Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Floating in an Arctic lake while ice forms around you is the strange, memorable heart of this three-hour Levi adventure. You wear a special rescue suit that keeps you on the surface, so the real challenge is not swimming. It is relaxing while your body tells you that cold water should be avoided.

I like the rare quiet of the experience and the chance to see the stars reflected on the water. I also like the warm, simple finish with drinks and a fire. The main drawback is the long drive, roughly one hour each way, and the Northern Lights may stay hidden behind clouds.

Key points at a glance

• Float without swimming skills: The Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface after a safety briefing.
• The night sky is part of the show: You may see stars and the Northern Lights above the lake, but auroras are never guaranteed.
• Expect two hours on the road: The floating site is about one hour from Levi in each direction.
• Warm up beside the fire: Hot drinks, and according to one account, hot chocolate with marshmallows, help end the cold-water portion.
• Small children need careful thought: The minimum height is 120 centimeters, and the late outdoor timing may not suit young children.
• Book with weather in mind: Clouds can block the aurora, but the floating itself remains the main activity.

Why floating in a frozen lake feels so unusual

Most cold-weather activities ask you to fight the cold. This one asks you to lie still in it.

Once you wear the rescue suit, you can float calmly in open water while the surrounding lake begins to freeze. The suit provides buoyancy and insulation, so you do not need swimming ability. Your job is to listen to the guide, enter the water as instructed, settle onto your back, and let the suit do its work.

That creates a wonderfully odd contrast. Your face is exposed to the sharp Lapland air, while the rest of you rests in cold water. The silence becomes the main event. There is no engine noise at the water, no busy activity to distract you, and little to do except breathe and look up.

I especially like that this is not simply a Northern Lights chase. If clouds roll in, the experience does not vanish. You still get an unusual night outdoors, the floating itself, and the chance to watch snow or stars from water level. One participant described light snowfall as looking like glitter while floating, which captures the appeal better than any standard sightseeing stop.

Leaving Levi for the floating site

The meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start, and you need to check the exact meeting time in the email from Safartica. The company warns that missing the meeting time or place means missing the safari without a refund, so this is not the morning to rely on a vague memory of the booking.

The drive to the lake takes about one hour each way. That means roughly two of the three hours are spent getting to and from the site, with the remaining time covering preparation, instructions, floating, and warming up. I consider the drive worthwhile only if you understand what you are buying: this is a focused, unusual night outing, not a long series of stops.

The road time also gives the evening a sense of separation from Levi. You leave the resort area behind and head toward a quieter setting. The tour is designed for night nature rather than sightseeing from a vehicle, so there is no need to expect commentary-packed transportation or a string of attractions along the route.

Pickup is included, and the city-center Safartica office is the stated meeting place if you are staying in Levi. If you are staying elsewhere, confirm the pickup arrangement before setting out, since the provided details specifically identify the Levi office as the main point.

Getting into the Arctic rescue suit

At the floating location, the guide explains what to do before anyone enters the water. This briefing matters. The suit is designed to keep you afloat, but you still need to follow the instructions for entering, positioning yourself, and staying calm.

No swimming skills are required. That makes the activity possible for people who would never choose an ordinary cold-water swim. Still, you should not confuse no swimming required with no preparation required. The air is cold, the water is cold, and the process of changing into a bulky suit can feel brisk, especially at night.

Wear warm clothing for the trip and bring patience for the changing process. One useful tip from the experience is to consider hand and foot warmers inside the suit. The suit protects you from the water, but your hands, feet, and exposed face can still feel cold during an outdoor stay.

The timing can feel quick. One account notes that arrival, instructions, and putting on the suit move along at a fast pace. That is efficient, but it may leave you wishing for a little more time to get comfortable before entering the lake. Listen closely, ask questions immediately, and keep your clothing organized so you are not hunting for a glove in the dark.

Floating beneath stars and possible auroras

The floating portion is simple by design. You lie back, let the rescue suit support you, and look upward. The experience works best when you stop expecting a show every minute and allow the quiet to take over.

The water gives you a different view of the sky. Stars appear overhead and may reflect on the surface. If the Northern Lights appear, you can see them above and possibly mirrored in the water, a perspective that feels more intimate than watching from a parking area or tour bus.

But the aurora is never guaranteed. Clouds may block it completely, and solar conditions are outside the control of Safartica or any other operator. One evening had no Northern Lights because of cloud cover, yet the floating remained a strong experience. That is an important point when deciding if the price works for you.

If the aurora is your only reason for booking, this tour carries real risk. If you want an unusual Arctic activity that becomes even better when the sky cooperates, the gamble makes more sense. Some evenings may also offer light snowfall. From the water, flakes can catch the light and create a surprisingly peaceful effect.

The late hour and exposure to the outdoors deserve attention. You are lying still rather than generating heat through movement, and you may feel the cold more than expected. The suit keeps you afloat and helps protect your body, but it does not turn the lake into a warm pool.

A warm finish beside the fire

After the floating, you return to shore and change out of the rescue suit. Hot drinks are included, and feedback about the setup describes a cozy cabin, lights, fires, hot chocolate, and marshmallows. Those details matter because the warm-up is not a minor extra. It is part of the rhythm of the evening.

The best version of this outing has a clear contrast: cold water and open darkness first, then warmth and a drink afterward. You get time to regain feeling in your hands and feet, talk with the group, and take in the surroundings without being focused on staying comfortable in the lake.

Do not expect the warm-up to erase every bit of cold immediately. Bring sensible clothing, and use the fire and drink as part of a gradual return to comfort. The activity is more enjoyable when you accept that the cold is part of the point, rather than treating it as a fault in the design.

Group size, pace, and the practical feel

The group size can affect the mood. One report described a group of 23 that had to split into two for the floating. That is not necessarily a problem, but it can mean waiting while other participants receive instructions, enter the water, or finish their turn.

A larger group may also make the quiet feel less private. The lake itself can be silent, yet the preparation area may be active as people change and organize themselves. If you want a solitary, almost meditative moment, keep your expectations realistic. You are joining a guided group activity, not renting the lake alone.

On the positive side, clear explanations and a friendly approach are important here. You are wearing an unfamiliar suit and entering dark, freezing water. A calm English-speaking guide can make the whole process feel manageable, especially for first-time participants.

The tour is listed at $155 per person. That is a serious price for three hours, especially when about two hours involve transportation. I think the value depends on how much you place on unusual experiences. You are paying for transport, equipment, a guide, the remote nighttime setting, and the chance to combine floating with aurora viewing.

It is not the best choice if you want maximum sightseeing time or a guaranteed Northern Lights display. It is better value for you if you have already seen the main sights around Levi and want one memorable activity that feels different from a standard snowmobile or reindeer outing.

Who should book this Levi experience

This outing suits adults and older children who can handle a late outdoor activity and are comfortable with the idea of cold water. The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. Height is only one part of the decision, though. Young children may find the late timing, outdoor wait, suit, and cold conditions tiring.

You do not need to be a strong swimmer. In fact, the rescue suit removes much of the anxiety that keeps non-swimmers away from water activities. You do need to be able to follow instructions and stay calm while getting into the lake.

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want a quiet Arctic activity rather than a busy program.
• You enjoy unusual physical experiences.
• You can accept that the aurora may not appear.
• You are happy to spend about an hour traveling each way.
• You like the idea of ending outdoors time with hot drinks and a fire.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, have very young children with you, or would feel disappointed without Northern Lights. The floating is memorable on its own, but the activity description and evening setting naturally encourage aurora hopes.

Booking, cancellation, and timing advice

Safartica offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

The activity requires at least two adults to operate. Check availability for the departure time, then follow the exact meeting instructions sent by Safartica. Arrive at the central Levi office 10 minutes early, and do not assume that a late arrival can be absorbed into the schedule.

Pack warm clothing even though the rescue suit is supplied. Hand and foot warmers may help, especially if you tend to feel cold while standing or lying still. Keep your expectations flexible: clear skies may bring stars or auroras, while clouds may leave you with the floating, the silence, and the warm-up as the main rewards.

Should you book the ice floating tour?

Book it if you want a genuine I cannot believe I am doing this moment in Lapland, and if you can enjoy the activity even when the Northern Lights fail to appear. The floating is unusual, the quiet is real, and the rescue suit makes the water accessible without swimming skills.

Skip it if the aurora is your sole goal, if a two-hour round trip feels excessive, or if $155 seems too high for a single activity. For the right person, though, this is more than an aurora chase. It is a calm, chilly pause in the Arctic night, followed by a hot drink and the satisfaction of having tried something few people do.

FAQ

How long does the Levi ice floating and Northern Lights tour last?

The activity lasts three hours. The floating location is about one hour from Levi in each direction, so the total time includes transportation as well as preparation, floating, and refreshments.

Where is the meeting point?

The main meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins and check the exact time in the email sent by Safartica.

Are swimming skills required?

No. The Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface, and each participant receives instructions before entering the water.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and may be hidden by clouds or absent during the outing. The evening safari gives you a chance to see them but cannot promise a sighting.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, and an English-speaking live guide. Pickup is also included.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also be useful because the outdoor conditions and cold water can still make your extremities feel chilly.

Is the activity suitable for children?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall. You should also consider the late timing and extended outdoor stay before bringing young children.