Laguuni Keilaniemi - A Floating Sauna by the Shores of Espoo

Photos: Laguuni/Tomi Tähti

Keilaniemi in Espoo is known among locals as a marine business hub, home to many large companies. The maritime cityscape on a dim winter evening, with the glow of the fireplace, creates a foggy bubble right in the heart of the urban environment.

Arrival is easy. Traveling by metro from Helsinki’s Central Railway Square to Keilaniemi in Espoo takes just 10 minutes. The sauna resides less than a kilometer from Keilaniemi metro station. If you’re by car you can easily park right next to the sauna.

The modern, dark-toned interiors are very clean and atmospheric. The space can of course be rented for private events, and everything you could need is available; a hot tub on the rooftop terrace, both wood-burning and electric saunas, a cozy lounge area with a fireplace, and a wind-sheltered cooling area with blankets and furniture make for an exceptionally comfortable experience.

We visited the lagoon’s wood-burning sauna, where the massive, barrel-sized stove glowed invitingly. The staff made sure to keep the wood supply flowing, so we could focus mainly on enjoying the heat. The temperature in the sauna reached a staggering 100°C, and the contrast with the 4°C sea water was surreal.

Tips for Your First Cold Water Dip After Sauna

When entering the ice-cold water, it’s a good idea to adjust gradually to the temperature difference. You should never jump directly from the sauna into the water! Instead, approach the cooling experience step by step, in a calm, meditative state of mind.

I’ts recommended to keep your dips brief; I usually take about 3-5 deep breaths before starting to head back to shore. You may see regulars swimming for short intervals, but for first-timers, even a brief dip is better than nothing.

In the well-insulated and aesthetically pleasing lounge area, you can toast marshmallows or sausages or enjoy drinks purchased from the kiosk. Options range from hot cocoa and soft drinks to beer. During our visit, we enjoyed cocoa and soft drinks by the fireplace between sauna sessions. You can charge your treats to your tab, with payment made upon departure. It’s convenient, especially when it’s nearly -10°C outside!

The Lagoon’s website provides an extremely comprehensive list of items to bring along.

First, you’ll need a swimsuit. The saunas and ice swimming area are unisex, so please remember to wear some!
If desired, you can rent a towel on-site.
For more frequent ice swimming, a hat and ice swimming shoes or socks and gloves are recommended, as the feet, especially the soles, are most exposed to the cold when entering the ice water.
If you like, you can bring your own sandals and a small towel for the changing room.
Our visit took place in winter, and we discussed among ourselves that a bathrobe would also be useful, especially for sitting in the cooling area.

The shower next to the wood-burning sauna is for rinsing only, meaning the use of soap or other cleansers is prohibited. This ensures that no chemicals from visitors’ cleansers end up in the sensitive Baltic Sea, as the Lagoon floats on the bay’s waters.

Reservations and inquiries can conveniently be made directly through Laguuni’s website.

You can also learn more about their activities and locations on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.