Looking to treat yourself to a relaxing spa day? You deserve it – and Victoria is full of enjoyable self-care experiences to indulge in, from spas with full body packages to saunas, cold plunges, and float houses.
In this article, we’re highlighting some of the most pleasant, serene and beautiful experiences in the city. Self care is all about nurturing your physical, emotional and spiritual health – these experiences tick all the boxes:
HAVN
HAVN is a floating park-like space that occupies a repurposed barge in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Located at Ship Point down by the Harbour Air terminal, HAVN is an oasis in the middle of the city with fantastic views of The Empress, Parliament Buildings, and surrounding waterway.
HAVN isn’t a traditional spa, and is instead known as a hydrotherapy circuit and wellness experience. They’ve got multiple saunas, cold pools, hot tubs and outdoor showers spread across a beautiful garden patio, cozy relaxation cabin and indoor lounge area.
When you check-in at HAVN, you’ll receive a robe and towels, plus a range of products available in the showers. All you’ll need is your bathing suit and sandals, some water, and some sun protection in the summertime. If you get hungry, there are cheese boards, charcuterie, and other snacks available for purchase.
Location: 920 Wharf Street, Ship Point in downtown Victoria
Price: $89 for a 3-hour visit, $79 for a 2-hour nighttime slot
The Spa Magnolia
The Spa Magnolia has been specializing in performance-based facials in Victoria for over two decades. They offer several cutting-edge Smart Aging skin care packages to combat hyperpigmentation, acne, and sun damage. All of their products are 100% safe, having been clinically tested.
In addition to a hydrating facial, Spa Magnolia combines LED light therapy for the most exceptional results. But that’s not all – you can also select from a range of massage options, including a hot stone massage, plus pedicures and complete packages.
Spa Magnolia is located downtown on Courtney Street in the Magnolia Hotel. If you’re coming from the ferry or airport area, the highway will take you directly to Courtney Street. As soon as you cross Douglas Street, look for the hotel and spa on your left.
Location: 625 Courtney Street, downtown Victoria
Price: Prices vary – see their website for more info
Ritual Nordic Spa
Located right downtown on Johnson Street, Ritual Nordic Spa is a new sauna experience featuring what’s known as Scandinavian-style wellness. This time-tested experience involves moving from saunas and steam rooms to icy water and fresh air, producing a range of health benefits like improved circulation, better mood, deeper sleep, and reduced inflammation.
The spa features traditional cedar and basswood saunas, infrared saunas, and a eucalyptus-infused steam room, plus a cold plunge pool, salt lounge and bucket showers. Enjoy the beauty of their outdoor patio, or even opt for a massage therapy treatment while you’re there.
Open 7 days a week, Ritual books 1- and 2-hour time slots with discounts for early morning risers and night owls. Plus, there are reserved bookings for women only. When you’re done, check out the Ritual Shop + Après Café of unique gifts, personal care products, snacks, kombucha and beer.
Location: 989 Johnson St (#101), downtown Victoria
Price: $40 for ‘EarlyBird’ or ‘NightOwl’ 1-hour circuits, $59 for 2-hour weekday circuits, and $69 for 2-hour weekend/holiday circuits.
Float House Victoria
If you’re looking for a unique self-care experience this is completely peaceful, it’s time to try floatation therapy. At Float House, you can enjoy uninterrupted time floating in 1,000 litres of warm water packed with Epsom salts.
Why floating? The buoyancy eliminates gravity, creating the sensation of “floating”, and it feels incredible on the body. Time disappears, along with the feeling of up or down, as you experience nothing in total peace. In your own private pod, with your choice of dark or light, and silence or ambient music, the stress will leave your body as you truly experience sensory deprivation.
With locations in Victoria and the Westshore, Float House is home to not only floatation therapy, but relaxing full body massages and contrast therapy, which involves dry saunas and a cold plunge tub.
Locations: 662 Herald Street in Victoria, 2871 Jacklin Road (#106) in Langford
Price: $65 for your first float ($50 for students), and $65 for your first hot + cold session
Sapphire Day Spa
Sapphire Day Spa is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island that offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments, a natural mind-body healing system developed in India that was being used before the Pyramids were built. At Sapphire Day Spa, familiarize yourself with the three “doshas” that form each person’s unique fingerprint: “Vata” (air and space energy), “Pitta” (fire and water), and “Kapha” (earth and water energy).
Beyond their Ayurveda treatments, Sapphire Day Spa offers wellness massages, specialized RMT massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, waxing, and even retreat journeys.
With a single location downtown on View Street, Sapphire Day Spa is centrally located between Douglas and Blanshard. Aside from premium spa treatments, they sell high-quality bath and body products, cosmetics, and skincare essentials.
Location: 714 View Street, downtown Victoria
Price: Prices range – see their website for more info
Wildwood Saunas
If you’re looking for a more rural setting for some self care indulgence, Wildwood Saunas is worth checking out in Metchosin. They’ve also got a location in Tofino/Ucluelet, but their Bilston Creek Farm location in Metchosin takes you deep into the forest, far from city life. Even still, Wildwood is reachable from town in roughly 30 minutes.
At Wildwood Saunas, you can enjoy wood-burning saunas and cold plunge tubs in a totally secluded, heavily forested area. It doesn’t get much more peaceful than this. Plus, there are just 2 saunas available for booking, so you can be sure there won’t be crowds of people around you.
If you fall in love with the saunas at Wildwood, you’re in luck. Wildwood Saunas also builds and rents out saunas, so you can literally take one home with you. Choose from a barrel or square design in the size of your choice, or just book a 3-day mobile rental.
Location: 4185 Metchosin Road in rural Metchosin
Price: $35.25 for public 90-min session, $180 for a private 90-min session (up to 6 people)
Fairmont Spa
The Fairmont Spa is located in the beautiful and iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour. If you’re looking for elegance and luxury, Fairmont Spa is well worth the visit.
Whether you’re coming solo or bringing a special someone for a romantic day out, Fairmont Spa has a range of spa options that will leave you feeling like your best. From massages to manicures, pedicures, and detox wraps, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, each option is available at a discount if you visit during the week!
In addition to the spa treatments, Fairmont Spa has a traditional Finnish dry sauna, steam inhalation room, and a mineral pool. Grab a plush robe and enjoy everything one of the most luxurious health clubs in the city has to offer.
Location: 721 Government Street, downtown Victoria
Price: Prices range – see their website for more info
