east of Bournemouth. By car, take the A338/A35 to Christchurch, then turn onto Stanpit.

By Bus

Bus No 1c stops at Avon Beach Approach, a 6 minute walk from the sauna. During the summer, the number 70 Breezer bus, which runs from Poole via Bournemouth, is another option.

Parking

The most convenient car park is Avon Run Road. Parking costs £1 all day in winter and £2.30 for one hour in summer. Further details can be found here. In winter, there is also free roadside parking along Avon Run Road.

Opening Times

The saunas are open daily. Opening times are seasonal and dependent upon what sort of reservation you make, with different slots available for private and communal use. Bookings open exactly 4 weeks in advance and tend to sell out quickly.

Price

• You can reserve the whole sauna, with prices starting at £70 for 65 minutes.
• Alternatively, you can book a 65 minute individual slot in a communal sauna for £15.

Details

Sandbanks

We tried the Sandbanks sauna last year. The sauna we visited has subsequently been replaced. Sandbanks now hosts two saunas – one accommodating 6 people and the other, 8-10 people. These newly installed buildings each have their own changing area and large panoramic windows overlooking the sea for an even better sauna experience.

After a briefing, were able to enter the sauna with the other people who had booked the 9 am slot. It’s quite intimate with six in the sauna, but as everyone is in and out to the sea all the time, this only happened once at the very beginning. After that, we staggered our sea dips and were able to stretch out on the steamy pine and enjoy the view of the sun rising over the bay.

It’s much more fun that the traditional sauna/cold shower/sauna routine; descending from the sauna, then running across the sand for a dip in the sea. Our one hour allocated time passed really quickly and all too soon the attendant was knocking on the changing room door (a bit like an episode of Mr Benn) and it was time to leave.

Avon Beach

Recently, two saunas have been added at Avon Beach so we had to go and try them out. The saunas are in wooden huts amid a row of beach huts, close to the Noisy Lobster Restaurant. Each sauna accommodates 6-8 people and has a panoramic window overlooking the beach – difficult to photograph as the camera lens steams up!

Again, we really enjoyed our sauna experience, despite the fact that the water was rather cold! I thoroughly recommend having a go…

Lulworth Cove

There is a sauna at a third location at Lulworth Cove, situated 24 miles south west of Bournemouth. Note: This sauna is built on a plinth reached by a ladder, so is not easily accessible to all.

Southbourne Beach

Plans have been submitted for a fourth sauna on Southbourne Beach.

Saltwater Sauna for Children

Under 16s are not permitted to use the saunas.

• Updated: August 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.