Next to the sea planes in Victoria’s picturesque harbour lies a brand-new floating oasis. Here’s the recap of HAVN, the spa that has breathed new life into Victoria’s wellness scene.
HAVN Saunas has invigorated Victoria with their stunning saunas and cold plunges atop a reconfigured barge. Yes, you read that right; HAVN is situated upon a totally renovated floating barge. The barge does not move and is permanently affixed in the harbour, right next to the sea plane station in downtown Victoria.
The arrival of HAVN has created a bit of a stir amongst locals, as it has quite a presence in the harbour. The facility is impossible to miss and looks a bit mysterious, yet undeniably striking from the outside; a large black boat with olive trees and other greenery towering over top of its neighbouring boats.
Upon walking down to the ramp to the barge, your first impression of the spa is a minimalist check-in desk with a trendy boutique to the right. The boutique sells trendy items like Left on Friday swimsuits (for men and women) as well as Salt and Stone products.
You are then ushered into a universal change room facility equipped with lockers, changing cubicles, private showers, and a bar with hair dryers and more. This is where you change into your robe and put away your belongings, including your cell phone as the spa is device-free. You then walk up to the rooftop of the barge, where you are immediately impressed with the beauty of facilities and the panoramic view.
The spa features three saunas, two cold pools, two hot tubs, two outdoor showers, a covered relaxation cabin, and a large indoor shower equipped with sea salt to exfoliate. Almost every tub or sauna features a breathtaking vista, which undoubtedly enhances the experience. You may find yourself not even using the saunas for a while, as you just sit and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea and watch the happenings of the harbour.
A single-entry pass for three hours is $75, which is plenty of time to enjoy the facilities. They also have punch cards available for residents or those who frequent Victoria. The impeccable facilities combined with sweeping views of The Empress, parliaments buildings and the ocean make HAVN a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. —Maddie Clerides
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July 26th, 2023 at 11:33 am
Thank you for the great article! – Love this “The facility is impossible to miss and looks a bit mysterious, yet undeniably striking from the outside.”