Sea, steam and serenity: the best outdoor saunas in south Devon
Sauna culture has been growing at pace in the UK, drawing on wellbeing lifestyles that are firmly embedded in Scandi countries, and sitting firmly alongside the growing penchant for wild swimming.
Hailed by Vogue as the new way to socialise, it brings together a love of nature with spa inspiration, boosting mind, body, and soul. The contrast therapy experience is very much at its finest when it combines sea swims and soothing steams by the beach, and there’s nowhere finer to embrace the feel-good-factor than South Devon.
So, if you’re looking for a seaside escape that boosts wellbeing in hot new ways, here are some of our top recommended outdoor saunas in South Devon.
Beachside Sauna, Blackpool Sands
Blackpool Sands is well known as a private beach that’s open to the public near Dartmouth. Blue Flag-awarded, it’s famously well maintained and was named England’s best beach by Condé Nast Traveller in 2024. It’s a real beauty spot for swimming, and is complete with its own Café, Lounge and Restaurant for post-swim sustenance.
Adding to this haven of seaside bliss, it’s home to one of the best outdoor saunas in the South Hams, located right on the beach where you can warm up after a bracing swim, and steam away all your stresses. A cabin-style space it’s infused with aromas of eucalyptus and lavender to help you breathe deep and embrace the best of beach life.
Steamworks Sauna, Bigbury on Sea
Tucked just behind the dunes at Bigbury-on-Sea, Steamworks Sauna brings a touch of Nordic calm to one of South Devon’s most iconic beaches. Overlooking the tidal island of Burgh Island, this handcrafted wood-fired sauna is all about slow living and sea air.
Guests move between the warmth of the sauna and the cool Atlantic shallows for an invigorating contrast, before relaxing on the deck with panoramic coastal views. Steamworks hosts regular sessions, from sunrise sweats to evening socials, all celebrating the simple pleasure of connecting body, mind and coast.
The Somewhere Sauna, Dartington
The Dartington Estate is a little world of its own near Totnes – a magnificent centre of heritage, culture, entertainment, hospitality and innovative sustainability, where art, music, theatre, outdoor pursuits and activities take place around a medieval Great Hall, Courtyard and Grade II* Listed Gardens.
Within this unique wonderland, The Somewhere Sauna is where you can enjoy the magic of wood-fired wellness, whether you’re dropping by between activities or hanging around in the summer months for pizza and beer in the sunshine while the kids play in the parks.
Hálogi Sauna and Ice Baths, Royal William Yard in Plymouth
If you’re heading into Plymouth, don’t forget to stop off at Royal William Yard – a former Royal Navy dockyard turned stylish city quarter on the water. Brimming with shops, restaurants and places to enjoy the view, it’s full of entertainment and award-winning experiences.
Amongst the unique things to do, head to the Hálogi Sauna and Ice Baths – a cleverly converted horsebox, heated by a Finnish stove that maintains a constant 90°C temperature, and with space for up to six people. Enjoy contrast therapy as you move from the heat to three cold water tubs, or head straight into the sea for a refreshing dip.
The Somewhere Sauna, Mothecombe
Mothecombe is a historic estate in Holbeton, where the eponymous beach is one of the quieter destinations in Devon. Nature lovers delight in its tranquil beauty, complete with fine sand stretching into the distance and plenty of opportunity for swimming in shallow waters.
Here, The Somewhere Sauna brand has another of its unique thermal experiences, set right on the Erme Estuary. It’s actually the first in their mini collection, tucked away on the shore, making it a dreamy location for a sunrise or sunset swim and sauna.
Apatheia Sauna & Shoalstone Seawater Pool, Brixham
Brixham is a picture perfect seaside town – the kind that should appear in children’s storybooks thanks to its multicoloured houses. Home to an array of historic sites and things to do, it’s a working harbour where you can see the catch of the day being brought into the famous fish market, or spend time exploring, from the Marina to Berry Head Nature Reserve.
A top attraction is Shoalstone Seawater Pool, an impressive 53-metre tidal pool, built on the site of a natural rock pool. It is free to use and open in the summer months. Alongside it is a Apatheia Sauna, offering wood-fired, therapeutic warmth with coastal views for the ultimate in tranquillity and rejuvenation.
Sunnd Sauna, Bantham
Sunnd Sauna is a beautifully handcrafted wood-fired sauna with a strong sense of soul and community at its heart. Originally built into a vintage horse trailer and lovingly restored by hand, Sunnd has spent time popping up at festivals and gatherings across the UK before putting down more permanent roots in South Devon.
Now based at Outside, Devon – a creative, multi-use hub near Bantham – Sunnd Sauna is surrounded by a café, skate bowl, ceramic studio and farmland, making it a unique place to slow down and connect. Through the winter months, weekly sessions invite guests to warm up, unwind and share the experience with others, creating a welcoming space that feels as much about community as it does about wellbeing.
Sauna by the Sea, North Sands in Salcombe
With uninterrupted views across North Sands beach, this Sauna by the Sea experience is hard to beat. Positioned just above the shoreline, it’s a short stroll down the slipway to the sea, making it ideal for combining hot sauna sessions with refreshing ocean dips.
Set beside the much-loved Winking Prawn seafood restaurant (as seen on The Roses), it’s also perfectly placed for a leisurely lunch afterwards, with ample parking close by. Handcrafted with care and heated using sustainably sourced Aspen, Alder, Oak and Eucalyptus, this sauna is rooted in a love of sea swimming, nature and bringing people together. Born from Cornwall but perfectly at home on the South Devon coast, it’s a joyful celebration of coastal wellness and connection.
The Old Stable, East Portlemouth near Salcombe
Perched above the Salcombe–East Portlemouth ferry landing, The Old Stable Sauna offers one of the most iconic sauna views in South Devon. From inside the wood-fired sauna, guests look out across the harbour waters towards Snapes Point, rolling green pastures and Salcombe town beyond.
Located beside The Old Stable Café, this is a place designed to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. With phones left firmly outside, the sauna naturally becomes a sociable, restorative space – a true digital detox. Whether you’re new to sauna and cold-water therapy or a seasoned enthusiast, the welcoming team makes everyone feel at home. Choose between communal sessions or private bookings for up to ten people, with local discounts available for nearby residents.
The Somewhere Sauna, Bantham
Somewhere Sauna has opened a new chapter in Bantham, bringing its signature warmth and calm to one of South Devon’s most loved coastal villages. Now run by Emily and Lewis, whose personal connection to Bantham runs deep, this sauna is rooted in community, place and a genuine love for the landscape.
Set in the aptly named ‘Field of Dreams’, just off Bantham Lane, The Somewhere Sauna sits between the village and Outside Devon, creating a peaceful post-surf or post-swim retreat. It’s a place to breathe deeply, reset, and reconnect – with nature, with yourself, and with others – all just moments from the beach that inspired it.
The Sauna at North Sands
North Sands is one of the most popular beaches around Salcombe – easy to get to with a stroll from the centre of town, and home to the famous Winking Prawn restaurant. The cove is wonderful for families, building sandcastles and swimming, provided the weather is appropriate, so it’s completely fitting that Saunas by the Sea have set up shop over the road.
With views across the beach from its sauna window, the wood-fired sauna is hand-built from a brand that’s passionate about sustainability and connecting with nature. It’s perfectly located to enjoy a wild swim, warm up in the sauna, and then head for breakfast at The Winking Prawn.
Stay at Sandhills, North Sands
Within walking distance of the beach, and with superb sea views from the balcony as well, Sandhills is in prime location for a Salcombe holiday and easy access for morning dips and sauna time. Hosting up to eight guests as well as four-legged friends, it’s complete with sun-soaked terraces and a fire pit for leisurely summer evenings watching the sun go down.
At Finest Stays we aren’t just experts in where to stay – we also know all the best things to do on a holiday in South Devon, from outdoor saunas in the South Hams to the best beaches for swimming, and the cosiest pubs for warming up afterwards. When you book with us, you get the inside scoop on the best locations in town, coast, and country.
