6 unmissable outdoor spas near Vancouver

Amid soaring old-growth rainforests and craggy snow-capped mountains lies Vancouver, the gateway to British Columbia. You may know the area as an outdoor-lover's paradise, but it’s an outdoor spa-lover's paradise, too.

Weaving together ancient Nordic spa rituals like cosy cedar saunas and refreshing Wim Hof-inspired cold plunges, these immersive open-air wellness experiences in BC harness the benefits of hot and cold therapy. Add in the grounding presence of nature, and you’re in for a complete mind-body reset.

These hydrotherapy and hot-cold spa retreats in and around Vancouver offer quieter and more introspective encounters with yourself and the nature around you. Here’s where to take the plunge.

Circle Wellness

Tucked away inside Granville Island’s former shipyards, this industrial-chic spa is, at first glance, unassuming. But venture inside and you’ll find converted open-air shipping containers serving as private suites full of therapeutic elements to cycle through for up to two hours. Think natural cedar soaking tubs, step down cold pools, a pink salt room and heated riverstone floors to sit or lie on, providing a gentle reflexology experience. Elevating the experience further, the spa offers signature skincare products like a symbiotic face serum crafted with Pacific forest extracts and organic peppermint tea infused with butterfly pea flowers which turns a delightful hue of violet when steeped.

What you’ll love: the spa’s signature WellPod, an enclosed pink Himalayan salt room inspired by Korean jjimjilbang, where guests can recline on the floor and bask in the 50°C rose-hued glow.

Scandinave Spa Whistler

Silence is golden at this renowned alpine spa, where no-speaking and no-phone policies invite guests to unplug and connect with nature. And in a setting like Scandinave , it’s not hard. The sprawling 2,300-square-metre grounds blend seamlessly with the woodlands, making you feel as though you’ve stepped into an enchanted forest. There’s no time limit here; guests can take their time gliding between wood-burning saunas, cold plunge pools and relaxation areas complete with solariums, hammocks and lounge beds – perfect for reading, journaling or simply watching the world go by.  

What you’ll love: the whisper-quiet setting, view of the Coast Mountains and eye-wateringly brisk eucalyptus steam baths. 

The Nordic Spa at The Fairmont Pacific Rim

Fans of this luxury hotel brand will appreciate the five-star offerings of The Nordic Spa in downtown Vancouver. The hotel’s pool area includes a cosy cedar plank sauna along with cold plunge baths just outside your door. While it may not offer the serene silence of a dedicated retreat, Fairmont brings its signature luxury to every detail. The three-hour experience allows ample time to explore the Fairmont and Nordic spas’ full range of facilities including infrared and dry saunas, steam rooms and a ladies’ hydrotherapy shower. Make a day out of it with a decadent three-course brunch at the Michelin-recommended Botanist downstairs.  

What you’ll love: the prime location in the heart of downtown Vancouver, paired with the luxurious spa amenities that define the Fairmont experience.

Aika Spa

Inspired by their own time in Sweden, Aika ’s founders wanted to create an authentic Nordic spa in BC that feels worlds away from everyday life – and they’ve done a masterful job of it. Nestled deep in a woodland nook, this secluded spa is a 30-minute drive outside of the town of Squamish – a mecca for adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts – and is surrounded by miles of towering old-growth forest. The rustic-chic wellness experience includes cycling between a traditional hand-built sauna, adjacent cold plunge tubs and relaxation spaces including an outdoor roaring fire and a heated tent filled with places to lounge on. It’s moody British Columbian wilderness at its finest.  

What you’ll love: the pure solitude, the added element of forest therapy and the aroma of Aika’s signature aromatherapy blend in the oh-so-toasty sauna.

Havn

In the heritage-rich provincial capital of Victoria – a 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver – Havn is a floating spa set on the deck of a repurposed barge from 1943, anchored in the city’s historic and scenic harbour. Paying homage to Victoria’s maritime legacy, this impressive restoration effort boasts three saunas, hot and cold pools, lush green spaces, sweeping waterfront views and an exfoliation shower featuring a magnesium-rich sea salt scrub, harvested from Vancouver Island’s coastal waters. Keep a sailor’s watchful eye from the bow, and you might just catch a friendly harbour seal swimming by.

What you’ll love: watching floatplanes take off and land in the inner harbour from your perch in the spa’s infinity edge hot pool.

Tality Wellness

What began as a kombucha brand has grown into a wellness marque with legions of loyal followers. Focused more on building a community than offering a zen retreat, picture wood-burning saunas where quiet conversation is encouraged, shared areas around ice baths where guests support each other, and a self-serve unlimited kombucha bar for gathering between cycles. The new Mount Pleasant location includes all of these features along with a heated rooftop, giving you a bird’s-eye view over one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, known for its colourful murals and hip craft breweries.

What you’ll love: the on-tap kombucha, of course, and approachable price point.