SuperShe Island: Finland’s Women-Only Private Retreat

A Feminist Vision

SuperShe Island was founded by Kristina Roth, a tech entrepreneur who wanted to translate the idea of women-centered networking and wellness into a physical space. Rather than building a resort focused on luxury excess or visual spectacle, the island was designed around presence, health, and meaningful connection.

Finland was not a random choice. The country’s relationship with nature, its deep-rooted sauna culture, and its emphasis on personal space made it a natural setting for a retreat built around restoration rather than performance. The island itself, located near Raseborg in Finland’s southern archipelago, offered forests, rocky shorelines, and calm Baltic waters that did much of the emotional work without needing embellishment.

This was slow travel by design. Small groups. Simple routines. A setting that encouraged people to exhale.

What Life on the Island Looked Like

Days on SuperShe Island followed a loose structure that balanced intention with freedom. Mornings often began with yoga or movement, followed by long stretches of time outdoors, whether that meant kayaking through the archipelago, walking forest paths, or swimming in the cold Baltic Sea.

Sauna sessions were central, not optional, and were treated as a grounding ritual rather than a spa add-on. Meals were communal and intentionally nourishing, with an emphasis on food that supported energy and clarity rather than indulgence. Alcohol and sugar were discouraged, reinforcing the idea that this was a reset rather than an escape.

Perhaps most importantly, the island was designed to feel contained. No crowds. No drop-ins. No constant connectivity. For many guests, the absence of men was not about opposition but about relief. It allowed women to relax more deeply, speak more openly, and exist without the subtle social vigilance that often follows them elsewhere.

Why the Women-Only Rule Mattered

The women-only policy was not a novelty or a marketing hook. It was a structural choice rooted in the belief that environment shapes experience. Finland’s Equality Ombudsman reviewed the model and concluded that the island’s women-only wellness services did not violate national equality laws, allowing the concept to operate as intended.

Of course, the real world still applied. Like any physical space, the island had to be built, powered, and maintained. Local construction crews were involved in transforming the undeveloped land into a livable retreat. That practical reality did not undermine the vision. It clarified the difference between building something and inhabiting it.

SuperShe Island was never about isolation from society. It was about temporarily stepping outside its usual rhythms.

In 2023, SuperShe Island was sold at auction and transitioned into private ownership, bringing its chapter as a women-only retreat to a close, and the buyer was a man.

There is an irony in that detail, but it does not erase what the island was during the years it operated as intended. Like many places, it moved through a natural lifecycle shaped by ownership and practical realities. What remains are the human experiences that unfolded there: long conversations in the sauna, cold swims in the Baltic, and the quiet comfort of spending time in a space designed with care. For the women who stayed on the island, it was not an abstract idea but a lived week of rest and connection.

The sale simply marked the end of that particular chapter. What the island offered continues in memory and in the broader understanding that travel spaces can be thoughtfully shaped, even if only for a time.

SuperShe Island proved that women-only travel does not have to be symbolic or temporary. It can be fully realized, thoughtfully designed, and deeply meaningful. It also demonstrated that there is genuine appetite for travel experiences built around safety, intention, and community rather than spectacle.

Today, the island itself is private property. But the idea behind it continues to influence how retreats, wellness travel, and women-centered spaces are imagined.

SuperShe Island did not fail.
It completed its experiment.

FAQ: SuperShe Island

What was SuperShe Island?


SuperShe Island was a private island wellness retreat off the coast of Finland that operated as a women-only destination for several seasons. It focused on wellness, nature, and community through curated stays centered on sauna culture, outdoor activity, and intentional rest.

Where was SuperShe Island located?


The island was located in Finland’s southern Baltic Sea archipelago near Raseborg, within reach of Helsinki by car and boat. The area is known for rocky coastlines, pine forests, and long summer daylight hours.

Who founded SuperShe Island?


The retreat was founded by Kristina Roth, a tech entrepreneur who created it as a physical extension of her SuperShe community.

Why was SuperShe Island women-only?


The women-only policy was a deliberate design choice intended to create an environment where women could relax more fully, speak openly, and engage without the social dynamics common in mixed-gender spaces.

Was the women-only model legal in Finland?


Yes. Finland’s Equality Ombudsman reviewed the model and concluded that its women-only wellness services did not violate national equality law.

What did a stay include?


Stays typically included yoga or movement sessions, sauna rituals, outdoor activities such as kayaking and swimming, forest walks, and communal meals designed to support physical and mental clarity.

How much did it cost to stay there?


Press coverage at the time cited prices in the thousands of euros per week, depending on season and accommodation type. The retreat positioned itself as a premium, highly curated experience.

Is SuperShe Island still open to visitors?


No. In 2023, the island was sold and transitioned into private ownership. It is no longer a public or bookable destination.

What is SuperShe Island’s legacy?


SuperShe Island demonstrated that women-centered travel spaces can be intentional, sustainable, and deeply impactful. Even after its closure, it remains a reference point in conversations about wellness, safety, and who travel spaces are built for.