A new winter sauna experience is coming to Ibiza, with Aether Sauna preparing to establish a beachside base at Playa Niu Blau and officially launch on Friday, 16 October 2026.

The Bristol-based sauna project has already been exploring the island with a series of sunrise and sunset pop-ups, including visits to Cala Nova, Cala Salada and Playa Niu Blau, before moving into its planned regular winter operation.

Aether Sauna Prepares for Its Ibiza Launch

Aether Sauna will hold a pre-launch and media night on Wednesday, 14 October, ahead of its official launch event on Friday, 16 October.

The first weekend of sessions will be offered completely free as the team introduces the concept to Ibiza residents and visitors.

The founder describes the approach as “show, don't tell”, allowing people to experience the sauna for themselves before the regular winter programme gets underway.

A Beachside Winter Base at Playa Niu Blau

Following the launch, Aether Sauna plans to operate from a fixed beachside location next to Santa Marta at Playa Niu Blau.

The initial winter schedule will focus on Fridays and Saturdays, with additional opening days potentially added when demand is strong.

The setting brings the sauna experience directly beside the sea, combining the traditional heat of the sauna with Ibiza's coastal environment during the quieter months.

From Sunrise Pop-Ups to a Winter Base

Before establishing its regular location, Aether Sauna has been using its arrival on the island to explore different parts of Ibiza.

The mobile sauna has visited Cala Nova, Cala Salada and Playa Niu Blau for sunrise and sunset experiences, giving the team an opportunity to experience the sauna in different coastal settings.

That initial touring phase will now lead into a more permanent winter presence at Playa Niu Blau.

What Happens During an Aether Session?

Regular sessions following the launch are planned to last 90 minutes.

A central part of the experience is the guided Aufguss, a sauna ceremony led by a Gusmeister. Aether describes its Aufguss sessions as combining scent, music, steam and elements such as meditation or storytelling, with each Gusmeister bringing their own style to the experience.

The guided Aufguss lasts around nine to twelve minutes and takes place during the wider sauna session. Guests can also leave the sauna to cool down, take a break or spend time outside before continuing.

Heat, Cold and Community

Aether Sauna is built around more than simply sitting inside a hot sauna.

The experience combines sauna culture with nature, wild swimming, scent, music and community. Aether describes its approach as creating an inclusive and sociable environment where guests can share the experience while still having space for quieter moments.

For some visitors, the guided Aufguss may be the highlight. Others may be drawn to the contrast between heat and cold, the social atmosphere or simply enjoying time together by the sea.

The Story Behind Aether Sauna

The roots of Aether Sauna go back to founder Johnny Palmer's long-standing passion for wild swimming.

According to Palmer, he purchased the river island at Warleigh Weir in the Cotswolds in 2007. The site became closely connected to his interest in rivers, outdoor swimming, nature and community.

When he became a Gusmeister in 2024, Palmer decided to bring together his passion for wild swimming and sauna with the engineering skills of his team to create a new wellness project.

That combination resulted in the first Aether Sauna at Warleigh Weir.

Aether's own account of the project similarly traces its development to Palmer's relationship with the river, his interest in cold-water experiences and his discovery of guided sauna culture.

From Warleigh Weir to Ibiza

The original Aether Sauna operates at Warleigh Weir in the UK, where the experience brings together sauna, guided Aufguss, wild swimming and community.

Aether says its wider vision is to create a healthy and inclusive community hub around sauna culture, rather than simply offering a conventional spa experience.

The Ibiza project represents a new setting for that concept, taking the sauna from its riverside home in the UK to the coast of Ibiza.

Built in Bristol

The Ibiza sauna was built in Bristol by the engineering team behind Aether.

The company's registered base is in Bristol, and its current operation at Warleigh Weir continues to form the foundation of the Aether Sauna project.

The Ibiza unit is part of the company's growing sauna operation and has been designed to deliver the same combination of sauna culture, guided sessions and community in a new environment.

A New Kind of Winter Wellness for Ibiza

Ibiza is well known for its summer nightlife, beaches and outdoor lifestyle, but the island also has a growing range of experiences aimed at the quieter months.

Aether Sauna is arriving specifically for that winter period, offering an experience based around heat, cold, nature and social connection.

Its planned location at Playa Niu Blau gives the concept an especially distinctive Ibiza setting, with the beach forming part of the experience rather than simply providing a backdrop.

Friday and Saturday Winter Sessions

After the launch, Aether Sauna plans to operate at Playa Niu Blau on Fridays and Saturdays.

The company says additional days may be introduced depending on demand, allowing the schedule to develop during the winter season.

The first weekend will be free, giving local residents and visitors an opportunity to try the experience before the regular programme begins.

Aether is also encouraging people interested in its Ibiza launch and future sessions to join its community WhatsApp group for updates.

Aether Sauna Comes to Ibiza

From its beginnings around wild swimming and the river at Warleigh Weir to its new beachside project in Ibiza, Aether Sauna is bringing together sauna culture, guided Aufguss, outdoor experiences and community in a new setting.

The sauna has already made its first appearances around the island at locations including Cala Nova, Cala Salada and Playa Niu Blau.

Now, with a pre-launch and media night on Wednesday, 14 October and an official launch on Friday, 16 October, Aether Sauna is preparing to establish its winter base at Playa Niu Blau.

With free sessions during its first weekend and regular Friday and Saturday operation planned afterwards, the project is set to introduce Ibiza to a different kind of winter wellness experience beside the sea.