My First Wild Sauna and Sea Dip in Fife – A Beginner’s Experience

I’d been hearing more and more about wild saunas in Scotland, the benefits of wild swimming and cold water therapy, and especially the combination of heat and cold. I’d never actually tried one or dipped in the sea afterward.

So I finally decided to give it a go. It was a grey Sunday morning in February, and honestly, I wasn’t in the mood when I woke up. I was tired, it was chilly, and I did wonder whether it would be worth it. But I’m so glad I went!

Wild Wellness in Fife – A Newbie’s First Time

I arrived at the outdoor sauna in Fife, located on a raised bank just steps from the beach at Lower Largo. The setting was beautiful, even the sky began to brighten. A sliver of sunshine broke through, which felt like a small miracle in February.

The wild sauna setup was brilliant. It had:

• A cozy coal-fired stove
• A small chill-out area with deck chairs
• Private huts to change
• A sheltered area at the back for gear
• A cold bath for dipping
• A panoramic sauna with a sea view
• The owner’s friendly wee dog there to welcome us

This was my introduction to the wild wellness scene in Scotland, and I couldn’t have asked for a better setting.

Citrus Steam and Cold Courage

One of the owners added essential oils to the sauna, citrus and fresh, and offered a ‘fanning session’, which wafted the citrus steam around us and helped cool us between rounds.

Afterwards, we were offered orange slices. Small unexpected touches, but they made the whole experience feel welcoming, and kind of indulgent in a wild way.

The coal-fired sauna warmed me to the bone, which gave me the confidence to brave the cold water dipping part.

Braving the Sea Dip

I’d packed all my newly-bought gear, neoprene socks and gloves, wetsuit shorts, and a changing robe. I’d grabbed an old towel, my old swimming suit and a woolly hat.

When I stepped into the water, I surprised myself. I waded in, knees and legs stinging from the cold, but the socks helped. The cold waves were lively that day, which made the dip quite fun.

Other women were doing yoga poses whilst braving the cold waves. I remembered a power pose trick I’d learned years ago in a TED talk, and used it. Hands on hips, standing firm in the freezing sea and it seemed to help.

Then I dipped fully under. It took my breath away, but someone told me just breathe.

And I did. The calm that followed was incredible.

Buzzing and Back for More

This wasn’t just a physical experience it was quite emotional. I felt a sense of achievement and a connection to nature. We’re so often detached from it in our everyday lives.

Later, we all headed to a wee local café for brunch. I felt buzzing with energy, and my body was still warm from the session. I kept thinking about how wild saunas and sea dips might be one of the most natural wellness experiences out there.

From the Sahara to the Sea

Just a few months ago, I did a charity trek across the Sahara Desert. It was vast, silent, wild. I felt genuinely at one with nature. That sense of space and awe, from the incredible African sunrises and sunsets to walking without clocks or concrete, reminded me how far we’ve drifted from natural rhythms.

This outdoor sauna in Scotland brought back some of that feeling. Heat and cold, breath and body, sea and steam, a natural rhythm I didn’t know I needed.

Final Thoughts

This first wild sauna experience in Fife really opened something up in me, a mix of courage, calm, and curiosity. I didn’t need a full wetsuit. I didn’t need to be super fit. I just needed to show up.

Now I can’t wait to try more and see where this wild wellness journey takes me.