Trying a Sunrise Breathwork and Beach Sauna at Orewa in New Zealand : Looking Like a Gnome and Feeling Like I’d Joined a Cult
11th March 2026 - New Experience Number 14
During our travels around New Zealand, we camped at Orewa Beach on the North Island. A fantastic campsite right on the ocean’s doorstep.
On an afternoon stroll, I spotted an A-board advertising a sunrise beach sauna and breathwork session on the beach. And it was happening the very next morning.
I’ve followed guided breathing exercises and had a sauna before, but I’d never combined the two, let alone done them on a beach as the sun came up.
So I decided to give it a go. It seemed like a rather lovely way to start the day, and another opportunity to tick something off on my mission to try 52 new things in the year.
Because sometimes, trying something new means experiencing familiar things in a different way.
Breathwork on the beach
Using the torches on our phones to guide us through the grassy sand dunes, the four of us made our way to the beach to meet our guide at 6.30 am.
After a hushed introduction (it was very early), our guide started a recording of Wim Hof, the Dutch extreme athlete known for his distinctive breathing techniques.
Sitting on the beach in the dark as the waves rolled onto the shore and the fresh sea air drifted in on the light breeze, we closed our eyes and focused on our breathing and the sensations around us.
It felt a little bizarre at first to be breathing so loudly with a group of strangers with my eyes closed. I mean, obviously we breathe whenever we’re with a group of strangers, but this was concentrated breathing. At volume. And things often seem even louder with your eyes shut.
Paying attention
Once I’d got over the weirdness of such extreme nasal sounds during the inhales, and the very audible exhalations through the mouth, my attention briefly wandered to what we must look like to any passers by. Would they think we were odd? Would they think we were some sort of cult? Would dogs on their morning walk come for a sniff of this unusual collective? Or worse, cock a leg?!
However, once I realised my mind was straying all over the place wondering how I was being perceived, I gently brought my attention back to the breathing.
Noticing
I felt the sand supportive underneath me as I sat and wiggled my toes. I sensed my body rise and fall with every cycle of breath. The rhythmic sounds of the sea provided a reassuring backing track to Wim Hof’s recorded voice as he guided us through the session.
And the next thing I knew, I caught myself thinking about how many peppers we were going to need for dinner later that day. My body was obediently following the breath work, but my mind had roamed away from being in the moment. Apparently, that’s perfectly normal. The trick is simply to notice when your mind wanders and gently bring your attention back to the present.
For such a sedate activity of sitting and breathing, it was surprisingly energising. Opening our eyes to see daybreak felt like such a special way to welcome in a new day – even if the clouds only let a speckle of sunrise through.
Looking like a gnome - sunrise breathwork and beach sauna in New Zealand
Whilst we’d been practicing some focused breathing on the beach, a wisp of smoke had been steadily curling out of the sauna chimney and into the sky. Our sauna host welcomed us in for some heavenly relaxation in the wood fired heat she had prepared.
I lay my towel across the warm wooden slats and sat next to the window overlooking the shoreline.
It was my first time trying a sauna hat. Aren’t they glamorous? They’re apparently helpful for regulating temperature and protecting your hair. I’m not sure I noticed a difference, but I did enjoy looking like a gnome.
You know when you feel warm right to your bones? It was that sort of blissful contentedness. I could feel muscles I hadn’t even realised were tense, gradually unclenching and melting
It was an opportunity to talk to the other early risers, some were regulars who frequently embraced the weekly sunrise sessions, some were more sporadic visitors, and all of them extolled the feelings that they took away from the morning.
Pouring a ladle of water onto the coals, the sweat beaded on my skin as a pulse of hot steam rose from the embers. I bathed in the warmth letting the heat wash over me.
Overheating
It was all thoroughly lovely. Until my inner thermostat decided this was a bit unusual. I began to feel uncomfortably hot, and when my skin felt a little prickly I decided I needed a break from the intensity.
Stepping out of the hot box, I instantly felt better. The air outside was much more comfortable.
Once I’d cooled down, I headed back in for another short burst of that hot-aired embrace.
A cold and brilliant awakening
Leaving the sauna for the last time, I finished with a very invigorating icy shower. Some people run straight into the sea, while others immerse themselves in the cold plunge bath. I opted to stand under the showerhead and let the frosty water cascade over me.
The extreme difference in temperature brought all my senses to life. After feeling almost floppy with relaxation in the heat, the cold water jolted me back to full alertness.
Stepping out, it felt as though every fibre of my being had been assaulted. In a good way, obviously! I felt gloriously, ridiculously alive.
Drying off and getting dressed, there were amazing sensations running through me. It might sound peculiar, but I genuinely felt alert and excited, and ready to grab the day by the collar and make the most of it.
Sauna Collective
A big thank you to Sauna Collective for guiding us through such a gorgeously serene start to the day.
Their mobile sauna and cold plunge experiences run at beach locations around Auckland, including Orewa and the North Shore. It’s clear how passionate they are about sharing the experience of moving between hot and cold.
And I can certainly vouch for coming away feeling relaxed, alert and ready to take on the day!
Why I’d try a sunrise breathwork and beach sauna in New Zealand again
I’d started the day doing something a little unusual and emerged feeling awake, both physically and mentally, and ready to make the most of the day.
It reminded me that trying something new doesn’t always mean doing something completely unfamiliar. Sometimes it’s about combining things you already know in a different way and seeing what happens.
And sometimes, feeling gloriously alive means getting up ridiculously early, breathing like a cult and looking like a gnome.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- Visit the Sauna Collective website to explore their sauna and cold plunge experiences around Auckland, including locations, timings and upcoming events.
- You can also follow the Sauna Collective on Instagram for updates, announcements and details of upcoming sessions.
Cost Of Experience
The sunrise breathwork and beach sauna session I attended was completely free!
You can also enjoy the beach sauna at different times of the day, with prices in 2026 starting from NZ$15 per person (approximately £6).
Prices may vary depending on the experience, so check the website for the latest costs and booking information.
Recommendations
- Check the forecast. Hopefully the weather will be on your side but it might be good to know if you need a rain jacket.
- Layer-up. It can be surprisingly chilly before the sun rises, particularly when you’re sitting on the beach doing your breathwork. Layers are your friend, and you can always take them off when you get into the sauna.
- Pop your swimming gear on underneath.It’llmake getting changed before heading into the sauna much easier, particularly if changing facilities are limited.
Check what’s provided. Some sauna experiences provide towels, changing facilities and drinking water, whilst others expect you to bring your own. Check beforehand.
- Take a towel. You’ll need one to sit on in the sauna, and you’ll want it for drying off after your cold dip!
Take some water. You’ll be spending time in the heat, so it’s wise to have drinking water available.
- Don’t forget your camera. Of course you’re going to be so caught-up in the moment that taking pictures will be the last thing on your mind. But when you open your eyes and see the colours of sunrise you might want to capture in on camera. And of course you should definitely get a picture in the sauna hat!
