German Tourists Trying to Create Floating Sauna Rescued From Swedish Ice Floe

A group of five German tourists were rescued after their daring attempt to create a floating sauna on an ice floe turned into a dangerous drift at sea in Sweden’s Stockholm archipelago. The unusual incident, which could have ended in tragedy, highlighted both the creativity and the risks associated with winter activities in icy waters.
Swedish authorities say the group, who were vacationing in the area, had apparently sawn a piece of ice free from the mainland and outfitted it with a sauna tent, an outboard motor, and a collection of recreational gear. Their plan — to float the mobile sauna across the water — went awry when waves from a passing passenger ferry weakened the ice and sent the makeshift vessel drifting into deeper waters near Värmdö Island, east of Stockholm.
DIY Sauna Adventure Turns Risky
According to transport officials, the ice floe began breaking up after the swell from the ferry passed, leaving the five tourists stranded hundreds of metres from shore. A witness aboard the ferry said the group seemed unaware of the danger until their ice platform began to fracture and drift.
The tourists were reported to have brought an odd assortment of equipment with them, including a motorised saw, a stand-up paddleboard, and a GoPro camera, suggesting that they may have been filming or documenting their unusual adventure. The presence of the boat motor indicates they may have hoped to use it to steer or propel the ice floe, though this proved impossible once it began drifting.
Passers-by described the sight of figures in sub-zero temperatures standing on a narrow piece of ice surrounded by open water as “bizarre” and “spectacular.” The area around the archipelago is known for winter ice activity, but officials emphasised that this was the first known instance of a DIY floating sauna ending up adrift.
Rescue Operation and Return to Shore
The crew of the passenger ferry was the first to respond to the scene. Four of the stranded tourists were pulled to safety on Sunday after the ferry reversed course once it became clear that the ice was breaking apart. A fifth tourist stayed behind briefly to collect equipment before being rescued separte
Rescue crews used onboard equipment, including a crane and safety harnesses, to retrieve the tourists as their ice platform continued to disintegrate. All five were returned safely to the harbour village of Stavsnäs, apparently unharmed and likely in shock after their unexpected ordeal.
Karolina Wichman, a spokesperson for the Stockholm transport administration, said that it’s common for locals and visitors to need help on the ice during winter, but this particular incident was “quite a spectacle.” She explained that while there was no strong wind and the weather was calm before the accident, ice floes can be unpredictable and easily influenced by boat wakes and temperature changes.
The Appeal and Risks of Ice Activities
The Stockholm archipelago is a popular winter destination, with locals and tourists alike engaging in ice skating, fishing, and other cold-weather activities. However, experts warn that ice conditions can vary greatly and change rapidly, especially near waterways frequented by ferries and other boats. Warming waves and breaks in the ice can lead to unexpected hazards for those venturing too far from shore.
Swedish rescue services often respond to calls for assistance from skaters and adventurers who find themselves stranded or facing thin ice, but rarely has a situation involved a homemade floating sauna. It remains unclear whether the tourists intended the sauna drift as a stunt, a social media project, or simply an eccentric way to enjoy the icy environment.
Authorities Stress Safety Precautions
Officials took the opportunity to remind visitors of basic safety measures around ice, such as checking ice thickness, avoiding areas with boat traffic, and always informing someone on shore of travel plans. Ice conditions can be treacherous even on calm days, and novice adventurers without safety training can quickly find themselves in dangerous situations.
For the five German tourists, what may have seemed like an adventurous winter experiment turned into an unexpected rescue operation — one that serves as a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of ice and water in northern climates.