Sauna Wanna : Stromness, Orkney

M
Aug 1
2 min read

Sitting at the edge of Stromness, overlooking the town's historic harbour bay, Sauna Wanna is a short walk through the town's charming stone streets. This wild sauna offers the perfect sanctuary for an authentic experience of Orkney, pairing the warmth of the sauna with the invigorating cold of the sea.

Sauna Wanna on grassy seaside shore, with blue water and a distant coastal town under a clear sky. — Sauna Wanna

Our Wild Sauna Visit

We visited Sauna Wanna as part of a day trip to Orkney from the mainland. We couldn't have asked for better weather, it was a glorious July morning. The walk through the pretty town of Stromness set the mood for this relaxing hour of escapism.

The colourful Sauna Wanna
Sauna interior along with the sauna hats
K enjoying the sea
Oils available to use
Sauna bucket and ladle
View out of sauna door
K channeling her Viking heritage
The sauna and changing hut
Inside changing hut

Guide to Facilities

Parking & Directions

There is parking available at the sauna, which is located next to the campsite and golf course at Ness Point and is visible from the ferry. It is just a short drive from the ferry terminal through town. We arrived as foot passengers on the ferry and found it to be an easy 10-minute walk along the beautiful cobbled streets to reach the sauna. For detailed directions, open map link:

Changing

There is an excellent weatherproof repurposed horsebox changing hut with 2 curtained cubicles, benches and hooks to store belongings.

Host

Our host was friendly, welcoming, and clearly passionate about creating a great experience. She greeted us warmly, gave us an orientation of the space, and invited us to settle in and enjoy the sauna while it finished warming up, even though we had arrived a little bit early. We were also welcome to restock the fire ourselves whenever needed to keep the sauna at a comfortable temperature.

The Hot Bit

This converted horsebox wild sauna, lined with redwood, has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Bench seating on either side comfortably accommodates up to six people, while the floor-to-ceiling glass door frames tranquil views across the bay, where you can watch boats and ferries come and go. The sauna box has a spacious feel due to its height, although some sauna-goers who prefer a more intense sauna experience may find it takes longer to reach their ideal temperature. This wood-fired wild sauna is stocked with a selection of sauna hats, although we dare anyone not to love the felted Viking helmets, an especially fun and memorable touch. Guests are invited to add a choice of essential oils to the water to create an aromatic löyly, enhancing the sauna experience. A sand timer is also provided, making it easy to keep track of your session.

The Cold Bit

A grassy path and the Ness slipway makes access to the refreshing clear waters of Hamnavoe quick and easy. Alternatively you can soak up the atmosphere and scenery by cooling down more gently on the bench outside the sauna.

Food/Drinks Nearby

There is a drinking water tap at the slipway for refills so remember to bring your bottle. On Friday and Sunday evenings, Pizza Wanna next door has made to order pizzas. Otherwise it is a short walk back into Stromness where there are plenty of different options. The host recommended the old printing press coffee shop for lunch and we would too.