Sep 9, 2024 • 8 min read
You'll have to kayak or paddleboard to this floating sauna in British Columbia
Jul 31, 2020 • 2 min read
Guests can watch the water as they soak in the Finish-style sauna © Nathaniel Atakora
Near the south of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest sits Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, a family-owned and operated escape surrounded by nature. On the shores of the pacific ocean, only accessible by air or by water, here, guests can stay in private cabins, reconnect with nature and participate in wellness activities like yoga. The latest offering sees visitors soaking in a wood-burning sauna that floats on the open water.
Thinking of childhood memories surrounded by water, Nimmo owner Fraser Murray was inspired to add the sauna as a unique wellness experience. Even reaching the custom-built Finnish-style cedar sauna is an adventure in itself, as visitors have to use a boat, kayak or a stand up paddleboard to get to it. Once inside, they can listen to the crackle of the wood-burning stove and take in the view of the bay through the large picture window. After that it’s possible to refresh between sessions by taking a dip in the ocean water or getting some fresh air on the dock.
“Visiting the sauna dock is often built into a wellness-themed day. There is the opportunity to picnic on the dock as well, have a bonfire, or take a guided outdoor yoga class. Our guests have really taken to the truly magical experience of being so immersed in the wilderness, while allowing them a chance to focus on their wellbeing,” Beth Mosby of Nimmo Bay told Lonely Planet.
Open from May through to October every year, the resort has nine cabins that sleep up to 18 people, and focuses on wellness and sustainable tourism. Customized activities include rainforest hiking, kayaking, saltwater fishing, picnic lunches, tours of local sites, paddle boarding and morning yoga sessions, while helicopter tours explore 50,000 sq miles of untouched wilderness, with views of glaciers, lakes and waterfalls.
The resort has made steps to be climate friendly, with water-powered electricity systems, solar energy, and frameworks that work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The food on offer highlights the best of native ingredients, with local seafood, foraged plants and vegetables from organic farmers in British Columbia. The guest menu is seasonal, reflecting the life cycle of the local produce. Guests can even take part in foraging experiences along the coast with food and drink experts.
Rates start from $1495 per person per day. More information is available at the official Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort website.
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This article was first published Jul 31, 2020 and updated Jul 31, 2020.
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