Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

Laugarvatn Fontana gives this evening outing its best feature: you can sit in warm geothermal water beside a cold Icelandic lake, with steam rising from the ground and the midnight sun brightening the sky in summer. I like the mix of three outdoor pools at different temperatures and the chance to step into the lake from a nearby platform. It feels more rooted in Icelandic bathing culture than a quick city swim.

I also like that transport, a professional guide, Fontana admission, Wi-Fi, and a Northern Lights search are included in the $249 price. The main drawback is the split personality of the trip: in summer, the midnight sun may make a Northern Lights search impossible, while in other seasons clouds and weather can spoil the hunt. The spa remains the dependable part.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three connected outdoor pools: Choose among different depths and temperatures while looking across Lake Laugarvatn.
• Natural steam cabins: The Gufan uses steam that rises from the earth below rather than a standard heated sauna system.
• Optional cold-water plunge: A nearby platform lets you move from hot pools or steam into the lake.
• About seven hours on the road: Pickup or a central meeting point in Reykjavik starts an evening that ends after midnight.
• Northern Lights search included: Your guide looks for the lights after the spa, but sightings depend on weather and darkness.
• Bring your own towel if possible: Swimsuit and towel rental is available, but bringing both avoids an extra stop or charge.

From Reykjavik to Lake Laugarvatn

The outing starts at 6 p.m. from BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, with hotel or central pickup available according to the booking arrangement. You ride east in an air-conditioned bus, and the guide provides live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs.

That commentary matters because the bathing experience makes more sense when you understand where the heat comes from. Iceland’s warm pools are not simply oversized swimming pools with heaters hidden somewhere below. Geothermal water is heated by hot volcanic rock underground, then brought to the surface for bathing.

The ride also gives you time to settle into the evening. You will see lava-covered scenery through the bus windows, with the exact route and stopping points shaped by road and weather conditions. Free Wi-Fi is included, which is useful for checking messages before you put your phone away at the spa.

The bus can hold up to 99 people, so this is not a small private outing. That larger capacity helps keep the $249 price tied to shared transport rather than a private vehicle, but it also means you should expect a group setting. If you want quiet, unhurried time with a personal guide, this will feel more like a well-run excursion than a custom day out.

Two Hours at Laugarvatn Fontana

Fontana sits beside calm Lake Laugarvatn, and the setting does much of the work. You change into your swimsuit, then have about two hours to use the bathing facilities before returning to the bus.

The three interconnected outdoor mineral baths have different depths and temperatures. That gives you room to find a pool that suits you instead of spending the entire visit in one fixed-temperature basin. You can move between the pools at your own pace and look out over the lake while you soak.

I like this part because it leaves space for simple Icelandic bathing. There is no need to fill every minute with an activity. You can sit quietly, talk with your group, or watch the light change across the water. In summer, the evening may still look surprisingly bright, thanks to the midnight sun.

The facilities include clean changing rooms, but the changing area is communal. That is normal for many Icelandic bathing facilities, yet it is worth knowing if you prefer private changing space. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Both can be rented on site, though carrying your own towel is usually the easier choice.

Dinner is not included in the tour price. Plan for that before departure, especially since the outing returns after midnight. One account of the experience praised the buffet food and noted vegetarian choices, but the supplied tour details do not promise dinner as part of the package. Treat food as an optional extra, not a guaranteed inclusion.

The Gufan Steam Cabins and Cold Lake

Fontana’s Gufan consists of three steam cabins filled by steam that naturally seeps up from the ground. This is different from a conventional electric sauna, and it gives the spa its most distinctive feature after the lake setting.

The cabins offer a good break from the outdoor pools. You can warm up in the water, sit in the natural steam, then return to the fresh air beside the lake. The shift between heat and cool air is especially appealing on a brisk Icelandic evening.

If you feel adventurous, you can take the experience one step further with a dip in Lake Laugarvatn. A nearby platform provides access to the cold water. This is optional, and you should not feel obliged to attempt it simply because other people do. The hot pools and steam cabins are enough for a satisfying visit.

The traditional appeal comes from the contrast: hot water, cold air, natural steam, and open water all in one place. The tour description presents the hot-to-cold change as something believed to help circulation and remove toxins. I would treat those claims cautiously, but the sensory contrast is real and can feel refreshing.

Use common sense. If you are not comfortable with cold water, skip the lake and enjoy the facilities you paid to use. Most people will find the plunge memorable, but it is not the central reason to book this outing.

The Northern Lights Search After the Spa

After Fontana, you reconvene with the bus and continue on a Northern Lights search. This changes the tone of the evening. The first half is fixed and relaxing, while the second depends on darkness, cloud cover, solar activity, and where your guide can drive.

The tour does not promise a sighting. That is important. No operator can guarantee the Northern Lights, and Icelandic weather can change quickly. The trip may continue in rain, wind, or cloud, so dress warmly even if the forecast looks mild in Reykjavik.

Summer timing also deserves careful thought. The experience is described as a summer evening outing with midnight-sun conditions. Bright summer skies are beautiful, but they are not suitable for seeing the Northern Lights. If your main goal is aurora viewing, check the date carefully before booking and understand that the bathing portion may be the practical reason to choose this departure.

The tour offers a free chance to join a Northern Lights Tour if you do not see the lights, provided you contact customer service. That gives you some protection against a disappointing sky, but it does not turn the original outing into a guaranteed aurora experience. You will need to follow up yourself, and the replacement opportunity remains subject to weather and operating conditions.

The Northern Lights search also means the return time is not firm. The advertised end is back in Reykjavik just after midnight, but indicated times can vary. Arrange the rest of your evening with some flexibility. Do not book a tight late-night connection or an important early departure immediately afterward.

The Scenic Return to Reykjavik

The return includes a scenic detour through southern Iceland before the bus heads back to the capital. This adds value to what could otherwise be a simple spa transfer, especially if you want to see more of the countryside without renting a car.

The detour is not presented as a long list of formal sightseeing stops. Think of it as a moving view from the bus rather than a separate sightseeing tour. You may see open countryside and volcanic scenery while the guide continues to explain the region.

That format suits you if you want a low-effort evening. You can bathe, let someone else handle the driving, and watch Iceland pass by. It suits you less if you want plenty of time on foot or several major stops for photographs.

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Reykjavik, with hotel or central drop-off noted for the return. Confirm your pickup arrangement when booking, since the listed meeting point is BSÍ101 and the transport setup may differ for hotel pickup.

Is $249 Good Value?

At $249, this is not a cheap evening dip. The price becomes easier to justify if you value transport from Reykjavik, professional guiding, admission to Fontana, Wi-Fi, and the added Northern Lights search in one package.

You are paying for roughly seven hours of transport and activities, not only two hours in the water. Driving to Laugarvatn yourself would require a rental car, fuel, navigation, and a sober driver for the late return. The shared bus removes those concerns.

The value is strongest if you want both a geothermal bath and an aurora attempt. If you only want a spa visit, a shorter or independently arranged visit may suit you better. If you only want the Northern Lights, an evening hunt designed around darkness may be a more direct choice.

The price does not include dinner, towel rental, or swimsuit rental. Those costs may be modest, but you should add them to your planning. Bring your own swimwear and towel when possible, and eat before departure or budget for food during the evening.

A 4.5 rating from 24 reviews and a 92 percent recommendation rate point to a generally strong experience, but the small number of ratings means you should not treat those figures as a guarantee. The most consistent strength is the spa itself. The least dependable part is the sky.

What to Wear and Pack

Dress for Iceland, not for the warm pool. You will move between an indoor changing room, outdoor water, steam cabins, a bus, and possibly a cold lake platform.

Pack:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Warm layers
• Waterproof outerwear
• Comfortable shoes
• A small bag for wet swimwear

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so rain and wind are possible. Warm clothing matters even if you plan to spend much of your time in the pools. You should also keep your belongings organized in the changing area and bring only what you need.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, but you will probably enjoy the spa more if you use the ride to check messages and then keep your phone protected from water. The midnight sun can make the evening feel less late than it is, so keep an eye on the clock and listen for the guide’s instructions before returning to the vehicle.

Who Will Enjoy This Evening Most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an easy way to combine Icelandic bathing with countryside views. It works well for first-time visitors who do not want to rent a car, couples looking for a relaxing evening, and families with older children who can manage a late return.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the hot pools, steam cabins, and cold lake require personal judgment. If you have a condition affected by heat or cold, ask a medical professional before booking.

You should think twice if your schedule is tight. The tour lasts about seven hours, starts at 6 p.m., and returns after midnight. You also need patience for a large shared group and a Northern Lights search that may produce no lights.

The best mindset is simple: book it for Fontana first, and regard the aurora as a bonus. That way, the evening still delivers its main experience even if clouds cover the sky.

Cancellation and Weather Details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 6 p.m. start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Weather does not affect only the Northern Lights portion. It can also alter driving times and the return schedule, so keep your plans flexible.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book this outing if you want a warm geothermal spa with a Northern Lights attempt attached, and if you prefer guided transport to handling Iceland’s roads yourself. Fontana’s lake views, three outdoor pools, natural steam cabins, and optional cold-water plunge give you a solid experience even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Do not book it as a guaranteed aurora trip. The lights depend on darkness and weather, and the summer midnight sun may work against that goal. For the best value, bring your swimsuit and towel, dress warmly, allow extra time after midnight, and see the bath as the sure thing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, with an 6 p.m. start time. Pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel may also be available, depending on the arrangement.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately seven hours. The return to Reykjavik is expected just after midnight, but return times can vary.

How much time do I get at Laugarvatn Fontana?

The planned time at the geothermal baths is about two hours. You can use the outdoor pools, natural steam cabins, and nearby lake access during that period.

Are towels and swimsuits included?

No. You should bring a swimsuit and towel. Both items can also be rented at Fontana.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

Sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, you can contact customer service about joining a Northern Lights Tour for free. The replacement opportunity remains subject to operating and weather conditions.