If you’re planning a trip to Stockholm and you haven’t heard of Vaxholms Bastubåt, consider this your sign. Tucked into the Stockholm archipelago just 30 minutes from the city, this wood-fired floating sauna is one of the most unique — and most affordable — experiences you can have in Sweden. And almost no one knows it exists.
Sandy and I stumbled onto it while planning our Stockholm itinerary and honestly couldn’t believe something like this was so under the radar. A sauna. On a raft. On the Baltic Sea. Year-round. We had to do it!
Here’s everything you need to know.
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What Is Vaxholms Bastubåt?
Vaxholms Bastubåt (Swedish for “Vaxholm’s Sauna Boat”) is a wood-fired sauna raft moored just off Rindö, a short water taxi ride from the town of Vaxholm. It sits right in the heart of the Stockholm archipelago, and the scenery around it is something else — forested islands, colorful homes dotting the shoreline, and open water stretching out in every direction. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop mid-sentence.
One thing that will immediately catch your eye no matter what time of year you visit: people swimming. In the open water. Happily. This is completely normal in Scandinavia — the relationship people have with cold water here is a cultural thing, and seeing locals take a casual dip in the Baltic while you’re bundled up on the deck puts the whole experience into context.
The sauna accommodates up to 12–15 guests and is bookable year-round, which is honestly what makes it so special. This isn’t a summer-only pop-up. You can do this in the dead of winter with snow on the rocks, or on a crisp fall afternoon with the leaves turning — every season has its own version of magic out there.
Getting There: The Water Taxi Is Part of the Experience
Here’s the thing that makes this feel even more special than it already is: you don’t just drive up and walk in. The sauna is moored off an island, so after you book your session online (via their website and a quick email exchange), you arrange transport, which Annika, the owner, will share with you more about. Water taxi transport from Vaxholm is 1,000 SEK round trip and you pay on the spot. Christopher was our driver and he even drove us around the Vaxholm Fortress so we could see it from all angles.
We took a Bolt ride (Europe’s version of Uber) about 30 minutes from Stockholm to Vaxholm, then hopped on the water taxi out to the sauna. Christopher, who runs the taxi, was fantastic — knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole arrival feel like part of the experience. The ride itself sets the whole tone. You’re out on the open water, passing forested islands and waterfront homes, and you start to feel the city melt away before you’ve even stepped foot in the sauna.
For the return trip, we took the ferry back to Stockholm — and honestly, we’d recommend doing both legs by ferry if you can. It takes about the same amount of time, it’s a beautiful ride through the archipelago, and it’s an affordable, relaxing way to cap the day. The ferry goes directly to central Stockholm and is a wonderful experience in its own right.
What’s Inside the Sauna
When the water taxi pulls up, your first thought is: is this real life? The raft is rustic and charming — exactly what a floating sauna should look like. Think weathered wood, the smell of woodsmoke already drifting toward you, and the sound of water lapping against the hull.
Inside, the sauna is cozy and wood-paneled, heated by a traditional wood-burning stove with extra firewood ready to go. There’s a combined changing and relaxation area where you can take a breath between rounds, and an outdoor deck that puts you right at water level with those archipelago views. The vibe is intimate and unhurried — this is your private time out here, no crowds, no rush.
We brought snacks and drinks to enjoy between sauna sessions — staying hydrated is genuinely important when you’re sweating it out in the heat, so bring plenty of water (we may have also brought beer, which is very much part of the experience). Our contact Annika was so helpful in the booking process and made sure we had everything sorted before we arrived — towels, logistics, all of it. Definitely reach out with any questions when you book.
The Cold Plunge: 39°F Baltic Sea, Wind and All
Let’s talk about the part everyone is either excited or terrified about: getting in the water.
It was approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit. It was windy. And we did it — slowly, carefully, and with a healthy respect for our own heart rates.
We didn’t cannonball in. We eased our way in, partly because the shock of cold water on an overheated body is a real thing, and partly because we were nervous. But once you’re in, the contrast between the sauna heat and the cold water is something your body genuinely responds to. It’s painful in the moment — there’s no sugarcoating that — but the feeling afterward is remarkable. Your whole body feels alive in a way that’s hard to describe. We completely understood, standing there dripping on the deck, why this is such an ingrained part of Scandinavian culture. It’s not a gimmick. It works.
A good reminder: ease in gradually rather than diving straight from the heat. Your body will thank you.
How Much Does a Floating Sauna Cost?
This is where Vaxholms Bastubåt really sets itself apart from other experiences in Stockholm: it is genuinely affordable.
Pricing starts at 175 SEK per person per hour (roughly $17 USD at current rates), with a minimum of two hours and a minimum charge of 700 SEK total. The maximum price is capped at 1,500 SEK per hour regardless of group size, which means the more people you bring, the better the value. For a private sauna experience floating in the Stockholm archipelago, that is an absolute steal.
Payment is made at the time of booking via Swish or invoice (invoice available for companies only).
A quick note on cancellations: you can cancel with a 50% refund up to 10 days before your visit. Cancellations less than 10 days out are charged in full, and must be confirmed via SMS or email to be considered valid.
Before You Go: A Few Practical Tips
- Book ahead via their website. Sessions are confirmed by personal email, so give yourself a little lead time — don’t leave it until the day before.
- Bring your own food and drinks. There’s nowhere to stock up once you’re on the water, so grab snacks and something to sip in Vaxholm before you board the water taxi.
- Bring your own towels. Pack them before you leave Stockholm.
- Dogs are not permitted on the sauna boat due to allergy concerns, so leave your pups at home for this one.
- Dress in layers for the ride out. It’s open water and it can be windy, especially in the cooler months. You’ll warm up fast once you’re inside, but the water taxi ride can be chilly.
- Book a sunset slot if you can. Several reviewers rave about this — being on the water as the sun goes down over the archipelago is apparently next level. We unfortunately could not due this do to our schedule.
- Want to stay in Vaxholm? We recommend Waxholms Hotell (great dining and location) or Sjövillan B&B (easy access to ferry, plus kayaking and other water sports).
Make a Full Day of It: Spend Time in Vaxholm
Don’t just do the sauna and leave. The town of Vaxholm is absolutely worth a few hours of your time — it’s one of those small Swedish coastal towns that looks like it was designed specifically to be charming. Quaint wooden buildings, waterfront views, and a relaxed pace that’s a total antidote to city life.
After our sauna session, we explored Vaxholm on foot, grabbed Swedish meatballs, coffees, and wandered around before heading back to Stockholm on the ferry. It was the perfect low-key ending to the day. If you can, take the ferry both ways — it’s scenic, affordable, and goes directly to and from central Stockholm in about 30 minutes. You’ll pass through the archipelago with those island and waterfront home views the whole way. It’s a wonderful experience and completely worth it over the drive.
The Bottom Line: Floating Sauna in Stockholm
If you’re visiting Stockholm and want to get outside the busy city life and into the archipelago — which, by the way, has over 30,000 islands — this is the experience to do it. Vaxholms Bastubåt is unique, genuinely affordable, and the kind of thing you’ll still be talking about long after you’ve left Sweden. Book it.
