Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this experience is the contrast: you sit in hot geothermal water beside Lake Laugarvatn, then step into cold Icelandic air, with the option of a quick lake swim. The three pools have different temperatures and depths, and the nearby Gufan steam cabins use steam rising naturally from the earth.

I like the peaceful lake setting and the fact that transport, admission, a guide, and a Northern Lights search are wrapped into one evening. I also like the cold-water option, which gives the visit a more local Icelandic-bathing feel than a simple hotel pool.

The main catch is the price, $249, especially since dinner is not included and Northern Lights sightings are never promised. Also, the summer timing and midnight sun focus may not match your goal if seeing the aurora is your top reason for booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Three connected pools: Choose between different depths and temperatures while looking across Lake Laugarvatn.
• Natural steam cabins: The Gufan uses geothermal steam that rises from the ground below.
• Cold lake option: A platform gives you access to the chilly water beside the warm baths.
• Two-part evening: You spend about two hours at Fontana, then continue with a Northern Lights search.
• Transport included: Pickup may be available from central Reykjavik or your hotel, with central meeting-point departures also offered.
• Aurora sightings are uncertain: If no lights appear, Reykjavik Excursions offers a free chance to join another Northern Lights tour by contacting customer service.

Why this evening works better than a standard city spa

Laugarvatn Fontana is not just a hot pool with a view. Its setting on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn gives the visit a quiet, open feel that you will not get from a spa in central Reykjavik.

You begin with a ride east from the capital in an air-conditioned vehicle. Along the way, your guide explains Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. The route takes you through lava-covered scenery, so the transfer is part of the experience rather than dead time.

I like this format because it lets you pair two very Icelandic activities in one outing. First comes the warm water and steam. Later comes the search for the Northern Lights, with the countryside around you instead of city lights.

The timing is also useful. Departure is listed for 6:00 pm, and the return is scheduled for just after midnight, though exact times can change. That makes this a full evening rather than a quick two-hour spa visit. Plan your dinner around it, since dinner is not included.

Arriving at Laugarvatn Fontana

The Fontana complex sits beside calm Lake Laugarvatn. Once inside, you change into your bathing suit and have free time to use the facilities at your own pace.

The itinerary allows about two hours at the baths. That is enough time to try the pools, spend time in the steam cabins, look across the lake, and decide if you want to attempt the cold-water option. It is not so long that the visit takes over your whole day.

The three interconnected outdoor mineral baths are the heart of the stop. Each has a different depth and temperature, so you can move around instead of staying in one pool. If one feels too hot or too deep, another should give you a gentler place to sit.

You should bring your own swimsuit and towel if possible. Both can be rented on site, but renting adds another cost and may make the changing process less convenient. The changing rooms are clean, though they are communal, so pack with that in mind.

Hot pools, steam, and the cold lake

The bathing routine here is simple: warm water, steam, fresh air, and perhaps cold water. You do not need to use every part of it, but having several choices makes the stop work for different comfort levels.

The Gufan consists of three steam cabins. The steam is not produced by a standard machine. It rises naturally from the ground below, connecting the spa visit directly to Iceland’s geothermal activity.

The lake is the adventurous part. A nearby platform lets you reach the water, and you can alternate between the warm pools and a short cold-water swim. The tour information presents this as a way to support circulation and refresh the body, but you should treat it as an optional thrill, not a required part of the visit.

I would not plan on the lake swim if cold water is not your thing. You can still get the full value of Fontana by using the pools and steam cabins. The outdoor setting is the important part, and you will have plenty to do without forcing yourself into the lake.

The contrast between warm water and cold air is especially appealing on a windy evening. One person described the experience of being outside in cold, howling weather while the sauna and hot water remained wonderfully warm. That is exactly the kind of Icelandic contradiction that makes this more memorable than a routine wellness stop.

Midnight sun and the Northern Lights question

The description places strong emphasis on the midnight sun, which is a major Iceland experience during the bright summer season. You may see daylight stretching late into the evening, with a soft glow across the lake and surrounding countryside.

That creates an important planning issue. The same experience also includes a Northern Lights hunt, but the aurora needs dark skies. If your departure is during the bright summer period, Northern Lights viewing will not be possible in the usual sense. Before paying $249, confirm the operating dates and the actual darkness conditions for your visit.

If you are booking for the spa, scenery, and unusual evening light, the tour still makes sense. If the Northern Lights are the main goal, treat that part as a bonus and ask Reykjavik Excursions how the seasonal schedule works.

Weather matters too. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress properly even if the forecast looks mild. At the same time, the activity is weather-dependent, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Aurora sightings are not guaranteed.

If no lights appear, the operator offers a free opportunity to join its Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service. That helps reduce the risk, though it does not turn a cloudy evening into a successful aurora outing.

The ride from Reykjavik and the return after midnight

You can start at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, and pickup may also be available from a central hotel or another central location. Confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking, since meeting-point and hotel pickup options are presented separately.

The vehicle is described as comfortable and air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi. That matters on a seven-hour outing, particularly if you want to share photos, check the forecast, or simply stay connected during the long return.

Your guide provides live commentary about volcanic rock, geothermal springs, and Iceland’s underground heat. This gives the drive some purpose, though the quality of the evening can depend on the individual guide. One account praised a female guide and driver as the best guide of that person’s Iceland trip. No guide name is provided in the tour details, so you cannot request that particular person by name.

After Fontana, the vehicle continues with a scenic detour through southern Iceland before returning to Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the central meeting point or with drop-off, depending on your arrangement. The stated return is just after midnight, but road conditions and the length of the Northern Lights search can change the timing.

You should avoid scheduling an early-morning activity immediately afterward. This is a late night, and the return time is an estimate rather than a firm promise.

What the $249 price really covers

At $249, this is not a cheap spa admission. You are paying for a bundled evening that includes bus transport, a professional guide, Fontana admission, the Northern Lights search, and Wi-Fi on the bus.

The value is strongest if you want both the geothermal baths and an organized outing beyond Reykjavik. Booking transport and a separate spa visit could take more planning, and this arrangement handles the driving, admission, and return trip in one package.

The value is weaker if you only want to use the pools. You receive about two hours at Fontana, not a full-day spa stay, and dinner is not included. One account referred to a buffet and found the food good, with vegetarian choices available, but the official inclusions do not list dinner. If food is important to your evening, confirm the current arrangement and budget separately.

The maximum group size is 99 people. That is a sizeable coach group, so this will not feel like a private retreat. The spa itself may feel calmer than the bus ride, but you should not expect a small-group or tailor-made experience.

The free Wi-Fi and round-trip ride help justify some of the cost. So does the combination of hot pools, steam cabins, lake access, countryside, and an aurora search. Still, the price makes most sense when you plan to use every part of the evening.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to you if you want a convenient Icelandic evening without renting a car. It suits first-time visitors based in Reykjavik who want to see more of the countryside while enjoying a geothermal spa.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy trying local bathing customs rather than simply sitting in a warm pool. The steam cabins and optional cold lake make the experience more active and distinctive.

Families can participate, since children must be accompanied by an adult and most people can take part. Parents should think about the late return, cold outdoor conditions, communal changing facilities, and the fact that the trip lasts about seven hours.

You may want to skip it if you dislike communal changing rooms, cold water, late nights, or uncertain weather plans. You may also prefer a shorter spa visit if you have limited time in Reykjavik.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Bring a swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, and clothing that is easy to put back on after bathing. You will move between hot water, steam, outdoor air, and a bus, so layers matter more than fashionable clothing.

Eat before departure or plan food carefully. Dinner is not included, and the tour runs through the evening. If a buffet is available at the time of your visit, check whether it requires separate payment and how its serving times fit the two-hour spa stop.

Keep your expectations flexible. The tour can run in changing weather, return times can vary, and the Northern Lights may not appear. The best approach is to value the spa and scenery first, then regard the aurora as an extra.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time. A cancellation inside 24 hours is not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book this Reykjavik evening?

Book it if you want a well-organized trip to warm pools, natural steam cabins, and a lakeside setting, with transport from Reykjavik and a chance to search for the aurora afterward. The spa is the dependable part of the evening, and the cold lake option adds a memorable Icelandic edge.

Think twice if the Northern Lights are your sole reason for booking, especially during a summer departure when the midnight sun keeps the sky bright. At $249, the experience offers fair value only when you want the complete package: transport, Fontana admission, guided scenery, and a long evening outside the capital.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik. Hotel or central Reykjavik pickup may also be offered, so confirm your exact pickup details when booking.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours and is scheduled to return to Reykjavik just after midnight. The exact return time can vary.

How much time do I get at Laugarvatn Fontana?

The itinerary allows about two hours at the geothermal baths.

Are towels and swimsuits included?

They are not listed as included. You should bring a swimsuit and towel, though both can be rented at Fontana.

Is dinner included?

Dinner is not included in the listed tour inclusions. A buffet may be available, but you should confirm the current food arrangements and pay separately if needed.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on weather and conditions. If you do not see the lights, Reykjavik Excursions offers a free opportunity to join its Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service.