Please note, we do not take bookings prior to 4 weeks in advance to keep the booking process fair for everyone. We reserve the right to remove / change any time slots prior to releasing them on the website. The sauna is bookable 4 weeks (28 days) in advance, to the minute. This means that, for example, an 8:15am time slot on a Saturday will be available to book on the website 4 weeks before on a Saturday, at 8:15am. No bookings are released at midnight. Our bookings are available on a 'first come, first served' basis; the system doesn't reserve bookings until all details have been completed and the booking paid for. If you're looking to book multiple spaces for a communal sauna, please see 'How do I book multiple spaces for a communal sauna?' You can see all our available time slots on the online booking system; simply choose your experience and continue to the booking calendar for that experience. If you're unable to choose a time slot on the booking calendar, it's likely the date or time is simply not available to book yet (i.e. further than 28 days away). If the booking calendar shows no availability at a certain date or time, we may be fully booked or closed, or the time slot may have been reserved for a communal sauna or an event.

If you're looking to book multiple spaces for a communal sauna (maximum 4), you can do this by choosing the number of participants on a drop-down menu when booking. Where no option to book multiple spaces is available, this means there is only one space left. Please check the number of spaces available on the 'Communal Spaces' schedule under the booking calendar before booking (cancellation policy applies for incorrect bookings). Please note your communal sauna booking is personal and cannot be shared / split with another person during the session - any person wanting to use the sauna will need to book an individual space. To ensure an inclusive communal sauna experience, no more than 4 out of the available spaces can be booked by a single individual, promoting an open and shared environment for all participants looking to book onto a communal sauna.

Please log into your member account on the website to cancel / reschedule your upcoming bookings within our cancellation policy (48h). Cancellation Policy 48h+: cancel on your account for full refund or reschedule for an alternative available time slot in the 4-week booking window 48-24h: although no credit is guaranteed for last minute cancellations, we'll always do our best to fill the slot to be able to offer credit / reschedule your booking within the 4-week booking window; please email us to cancel / reschedule within 48-24h before your scheduled booking -24h: unfortunately we're unable to reschedule / offer credit with less than 24h notice We do not offer credit for ‘no shows’ Please ensure you've booked the correct location, as we're unable to cancel / reschedule to an alternative site outside our cancellation policy All sauna sessions are transferable, if you are unable to attend; you can gift your session to a friend / family if you're unable to attend last minute. The Saltwater Sauna operators reserve the right to refuse admission to intoxicated persons or for other reasons that may be deemed a health and safety risk. Refunds will not be offered to anyone refused admission.

You can use your voucher towards any of our experiences, at all our locations, directly on the website by entering the voucher code to the 'Enter a promo code' box at checkout. All our vouchers can be used towards private bookings or spaces in a communal sauna (unless stated otherwise). Please note all our voucher codes are 'one-time-use' codes and cannot be used multiple times, nor combined with other vouchers. See our full voucher T&C's here.

As we've done in the past few years, we'll be releasing our December bookings (up to 1st January) at once, including our Christmas and New Year's bookings, at 7am on 1st November. Bookings for 2nd January onwards will be released 4 weeks in advance as usual. Please set your reminders to avoid missing out! Here's how to book: 'Christmas Sauna': Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day 'New Year's Sauna': New Year's Eve & New Year's Day 'Festive Communal Sauna': communal saunas on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, & New Year's Day In case you've missed out on the day or time that you were looking to book, please get in touch via email at hello@thesaltwatersauna.com to be added onto our waiting list for cancellations. Any time slots that become available will be offered to the waiting list first.

To ensure your question hasn't already been answered, and to avoid unnecessary admin for our small team, please read through the rest of the FAQs before getting in touch. For any further enquiries, please email us at hello@thesaltwatersauna.com and we'll be in touch shortly.

Please log into your member account on the website to cancel / reschedule your upcoming bookings within our cancellation policy (48h). Cancellation Policy 48h+: cancel on your account for full refund or reschedule for an alternative available time slot in the 4-week booking window 48-24h: although no credit is guaranteed for last minute cancellations, we'll always do our best to fill the slot to be able to offer credit / reschedule your booking within the 4-week booking window; please email us to cancel / reschedule within 48-24h before your scheduled booking -24h: unfortunately we're unable to reschedule / offer credit with less than 24h notice We do not offer credit for ‘no shows’ Please ensure you've booked the correct location, as we're unable to cancel / reschedule to an alternative site outside our cancellation policy All sauna sessions are transferable, if you are unable to attend; you can gift your session to a friend / family if you're unable to attend last minute. The Saltwater Sauna operators reserve the right to refuse admission to intoxicated persons or for other reasons that may be deemed a health and safety risk. Refunds will not be offered to anyone refused admission.

Our opening times vary with the seasons, generally from sunrise to sunset. During the year, we are typically open from 8AM to 9PM. These times are flexible and subject to change depending on the season.

You must not use the sauna if you: suffer from high or low blood pressure or any heart or circulatory disorder or suffer from epilepsy or diabetes; are pregnant; or are prone to dizziness or fainting. If you are pregnant or have any underlying health problems, please seek advice from your doctor before booking. Listen to your body, take lots of breaks, and keep hydrated. Remember to sign our waiver form before arriving for your session.

We regret that children under the age of 16 are not permitted to use the sauna under our insurance policy.

As our saunas are located on public beaches, swimwear is compulsory for all our experiences - nudity is not permitted in the saunas. We ask that every customer sits on a towel at all times in the sauna.

For health and safety reasons, please refrain from bringing your own products and oils for the session as these cannot be used in our saunas. Essential oils that haven't been approved for in-sauna use may react to the heat and release toxins, ignite on the stove, or create slippery surfaces inside the sauna. Our own essential oils have been approved for in-sauna use, please ask our on-site sauna host for aromatherapy for your session.

Alcohol is not permitted in the sauna. The Saltwater Sauna operators reserve the right to refuse admission to intoxicated persons.

If you’re feeling unwell and / or have tested positive for Covid, please get in touch via email. If closed due to Covid restrictions, a full refund or credit will be given at any time. In the event that we have to cancel a booking, you will be notified by email and helped to find an alternative time slot / refunded / credited. Sufficient sauna ventilation is one of the most integral aspects of an authentic Finnish sauna. A constant source of fresh air ensures the hot air is well circulated and used air removed before it becomes stagnant. Our sauna and changing room are also cleaned between each group for everyone's health & safety.

The easiest way to find us is on Google Maps, simply type in 'The Saltwater Sauna' for our exact locations on the beach (Sandbanks, Avon & Lulworth Cove). Sandbanks If you're walking over from Sandbanks Car Park, simply make your way to Sandbanks Beach and walk towards Bournemouth. We're located next to the volleyball nets, a 3-minute walk from the car park. Avon If you're walking over from Avon Run Road Car Park, simply make your way onto the promenade using the stairs and turn right towards The Noisy Lobster. We're located next to the 'occasion huts', a 2-minute walk from the car park. Lulworth Cove If you're walking over from Lulworth Cove Car Park, make your way to Lulworth Lodge (a 3-minute walk) for check-in and changing before making your way to the cove for your sauna session (a further 2-minute walk). We’re located on the left hand side as you enter the cove. Note: Please allow 30 minutes before your session start time for parking, changing at Lulworth Lodge, and making your way to the cove for your sauna session.

Our saunas are always staffed, so no keys / codes are needed to gain access to the saunas. You'll be welcomed and briefed by your sauna host on site upon your arrival.

Please allow enough time before your booking to find parking; arriving late will shorten the duration of your experience. SANDBANKS The closest car park is the 'Sandbanks Car Park' (Banks Road, BH13 8QJ), located adjacent to 'Sandbanks Crazy Golf' (3-minute walk to our beach-side location). Alternatively, park on Banks Road, where you can pass through the sand-dunes (2-minute walk). AVON The closest car park is the 'Avon Run Road Car Park' (Avon Run Road, BH23 4AN), located behind the saunas (2-minute walk to our beach-side location). Alternatively, park at 'Avon Beach Car Park' (Christchurch BH23 4AN), located adjacent to 'The Noisy Lobster' restaurant (3-minute walk). LULWORTH COVE Parking is available at the 'Lulworth Cove Car Park'(West Lulworth, BH20 5RS), a 5-minute walk to our beach-side location). We recommend allowing 30 minutes before your session start time for parking, changing at Lulworth Lodge, and making your way to the cove for your sauna session.

Recommended for those looking to gain the full benefits of authentic Finnish sauna culture. For Finns, going to sauna is not just about relaxing and getting physically clean, but also about enjoying conversation and nature. For our 65-minute experiences, you'll have ample time to fully immerse in the experience, both in and out of the sauna. Please note all our experiences at Sandbanks and Avon include time for changing. If you'd like to use the changing room towards the end of your session, please be mindful of the next booking and do this within your booked time slot. Bookings at Lulworth Cove can use the dedicated changing rooms at Lulworth Lodge outside their session time. Capacity for private sessions: Sandbanks: up to 8 people (+2 available to add) Avon: up to 7 people (+1 available to add) Lulworth Cove: up to 8 people Additional participants can be purchased at £15 per person.

Due to limited space, we advise bringing minimal personal belongings with you to the sauna. You'll need: Swimwear A water bottle Two towels; one to sit on in the sauna, and one to dry off with at the end Swim shoes recommended for bookings at Avon and Lulworth Cove; please note all swim shoes / flip flops will need to be removed prior to entering the sauna. For the winter months, we advise bringing warm, loose clothing to change back into post-sauna.

Due to limited space, we advise bringing minimal personal belongings with you. Sandbanks & Avon: You will be able to leave your belongings in the changing area at your own risk. There are no lockers, but you'll have your own hook to hang your belongings on and a shelf for smaller items. Any overflow of belongings that don't fit in the changing room will need to be left outside. Lulworth Cove: You will be able to leave your belongings in the dedicated changing rooms and lockers at Lulworth Lodge before making your way to the sauna with appropriate footwear, a towel to sit on, a bottle of water, and a towel to dry with or a robe. The Saltwater Sauna (& Lulworth Lodge) are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.

Sandbanks & Avon: Please arrive promptly at the time of your booked sauna slot to allow time for briefing. Changing times are included in your booking; arriving late will shorten the duration of your experience. Lulworth Cove: Please allow 30 minutes before your session start time for parking, checking in and changing at Lulworth Lodge, and making your way to the cove for your sauna session. You'll have ample time to change at Lulworth Lodge once your session ends at the sauna.

Sandbanks & Avon: There is a small changing room as you enter the sauna, separated by a frosted glass door, providing privacy and a heat barrier for the sauna room, as well as an area for you to leave your belongings. Please note all our experiences include time for changing; if you'd like to use the changing room towards the end of your session, please be mindful of the next booking and do this within your booked time slot. Lulworth Cove: You'll find dedicated changing rooms and lockers at Lulworth Lodge for you to leave your belongings before making your way to the sauna. You can leave any small valuables with our sauna host for your session, if concerned. The changing rooms are available for you to use before and after your booked time slot.

YES! For an authentic Finnish experience, customers can manage the 'löyly' (the steam that rises from the sauna stove), allowing control of humidity and intensity of the heat. Although adding water over the rocks humidifies the session, and is one of the best aspects of an authentic Finnish sauna, please remember not to dump water on the rocks. Instead, drizzle water on with a ladle intermittently until the heat reaches an appropriate level. Drizzle, don't dump! Dumping water on the stove will make the sauna feel hotter momentarily due to the humidity, but is actually counteractive in increasing the temperature of the room as the excessive water will cool down the sauna rocks. If you'd like the sauna to be hotter, please ask our member of staff on site and we'll be happy to assist. A trained member of staff will be nearby at al times for any queries and support you may need managing the heat and the water on the rocks.

Any lost and found items will be stored at the sauna for 14 days. If not collected within this time, any items will be given to charity / discarded. If you think you may have left behind any items, please get in touch via email to see if we can locate the item and store it until you're able to collect (within 14 days). The Saltwater Sauna is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.