Leo is a 26-metre floating sauna boat moored at Bakkestranda beach in the heart of Skien, the largest city in Telemark county and the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen. The concept is simple and completely compelling: a wood-fired sauna on the water, bookable privately for groups of up to six people, with the Skienselva waterway as your view and your cold-plunge option. It is one of the most distinctive sauna experiences in eastern Norway.
Floating saunas have become increasingly popular in Norway over the past decade, and for good reason — being on the water transforms the sauna experience entirely. The gentle movement, the proximity to open water, and the visual connection to the surrounding urban waterscape create a meditative atmosphere that a land-based sauna cannot replicate.
On Board Leo
The Leo boat is equipped with a traditional wood-fired sauna stove that heats the cabin to genuine sauna temperatures. Guests are responsible for managing the fire during their session, which adds a pleasantly hands-on element to the experience. The boat includes a changing area and direct water access — stepping off the boat and into the Skienselva between sauna rounds is the defining moment of the Leo experience. The waterway is clean and, in winter, dramatically cold, making the contrast between the cabin heat and the river water as vivid as anything you will find on the Norwegian sauna circuit.
Private Booking and Group Sessions
Leo is available exclusively as a private booking, making it ideal for birthdays, corporate team events, bachelor and bachelorette parties, or simply a memorable evening with friends. Groups of up to six people can book the boat for a set session length, with everything managed through the Sauna Boats Telemark website. The private format means the boat and all its facilities are exclusively yours for the duration.
Skien and the Telemark Waterways
Skien sits at the northern end of the Telemark Canal system, one of Norway’s great engineering achievements and a popular boating route. The city itself has a compact and walkable centre with good restaurants and cafes. Arriving for a sauna session on Leo and continuing with dinner in central Skien makes for a complete and satisfying evening.
