Best Saunas in Wanaka

Regular sauna sessions can help relax tight muscles, boost circulation, reduce stress and support better sleep. Many people also find it helps with recovery after exercise, clearer skin, and even overall mood. Whether it’s for wellness or winding down, it’s one of the best things you can do for your body and mind.

Traditional saunas heat the air using a heater and sauna stones, creating that hot, dry heat you can really feel – and you can add water to create steam. Infrared saunas work differently – they use infrared panels to gently heat your body from the inside out. You’ll sweat just as much, but at lower temperatures. It really comes down to personal preference – some people love the intensity of traditional heat, others prefer the gentle warmth of infrared.

Our saunas are built with premium, sustainably sourced Canadian red cedar or hemlock – not just for looks, but for lasting performance. In our infrared models, we use industry-leading, safe carbon panels for a deep, effective sweat. In our traditional saunas, we use trusted Harvia™ heaters for that classic, steamy heat.

Every layout is carefully designed and tested for comfort and proper ergonomics – so your sauna session feels as good as it should. Plus, all our saunas come with world-class warranties and support from our friendly NZ-based team.

Most of our indoor saunas are really easy to install – they come in pre-cut panels and plug into a standard power supply. Our outdoor saunas take a bit more time, but they arrive as a kitset with clear, step-by-step instructions. Whether it’s inside or out, we’ll help guide you through the setup process, and our team’s here if you need support.

It depends on the type and the model. Our traditional saunas usually sit between 70 and 90 degrees Celsius, but some models can go well over 100. That said, the key to a great sauna session isn’t just about heat – it’s about humidity. You can control that by adding water to the stones for that classic steam feel.

With our infrared saunas, most people get a really effective sweat at around 50 to 60 degrees – but some of our models can reach up to 70. It’s a gentler heat, but it penetrates deeper and works just as well.

Based on New Zealand’s average power rates, our indoor infrared saunas costs less than $1 per hour to run, making them an extremely cost-effective alternative to heading to your local leisure centre.

Our indoor infrared saunas feature a quick & easy click-in-place design that allows the Sauna to be built in 30 minutes when two people are building the Sauna.

We’ve used FSC® Certified Hemlock Wood sourced from Canada for our infrared Saunas because this wood is incredibly durable, stunning in appearance, and is completely toxin-free. Last but definitely not least, Hemlock is renowned for having exceptional heat retention qualities, meaning a Hemlock Sauna is going to cost you less to run than other Saunas on the market.

The average temperatures indoor infrared saunas will reach will be between 50-60°C , the optimal zone for sweating and pain reduction. The heat of infrared saunas travels much deeper into the body, so they are designed to provide a vigorous sweat at lower temperature. Heating capability greatly depends on external ambient temperature, with the max temperature based roughly on [Ambient Room Temperature + 40°C]. To make the most of your sauna, you’ll want to install it in a warm room, and avoid colder rooms such as a garage.

Our wood fired Saunas are completely off-grid, meaning they require no electrical connection!

A well-packed fire will have no issue reaching temperatures of 80-90°C. If you continue packing your fire with fresh wood to burn, it is capable of exceeding 100°C.

You’ll want to get your fire cranking in the Sauna approximately 30-60 minutes before you plan to use the Sauna.

Our Sauna wood-burners are constructed from vigorously tested 2.5mm steel.

One of the main differences between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna is the heat involved while inside the unit.

Traditional dry saunas average temperature is 70 to 90 degrees Celsius, while our wood fired models can exceed temperatures over 100.

Infrared saunas use a much milder temperature environment of between 45 to 65 degrees Celsius. However, because the heat of infrared saunas travels much deeper into the body, they can cause a more vigorous sweat at lower temperature.

Our ZenGlow™ Medical Grade Chromotherapy has 9 different preset colours to choose from and also features a colour slider so you can find the perfect shade of any colour you desire for your Sauna backdrop.

Traditional saunas use a stove to heat the air. As the temperature of the air increases around you, the temperature of your body increases as well due to absorption by heat convection. This causes your body to start the cooling process by transporting blood closer to the surface of the skin and opening pores through sweating.

Infrared saunas also heat the surrounding air but to a lesser degree. Instead, infrared saunas use infrared heaters to emit a specific wavelength of infrared light. Your skin absorbs this wavelength, causing your body’s temperature to rise. This elicits the same effects as a traditional sauna with less overall heat needed.

Another difference between a traditional sauna and an infrared sauna is the amount of power required to operate each unit.

Traditional saunas require more overall power to run. Our traditional saunas have either a 6kw heater or a 9kw heater. Our infrared saunas have either a 1.5kw heater or a 2.4kw heater.

This means that a traditional sauna is more expensive to run than an infrared sauna. This can make a difference, depending on how often you use the unit.

Besides their stunning wooden design, Saunas are a fantastic way of detoxifying the whole body through the perspiration process, helping to remove waste from the body and skin. This can improve overall health by enhancing blood circulation which can reduce joint stiffness and may relieve other conditions caused by poor circulation. Saunas are know for relieving stress and tension, as well as, rejuvenating skin cells leaving you feeling relaxed and looking youthful and refreshed.

Our FSC® Certified Canadian Red Cedar is not only stunning in appearance, it is unbelievably durable, and holds natural insulative properties to hold your Sauna’s heat for longer. It also releases a natural aroma that enhances relaxation during your Sauna session.

Yes, infrared saunas help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and speed muscle recovery by increasing circulation and relaxing stiff muscles. Regular sessions can improve joint mobility, aid post-exercise recovery, and support overall wellbeing, making them effective for athletes and those with chronic pain. If you want to know more, please read the full article about "Pain Relief & Recovery with Infrared Saunas".