On a chilly Maine evening, you might be surprised at the crowds heading out the door with swimsuits in hand. A burgeoning sauna culture is catching light across the state, fanned by a handful of new establishments offering thermal bathing. At the other end of the spectrum (and the thermometer gauge) guided cold water dips have amassed a cult following, with organized groups meeting to submerge en masse in bitingly cold water. Paradoxically, both practices seek out the same sensation: the fortifying rush and relief that follows a total surrender to intense temperatures. Historically rooted in Finnish and Eastern European cultures, sauna and cold plunge fans swear by the physical and mental benefits of the practice.

Washington Baths

Washington Avenue, Portland’s East End thoroughfare, buzzes with cars, bars, and restaurants, so it’s a surprise to discover a bathhouse tucked like an oasis into the lineup. The narrow concrete and slatted-wood facade of Washington Baths hides a surprisingly expansive interior, complete with two large communal saunas and changing rooms, a lounge/library area, and a sleek co-ed courtyard containing a cold plunge pool and sunken hot tub. Guests pay $35 for a drop-in session that allows them to indulge in all of the above at leisure, perhaps pausing to refresh with drinks and snacks from the Scandi-inspired menu. Silent hours are observed on Fridays; but on any night, a mellow and communal atmosphere pervades as bathers cycle through the warm and cold air, steam, and water. Wait for the neon ‘SAUNA’ sign above the sidewalk to illuminate red to signal bathing is in session.

145 Washington Ave., Portland, ME, 04101
www.washingtonbaths.com
(207) 253-1555

Cedar Grove Sauna

A hillside spot outside Camden has become an unexpected hub for community bathing, thanks to the well-timed efforts of Cedar Grove Sauna founder, Jackie Stratton. Stratton’s Montville homestead includes two saunas: a smaller model and an expansive new addition with transom windows looking out over the rolling hills of Midcoast Maine. The newest sauna was built to accommodate the growing interest Cedar Grove has enjoyed in the past couple of years (as the original sauna frequently gets booked a fortnight out). The buzz has been stoked by Stratton’s traveling mobile sauna, housed inside a cherry-red, converted horse trailer, which pop-ups up periodically at places such as Popham Beach and draws a steady stream of bathers.

935 Halldale Rd., Monteville, Maine, 04941
www.cedargrovesauna.com

Photo courtesy of Snowcoast Sauna

Snowcoast Saunas

If you’ve fallen for the indulgent delight of regular bathing sessions, why not spring for your very own backyard sauna? Snowcoast specializes in standalone saunas made in Maine using locally grown white cedar. The flagship “Thuja” model is an attractive combination of modern and natural design, complete with a pitched roof, cedar shingles, and a dramatic recessed entryway finished in matte black, thanks to shou sugi ban — a Japanese wood charring technique. As the cedar silvers over time, the structure is designed to melt into its surroundings, identifiable only from the puffs of smoke and steam that billow out during bathing. Owner Murphy Doughty avows the benefits of regular saunaing to counteract busy, active lifestyles and will design a custom sauna to suit your needs. However, he will always encourage an authentic wood-fired option over infrared power — “the ritual, the heat, the light; you just cannot beat the full-body experience of a wood-fired stove,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Snowcoast Sauna

www.snowcoastsaunas.com
207-807-1252

Mainely Tubs

Mainely Tubs can claim to be an early pioneer of thermal recreation, having opened the doors to a hot tub showroom more than 40 years ago. Today, the business encompasses four showrooms across New England and dozens of at-home sauna options, including everything from barrel saunas to expansive glass-fronted designs. Mainely Tub specializes in Minnesota-manufactured Finnleo designs, as well as barrel models from Dundalk. Thanks to a wealth of staff and expertise, you can enjoy perks like a free backyard consultation before you buy.

415 Payne Rd., Scarborough, ME 04074
www.mainelytubs.com
207 883-6357

Take the Plunge:

Under the cold, bright face of a spring full moon, the last thing you might want to do is wade into the dark waters of Willard Beach. But, if you arrive a little before 7 p.m., that’s exactly what you’ll witness, as dozens of locals — the majority of them female — break the ocean surface with yelps of shock and delight. The growing cold water movement may be in part fueled by the success of the Wim Hof Method, a wellness practice conceptualized by the Dutch extreme athlete. The ‘Method” focuses on breathing and cold exposure to fight mental and physical ills. This “cold water community” is led by Two Maine Mermaids, local residents Kelsy Hartley and Caitlin Hopkins, otherwise known as Ebb and Flow. The pair began ocean dips together in 2020, before garnering a following of fellow cold-water-curious bathers for regular full moon sessions. Now they have a “Couch to Coldwater” series and a roster of calendar events that attract a stalwart crowd. Find out more at www.twomainemermaids.com

Like a new sport, sauna bathing and cold water swimming require you to start slow, gradually adjusting your body and breathing to adapt to the unfamiliar temperatures. But advocates swear by the health and well-being benefits that lie beyond your comfort zone, once you’re ready to take the plunge.

Story by Saisie Moore. Saisie is a writer and editor living in Portland’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood.