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The cold dip in Howe Sound may have taken my breath away, but it also might have been the view. Distant snow-capped mountains, a fjord teaming with life, seals beached on a rock nearby, and an orca gliding the turquoise waters earlier that morning, set the scene. Remote, yet only a 20 minute boat ride from Squamish, the single private floating sauna, offered by InFlow Adventures, is a unique experience.
Welcome to the newest wellness offering in Squamish, where you can take cold dipping to a whole new level, while upping your sauna game.
The new Squamish
I’ve lived in Vancouver for over 30 years, and have seen Squamish, just an hour north of the city, on the drive to Whistler, evolve over time. This small town has come a long way from its BC mill town roots. And it’s no longer just a “gas and go” or McDonalds whistle stop on the way to ski Whistler. Squamish is now the full-fledged “Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada” (self-proclaimed, but aptly named) with a population drawn to outdoor pursuits. Be it in the mountains, on the ocean, or hiking and biking through the forest trails, this little town packs a lot of activity into its resume.
Squamish attracted a population boom of singles, couples and young families who, able to work remotely, fled Vancouver during the pandemic. That youthful entrepreneurial spirit, is now further remaking Squamish into a destination in its own right. The “work hard, play harder” business mentality was on full display during my visit recently to experience the town’s newest wellness offering – a floating sauna in Howe Sound, courtesy of InFlow Adventure Company.
The InFlow Adventure Squamish floating sauna
In early June I joined several local media and tourism folks for a “wellness day” in Squamish. After a morning yoga session at Prana Yoga, it was off to the floating sauna.
The InFlow Adventure trailer kiosk is located at the top of the boat ramp, to the east of the Squamish harbour waterfront. Guests are invited down the ramp to the dock, where the company keeps a Zodiac boat the shuttle people out to the sauna.
After a safety talk and donning lifejackets, Jess, our tour driver for the day, takes us out on their Zodiac boat to the floating sauna.
Howe Sound boat ride
It’s a 20 minute boat ride from town, through Howe Sound, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Passing Shannon Falls, the third highest waterfall in BC with the spring run-off crashing down the 350 meter granite cliff is spectacular. Soon enough we approach a raft attached to a float, sporting the barrel shaped sauna and its smoking wood stove, anchored in secluded area off the eastern shore of the sound.
As the boat slows, we breathe in the mountain air and feel the calm of the ocean beneath us. The 20 minutes from downtown Squamish is hours away from deadlines, social media scrolling, and outside commitments. We’re here to relax and escape. In the company a few young Mom’s, I knew from experience the value of grabbing a few hours for yourself.
Arriving at the Squamish floating sauna
Jess circles the boat around the sauna as we approach the float. Adding to the visual drama all around us is a one-way glass mirror along the front of the sauna, further reflecting the beauty of Howe Sound. We muse as our boat of keen photographers is mirrored back just before we land.
The Heritage Lux Cube sauna is a Nordic design. It has a Humm wood fired stove inside, as evidenced by the puffs of smoke as we approach. The sauna cube combined with west coast float craftsmanship – including a dry storage area, change room, swim ladders and a gas powered fire pit on deck with a circle of wood chairs outside, provides an all in one destination – and a unique place to unwind.
Jess explains some safety precautions, where to change and store our stuff, and how to operate the sauna and exterior gas fire pit. Then she is off in the Zodiac leaving us to float, swim and sauna for the next two hours. The experience is exclusive and private, and I’m left thinking of the possibilities – girlfriend time? Friend group after hiking? Family time? Work group bonding opportunity? The floating sauna is a one-of-a-kind unique outing on Howe Sound.
Our experience at the Squamish floating sauna
We change up into our swim suits and head into the sauna. The cedar lined cube feels light and open with the one-way mirror outside becoming an entire window onto Howe Sound from the interior. We drop some essential oils into the wood bucket, then spoon the fresh water onto the furnace rocks.
Soon the light scent of eucalyptus fills the air. We talk and share stories of skiing and hiking in the area, career aspirations, and the marathon of motherhood. I assure them the days are long, but the years are short! We laugh and chat some more. Intermittent cold dips in the ocean cool our heated bodies, and as the cycle continues past the first hour, I come to a realization: I’ve never been this relaxed, and I’m not sure when I’ve last been in such a chill environment, talking, without cell phone electronics distractions, really connecting with those around me.
Cold plunge in Howe Sound
We each scream with excitement at our first cold plunge. Jess was right. The initial cold shock takes your breath way. But we get used to it as we cycle in and out of the sauna, sometimes resting in the outdoor deck chairs encircling the gas fire pit. The light rain and mist that day does not deter us. In fact, it adds to the ambiance as our bodies steam, against mother nature’s light rainfall, to further cleans and connect us to nature.
Maybe it’s the fact that the sauna is floating, gently rocking to the waters motion, which puts me at ease. It’s certainly a familiar feeling, of being at anchor on a boat in these waters. Or maybe it’s that there are no distractions and nowhere to escape to. That’s certainly true adrift on a raft in Howe Sound in a secluded bay. But maybe it’s also the nine degree Celsius Howe Sound cold water plunge working it’s wonders. Whatever it is, the result is magic. You just need to experience it.
Two hours of bliss!
As our two hours draw to a close, we change up from bathing suits to our clothes in preparation for the boat ride back to Squamish. Right on schedule Jess arrives, honouring the promise of unrushed privacy and a timely return. 20 minutes later we are back at Squamish Oceanfront Park.
Move over Whistler. Squamish has stolen your thunder with this one! From local Vancouver and Squamish weekend adventurers to world travelers, guests will find the InFlow Adventure floating sauna a must-do Squamish experience for recovery, inspiration and connection.
About InFlow Adventure Co
InFlow Adventure offers sail and foil activities, including wing foiling coaching and hydroflyer sessions, as well as sailing coaching and training, and keelboat sailing socials during the summer. InFlow Adventure is aptly named. While both in-flow and out-flow winds can be found in Howe Sound, the predominant wind, and the one which has popularized wind sports in the area, is the “in-flow.” The company also is on a mission to “help people find their flow” and to “get in flow” through outdoor adventure. The three pillars of adventure, rest and connection inform everything they offer. Learn more here: https://inflowadventure.com/
Other adventures in the Sea to Sky corridor
If you enjoyed this article and learning about outdoor adventure in Squamish, be sure to check out other content on this site from the Sea to Sky corridor.
Motorbiking the Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler
Wing Foiling Whistler on Alta Lake
Book additional experiences provided through GetYourGuide in the area, including: Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola, Squamish day trip from Vancouver with Britannia Museum, afternoon sailing experience, and whitewater rafting adventures.