Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this outing is the contrast: you sit in warm mineral water beside Lake Laugarvatn, with Icelandic air on your face, then step into naturally heated steam cabins before heading back into the dark countryside to look for northern lights. It feels more local and relaxed than a simple bus ride to a viewing spot.

I like the three pools with different temperatures and depths, and I like that the ride includes live commentary, Wi-Fi, admission, and return transport. The main catch is timing: the tour is built around a summer evening and midnight sun, while northern lights sightings depend on darkness, cloud, and luck. You may enjoy the spa fully and see no lights.

Key points to know before booking

• Laugarvatn Fontana gives you three outdoor mineral pools, each with a different depth and temperature.
• The Gufan steam cabins use natural geothermal steam rising from the ground below.
• You can choose a cold swim in Lake Laugarvatn, reached from a nearby platform.
• The tour returns just after midnight, with listed times able to change.
• Northern lights are not guaranteed, but you may be offered a free future northern lights tour if none appear.
• Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent both at Fontana if needed.

Warm water beside Lake Laugarvatn

The heart of the experience is Laugarvatn Fontana, a modern spa on the edge of calm Lake Laugarvatn. After leaving Reykjavik, you travel east through Iceland’s lava-covered scenery while your guide explains the volcanic forces beneath the country and how geothermal springs heat the water naturally.

That short geology lesson adds useful context. You are not simply entering a heated swimming pool. The warmth comes from underground volcanic activity, a force that shapes Iceland’s roads, farms, homes, and bathing culture.

At Fontana, you change into your swimsuit and have free time in the bathing area. The three connected outdoor pools let you move around at your own pace. Since their depths and temperatures differ, you can choose a gentler soak or shift between pools for a change of heat.

The setting matters as much as the water. You look across the lake rather than at a tiled indoor wall. In a clear summer evening, the long light can make the place feel almost unreal. In wind or rain, the experience becomes more rugged, but the warm water and steam offer a welcome shield.

I would not treat the two-hour spa stop as a rushed photo opportunity. It is the main event. Give yourself time to settle into the water, look across the lake, and let the pace slow down before the northern lights portion begins.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold lake option

Fontana also has three steam cabins known as the Gufan. Steam rises naturally through the floor from geothermal activity below, giving the cabins a stronger sense of place than a standard electric sauna.

You can move between the pools and steam rooms as you wish. The tour description presents this as free time, not a guided treatment, so you control the pace. That suits people who prefer quiet relaxation over a tightly managed spa schedule.

For a more bracing experience, you can step out to the nearby platform and enter Lake Laugarvatn. The lake water is cold, and the swim is entirely optional. You do not need to take part to enjoy Fontana.

The warm-to-cold change is presented as a traditional wellness practice that may help circulation and refresh the body. Keep your own comfort in mind. The lake is not a required test of courage, and the pools and steam cabins already provide a full visit.

One practical point matters here: bring your own swimsuit and towel if possible. Both can be rented on site, but packing them avoids an extra charge and saves time at the changing area. The changing facilities are clean, but one review specifically describes them as communal, so privacy may be limited.

A summer evening with a northern lights search

This tour has an unusual seasonal mix. It begins with a summer evening spa visit, when Iceland’s midnight sun may still brighten the sky, and then adds a northern lights hunt. The long daylight is wonderful for the drive and the lake setting, but it can work against aurora viewing.

You should book this experience for the geothermal baths first and treat the lights as a bonus. The northern lights section depends on weather, darkness, and sightings. The operator makes clear that no display is guaranteed.

After Fontana, your guide takes you into the countryside to search for suitable conditions. The exact route can vary, and the return is scheduled for just after midnight. You may spend part of the ride watching the sky through the windows and listening for updates from the guide.

If clouds or rain block the view, the evening is not automatically a failure. One person had a fine time at Fontana but did not see the lights because of rain. The operator offers a free chance to join a northern lights tour later if you see nothing, provided you contact customer service. Confirm the details of that offer before booking if the aurora is your main goal.

The two-part plan is useful if you have only one evening in Reykjavik. It gives you a definite spa experience and a second chance at an unpredictable natural event. If you want the best possible northern lights odds, a dedicated aurora outing on a darker night may suit you better.

What the ride from Reykjavik is like

The tour begins at 6:00 p.m. from BSÍ101 Reykjavik, with central Reykjavik hotel pickup also offered. Because both a meeting point and pickup service are described, check your exact collection details when you book.

You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide. The bus has free Wi-Fi, which is handy for checking messages during the long outing, though the passing scenery deserves your attention.

The guide provides live commentary about volcanic geology and geothermal springs. That makes the transfer part of the experience rather than dead time between the city and the spa.

One review gives especially warm credit to a female guide and driver. Her name is not provided, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure, but the comment points to an important part of the trip: a good guide can make a long evening feel easy and well paced.

The group can reach as many as 99 people. That is a sizeable coach outing, not a small private tour. You gain straightforward transport and an organized plan, but you should not expect a quiet, highly personal guide relationship throughout the night.

After the spa and the lights search, the vehicle takes a scenic detour through southern Iceland before returning to Reykjavik. The final drop-off is at the meeting point or your hotel, depending on the arrangement, just after midnight. Listed times can vary, so avoid booking a tight early-morning connection or an event immediately afterward.

Food, changing rooms, and what to pack

Dinner is not included in the stated price. Plan ahead rather than assuming food will be part of the outing. One account refers to a buffet and says the food was good, with vegetarian choices available, but the formal tour details list dinner as excluded. Treat food as a separate purchase and confirm what is operating on your date.

Bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Warm clothing
• Weatherproof outer layers
• Dry clothes for after the spa

Warm clothing matters even in summer. You may leave a hot pool and walk into wind, rain, or cold air before getting back to the bus. Iceland’s weather can shift quickly, and the tour operates in all weather conditions unless conditions force a cancellation.

A mobile ticket makes entry and meeting details easier to carry, but you still need to be at the correct pickup point on time. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is described as suitable for most people.

Is $249 fair value?

At $249, this is not a cheap evening soak. The price includes the bus, a professional guide, Fontana admission, the northern lights search, Wi-Fi, and return transport. You are paying for an organized seven-hour outing rather than just access to a spa.

The value improves if you want several pieces handled in one booking. Transport from Reykjavik can be expensive and inconvenient to arrange independently, especially when the return is after midnight. The included admission also removes one major extra cost.

The value drops if your only aim is bathing. You spend a large part of the evening on transport and the lights search, and you may not see an aurora. Someone with a rental car and plenty of time might prefer to arrange a separate spa visit, though that would not provide the same guided plan or included northern lights follow-up.

I see the price as reasonable for a combined experience, provided you value the lake setting, live commentary, and late-night transport. I would not pay it solely for a guaranteed aurora, because no such guarantee exists.

The 4.5 rating from 24 reviews and 92 percent recommendation figure suggest a strong overall response, though the sample is small. The praise is clearest for Fontana itself and for good guide service. The weaker point is predictable: weather can cancel the northern lights part even when the spa visit is excellent.

Who should book this evening?

I would suggest this tour to you if:

• You want a spa outing outside Reykjavik without arranging transport.
• You like natural settings more than a city hotel pool.
• You want to combine geothermal bathing with a possible aurora search.
• You have only one free evening.
• You are comfortable with a large coach group and a late return.
• You enjoy a flexible spa visit rather than a guided activity every minute.

I would think twice if you need a private, small-group setting, dislike communal changing rooms, or must be back in Reykjavik early. I would also choose another plan if seeing northern lights is your single top priority and you are visiting during a bright summer period.

The strongest reason to book is the pairing of warm water, natural steam, and lake scenery with an evening drive through southern Iceland. The lights are uncertain, but the spa portion gives the outing a dependable center.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6:00 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but poor weather can lead to cancellation. If the operator cancels, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since return times can change, keep some flexibility in your evening plans.

Should you book the Laugarvatn Fontana adventure?

Book it if you want a full Icelandic evening built around geothermal bathing, scenic countryside, and a chance to see the northern lights. Fontana is the reliable part: you get admission, pools, steam cabins, lake views, and time to relax.

Do not book it expecting the aurora to appear on schedule. Think of the lights search as an extra possibility, not the main product. For the best fit, pack your swimsuit and warm clothes, plan for a late return, and accept that a large coach group is the tradeoff for included transport and a simple all-in-one plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik. Central Reykjavik hotel pickup is also offered, so confirm your specific pickup arrangement when booking.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 6:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and normally ends just after midnight. Return times can vary.

Is admission to Laugarvatn Fontana included?

Yes. Admission to the Fontana Wellness facilities is included in the tour price.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes, you should bring both. Swimsuits and towels can also be rented at Fontana.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the stated price.

Are northern lights guaranteed?

No. The lights depend on weather and sightings, so they are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

The operator offers a free opportunity to join a northern lights tour by contacting customer service if no lights are seen on your tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.