Ocean Ember Sauna
Christchurch, New Zealand
About
A wood-fired mobile sauna built by a Christchurch couple, based at the Sumner Community Hub a short walk from the beach. Communal sessions run for an hour, with two cold plunges outside. Quiet, guided, women-only and textile-free variants run too, and the whole sauna can be booked privately for up to twelve.
Good to know
- Wood-fired heat: softer, heavier löyly than electric, and the smell of the stove is part of the room.
- Mobile operator: the sauna travels, so the location is part of the booking. Check the current site before you arrive.
- Cold plunge available on site: use it between rounds for the classic contrast cycle.
- Right on the sea: expect saltwater dips between rounds, cold even in summer.
Hours
- Hours not listed
No standing timetable: sessions are released week by week on the booking page and Instagram; recent posts describe regular sessions Wed, Thu and Sun with Sat evening and Sun morning added for winter, Wahine Wednesday at 18:40
Common questions
Do I need to book Ocean Ember Sauna?
Yes. Sessions are booked in advance, usually as a timed slot. The whole sauna can also be hired privately.
How much does Ocean Ember Sauna cost?
Sessions are typically $25–50 a person. Hiring the whole sauna costs $100–250.
Does Ocean Ember Sauna have a cold plunge?
Yes. There is a cold plunge on site for contrast rounds.
Take the atlas with you
Save saunas and log your sessions with Ember for iPhone.