Stave Camping & Hot Pools sits on the wild, wind-swept western coast of Andøya island in the Vesterålen archipelago, positioned directly on an Arctic Ocean beach with uninterrupted views across open water. This is one of Norway’s most remote and atmospheric sauna destinations — a place where 38 °C saltwater hot pools and a handcrafted Norwegian pine beach sauna face directly onto the sea, and where the cold plunge is the Arctic Ocean itself, typically running at around 8–9 °C. The contrast between the steaming hot pool and the icy waves crashing on the beach is as raw and elemental as Norway gets.
The Beach Sauna
The beach sauna is built from locally sourced Norwegian pine and uses steam generated from local volcanic rock, reaching temperatures of around 80 °C. Sessions run approximately 90 minutes and must be booked in advance — essential during the summer peak season. Both the sauna and the hot pools are Miljøfyrtårn (Eco-Lighthouse) certified, reflecting the property’s commitment to sustainability in one of Norway’s most sensitive Arctic environments.
Hot Pools
The saltwater hot pools, maintained at a steady 38 °C, overlook the ocean and can be used before or after the sauna for a full thermal experience. Whether it is soaking in a hot pool under the midnight sun in July or warming up in the sauna as the Northern Lights dance overhead in January, the contrast with the surrounding Arctic environment is extraordinary.
Activities and Location
Stave Camping is ideally located for wildlife enthusiasts: minutes from the departure point of Andøya Whale Safari (sperm whales, orcas, and humpbacks are frequently sighted) and the Puffin Safari routes. Sea kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfboard rentals are available on-site. Accommodation ranges from beach apartments to the Northern Lights House, which sleeps six and faces directly onto the ocean.
