How HAVN's new Vancouver floating spa will fit into Kitsilano's heritage marina | Daily Hive

HAVN Saunas Vancouver: How a WWII-era barge is slated for a new life on the Kitsilano waterfront

Concept of HAVN Saunas at Vancouver Maritime Museum's Heritage Harbour in Kitsilano Point. (Vancouver Maritime Museum)

On behalf of its partner HAVN Saunas, the Vancouver Maritime Museum (VMM) has formally applied to enable the establishment of a floating spa destination at Heritage Harbour, its marina in Kitsilano Point, located immediately north of the museum building.

HAVN is the same operator of the floating spa attraction that first opened at Victoria Inner Harbour in 2023, right in front of the B.C. Legislature.

The rezoning application, submitted in January 2026, follows VMM’s initial announcement of the partnership with HAVN in November 2025. At around the same time, Vancouver City Council also unanimously approved a member motion put forward by ABC city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, directing City of Vancouver staff to work with the proponents to support HAVN’s addition to the area and identify the municipal government’s “simplest process to enable this opportunity to move forward” on the water lot.

You might also like:

In the application, it was reiterated that allowing HAVN to operate at the marina is critical to the long-term financial sustainability of the museum’s non-profit organization, which will gain a new self-sustaining revenue stream from the partnership.

Rising operating costs and stagnant government grants over the past two decades have created financial pressures for VMM. The rezoning will enable a new ongoing revenue stream to cover operational budget shortfalls, address deferred maintenance, and reinvest in exhibitions and programming. The museum’s building was constructed in the 1950s and 1960s, while the jetty and Heritage Harbour were created in the 1980s.

Location of Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour marina, the future site of HAVN Saunas. (Google Maps)

havn sauna spa kitsilano point vancouver maritime museum heritage harbour

Concept of HAVN Saunas at Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour in Kitsilano Point. (Vancouver Maritime Museum)

To create the facility, HAVN will thoughtfully repurpose a naval barge originally built in 1943 for the Second World War — identical to the vessel used at its Victoria location.

The barge will remain permanently moored as a stationary fixture within Heritage Harbour. Its historic character complements the marina’s longstanding role as a home for boats and vessels of cultural and heritage significance, aligning with VMM’s mandate to preserve and celebrate maritime history. VMM’s anchor attraction is, of course, the St. Roch vessel, contained inside the museum building, but Heritage Harbour is described as a lesser-known gem.

Heritage Harbour is a free outdoor exhibition — a part of the museum. It is a curated collection of vintage wooden boats, with a sign for each heritage vessel displaying details about the boat.

Moreover, the site enjoys spectacular panoramic views of Burrard Inlet, the downtown Vancouver skyline, and the mountains, and it could provide the general area with renewed interest through additional foot traffic.

Existing condition of HAVN Saunas’ second barge for the future Vancouver location. (HAVN Saunas)

Existing condition:

vancouver maritime museum heritage harbour marina

Location of Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour marina, the future site of HAVN Saunas. (Google Maps)

Future condition:

Concept of HAVN Saunas at Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour in Kitsilano Point. (Vancouver Maritime Museum)

The application indicates the barge will be moored at the marina’s northernmost dock, with a ramp extending from the dock to the facility. As well, a new utility dock secured by new pilings will be built immediately to the north of the barge, which will also serve to hold the barge in place by physically enclosing it. It was previously noted last fall that the barge’s positioning will also serve the dual purpose of providing enhanced shelter for the marina’s heritage boats, particularly during winter storms.

This hydrotherapy facility will offer saunas, hot and cold pools, and quiet rest areas. The museum emphasizes that HAVN’s experience will be contemplative and low-impact, with no medical treatments, massage services, amplified music, alcohol service, or cellphone use permitted.

Concept visuals in the application show the barge integrated into the marina alongside heritage boats, with rooftop plantings and dock-level access.

Concept of HAVN Saunas at Vancouver Maritime Museum’s Heritage Harbour in Kitsilano Point. (Vancouver Maritime Museum)

HAVN’s existing Victoria floating spa spans over 5,000 sq. ft. of floor area across two levels, including outdoor rooftop spaces. It features three saunas, two cold pools, two hot tubs, two outdoor showers, a relaxation cabin, an exfoliation shower, a garden patio, and universal change rooms.

As of early 2025, the company’s Victoria location has welcomed over 47,000 guests, with a year-one booking rate exceeding 95 per cent. To date, they also have a 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews, based on over 450 reviews to date.

The design of the Vancouver floating spa location will closely align with the Victoria location.

In May 2025, HAVN’s original plan to open a floating spa at the Plaza of Nations dock in North False Creek fell apart after months of negotiations with the private property owner. This also forced HAVN to cancel the development permit application submitted to the municipal government for that specific location, with the company subsequently making a public callout for any other Vancouver locations that might be suitable for such a barge-based health and wellness destination.

At some point this year, City Council is also expected to decide on the rezoning application to establish Sunborn Evolution Vancouver — a permanent, stationary floating hotel that will be moored at the north side of the West Building of the Vancouver Convention Centre in Coal Harbour. The seven-level, 162,000 sq. ft. vessel will have 250 guest rooms and a publicly-accessible ground level with restaurants and bars.

HAVN Saunas in Victoria Inner Harbour. (HAVN Saunas)

You might also like: