Salt caves and float tanks: a first-timer's guide to two quiet rooms
One is a room lined with salt, the other a tank of warm, salty water. Both are about switching off. Here is how they differ and what to expect.
Salt caves and float tanks often sit side by side on wellness menus, and both promise an hour of quiet. They are very different experiences, though, and it helps to know which one you are booking.
Salt caves (halotherapy)
A salt cave is a room with walls and floor covered in salt, usually Himalayan or Dead Sea salt, lit with a soft glow. In many rooms a machine called a halogenerator releases very fine, dry salt particles into the air. You sit back in a lounge chair, often fully clothed, sometimes with music or a guided meditation, for 30 to 50 minutes. Group sessions are common, and some caves run sessions for children.
- Wear comfortable clothes. Some caves ask for clean socks or shoe covers.
- Arrive a few minutes early to settle in.
- Expect a faint salty taste on your lips afterwards.
Float tanks (flotation therapy)
A float tank, sometimes called a sensory deprivation or isolation tank, holds about ten inches of skin-temperature water with so much Epsom salt dissolved in it that you float effortlessly. Many places now use open pods or float rooms, which feel less enclosed. Sessions usually last 60 to 90 minutes. You float alone, usually without clothes, in a private room with a shower.
- Shower before and after. The center provides everything you need.
- Use the earplugs they give you, and avoid touching your eyes. Salt water stings.
- Skip shaving or waxing on the day. Small cuts sting in the salt.
- You can usually keep the lights on and the door open if you prefer.
Which one to choose
If you want something social and easy, with your clothes on, start with a salt cave. If you want complete stillness and an hour entirely to yourself, try a float. Many people enjoy both for different reasons.
Questions to ask
- How is the water filtered and cleaned between floats?
- Is the salt room fed by a halogenerator, or is it a decorative salt room?
- Can I book an intro session or a shorter first visit?
These are relaxation experiences, not medical treatments. Check with your doctor first if you are pregnant, have a heart, lung or kidney condition, epilepsy, open wounds or a recent tattoo.