Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this outing is the contrast: you step from a warm mineral pool into crisp Icelandic air, with Lake Laugarvatn spread out beside you. The three outdoor pools have different temperatures and depths, and the natural steam cabins use heat rising straight from the ground.

I like the easy round-trip transport from Reykjavik, and I like that you get real free time at Fontana rather than being rushed through a quick photo stop. The optional cold lake swim adds a bit of Icelandic nerve. The main caution is that northern lights sightings are never promised, and the late return can be just after midnight.

Key points to know before booking

• Three pools, three temperatures: Move between interconnected outdoor baths while looking across Lake Laugarvatn.
• Natural steam from the earth: The Gufan cabins are heated by geothermal steam seeping up from below.
• A cold lake dip is optional: Use the nearby platform if you want the full hot-cold experience.
• The northern lights search is weather-dependent: If the lights do not appear, Reykjavik Excursions offers a free chance to join a later northern lights tour by contacting customer service.
• The outing lasts about seven hours: Pickup or meeting time is around 6 p.m., with return to Reykjavik just after midnight.
• Bring swimwear and warm clothes: Towels and swimsuits can be rented, but bringing your own is simpler.

From Reykjavik to Laugarvatn by evening coach

Your outing begins at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at about 6 p.m. Hotel pickup may also be offered from central Reykjavik hotels, so check the exact arrangement when you book. The ride is in an air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi, and a professional guide provides live commentary along the way.

The trip east takes you through Iceland’s lava-covered scenery. This is not just empty road time. The guide explains how volcanic rock heats underground water, creating the natural springs that make Iceland’s bathing culture possible. I appreciate this context because it helps you understand what you are about to use, rather than treating the spa as an isolated resort.

The vehicle can hold up to 99 people, so this is not a small private excursion. That size keeps the price lower than a private transfer, but it also means you should expect a group outing with a fixed schedule. If you want a quiet, personal soak with no coach component, Fontana is better visited independently. If you want transport, guiding, and a northern lights search bundled together, the group format is practical.

The road journey also matters because Fontana is outside Reykjavik. You are paying not only for admission, but for the return bus, a guide, and the trouble of arranging an evening trip into the countryside yourself.

Three warm pools beside Lake Laugarvatn

At Laugarvatn Fontana, you change into your swimsuit and make your way to the outdoor bathing area. The three connected mineral baths differ in depth and temperature, so you can shift around instead of staying in one pool for the whole visit.

The setting is the main reason to come. Fontana sits directly beside calm Lake Laugarvatn, giving you open views rather than the enclosed feel of a city pool. In summer, the evening light may linger across the water for hours. The midnight sun adds a special quality to the outing, since you can be outside late and still have daylight in the sky.

I like this kind of Icelandic bathing because it is simple. You are not being entertained every minute. You choose a pool, sit back, watch the weather move across the lake, and let the hot water do the work. The spa experience lasts about two hours, which gives you enough time to try the pools, use the steam cabins, and get changed without turning the visit into a frantic sprint.

The water temperatures are not listed in exact figures, so you should expect variation rather than a precise hot-to-cold circuit. Move slowly between pools and take the one that feels right for you. The pools are outdoors, which means the walk between the changing area and the water can feel cold, especially in wind or rain. Have your towel and robe or warm clothing ready for the return indoors.

The Gufan steam cabins and the optional lake swim

Fontana’s three steam cabins are called the Gufan. Their steam is not produced only by a standard electric sauna system. It rises naturally from the ground below, giving the experience a clear connection to the geothermal activity under Iceland.

The cabins offer a good alternative if you prefer steam to sitting in water. They also make the outing more varied. You can warm up in a pool, spend time in the steam, and then return to the baths when you want. I would treat the claims about circulation and releasing toxins as traditional wellness language, not as a medical promise. The practical benefit is relaxation and the pleasant contrast between hot air and cool outdoor air.

For the boldest part of the visit, walk to the nearby platform and enter Lake Laugarvatn. The lake water is cold, and the swim is entirely optional. You do not lose anything by skipping it. The warm pools are the heart of the experience, while the lake is an extra test of your Icelandic spirit.

If you try the lake, keep the moment brief and return to the warm baths or dry clothing. The supplied information does not give safety instructions or water temperatures, so use your own judgment and follow the spa’s directions. This is not a required ritual or a supervised swimming lesson. It is simply an available cold-water option beside the geothermal pools.

Midnight sun, darkness, and the northern lights search

The title of this experience combines a geothermal evening with a northern lights hunt. The evening conditions need careful thought. In summer, the midnight sun can keep the sky bright, which creates beautiful light at Fontana but is not the ideal setting for seeing auroras. The tour information still includes a northern lights search, yet sightings depend on weather and visibility.

After your time at the baths, the guide takes the group out to search for the lights. You should see this as a chance rather than a guarantee. Clouds, rain, and sky brightness can defeat the search, even when the aurora is active somewhere else.

One experience was affected by rain, with no lights seen, but the spa still worked well as the main evening activity. That is useful advice: book this because you want Fontana first, and treat the aurora as a bonus. If you book only for a guaranteed light display, you may be disappointed.

Reykjavik Excursions says that if you do not see the lights, you can contact customer service about joining a northern lights tour for free later. The offer does not mean the lights will appear on the replacement outing, but it does give the weather-sensitive part of the package some added value.

The midnight sun can also affect the feel of the return trip. You may be leaving the lake while the sky still holds light, then returning very late after a long evening on the road. The indicated return time can change, so avoid booking anything early the next morning.

What the guide and transport add

The guide has two jobs here. First, the guide explains the volcanic geology and geothermal springs during the ride. Second, the guide manages the evening schedule and the northern lights search.

The quality of the guide can shape a coach tour more than any other part. One particularly strong experience featured a female driver and guide who was praised for making the outing enjoyable. No guide name is provided, and assignments can change, so I would not book expecting a particular person.

The bus includes free Wi-Fi, which is handy for checking messages during the drive. Still, the real value is not the internet. It is the fact that you can enjoy the pools and have a few drinks or dinner on your own without needing to drive back through the countryside at night.

The return drop-off is at the original meeting point, or at a central Reykjavik hotel when hotel drop-off applies. The published end time is just after midnight. Allow extra flexibility because weather, road conditions, and the northern lights search can alter the schedule.

Food, changing rooms, and what to pack

Dinner is not included in the $249 price. Plan to eat before the tour or check what food service is available at Fontana on your date. A buffet has been associated with the experience, but you should confirm its current availability and cost rather than assume it is part of your ticket.

Vegetarian food has been available with the buffet arrangement described for this outing. That is useful if you have dietary needs, but the tour details do not give a full menu or guarantee every dietary request. Bring a snack if you know you will be hungry during a seven-hour evening.

The changing facilities are clean and communal. You should be comfortable changing in a shared facility rather than expecting a private changing room. Bring a swimsuit and towel. Both can be rented on site, but your own towel is often the easier choice after a lake dip.

Pack warm clothes even in summer. You will spend time outdoors beside a lake, walk between indoor and outdoor areas, and remain outside during the northern lights search. A hat, gloves, and a waterproof outer layer are sensible if the forecast is poor. The tour operates in all weather conditions unless the operator cancels for unsafe conditions, so dress for wind and rain rather than trusting the calendar.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is listed as suitable for most people, but anyone with health concerns about hot water, steam, or cold-water swimming should decide carefully and skip the lake if needed.

Is $249 good value?

At $249, this is not a cheap public-bus trip to a swimming pool. It includes admission to Fontana, bus transport, a professional guide, the northern lights search, and free Wi-Fi. For someone staying in Reykjavik without a car, that package can be fair value because you avoid arranging transport to Laugarvatn and finding your way back late at night.

The price is harder to justify if you want only the spa. You are also paying for the guide, the evening drive, and the aurora search, even though the lights may not appear. If your schedule allows, compare the cost of independent transport and Fontana admission before booking. The package becomes more appealing when you value convenience and want a guide explaining Iceland’s geothermal setting.

The 4.5 rating from 24 reviews and 92 percent recommendation figure suggest a generally strong experience, but the small number of ratings means you should not treat those figures as a promise. The most consistent strength is the spa itself. The less reliable element is the northern lights hunt, which depends on conditions outside the operator’s control.

Who should book this evening?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed Icelandic bathing experience with transport from Reykjavik and do not want to rent a car. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a long evening and a late return.

It is also a good choice if you like variety. You get volcanic scenery on the drive, a guide’s explanation of geothermal activity, warm pools, steam cabins, lake views, an optional cold swim, and a night search for the aurora.

I would be more cautious if you have only one evening in Iceland and must see the northern lights. The spa portion has value even in rain, but the aurora portion can fail because of clouds, rain, or bright summer skies. I would also skip it if you dislike communal changing rooms, group transport, or returning after midnight.

My booking verdict

Book this outing when the Fontana baths are your main goal and the northern lights are an extra possibility. The warm pools, natural steam cabins, lake setting, and easy transport make a pleasant evening outside Reykjavik, even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Do not book it as a guaranteed aurora tour. The free future tour offer helps if no lights appear, but weather and visibility still decide the result. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and serious warm layers, plan your dinner, and keep the next morning open. With those expectations, the $249 price buys a well-organized evening rather than a gamble on the sky.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Central Reykjavik hotel pickup may also be offered, depending on the arrangement made at booking.

What time does the tour begin and end?

The start time is 6 p.m. The experience lasts about seven hours and normally ends back in Reykjavik just after midnight, though return times can vary.

Is admission to Laugarvatn Fontana included?

Yes. Admission to Fontana Wellness is included, along with bus fare, a professional guide, the northern lights hunt, and free Wi-Fi on the bus.

Should I bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You should bring both. Swimsuits and towels can also be rented on site if necessary.

Are northern lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The northern lights depend on weather and viewing conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, you can contact customer service about joining a northern lights tour for free.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.