REVIEW: Team Total Experience the New Swanage Bay Sauna

When it comes to unique team-building experiences in Dorset, the Swanage Beach Sauna has truly raised the bar.

After hearing about the recent opening of Swanage Bay Sauna, we thought we'd skip our Monday morning meeting and have a team building experience at the brand-new Swanage Bay Sauna. And it just so happened to be 'Blue Monday' so a perfect time to get out of the office and experience the exhilarating combination of the heat and sea water immersion with the views of the stunning Swanage Bay!

The sauna’s location is nothing short of breathtaking. With panoramic views of the glistening bay and the sound of gentle waves providing a calming soundtrack, it’s the perfect backdrop for relaxation. The cosy yet contemporary design of the sauna complements its natural surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a seamless connection and views to the outdoors (but blacked out so passers-by can't see in!).

When we arrived, we were greeted by Paul who was super friendly and introduced us to the health benefits of alternating between the heat of the sauna and invigorating cold dips in the sea (a tradition inspired by Nordic culture).  He was really understanding about our apprehension of getting into the 6-degree sea water,  and gave us some friendly tips without putting pressure on us and said everyone has their own way of getting in and there's no right or wrong way.

So, we headed to the sauna, which is extremely clean and impeccably designed, providing just the right amount of heat while maintaining comfort. We could control the steam and there was a selection of essential oils that we could choose to put on the coals. These really enhanced the experience, creating an almost spa-like ambiance. 

Once we got so hot that the sea was actually a temptation, we braved it together and we were all really pleasantly surprised by how easily we all got into the water. I was expecting it to uncomfortably take our breath away, but after the heat, it was actually pleasant. The burning sensation afterwards really made you feel alive and that we were treating your body and mind. We managed 3 dips of about 3 minutes which for newbies we are pleased with, and we have all come away longing for our next visit already (in fact, I've just booked for another session in a few weeks already!).

An effective addition, I've never experienced in a sea sauna before was the use of the Himalayan salts, which are known to purify the air, promote respiratory health, detoxify the skin, and enhance relaxation by releasing beneficial negative ions when heated.

This experience was more than just a fun team outing; it encouraged mindfulness, teamwork, and a renewed sense of energy. We couldn’t stop talking about how relaxed and accomplished we felt afterward; perfect for recharging the team spirit and a start to the week we're keen to repeat!

If you’re looking to experience some you time or fancy a team-building activity that combines wellness, natural beauty, and a bit of daring, the Swanage Beach Sauna is a must-try. Whether it’s for bonding with colleagues, celebrating milestones, or just escaping the office for some fresh coastal air, this unique experience will leave you feeling invigorated in every sense of the word.

Tips:

• Take 2 towels: 1 to sit on and 1 for afterwards or a dry robe
• There are no changing areas, so arrive with your swimwear on, we changed in the public toilets just a few metres away 
• You can leave your phone and valuables in the sauna entrance for security. Bags can be left in a storage box outside
• Remove jewellery (it gets hot)
• We parked on Shore Road which is a short walk from the sauna or there are lots of car parks nearby
• Take a drink
• Go at your own pace. We found the sea dipping got easier each time and the hotter we got before hand, the better
• Enjoy some well earned you time!