Mobile sauna earns residency at South Shore Beach in Little Compton

LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WLNE) — An unexpected retreat on wheels heats things up at South Shore Beach in Little Compton.

“It’s just euphoria, it’s true bliss, and it’s really healthy for us,” Altaer Sauna Owner Kayla Sibilia said.

Sibilia said she was no stranger to the idea of contrast therapy, as she grew up around a sauna and wanted to bring the experience to others.

So she did, rolling her second mobile sauna up to South Shore Beach for group sessions.

She calls it “sauna social.”

Folks can experience extremely hot temperatures in the sauna, upwards of 180 degrees, then cool off with a dip in the ocean just a few feet away.

“I really wanted the essence of this sauna to be all about community, to be for the neighbors and for Rhode Island residents,” Sibilia said.

She said stunning views of the ocean were all part of her vision.

“I just want to people to fully embody and immerse themselves in nature,” Siblia said.

Three years in business and Altaer Sauna now has approval to be on the beach year-round.

Siblia said she worked with people in the local community to help build the mobile sauna.

She explained some of the benefits of contrast therapy.

“In cold water you are building healthy brown fat which is good for metabolism, mitochondria, and endorphins,” she said. “High heat exposure is really good for our heat threshold and our heat shock proteins and heat shock proteins repairs the proteins in our cells.”

More information on the sauna can be found here.