Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

Warm water, cold air, and a long Icelandic evening. This Reykjavik excursion combines the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths with a guided search for the northern lights, plus round-trip transport and live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic ground. I like the peaceful setting beside Lake Laugarvatn, and I like that the three outdoor pools, steam cabins, and lake platform let you set your own pace.

The main consideration is timing. The tour is built around a summer evening and the midnight sun, so darkness and northern lights may not cooperate. Sightings are never promised, and rain can cancel the lights portion, though the Fontana stop can still be very worthwhile.

Key points at a glance

• Three connected pools beside Lake Laugarvatn: Each pool has its own depth and temperature, giving you room to move around rather than settle in one spot.
• Natural steam in the Gufan cabins: Steam rises from the ground below, adding a distinctly Icelandic touch to the spa visit.
• A real cold-water option: A nearby platform gives you access to the clear, cold waters of Lake Laugarvatn if you want a brisk contrast to the hot pools.
• Midnight sun replaces the usual night-time mood: The summer setting offers bright evening scenery, but it can make a northern lights sighting unlikely or impossible.
• Transport from Reykjavik is included: You avoid arranging a rental car or finding your way to the countryside after a spa visit.
• A free return opportunity is offered if no lights appear: You must contact Reykjavik Excursions customer service to arrange it.

A seven-hour evening from Reykjavik

This is not a quick city excursion. The tour begins at 6:00 pm from BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, with hotel or central pickup offered, and returns just after midnight. The exact return time can change, so do not place a tight early-morning commitment after it.

The tour price is $249. That is a serious sum for a bath visit, but it includes the bus, a professional guide, Fontana admission, the northern lights search, and Wi-Fi on the bus. You are paying for the transport and evening structure as much as the bathing itself.

I see the value most clearly if you do not have a car and want to pair the spa with a guided outing. If you already have transport and plan to visit Laugarvatn Fontana on your own, the price is harder to justify. Dinner is not included, so you need to eat before departure or bring a plan for the evening.

The group can reach a maximum of 99 people. That is a large possible group, and the spa will not feel like a private retreat if the vehicle is full. On the other hand, a larger coach usually keeps the cost lower than a small private outing and makes pickup easier for people staying around central Reykjavik.

The ride east through Icelandic scenery

Once you leave Reykjavik, the bus heads east toward Laugarvatn. From your seat, you can watch Iceland’s lava-covered scenery pass by while the guide explains volcanic geology and geothermal springs.

This commentary adds useful context to the bathing stop. The pools are not simply heated by an ordinary boiler. Iceland’s underground volcanic activity warms water naturally, and the tour helps connect what you see outside with what you later feel in the baths.

The air-conditioned bus is a practical comfort. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and you will want a warm, dry ride after using the pools and lake. Free Wi-Fi is included, though the best use of the trip is probably watching the scenery and listening to the guide.

Pickup needs attention. You can arrange an early evening pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel, or meet the guide at the central BSÍ101 meeting point. Check your exact instructions after booking, since the stated start point and pickup option are not identical.

What makes Laugarvatn Fontana special

Fontana sits directly beside calm Lake Laugarvatn. That setting changes the mood from a standard indoor pool visit to something more open and scenic. You can sit in warm water while looking across the lake, with Icelandic countryside around you.

After changing into your swimsuit, you have about two hours at the geothermal baths. The three connected outdoor mineral baths differ in depth and temperature, so you can move between them instead of staying in one hot pool.

That variety matters. If one pool feels too warm, another may suit you better. If you want to sit quietly, you can find a comfortable place and let the lake view do the work. The experience is self-directed, not a timed sequence of treatments.

The changing facilities are clean, but they are communal. If you prefer a private changing room, this may feel less comfortable. Bring a swimsuit and towel, although both can be rented on site.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold lake

The Gufan consists of three steam cabins where steam rises naturally from the ground below. This is one of the most distinctive parts of the visit because the heat comes from the same geothermal activity that warms the pools.

You can spend time in the steam cabins, return to the pools, and then cool off at your own pace. The tour material describes switching between heat and cold as a way to support circulation and release toxins. Treat that as a traditional wellness claim rather than a medical promise.

The lake option is more adventurous. A nearby platform provides access to Lake Laugarvatn, and you can take a brief swim in the cold water if you feel ready. You do not need to swim to enjoy Fontana, and there is no reason to force it. The cold lake is an optional contrast, not the main event.

The change from a hot pool to cold open water can be startling. Have your towel and warm clothes ready, and remember that the tour operates in all weather. Wind, rain, and cold air can make the walk between the water and changing area feel sharper than expected.

The summer evening and the northern lights question

The tour description places the bath visit in a summer evening setting, with the midnight sun possibly shining over the lake. That is a lovely reason to visit Fontana, but it raises a practical issue for anyone focused on aurora viewing.

Northern lights need suitable darkness, and a bright midnight sun does not create classic aurora conditions. The tour still includes a Northern Light Hunt, and the guide will search when conditions allow, but you should not book this solely for guaranteed lights. Sightings depend on weather and visibility, and the tour states clearly that they are not guaranteed.

Rain has affected the lights portion on at least one recorded outing, while the Fontana visit continued. That is worth keeping in mind: the spa is the dependable part of the evening, while the aurora search is the bonus.

If no lights appear, Reykjavik Excursions offers a free chance to join its Northern Lights Tour later. You need to contact customer service to arrange this. It is a useful fallback, but it does not change the fact that you may return without seeing the aurora on this particular evening.

The return through southern Iceland

After your time at Fontana, you change back into dry clothes and meet the vehicle. The return includes a scenic detour through Iceland’s southern countryside before the bus heads back to Reykjavik.

This gives the evening a little more variety than a simple out-and-back transfer. You may see the countryside under late light, depending on the season and weather. Since the tour returns just after midnight, the final ride is also a chance to rest after several hours in the pools.

The timing can run late. If you are sensitive to long evenings or need an early start the next day, keep that in your plans. The seven-hour estimate is approximate, and the stated return time can vary.

What the strongest praise tells you

The warm pools and spa setting receive the clearest praise. The facility is described as relaxing, clean, and especially enjoyable when cold wind and rough weather make the outdoor heat feel even better.

The buffet also received positive attention, including suitable choices for vegetarians, but dinner is not part of this package. If a buffet is available during your visit, do not assume it is included in the $249 price. Confirm the food arrangement or eat before leaving Reykjavik.

The guide can make a big difference. One highly positive account singled out a female guide and driver as the best of that person’s Iceland outings. Another account raised a concern about guide behavior, and the operator invited a detailed report to its quality manager. That gives you a fair picture: guiding can be a highlight, but service is not perfectly predictable.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 24 ratings, with 92 percent recommending the experience. That is encouraging, though the small number of ratings means I would treat it as a useful signal rather than a guarantee.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a low-effort evening outside Reykjavik. You get transport, a guide, Fontana admission, and the chance to see more countryside without handling a rental car after dark or in bad weather.

It also suits people who like flexible wellness visits. You are not rushed from one treatment to another. You can choose the pools, steam cabins, lake swim, and rest time that fit your comfort level.

Families can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, according to the tour information, but you should consider your own comfort with communal changing facilities, hot water, steam, and cold lake access.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is a guaranteed northern lights display. No operator can promise that, and the summer midnight sun makes the timing especially important. For aurora viewing, book only after checking that the date and expected darkness fit your goal.

Practical ways to make the evening better

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and warm clothing. Towels and swimsuits can be rented at Fontana, but packing your own avoids an extra rental and keeps the transition simpler.

Dress warmly for the ride and the time outside the pools. The water may be hot, but the path to the lake platform, the changing area, and the bus can feel cold, especially in wind or rain.

Eat before the tour unless you have confirmed a meal option. Dinner is not included, and the outing lasts until after midnight. A small snack may also be useful, though the supplied information does not list food service on the bus.

Use the bus ride for the guide’s commentary. The geology explanation helps you understand why Iceland has so many geothermal bathing spots, and it gives the outing more substance than a basic spa transfer.

Keep your schedule flexible after the tour. The return is planned for just after midnight, but conditions can alter the timing. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather and offers another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Laugarvatn Fontana evening?

Book it if the spa itself sounds appealing and you want a guided countryside evening from Reykjavik. The hot pools, naturally heated steam cabins, lake views, and optional cold-water swim give you a complete Icelandic bathing experience, even if the sky stays empty.

Book with caution if you are paying $249 mainly for northern lights. The aurora search is weather-dependent, sightings are not guaranteed, and the summer midnight sun can work against the goal. In that case, think of the lights as an extra and Fontana as the reason to go.

For the best match, choose this tour when you value comfort, transport, and a memorable thermal setting more than a sure-fire night sky. That is where the experience offers its strongest value.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Central Reykjavik hotel pickup is also offered.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and ends back in Reykjavik just after midnight, although return times can vary.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Bus fare and round-trip transport are included, with central Reykjavik or hotel pickup and drop-off options.

Is admission to Laugarvatn Fontana included?

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

Should I 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 tour price.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, unless the operator cancels because of poor weather and offers another date or a full refund.