Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

Hot water, cold air, and a long Icelandic evening. This seven-hour outing pairs the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths with a northern lights search, giving you a pleasant spa visit even if the sky refuses to cooperate. I like the peaceful setting beside Lake Laugarvatn, and I like that round-trip transport, admission, a guide, and Wi-Fi are included.

The main catch is that the lights are never promised, and weather can alter the plan. The summer timing also means you may get midnight-sun conditions rather than a dark sky, so this tour works best if you value the Fontana visit first and treat the aurora hunt as an extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three warm pools beside Lake Laugarvatn: Each pool has a different depth and temperature, so you can move around until you find your comfort zone.
• Natural steam from the ground: The Gufan steam cabins use geothermal vapor rising from below, not ordinary heated sauna air.
• A cold-water option: A nearby platform gives you access to the lake if you want to follow hot water with a very brisk swim.
• Northern lights are not guaranteed: If no lights appear, the operator offers a free chance to join a northern lights tour later by contacting customer service.
• About seven hours from Reykjavik: Pickup may be available from a central hotel, or you can meet at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at 6:00 pm.
• Dinner is not included: Bring food or plan ahead, since the tour price covers transport and Fontana admission but not an evening meal.

From Reykjavik to Lake Laugarvatn

Your evening begins at 6:00 pm, either with an optional pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel or at BSÍ101, the city’s main bus terminal. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and free Wi-Fi is available onboard, useful on the return ride when the day has begun to catch up with you.

The drive heads east toward Laugarvatn. As Reykjavik gives way to open countryside, your guide provides live commentary about volcanic geology and geothermal springs. That explanation adds useful context: the warm water at Fontana is heated naturally by hot rock below the ground, part of the same volcanic system that shapes so much of Iceland.

You should dress warmly even if the forecast looks mild. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and the outdoor sections involve moving between changing rooms, pools, steam cabins, and possibly the lake. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Both can be rented at Fontana if you forget, but packing your own is simpler.

The advertised group limit is 99 people. That is a fairly large coach group, so do not expect a quiet private retreat from the moment you leave Reykjavik. The spa itself gives you personal free time, but the bus portion follows a set schedule.

Laugarvatn Fontana and its warm pools

Fontana sits on the shore of calm Lake Laugarvatn, and the location is a big part of its appeal. You are not bathing in an enclosed city pool. You are outside, looking across the water and surrounding countryside while steam drifts from the warm pools.

After changing, you can spend roughly two hours at the geothermal baths. The three interconnected mineral pools have different depths and temperatures. That arrangement is useful because you can shift from one pool to another instead of staying in one unchanging tub.

I like this part of the tour because it offers a slower Icelandic experience. You are not rushing from one photo stop to the next. The basic pleasure is simple: sit in warm water, let the cold air hit your face, and watch the light change over the lake.

The pools are outdoor facilities, so the weather matters. Wind, rain, or cold will not necessarily ruin the visit, but they can make getting out of the water less appealing. A robe or warm cover-up would be useful if you have room to pack one, though the supplied information specifically requires only a swimsuit and towel.

The changing facilities are clean, according to the available firsthand comments, but communal. If you prefer a private changing area, prepare for a more public arrangement. That is normal for a public bathing complex, but it is worth knowing before you arrive.

The Gufan steam cabins

Fontana’s three Gufan steam cabins use steam that seeps naturally from the earth below. This gives the spa a distinct Icelandic character. You are not simply sitting in a standard sauna heated by an electric stove. The warmth comes from the same geothermal activity that feeds the pools.

I would treat the steam cabins as a flexible part of the visit rather than a test of endurance. Move between steam, pool water, and fresh air at your own pace. The tour gives you free time, so you do not need to follow a strict circuit.

The combination of hot water and cold outdoor air can feel especially good on a windy evening. One account described the sauna and warm water as the best part of a rainy outing, which is a useful reminder that poor weather can sometimes improve the mood of a thermal bath. You are warm while the elements do their work outside.

The spa also offers a buffet meal, based on the available experience details, but dinner is not included in the tour price. Food availability and timing may matter because the outing finishes after midnight. If you know you will need a full meal, plan for it rather than assuming it is covered.

The optional cold swim in Lake Laugarvatn

For a sharp change of pace, you can use a nearby platform to enter Lake Laugarvatn. The lake water is cold, and this is entirely optional. You can enjoy Fontana without taking the plunge.

The hot-cold contrast is part of the appeal for some people. It creates a brisk, invigorating break from the pools, followed by a quick return to warmth. The supplied information presents the practice as something believed to help circulation and release toxins. I would view those claims as traditional wellness language rather than a medical promise.

You should also be realistic about comfort. If cold water is not your thing, there is no reason to force it for the sake of completing the experience. The warm pools and steam cabins are the core of the visit, and the lake is an added choice for anyone feeling adventurous.

Searching for the northern lights

After Fontana, the tour turns to the northern lights search. The operator describes this as part of the evening program, and the guide may use the return journey and surrounding countryside to look for suitable viewing conditions.

This is the least predictable part of the outing. Sightings depend on weather and the aurora itself, and the tour makes no guarantee. Clouds, rain, or poor visibility can end the search without a result. The published information also notes that the northern lights section may not go ahead in poor conditions.

The summer setting deserves special attention. The experience is designed around a summer evening and may include the midnight sun, which can keep the sky bright late into the night. That makes the light quality beautiful, but it can work against aurora viewing. If seeing the northern lights is your main reason for booking, check the seasonal timing carefully and keep your expectations modest.

If the lights do not appear, you can contact customer service and request a free place on a northern lights tour. That policy adds real value, though you will need to arrange the follow-up yourself. It is not the same as receiving a refund simply because the sky stayed empty.

When conditions are right, the return trip can include views across southern Iceland and a scenic detour before the coach heads back to Reykjavik. Return times can vary, and the planned drop-off is just after midnight.

What the $249 price really covers

At $249, this is not a budget evening at the swimming pool. The price includes bus fare, a professional guide, admission to Fontana Wellness, the northern lights hunt, and Wi-Fi on the bus. You are paying for transport from Reykjavik, guided commentary, spa entry, and a long evening away from the capital.

The value is strongest if you do not have a rental car and want to combine two activities in one outing. A separate trip to Laugarvatn would require arranging transport, paying for entry, and handling the return journey after midnight. This tour takes care of the main logistics.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a guaranteed aurora sighting. No operator can promise that, and the summer evening format makes the spa a more dependable part of your purchase. Think of the northern lights search as a bonus, not the foundation of the booking.

Dinner, towel rental, and swimsuit rental cost extra if you need them. Those are small details, but they can affect the final bill. Bring your own towel and food if you want to keep the price under control.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a gentle Icelandic evening rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. The warm pools, natural steam, and lake views offer plenty even when the aurora does not appear.

It also suits people who want to try a cold lake swim without organizing an independent visit. You can decide at the platform, and there is no pressure to participate.

The tour may be less suitable if you dislike large groups, late returns, or changing weather. A maximum of 99 people means the coach can feel busy, and the outing ends after midnight. You also need to be comfortable with communal changing facilities.

Families can take part, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, although anyone with personal health concerns about hot pools, steam, or cold water should make their own careful decision.

The experience earned a 4.5 rating and a 92 percent recommendation rate from 24 published ratings. The strongest praise centers on Fontana itself, clean facilities, the hot pools, the cold lake option, and the quality of at least one female guide and driver. One negative account involved a guide’s behavior, and the operator asked for a detailed report to its quality manager. That does not define the whole outing, but it is fair to note that guide quality can affect a coach tour.

Practical timing and booking advice

The meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, unless your central hotel pickup is confirmed. Check your exact pickup instructions before the evening begins, and allow time to reach the meeting point if you are not using hotel pickup.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Bring warm clothing even though you will spend much of the visit in hot water. The bus ride, walk to facilities, lake platform, and return stop all expose you to Icelandic weather. A swimsuit and towel are essential unless you plan to rent them.

Do not count on an exact return time. The published finish is just after midnight, but weather, road conditions, and the northern lights search can change the schedule. Keep the following morning flexible if you have a flight or an early excursion.

Should you book the Northern Lights and Geothermal Baths Adventure?

Book it if you want Fontana’s pools and steam cabins first, with a chance to search for the northern lights afterward. The lake setting, natural steam, optional cold swim, and included transport make it a rewarding evening, especially for anyone without a car.

Skip it if a guaranteed aurora is your only goal, if you need a private spa setting, or if a late return and large coach group sound tiring. The smartest way to book is to see the geothermal baths as the reliable centerpiece and the northern lights as a welcome extra.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at 6:00 pm. Optional pickup may also be available from a central Reykjavik hotel.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts about seven hours and usually ends back in Reykjavik 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.

Are northern lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The experience depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, the operator offers a free chance to join a northern lights tour by contacting customer service.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price. A buffet meal is available at Fontana, but you should plan separately for the cost of food.