Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this outing is the contrast: you sit in warm geothermal water beside Lake Laugarvatn while cold Icelandic air moves across the shore. The three outdoor pools have different temperatures and depths, and the natural steam cabins add a fine touch of Icelandic character.

I like the included ride from Reykjavik and the live explanation of volcanic geology. I also like the chance to step from hot water into the cold lake, using the platform beside the spa. The main drawback is timing: a 6 p.m. start and return just after midnight make this a long evening, and Northern Lights sightings are never promised.

Key points to know

• Three pools, one lake view: Move between interconnected baths with different depths and temperatures.
• Natural steam from the ground: The three Gufan cabins use geothermal steam rather than ordinary heated air.
• Cold-water option: A nearby platform gives you access to Lake Laugarvatn if you want a brisk contrast to the hot pools.
• Northern Lights hunt included: The guide searches for suitable conditions, but weather and sightings can cancel the show.
• Round-trip transport: Depart from BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, with central hotel pickup and drop-off offered.
• Pack for two climates: Bring a swimsuit, towel, and warm clothing. Towels and swimsuits can be rented at the spa.

From Reykjavik to Laugarvatn by evening bus

Your outing begins at 6 p.m. from BSÍ101, Reykjavik’s central bus terminal. Pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel may also be available, so check the exact arrangement when booking. The vehicle is air-conditioned and includes free Wi-Fi, useful on the ride back after a full evening.

The trip heads east toward Laugarvatn. Look out at Iceland’s lava-covered scenery while your guide explains how volcanic rock heats underground water. This commentary gives the ride a useful purpose. You are not simply being carried to a spa, you are getting a short introduction to the geothermal forces that shape Iceland.

The tour lasts about seven hours, though the advertised return time can shift. You arrive back in Reykjavik just after midnight, so plan your evening around the late finish. This is not a quick soak squeezed between city activities. It takes most of an evening and works best when you leave your schedule open.

The maximum group size is 99 people. That is a sizable bus group, and the experience will feel more like an organized excursion than a private spa visit. The benefit is straightforward transport and a guide. The trade-off is less quiet and less personal than arranging your own trip.

Two hours at Laugarvatn Fontana

The main stop is Laugarvatn Fontana, a modern spa on the shore of calm Lake Laugarvatn. You have about two hours at the baths, enough time to change, try the different pools, use the steam cabins, and pause for the view without rushing every few minutes.

After changing into your bathing suit, you can choose among three interconnected outdoor mineral baths. Each has a different depth and temperature, so you can shift around until you find the setting that feels right. The pools are designed for relaxation rather than active swimming.

The lake setting is the real reason to choose Fontana. You are not looking at a tiled indoor pool or a city skyline. You can sit in naturally heated water and look across the lake, with Iceland’s open countryside around you. In summer, the long evening light may still be bright across the sky, giving the soak a special midnight-sun quality.

That light is worth keeping in mind when comparing this trip with a winter spa visit. The tour combines a summer evening at Fontana with a Northern Lights hunt, but summer conditions and darkness do not always line up with strong aurora viewing. The operator states clearly that sightings depend on weather and are not guaranteed. You should book this for the spa first, with the lights treated as a possible extra.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold lake

Fontana’s Gufan consists of three steam cabins where steam rises naturally from the ground below. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the visit. The steam is not simply produced by a standard sauna heater, and the geothermal source connects the spa experience to the volcanic ground beneath Iceland.

You can move between the hot pools and the steam cabins at your own pace. If you prefer mild heat, spend more time in the baths. If you enjoy a stronger sauna-style session, the Gufan offers another way to warm up. Give yourself enough time to sit quietly, since racing through every feature would miss the point.

The adventurous option is Lake Laugarvatn itself. A nearby platform lets you enter the cold water, then return to the warm pools or steam. The hot-cold cycle is often associated with circulation and recovery, but you should treat it as an optional personal choice, not a required part of the tour.

I would not enter the lake simply to say you did it. Cold water can be a shock, especially after sitting in a hot bath. If you do try it, follow the spa’s instructions and keep the experience brief. The warm pools are the main attraction, and you lose nothing by enjoying them alone.

Changing facilities are clean, though communal. Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them on site. A warm coat and proper outdoor clothing are just as important as your swimwear because you will be outside before and after the bath, and the night can feel cold even in summer.

The Northern Lights portion needs realistic expectations

After the spa, the outing includes a Northern Lights hunt. Your guide searches for suitable viewing conditions before the bus returns to Reykjavik. The exact route and timing can change, since clear skies and aurora activity control what is possible.

This part of the tour is weather dependent. Rain can prevent the lights search, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation or a different date. Even under good conditions, no one can guarantee a sighting. You should not buy this experience solely for the aurora.

The odd-sounding combination of midnight sun and Northern Lights deserves a practical note. The description presents the evening as a summer experience, with the possibility of bright midnight-sun conditions, while also including a Northern Lights hunt. That means the spa and scenery may be the most dependable parts of the night. Ask the operator about the expected darkness and conditions for your date before booking if the aurora is your main goal.

If you do not see the lights, the operator offers a free chance to join its Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service. The supplied conditions do not specify how that follow-up is scheduled, so ask for the details before you leave Iceland. This promise adds value, but it does not turn the original outing into a guaranteed aurora experience.

What the price means at $249

At $249, this is not a cheap bath visit. You are paying for round-trip transport from Reykjavik, a professional guide, admission to Fontana, the Northern Lights search, and Wi-Fi on the bus. You are also paying for the convenience of combining a countryside excursion and spa admission in one evening.

The value is strongest if you do not have a rental car or do not want to arrange transport to Laugarvatn yourself. A guided bus removes the need to navigate after dark or coordinate separate tickets. The geology commentary adds some substance to what could otherwise be a simple transfer.

The value is weaker if you only want a long spa session. Your time at Fontana is about two hours, while the total outing takes roughly seven hours. You cannot simply stay at the baths for the whole evening, and the return schedule is tied to the group.

Dinner is not included. That matters because the tour begins at 6 p.m. and ends after midnight. Eat beforehand or plan for your own food, since there is no included meal in the package. One account specifically found a buffet meal good and suitable for vegetarians, but dinner is not listed as part of the tour, so you should not assume it is included in your price.

The return through southern Iceland

Once your time at Fontana is over, you change back into dry clothes and meet the vehicle. The return includes a scenic detour through southern Iceland before the final drop-off in Reykjavik.

The detour gives the ride home more interest than a direct highway transfer. Still, you should not expect a full sightseeing tour of southern Iceland. The stated stop is Fontana, and the countryside views are part of the return journey rather than a series of major attractions with long visits.

The return to the capital is just after midnight, though times can vary. If you have an early flight, a morning tour, or a strict dinner reservation, this schedule may not suit you. If you have a free evening and want to combine bathing with a countryside ride, the late finish is easier to accept.

Guide quality and group atmosphere

The tour includes live onboard commentary, so the guide can explain the volcanic geology and geothermal springs as you travel. That helps you understand why Iceland has warm natural water in places where you might expect only cold streams and rocky ground.

The quality of the guide can affect the whole evening. One account singled out a woman guide and driver as excellent, while another raised a concern about a guide’s behavior and was directed to the operator’s quality manager. That gives you a balanced picture: strong guiding is possible, but the experience is not entirely uniform.

The group limit of 99 people also shapes the mood. You will have a clear schedule, shared transport, and a set departure back to Reykjavik. You will not have the flexibility of deciding to stay another hour in the pool or linger by the lake after everyone else has left.

Weather, clothing, and practical planning

The experience operates in all weather conditions when it is running, so dress for Iceland rather than for the calendar. Bring warm layers, a weatherproof outer layer, and dry clothes for after the spa. The pools are warm, but walking between the changing facilities, steam cabins, lake platform, and bus still exposes you to the elements.

Your essential packing list is simple:

• Swimsuit
• Towel, unless you plan to rent one
• Warm clothing
• Dry clothes for the ride home
• A phone or small device if you want to use the bus Wi-Fi

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but the cold lake is optional and may not suit everyone. If you have concerns about hot water, steam, or sudden cold exposure, stick to the pools and ask staff for guidance.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. If bad weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this evening?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an easy way to reach Fontana from Reykjavik and like the idea of combining geothermal bathing with a countryside ride. It is also a good fit if you enjoy a structured evening and do not want to rent a car or organize spa admission on your own.

It suits people who see the Northern Lights as a bonus rather than the main event. The spa is the reliable centerpiece, while the aurora depends on darkness, weather, and solar conditions. In summer, the midnight sun may be the more realistic sky feature.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, slow spa day, since two hours at Fontana is limited and the group can be large. I would also hesitate if you need a firm return time, want dinner included, or are booking specifically for guaranteed Northern Lights.

Should you book the Fontana and Northern Lights adventure?

Book it if the idea of sitting in geothermal water beside a lake appeals to you more than checking off a list of sights. The three pools, natural Gufan steam cabins, optional cold lake, and evening light give the experience a clear sense of place.

At $249, the package earns its price through transport, admission, guiding, and the added Northern Lights search. Just set your expectations correctly: you are buying a long evening built around Fontana, not a guaranteed aurora or an all-night spa visit. Bring food, pack warm layers, and keep the next morning flexible. If that sounds like your kind of Iceland evening, this is a practical and memorable choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 6 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and returns to Reykjavik just after midnight, though return times can vary.

How long do you spend at Laugarvatn Fontana?

The planned time at the geothermal baths is about two hours.

Are towels and swimsuits included?

No. You should bring a swimsuit and towel, though both can be rented at the spa.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights search depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, the operator offers a free opportunity to join its Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service.