Quick FactsOverview
About Stave Hot Pools
Stave Hot Pools, Norway is an outdoor heated pool and beach sauna facility at Stave Camping in Nordmela on Andoya island, Nordland, approximately 22 kilometres from Andenes. The pools are heated to 38 degrees Celsius and sit directly on the Stave beach, facing the open ocean beneath the Mantinden mountain. Every session offers an unobstructed view across the sea; in winter the Northern Lights are visible from the pools. The facility is open year-round and operates in all weather conditions.
The beach sauna is a Finnish-style cabin on the sand with a window facing directly out to sea. A cold sea swim is available from the beach. The outdoor shower on the sauna side is cold water only; proper showers are in the campsite building across the road. Family pricing until 2pm makes mornings the most practical time for visits with children. Sessions are bookable and charged separately from any campsite fees.
Stave Camping has tent pitches, motorhome spaces, beach apartments, and glamping options. A shared kitchen and bathroom block is available. Equipment hire includes sea kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards. Andenes, 22km north, is the nearest town for food and fuel; Stave itself has no services.
Location & Access
Getting to Stave Hot Pools
Stave Hot Pools is at Stavedalsveien 517, 8489 Nordmela, on the west coast of Andoya island. From Andenes, drive south along the coastal road for approximately 22 kilometres; the drive takes around 30 minutes on a winding coastal route with mountain and sea views. Andenes is served by Andenes Airport (ANX) with flights from Bodo and Tromso; a hire car at the airport is the most practical way to reach Stave. Free parking is available at the campsite.
Reaching Andoya requires either a flight to Andenes or a road journey across the mainland and via the Andoya causeway. From the E10 at Sortland, drive north across the Andoya causeway and follow signs toward Andenes and Nordmela. The total drive from Narvik or the E10 at Bjerkvik takes approximately 3 hours. From the Lofoten Islands, cross back to the E10 at Fiskebol or Melbu and drive north through Vesteralen to Andoya. A hire car is essential; there is no practical public transport to Stave.
Stave has no shops, restaurants, or fuel. Stock up in Andenes before making the drive. The campsite has a basic kitchen but no restaurant. The approach from Andenes along the west coast passes white sand beaches and sea cliffs. Navigate to Stavedalsveien 517 or Stave Camping Nordmela on most apps for accurate routing.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Stave Hot Pools Suits
Stave Hot Pools suits families, outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and anyone wanting to soak in heated outdoor pools on an exposed Arctic coastline with the Northern Lights overhead in winter or the midnight sun in summer. The setting is deliberately simple and the experience is the combination of warm water and wild scenery rather than a managed spa. Those who want a full-service spa with treatments, changing rooms, and indoor facilities will find this too basic; those who want something raw and memorable will find it exceptional.
Family pricing applies until 2pm daily, making morning sessions the most economical for families. Children are welcome and the pool setting is safe for supervised children given the enclosed pool format, although the beach and cold sea are immediately adjacent and require adult supervision. The pools are heated to 38 degrees Celsius, a comfortable temperature for children as well as adults. The beach sauna is available for separate booking and suits visitors who want the full hot-cold cycle with a sea swim between sauna rounds.
Wheelchair access is not available. The campsite terrain is sandy beach, grass, and coastal path with no documented step-free infrastructure to the pools or sauna. The location is remote; anyone with specific medical needs should carry medication and share emergency contact details before travelling. The nearest hospital is in Andenes or Sortland. Contact the campsite at booking@stavecamping.no or +47 926 01 257 for current pricing and hours.
Safety & Etiquette
Stave Hot Pools Safety Tips
Stave Hot Pools is an outdoor facility on an exposed Arctic coastline. The pools are heated to 38 degrees Celsius; limit initial sessions to 15 to 20 minutes and take a cool-down break in the outdoor air between rounds. The air temperature on Andoya can be significantly colder than the pool water, particularly in autumn and winter; have warm layers, a hat, and dry footwear within arm's reach before stepping out. The transition from hot water to cold air can feel sharp; move quickly to your layers and avoid standing wet in the wind. People with cardiovascular conditions, low blood pressure, or pregnancy should seek medical advice before using hot pools.
The cold sea swim is optional and is taken directly from the beach. In winter, sea temperatures on Andoya's west coast can be around 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Enter slowly and keep the immersion brief; the shock response to cold water is strongest in the first 30 to 60 seconds. Children must be supervised at the water's edge and in the sea at all times. The beach is an open, unguarded environment. The beach sauna has an outdoor cold shower on the sauna side; proper warm showers are in the main campsite building across the road.
Weather on Andoya changes quickly. Strong winds can make the exposed beach feel much colder than the temperature alone suggests; check the forecast before travelling and bring windproof and waterproof outer layers. The outdoor shower on the sauna side is cold water only; use it briefly to rinse before and after the sea. The campsite showers across the road cost NOK 30 for 5 minutes; bring coins or a payment card. Bring your own towels and warm clothes. Book sessions in advance at stavecamping.no to guarantee availability, especially in peak summer and Northern Lights season.
