frequently asked questions
About Waterstruck
What is Waterstruck Wellness?
Waterstruck is a community-based wellness spa in Newcastle, Maine, offering a traditional Nordic spa circuit — wood-fired sauna, warm hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge, and rest — plus bodywork treatments, yoga, and seasonal events. Our vision is to create welcoming spaces that foster self-care, deepen connection to nature, and cultivate community.
Where is Waterstruck located?
Waterstruck Wellness is at 600 River Road, Newcastle, ME 04553, tucked into the woods along the Damariscotta River. We're about an hour from Portland and 40 minutes from Augusta, sandwiched between Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor.
Nearby: 1 minute from Dodge Point Public Reserved Land, 2 minutes from the Frances Perkins National Monument, 3 minutes from Glidden Point Oysters, and 5 minutes from downtown Damariscotta and Newcastle. Free parking on site.
Who owns Waterstruck?
Waterstruck is owned and operated by Ashley and Kyle — two people with a love for Maine (especially in the winter), our community, and finding warmth in it all. After careers behind computers and encounters with burnout, we built a home sauna, shared it with friends and family, and that personal ritual grew into Waterstruck.
The Nordic Circuit Experience
What is a Nordic spa, and how does the circuit work?
A Nordic spa is a circuit of hot, cold, and rest. At Waterstruck, that means roughly 15 minutes in the wood-fired sauna, a few seconds to a few minutes cooling off in the cold plunge or cold shower, then a 20-minute rest on our decks, patios, hammocks, or in our rest yurt by the fire. Most guests repeat that cycle 2–3 times during a 2-hour session, and many do 2–4 complete circuits at their own pace.
What are the benefits of the Nordic Circuit?
Alternating between hot, cold, and relaxation phases offers several health benefits: enhanced circulation and cardiovascular health (heat dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure; cold constricts vessels to stimulate circulation), muscle recovery and reduced inflammation, stress reduction and improved sleep through the release of endorphins, immune-system support, and detoxification and skin health through sweating. To maximize benefits, repeat the hot-cold-relaxation cycle at least three times during a session.
How hot is the sauna?
Our traditional wood-fired cedar sauna is generally kept between 160 and 180°F. Ladle a splash of water on the rocks to bump up the humidity, and remember the hottest spot is on the top bench. You'll have a picture window out to the forest while you sweat.
How warm is the hydrotherapy pool? Does it change seasonally?
Our hydrotherapy pool is held at 98–100°F in the winter. From Independence Day to Labor Day the pool fluctuates with outdoor temperature, typically between 80–85°F (on chillier summer days, expect a warmer pool). It's heated by propane supplemented with solar.
How cold is the cold plunge?
Our immersion cold plunge is held at 50°F. If plunging isn't for you, you also have a cold shower, or you can just stand outside in the cold — whichever drop in temperature feels right that day. In winter, the cold plunge is available when the outdoor temperature is above 10°F, and our outdoor shower is available only when it's above freezing.
Do I have to do the cold plunge?
No. The cold plunge is optional, and plenty of our guests skip it. You can have a full Nordic experience with just the sauna, the hot pool, and rest. If you're curious, even a few seconds counts — the cold shower is another lower-commitment way to start.
Is this a natural hot spring?
No. While Maine is beautiful, it is geologically stable and has no natural hot springs. We heat our pool to approximately 100°F using propane supplemented by solar power. It comfortably fits 10–12 guests.
Planning your visit
Will I share my session with others?
Yes. All public sessions are community-based — we invite you to meet your neighbors during your circuit. For a fully private experience, please inquire about a private session.
Can I come alone, or is Waterstruck more for couples and groups?
Come alone — most of our community does! Public community sessions are designed so you can show up solo and feel comfortable, whether you keep to yourself or strike up a conversation in the hot pool.
How long is my session?
Our community sessions are 2 hours unless otherwise specified, and we also offer a 75-minute session option. We recommend 2–3 cycles of hot (≈15 min), cold (a couple of minutes max), and rest (≈20 min) to experience the full benefits of the Nordic circuit. We give a time check 15 minutes before the end of your session.
How much does a session cost?
2-hour community sessions start at $49 and 75-minute sessions start at $35. Specialty and collaboration sessions (for example, certain recovery or partner sessions) are priced separately — you'll see each option on the booking calendar.
Do you allow walk-ins or have a waitlist?
We do not allow walk-ins. Booking remains open right up until the start of a session, so if a spot is available it will show on our booking page — check back often, we do get cancellations. You can also join the waitlist from the booking page if you don't see the time you're looking for.
How do I book a session?
Sessions book at waterstruckwellness.com. You'll find community circuit sessions, private bookings, bodywork, yoga, session packs, memberships, and gift certificates all in one place. Because we're by reservation only, we encourage booking ahead — especially for weekends.
Planning your Trip
I'm visiting Midcoast Maine — how does Waterstruck fit into a trip?
Waterstruck pairs beautifully with the outdoors right out our door. Dodge Point Public Reserved Land (great for a shore trail walk) is 1 minute away, Glidden Point Oysters is 3 minutes, and downtown Damariscotta and Newcastle are 5 minutes. It's a popular stop before or after hiking at Dodge Point, a kayak on the Damariscotta River, or an oyster run. We're a reservation-only space, so book your Nordic session ahead of your visit.
What else is there to do near Waterstruck?
There's more in our little corner of Midcoast Maine than most visitors expect. Within five minutes of our door: Dodge Point Public Reserved Land (shoreline trails on the Damariscotta River), the Frances Perkins National Monument (the preserved homestead of the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet), and the historic villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle. A short drive gets you to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, Damariscotta Lake, and Boothbay Harbor. For a deeper dive — hikes, paddles, bike routes, and oyster stops — see our summer guide.
What are the best hikes near Waterstruck?
Our two most-recommended trails are the closest ones. Dodge Point Public Reserved Land, a minute from our parking lot, has several miles of river and woods trails and a shoreline walk to the mouth of the Damariscotta. Baker Forest, about a mile away, is a quieter loop — a good slow morning walk or a pre-sauna unwind. For something bigger, the coastal trails at Pemaquid Point and La Verna Preserve are 20–30 minutes out and worth the drive. A morning hike followed by a Nordic circuit is one of the most-booked combinations we see.
Can I kayak or paddle on the Damariscotta River?
Yes — the Damariscotta River is a tidal estuary that's well-loved by paddlers, with calm upriver stretches and plenty of coves to explore. Local outfitters in downtown Damariscotta rent kayaks and run guided tours in the warm months. A morning paddle followed by an afternoon sauna is a favorite combination: the post-paddle salt and wind pair especially well with a wood-fired sauna and a cold plunge.
Where should I eat near Waterstruck?
Downtown Damariscotta and Newcastle — five minutes away — have a strong lineup for a small town. For oysters on the half shell: Glidden Point's seasonal waterfront oyster bar, Shuck Station in the village, Schooner Landing on the Damariscotta waterfront, and King Eider's Pub. For coffee, bakeries, and casual lunch, the downtown is walkable and worth an hour of wandering. Our on-site offerings are limited to water, tea, kombucha, and light recovery snacks — we'd always rather send you to a local spot for a full meal.
Can I do oysters and a sauna in one day?
Yes — and it's one of the best pairings Midcoast Maine offers. The Damariscotta estuary grows some of the most celebrated oysters on the East Coast, and several raw bars sit a few minutes from our door. For a full day: a morning Nordic circuit at Waterstruck, followed by a waterfront lunch at Glidden Point's oyster bar, Shuck Station, Schooner Landing, or King Eider's Pub. Or flip the order — oysters in the afternoon, evening sauna session. Either way, you're building a classic Midcoast day without driving more than five minutes between stops.
Is there a sauna at Glidden Point?
Glidden Point's sauna operates seasonally and is closed during the summer months when the oyster farm is at its busiest. Year-round, the closest Nordic-style sauna is Waterstruck Wellness — a traditional wood-fired cedar sauna, warm hydrotherapy pool, and cold plunge, three minutes up the road from Glidden Point. We operate every month of the year, including the full summer season.
Where can I do a sauna near Glidden Point in the summer?
The closest year-round sauna to Glidden Point is Waterstruck Wellness, three minutes up the road in Newcastle. We run a traditional Nordic circuit — wood-fired cedar sauna, hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge, and rest areas — every month of the year, including all summer. Sessions are reservation-only and start at $49 for two hours; you can book at book.waterstruckwellness.com.
Preparation and Arrival
What should I bring?
A bathing suit (required for all sessions); a towel and/or robe (we rent these if you forget); flip-flops or Crocs (required for safety in and out of the water); a reusable water bottle; and a change of clothing for after your session. Optional: a warm hat and a good book.
Are bathing suits required?
Yes, always. Bathing suits are required in all community areas, and our sauna is co-ed during all community sessions. For private sessions, suits are optional inside the sauna but required everywhere else.
Can I arrive early to get settled?
To ensure every group enjoys an undisturbed transition, our doors open exactly 10 minutes before your session start time. If you arrive earlier, please wait in your vehicle — we'll be ready to welcome you at the 10-minute mark. If you can, please carpool.
Do I need to shower before my session?
Yes. Showers are required before your session so your body is clean and all lotions and oils are removed before entering the facilities, and are also required before any use of the cold plunge. Please do not apply lotions or oils after your shower. Yes, we have showers on site!
Do I need to sign a waiver?
Yes — you only need to sign it once per year. You can sign in advance through the link on our Nordic Circuit page, or we'll have you sign it at check-in on your first visit of the year.
Can I take photos or use my phone in the space?
No. To encourage screen-free rest, Waterstruck is a phone-free space. Phones are not allowed in the saunas, pool area, rest areas, or bathrooms — if you must bring your phone inside, it stays in your cubby in the check-in area. If you'd like to take photos of the space, please do so only before or after your session, and only if no other guests are in the frame.
Can I bring food or drinks?
Small, individual snacks with minimal space and cleanup are welcome in the indoor rest area and outdoor spaces — please clean up after yourself. We don't allow food larger than a snack or food intended for groups (cakes, cupcakes, spreads, or full meals) during community sessions; please save celebrations for private bookings. We also sell water, tea, kombucha, snacks, and recovery add-ons on site. No glass or ceramic containers, and no smoking or e-cigarettes anywhere on the property.
Age Policies
Is there an age limit?
Yes. We are a strictly 18+ facility for all public community sessions.
Can I bring my child or teenager?
Not to a public community session — we do not make exceptions for minors, even well-behaved ones, so our quiet sanctuary atmosphere is preserved. If you accidentally book a minor, we will not be able to admit them and refunds cannot be processed within the 24-hour window. The only way for guests under 18 to visit is through a Private Session, which is family-friendly.
Private Sessions
Can I book a private session for a couple, birthday, or group?
Yes. Private sessions give you exclusive access to the Nordic circuit — saunas, hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge, and our indoor and outdoor rest areas — for celebrations, date nights, proposals, milestone birthdays, or just a quieter small-group visit. Private sessions are also family-friendly and the only way for guests under 18 to visit Waterstruck
How many people can a private session accommodate?
Private sessions accommodate up to 18 guests.
How much does a private session cost?
Private sessions start at $800 for non-peak dates and $1,200 for peak dates, for a 2-hour Nordic circuit. Add-ons are available — including curated yoga, sound baths, cheese platters, and custom mocktail toasts — and can be discussed when you inquire. Private bookings require a 25% deposit, and peak demand is October through May.
What is the cancellation policy for private sessions?
Private sessions and private rentals are not refundable and cannot be rescheduled. If cancelled more than two weeks out, your 25% deposit is non-refundable. If cancelled within 14 days of the session, you forfeit the full price. Full payment is due 14 days before your session — if we don't receive it, we reserve the right to open the session to the public and you forfeit the deposit.
Bodywork, yoga and treatments
Do you offer massage, bodywork, yoga, or meditation?
Yes. We offer bodywork treatments (including longer signature treatment sessions), yoga classes, and seasonal/special sessions. Many of our treatment sessions are paired with a Nordic circuit so you arrive at bodywork already warmed up by the sauna and plunge — we find that pairing reaches deeper muscle release than a standalone massage. Check the booking calendar for current offerings.
Can I add bodywork to a Nordic circuit session?
Yes. We run treatment sessions on specific days — including a couples' contrast therapy + 45-minute massage on the third Sunday of the month ($409 for two people) and a salt scrub session on the fourth Sunday of the month ($209 per person). Both include a full 2-hour Nordic circuit before the treatment, plus waffle robes, fresh towels, and herbal tea.
Memberships and session packs
Do you offer memberships?
Yes. We hold a small, year-round membership program for locals who want a consistent practice of sauna and hydrotherapy. Memberships open for signup in April. Because our overall capacity is limited, membership spots are first-come, first-served, and we maintain a waitlist once we're full.
Do you offer session packs?
Yes. We offer 5-packs (expire 6 months from purchase) and 10-packs (expire 1 year from purchase). Session packs are not refundable.
How do I use a gift certificate?
Enter your code in the 'certificate or gift code' box on the checkout page. If you have multiple codes, check out individually for each one. If your code is expired, email hello@waterstruckwellness.com — after one year we honor the cash value of the certificate toward the current session price (you cover any difference if pricing has gone up).
Cancellations and Policies
What is your cancellation policy?
As a small business, cancellations directly impact us. For 2-hour community sessions and individual yoga classes: 24+ hours notice, you may cancel or reschedule; less than 24 hours, the session is non-refundable and non-transferable. Valentine's Day Signature Sessions or Recovery Sessions require 3 days' notice. Self-care sessions, events, retreats, and Valentine's Couples Massages are non-refundable but can be transferred to another person. Standalone treatment sessions are refundable or reschedulable up to 48 hours; combination bodywork + recovery sessions, up to 72 hours. Groups of 4 or more cancelling less than 7 days in advance will be charged 50% of the booking fee. All eligible refunds are processed minus a 3% transaction fee.
I need to cancel my whole group. Do I only have to click 'cancel' once?
No. Our system reserves a specific seat for each guest, so you must cancel or reschedule each person individually using the links in your confirmation email. We cannot refund forgotten slots that remain on the schedule.
How do I cancel or reschedule my appointments?
Use the cancel/reschedule link in your confirmation or reminder email. On that screen you'll see every appointment you booked — you need to click into each one and cancel or reschedule individually. Cancelling one appointment does not cancel all the appointments on your reservation.
Do you cancel sessions for weather?
Sometimes, yes. In poor winter weather we aim to email 36–48 hours before your session if we're going to cancel. We consider a session cancellation warranted when 6 or more inches of snow is predicted in Newcastle during the session (or within 2 hours of a session start), when significant rain or ice is expected at 33°F or cooler, or when the windchill is -10°F or colder. For summer, if thunder and lightning are within 10 miles of Waterstruck, guests must stay out of the water and sauna, and for 30 minutes after the last strike. If weather causes you to lose more than half your session, we issue a session certificate good for three months.
Logistics
Why don't you have a phone number?
Maintaining a public phone line adds significant overhead for a very small team. To stay fully present with the guests currently in our space, we handle all inquiries via email. We monitor hello@waterstruckwellness.com closely throughout the day. If you're at Waterstruck and need a number to leave with a babysitter or family member, let us know — our staff carries a phone for emergencies during sessions and can share it with you for peace of mind while you're here.
I forgot something! How can I pick it up?
Email us at hello@waterstruckwellness.com to confirm we found your item. You can then stop by during our open session hours to retrieve it from the lost and found. Unclaimed items are kept for one week, after which they are donated.
Do you allow dogs?
We have our own spa greeter dogs (Juniper and Willow) on site — please let us know if you're allergic or prefer not to be around dogs, and we'll keep them out of the spa during your session. Please don't bring your own dogs out of your car at Waterstruck; our dogs are greeters and working dogs protecting our ducks. For dog walks before or after, Dodge Point and Baker Forest are both within a mile and our personal favorites.