Five Coastal Sites Shortlisted For Potential Mobile Sauna Facilities

Councillors are to be updated next week on plans to explore the introduction of mobile saunas at a number of council-managed coastal locations across the borough.

A report to the Leisure and Development Committee outlines work carried out by council officers to identify suitable sites where temporary sauna facilities could operate, following a rise in year-round cold-water swimming at local beaches.

The proposal follows growing public interest in the health benefits linked to cold-water exposure combined with sauna use. Officers say this trend has moved beyond a seasonal activity and is now popular year-round at several coastal locations under council management.

An initial list of ten potential sites has been reduced to five to avoid oversaturation and ensure any future provision remains commercially viable. The shortlisted locations are Benone Strand, East Strand in Portrush, Whiterocks, Ballycastle seafront and Waterfoot.

The report notes that the East Strand site in Portrush is subject to available infrastructure and further assessment, and is not proposed to be progressed immediately.

Officers have applied for the necessary statutory permissions required by planning. Subject to approval, the council intends to run an expression of interest process to gauge private sector appetite, followed by a competitive procurement process through auction. Both stages are expected to be completed by April 2026.