Finland
Kotka is a port city of 53,000 at the mouth of the Kymijoki river on the Gulf of Finland. The city's sauna culture is shaped by its maritime and industrial heritage — public saunas with direct sea access, the traditional combination of sauna and sea fishing, and the Kotka Archipelago National Park providing island sauna settings reachable by boat. The annual Kotka Maritime Festival draws attention to the city's sea culture. Santalahti Resort provides modern sauna and outdoor facilities with sea views. Finnish etiquette throughout: sea plunge, wood-fired, traditional pace.
Santalahti Resort on the Gulf of Finland is Kotka's flagship waterfront sauna hotel. The Kotka archipelago has island sauna operators. Maretarium (the Finland aquarium) area also has sauna-adjacent facilities.
Yes — Kotka sits at the Kymijoki river mouth on the Gulf of Finland. Sea sauna venues operate year-round; gulf temperatures reach 18–21°C in July. Ice swimming clubs are active through winter.
Kotka was Finland's main export harbour. Nautical design runs through many sauna venues, and boating to archipelago saunas is a local norm. Santalahti Resort leans into this waterfront heritage strongly.
