Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

Laugarvatn Fontana gives you a very Icelandic evening: warm mineral water, naturally heated steam, a cold lake at your feet, and lava fields rolling past the bus window. The spa sits beside Lake Laugarvatn, so the setting feels calmer and more open than a city pool. I especially like the choice between three pools with different temperatures and depths, plus the three steam cabins fed by heat from the ground.

I also like that transport, entry, a professional guide, Wi-Fi, and the Northern Lights search are bundled into one outing. The main catch is timing: this is about seven hours, with a return just after midnight, and the lights are never guaranteed. The summer-evening setting may also bring midnight sun rather than a dark sky.

Key points to know before booking

• Three connected pools: Move between different temperatures and depths while looking across Lake Laugarvatn.
• Natural steam cabins: The Gufan uses steam that rises from the earth below, rather than ordinary heated sauna air.
• Cold lake option: A nearby platform lets you step from hot water or steam into the lake if you want the full Icelandic contrast.
• Round-trip Reykjavik transport: Pickup may be available from a central hotel, or you can meet at BSÍ101.
• Northern Lights search included: The evening continues after the spa, but sightings depend on weather and conditions.
• Long, late outing: Departure is scheduled for 6 pm, with return just after midnight, though times can shift.

From Reykjavik to Lake Laugarvatn at 6 pm

The tour begins at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at 6 pm. Central hotel pickup may also be offered, so check the exact arrangement when you book. A comfortable, air-conditioned bus carries you east toward Laugarvatn, with free Wi-Fi available during the ride.

The drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer. Your guide provides live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. You will see lava-covered countryside from the bus and get a useful explanation of why warm water appears naturally in a country shaped by underground heat.

That commentary matters because it gives the spa visit some context. Fontana is not simply a swimming pool with a scenic view. Its warmth comes from the same geothermal forces that shape much of Iceland. You can listen while watching the countryside pass, then see those forces in action once you reach the baths.

The bus ride also gives you a warm place to dry off and rest later. Since the evening ends after midnight, this is more comfortable than arranging separate transport to and from Laugarvatn. The tradeoff is that you follow the group schedule rather than choosing your own arrival and departure times.

Three pools beside Lake Laugarvatn

At Laugarvatn Fontana, you change into your swimsuit and enter the bathing area. Admission is included, and you have roughly two hours at the spa before the Northern Lights portion of the night.

The three outdoor mineral baths are connected, but each has a different depth and temperature. That lets you choose your comfort level instead of being stuck in one hot pool. You can shift between them, settle into the water, and look over the lake without needing a formal program or guided activity.

The lake view is the great pleasure here. Fontana’s position beside calm Lake Laugarvatn gives you open scenery while you soak. In summer, the long evening light can make the water and surrounding countryside feel unusually spacious. The tour description specifically frames the visit around the midnight sun, so you should not book it expecting a standard dark-night spa setting.

The pools are best for slowing down. You are not racing between attractions or following a crowded sightseeing route. You have free time to use the facilities at your own pace, which makes this a good choice after busy days around Reykjavik.

Still, expectations matter. The experience is a public spa visit, not a private bath. Changing facilities are clean but communal, so pack with that in mind. Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them at the spa. You should also bring warm clothes for the time outside the water, especially when walking between the building, pools, and lake platform.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold-water option

Fontana’s three steam cabins are known as the Gufan. Natural steam rises through the floor from the heated ground below, creating a different feel from a conventional electric sauna. You can spend time there as part of your free period at the spa.

The best way to approach the Gufan is slowly. Start with the pools, try the steam, then return to the water when you want to cool down. The appeal comes from the contrast between Iceland’s cold air and the steady underground heat.

For a bolder finish, walk to the nearby platform and enter Lake Laugarvatn. The lake water is cold, and the change from steam or hot water is sharp. The tour presents this hot-and-cold routine as a traditional way to refresh the body and support circulation, but you should treat the lake swim as optional. It is not required to enjoy Fontana.

This is one of the tour’s more distinctive details. Many thermal bathing outings begin and end in heated water. Here, you can choose a natural cold-water experience right beside the spa. You should only attempt it if you feel comfortable with the conditions and can warm up again afterward.

A spa evening with dinner planning required

The tour price is listed as $249. That is a serious amount for a seven-hour excursion, but it covers the bus, professional guide, Fontana admission, Wi-Fi, and the Northern Lights hunt. For you, the value comes from combining several pieces that would otherwise require separate planning: transport into the countryside, a geothermal spa visit, guided commentary, and a late-night return.

Dinner is not included. This point is easy to miss because an on-site buffet has been described as good, with vegetarian choices available, but you should not assume a meal is part of the package. Ask about food options before departure or eat beforehand. If a buffet is available, the practical tip is simple: serve yourself early rather than waiting, since food service may not last as long as your spa time.

The lack of included dinner lowers the overall value a little, particularly because the outing runs from early evening to after midnight. On the other hand, excluding dinner gives you more choice. You can eat before leaving Reykjavik, use an available food service at Fontana, or bring a suitable snack if allowed by the operator.

I would compare this price with the cost and effort of booking a spa visit and countryside transport separately. If you want only a pool session, the package may feel expensive. If you want the bath, a guide, transport, and a dedicated sky search in one night, it becomes easier to justify.

Searching the sky after the spa

The Northern Lights search takes place after your time at Fontana. You leave the baths, change, and rejoin the vehicle for the search portion before returning to Reykjavik.

This order has a practical advantage. If the sky does not cooperate, you have still received the main spa experience. The hot pools and steam cabins do not depend on clear conditions, while the lights do. That makes the evening less of a gamble than a Northern Lights tour alone.

Weather remains the key uncertainty. The tour operates in all weather conditions, but sightings are not guaranteed. Rain, cloud, and other poor conditions can prevent a successful search. If no lights appear, the operator offers a free chance to join a Northern Lights Tour later by contacting customer service. You should confirm the exact rebooking process before leaving Iceland, since the offer requires you to contact the company.

The timing also deserves attention. The listed return is just after midnight, but return times can vary. Do not schedule a tight late-night connection or an early appointment the next morning. The long evening works well if you want a relaxed night, but less well if you prefer to be back in Reykjavik by 10 pm.

There is also a seasonal wrinkle. The experience is presented as a summer evening with the midnight sun, yet it includes a Northern Lights search. The supplied information does not promise dark conditions, and you should ask the operator how the search works for your exact travel date. Book this for Fontana first, with the lights as a possible bonus.

The guide and the group setting

A professional guide travels with you and provides live information during the drive. The guide also handles the transition between Reykjavik, Fontana, and the later sky search, which makes the night easier than driving yourself after a long soak.

One account singled out a female guide and driver as the best guide of that person’s Iceland trip. No guide name is supplied, so I cannot tell you who will lead your departure. The useful point is that the quality of the evening may depend heavily on the individual guide, especially during the long bus ride and the weather-dependent search.

The maximum group size is 99 people. That is a large possible group, and you should not picture a small private outing. The bus format keeps the price and logistics manageable, but the spa may feel busier when a full group arrives together. Free time at Fontana gives you some independence once inside, though the group must still leave on schedule.

Most people can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring layers and proper outdoor clothing because the tour runs in all weather. The air-conditioned bus is useful between stops, but it does not replace a warm coat when you are outside near the pools or lake.

What to pack for a warm and late night

You should arrive ready for both a spa and a cold-weather outing. Pack:

• A swimsuit
• A towel, unless you plan to rent one
• Warm clothing for the bus stop, lake platform, and time outside
• Comfortable clothes for changing after the bath
• Any food you need, since dinner is not included
• A phone or camera, with care around water and steam

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation arrives at booking. Keep the ticket easy to access at the meeting point. If hotel pickup is not available for your address, plan to reach BSÍ101 for the 6 pm start.

The communal changing facilities are clean, but you should not expect private changing rooms throughout. Give yourself enough time to change before the bus departure. A rushed exit after a long soak is not the best way to end the spa portion.

Who will enjoy this seven-hour outing

I would recommend this experience to you if you want an easy way to combine relaxation and nature from Reykjavik. It suits people who like geothermal bathing but do not want to rent a car or organize a separate trip to Laugarvatn. It also works for anyone who wants a guided introduction to volcanic geology without spending a full day on a major sightseeing circuit.

It is particularly good for:

• First-time visitors who want a straightforward Icelandic spa experience
• Couples or friends who enjoy quiet outdoor bathing
• Families, provided children are accompanied by an adult
• People who want a warm activity even when evening weather is poor
• Anyone happy to treat the Northern Lights as a bonus rather than a promise

I would hesitate if you want a private spa, a small group, or a guaranteed Aurora display. The 99-person maximum means the outing can feel like a standard coach tour. The late return may also be tiring, and the $249 price is harder to defend if you are interested only in the baths.

The 92 percent recommendation rate and 4.5 rating suggest that the overall package works well for most people, but the weather limitation remains real. The strongest part of the outing is Fontana itself. The sky search adds excitement, but it cannot be controlled.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the 6 pm start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour otherwise operates in all weather, so dress for cold, wind, rain, and changing conditions rather than assuming the evening will stay dry.

Should you book Northern Lights and Geothermal Baths Adventure?

Book it if Laugarvatn Fontana is your main goal and you like the convenience of a guided round trip from Reykjavik. The three pools, natural steam cabins, lake view, and optional cold-water swim make this more than a standard hotel pool visit. The included transport and late Northern Lights search add useful value.

Do not book it solely for the Northern Lights. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the summer-evening format may not offer the dark conditions you imagine. For the best decision, confirm the conditions for your date, plan your own dinner, pack a swimsuit and warm layers, and leave your late evening free.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik. Central hotel pickup may also be available, so check the pickup details for your booking.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 6 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. The stated return is just after midnight, but 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 tour inclusions.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and viewing conditions, so sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see them, the operator offers a free chance to join a Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service.