The Benefits of Soaking in a Seaweed Bath on Ireland’s Coast

It’s late afternoon during low tide as I park my little red rental car outside Connemara Seaweed Baths in Clifden, a coastal town located just over an hour’s drive northwest of Galway. My shoulders are tense, likely from navigating the winding Irish roads during my first week of driving on the left side. Perhaps they’re also tense from anticipation: two hours of immersing myself in a tub filled with slippery, slimy seaweed.

When I first mapped out this road trip across Ireland and discovered the idea of seaweed bathing, I was captivated. A quirky and culturally unique wellness practice? I was all in.

As the moment arrives, I feel a bit anxious. Normally, I recoil and swim away when I accidentally touch the slippery fronds of seaweed in the ocean. But maybe, in the controlled setting of a spa, I can experience some of its claimed benefits—of which there are plenty.

The History and Advantages of Seaweed Bathing

Seaweed bathing is often regarded as the oldest spa treatment in Ireland. Seaweed and algae are among the planet's earliest complex life forms. Neil Walton, the owner of VOYA Seaweed Baths in Strandhill, County Sligo, notes that dedicated seaweed bathhouses began emerging in the early 1800s. However, he adds, "There is evidence suggesting that the practice dates back even further; it would have been a deeply personal experience then."

By the early 1900s, Ireland boasted around 300 bathhouses dedicated to what some consider its only indigenous therapy. However, these numbers declined as people migrated to urban areas and home baths became the norm.

Many of Ireland's original 19th- and 20th-century bathhouses fell into disrepair or were destroyed by storms. One notable exception is Kilcullen’s Bath House, which opened in 1912 and continues to operate today in Enniscrone, County Sligo, now managed by the fifth generation of its founding family. In 2000, it was joined by VOYA, marking the start of Ireland’s "second wave" of seaweed bathing. Today, numerous new spas have emerged along the Atlantic coast in counties like Sligo, Mayo, and Galway.

Walton mentions that the revival of seaweed bathhouses in Ireland is particularly noticeable along the Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,500-mile scenic drive that follows the western coastline. "The availability of fresh wild seaweed and the high quality of the water in this region play a significant role, along with the traditional knowledge of seaweed bathing," he explains.

"We believe that VOYA Seaweed Baths contributed significantly to the resurgence of seaweed bathing, being the first new establishment in nearly 80 years in Ireland," Walton states. "Others have followed suit over time."

One such place is Connemara Seaweed Baths, where I’m enjoying a soak today.

"Seaweed is the purest and most straightforward organic treatment for our skin," states Brian Foyle, owner of Connemara Seaweed Baths. "Our hand-harvested detoxifying seaweed baths provide deep hydration, promote healing, enhance circulation, and relieve stress." He notes that skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne can greatly benefit from this treatment.

"Increasing numbers of people are becoming aware of the advantages of thalassotherapy," Foyle remarks. Thalassotherapy, a term introduced in 1867, involves using seawater and related substances like seaweed for health benefits.

While scientific research on the benefits of soaking in seaweed baths is not extensive, advocates of Ireland’s seaweed baths often highlight the absorption of iodine—a vital mineral—as well as the anti-radiation, anti-bacterial, and anti-pollutant properties of seaweed as key factors contributing to its health benefits.

In addition to bathhouses, several Irish seaweed products are available for home use. VOYA’s offerings are among the most popular. This luxury skincare brand, which has gained international recognition, was founded by Mark Walton, brother of Neil Walton, who opened VOYA Seaweed Baths. Connemara Seaweed Baths also features a range of skincare products from Rí Na Mara, an Irish cosmetics company that uses organic, hand-harvested seaweed from the Connemara coast.

The Art of Enjoying a Seaweed Bath

Upon arriving at the spa's front desk, I receive a white robe, a chilled bottle of iced tea, and an overview of the seaweed bathing procedure. First, I will relax in the steam room to open my pores, then soak in the saltwater seaweed bath, and finally take a plunge in the outdoor cold pool to close my pores.

The seaweed bath is, quite simply, a bath. In the center of my pristine white claw-foot tub lies a mound of seaweed, which rapidly expands as a bucket of piping hot saltwater is poured over it.

I dip one foot into the steaming water, followed by my entire body. I wish I could say the tension from driving melts away instantly, but it doesn’t. Instead, my first impression is the scent. The salty, briny aroma fills the air, but it doesn’t bother me; it’s all-encompassing. As I drape the seaweed over my legs and arms, I notice some leaves leave a silky film, while others feel rubbery. Barnacles cling to some of the dark green fronds, and I even remove a couple of tiny snails.

The seaweed (Fucus serratus, commonly known as toothed wrack) was gathered fresh this morning from the Irish Atlantic coast, hand-cut and rinsed quickly by the bathhouse owner. That very coastline is visible from the spa's cold plunge. Below the balcony, the Owenglin River flows into Clifden Bay, but at low tide, all I see is a mound of seaweed and fishing boats tipped in the wet sand. It’s evident that the seaweed in my bath traveled only a short distance.

Eventually, it’s time to let the bathwater drain. I’m amused by the absurdity and simplicity of this ritual. Just outside the window stretches a vast expanse of seaweed that I would normally avoid while swimming, yet here I am, spending an hour immersed in it.

This doesn’t mean the wildness has been completely tamed in this experience. In fact, it’s the contrast between nature and the carefully crafted wellness routine that makes it remarkable. My skin feels smooth—whether due to the iodine-rich seaweed residue or from soaking for an hour in hot saltwater is hard to tell. My mind feels at ease, and I’m ready to hop back into my rental car and navigate the winding Irish roads.

Top Spots for Seaweed Bathing in Ireland

Seaweed bathing, an age-old Irish tradition, is experiencing a renaissance. Here are six locations to enjoy a seaweed bath on your next road trip through Ireland.

Connemara Seaweed Baths

Visit Us | Market St., Connemara, Clifden, Co. Galway

Perched above Clifden Harbor, this spa offers the only saltwater seaweed bath in northwest Ireland. You can select between a one-hour seaweed bath and steam treatment ($54) or a two-hour seaweed bath that includes access to the outdoor thermal suite ($87), which features a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and plunge pool—my personal recommendation.

VOYA Seaweed Baths

Visit Our Site | Shore Rd., Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

VOYA Seaweed Baths merges traditional bathing with a contemporary spa flair. Nestled in the coastal village of Strandhill, it also boasts an associated seaweed skincare line. Seaweed bathing experiences begin at $49, featuring options for ocean-view rooms and two-person suites.

Kilcullen Seaweed Baths

Visit Our Site | Cliff Rd., Carrowhubbuck South, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo

Kilcullen Seaweed Baths in Enniscrone is celebrated as Ireland’s oldest bathhouse. Established in 1912 (the same year as the Titanic disaster), the structure dates back to 1898 and is still managed by the founding family. The experience features a steam box, seaweed bath, and seawater shower, with prices starting at $33.

Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths

Visit Our Site | Fisher St., Ballaghaline, Doolin, Co. Clare

Immerse yourself in nature with a soothing bath in an Irish whiskey barrel while enjoying ocean views ($54). This seasonal pop-up is currently situated at Doolin Harbor for the summer, close to the Cliffs of Moher, before relocating to other destinations. Past locations have included West Cork, County Kerry, County Clare, and Galway Bay.

Sneem Seaweed Baths

Visit Our Site | Goldens Cove, Drimna Beg, Sneem, Co. Kerry

Further south in County Kerry, you’ll find Sneem Seaweed Baths, where you can indulge in a hot seaweed soak in a wooden barrel overlooking the Sneem estuary and the stunning South Kerry mountains ($52).

Seaview House Hotel & Spa

Visit Our Site | Ballylickey, Bantry, Co. Cork

Take a break for a night or more at this charming Irish country house, now a four-star hotel and spa run by a fourth-generation family. The spa features VOYA seaweed products, with hot seawater and seaweed baths starting at $65.