FAQs

The health benefits of sauna help our physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being. To list a few; cardiovascular benefits, reduced blood pressure, detoxification, energization, immunity, muscle recovery, relaxation/stress reduction, social connection, and mental reflection/perspective. Find all you need to know here.

Think of the sauna as a one-room tiny house. It is on a trailer, so we can move it from place to place. Inside there is a Finnish wood-burning fireplace and upper and lower-level seating. The best part is the huge panoramic window that will be facing the lake and mountains.

There is enough seating for 15 people on the upper and lower seats. The group sessions are for up to 15 people, and the private sessions are for up to 12.

Our sauna is a traditional Finnish sauna and is wood-fired. We have aufguss/steam in our sauna sessions.

• Towel x 2

• Water bottle

• Swimwear

• Optional: Slip on/off footwear for a dip in the lake

There is limited storage at the sauna - enough for keys and a towel. Leave any extra items at home or in your vehicle.

Bookings are essential and we can’t guarantee a spot if you just show up. If you don’t want to book online, please get in touch through our Contact Us page.

Use the shower before you come into the sauna, use a towel, and respect the peace of others in your group by sitting in lovely silence or using hushed voices. The guided sessions will be mostly silent rounds. In the self-guided sessions, silence is respected, as is quiet conversation.

The short: arrive, sign in, shower before entering the sauna, sauna for 15 mins, break, repeat for another 2 rounds (3 rounds total), finish, and feel great.

Check the ‘Experiences’ page for more details on each bookable session.

Our Guided Sessions are popular because the instructor will take you through each round - perfect for beginners and seasoned sauna pros alike. The Self-Guided is a little more free flow and can be more social. Book one of our Private Options if you want the whole thing to yourself!

To help you decide, have a read through the details of each experience here.

We scrupulously clean and air out the sauna between each session! The sauna is cleaned with a natural cleaner and is non-toxic.

We are a mobile sauna that operates out in raw nature. We pride ourselves on a beautifully built sauna and giving you an amazing experience. Still, please note that there could be weather, there’s bare ground, and the hot/cold temperatures are a given. It is all part of the experience, and you might be pushing your regular limits a little - good on you!

Lake Wānaka is right on the doorstep of the sauna, and you’ll find that a great cold immersion between sauna rounds - it comes highly recommended! Please note that cold immersion is not a supervised activity within the sauna session. Swim at your own risk and if you are taking a dip then go with a buddy. We recommend bringing a pair of sandals for the quick walk (20 meters) to the lake.

At the time of booking, you are acknowledging that you do not have any physical or psychological conditions which would place you at additional risk to participate. These include (but are not limited to) pregnancy, hypertension (high blood pressure), vertigo, diabetes, respiratory, and heart conditions. Please ask your doctor for advice if you have any concerns.

All ages! The Sauna Wānaka is a community service that is intergenerational. Young, wise, or in the middle - you are all welcome here.

Children under 16 years need to be supervised by a caregiver. Please check with your health care practitioner if you have health concerns.

It’s not recommended. Please ask your doctor for advice.

Yes, your wildest dreams are true, you can try the sauna at the drop-in rate and then convert that first session into your first concession on either a 5 or 10 pass. Your initial drop in payment will get refunded once you have purchased your concession pass. This is a manual process, so please talk to a team member after your session or flick us a message, and we will get it sorted for you.

If this is your first sauna, welcome. How exciting! The golden rule is to follow your body. Sit on the bottom seats as they are cooler, and your rounds won’t be as intense. Booking a ‘Guided Session’ might help you find your feet too. Make sure you drink extra water on the day to make up for what you sweat out, and try not to eat at least 2 hours before your sauna - just like going to the gym.

If the cold immersion is what you are worried about, it’s completely up to you whether you do one or not - but it does make you feel great. There is always a Sauna Wānaka team member there to help at the time of your session.

We have a changing tent if you need to change. Many people come with their swimwear underneath and are ready to go.

Move over gym sauna, where you might get sweaty after 20 minutes. Our wood-burning Finnish sauna fireplace cranks, and we run to a standard temperature of 80-90 degrees. You’ll be sweaty and craving the dip in the lake towards the end of the round. Please sit on the top seat, in the corner away from the door, if you like it extra hot.

Read on, all you socialites! Feel free to film before and after your session. Our team will be happy to help you get the perfect shot if the selfies aren’t cutting the mustard.

Keep in mind that electronics and high temperatures don’t mix. Neither does a ringing phone and a sauna full of relaxed people. During your session, you can leave your phone in the car or flicked onto airplane mode on our outdoor shelves.

Sauna hats help to keep your head cooler, and you can stay in the sauna longer/get through the rounds easier. If you have a concession pass, we recommend investing in one and bringing it to each session. We will have these available to purchase soon.

Yes. Ensure you haven’t got a disposable plastic water bottle, as they aren’t designed for high temperatures and can leach nasties. Glass or double-walled insulated stainless steel bottles work best to maintain temperature.

Check out our ‘Getting Here’ page

Both Male and Female classes are something that we will add to the weekly schedule. Please use our Contact Us page if you have any feedback or ideas around this - we are open to suggestions!

About 5-10 minutes early is the perfect amount of time to sign in and get ready for your session. Everyone needs to have a quick shower before entering the sauna.

For an hour in the sauna, 2 liters of liquids will replace what you sweat out. This is on top of your regular liquid intake for the day. Be on top of this - your instructor will remind you at the time of your session as well.

Bikini or swimsuit for the gals, boardies, or speedo for the guys. A wrapped towel is also fine but might get a bit hot. Remember your two towels!

Although the Finns (lords of everything sauna) often go naked in the sauna, kiwis aren’t as comfortable in their birthday suits in public. We require swimwear or a towel for our group sessions.

Storage at our location is limited, but there’s enough space for your towel, clothing, and keys. Please bring your essentials and leave the rest at home or in your vehicle.

If a session is full, there will be a waitlist option. Sign up for this to get booked into the session automatically if a spot becomes free.

Group sessions: No refund is given with less than 48 hours' notice. You can cancel up to 12 hours before your session for a session credit on your account or concession pass.

Private sessions: No refund is given with less than 72 hours' notice. You can cancel up to 48 hours before your session for a credit on your account.

Please refer to our full T’s and C’s for details and the most up-to-date information. The page can be found here Terms and Conditions.