Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this evening outing is the contrast: you sit in hot geothermal water beside Lake Laugarvatn, step into steam rising from the earth, and then have the option of a brisk swim in the cold lake. Later, you head into the Icelandic night looking for the Northern Lights. The hot-and-cold routine gives this tour more character than a simple spa visit.

I like the included admission and round-trip transport, since getting to Laugarvatn on your own adds time and planning. I also like the three pools and three natural steam cabins, which let you choose between different temperatures and depths instead of settling into one crowded tub. The main caution is that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and summer dates may bring midnight sun rather than dark skies.

Key points to know before booking

• Geothermal bathing beside a lake: Fontana’s outdoor pools face calm Lake Laugarvatn, giving you scenery as well as warm water.
• A true hot-cold option: You can move from the pools or steam cabins to a nearby lake platform for a cold-water swim.
• Two different evening moods: The trip may feature the midnight sun in summer or a Northern Lights search when darkness and conditions allow.
• Transport is part of the value: Bus fare, a professional guide, hotel or central pickup options, admission, and Wi-Fi are included.
• Expect a late return: The advertised return is just after midnight, though weather and road conditions can change the timing.
• Bring bathing gear: A swimsuit and towel are useful, but both can also be rented at the spa.

From Reykjavik to Laugarvatn by evening coach

The tour begins at 6:00 pm from BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, with central hotel pickup also offered according to the tour details. Some departures use a central meeting point instead, so check your confirmation carefully before setting out.

You ride east in an air-conditioned vehicle while the guide explains Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. This commentary adds useful context to the outing. You are not simply crossing the countryside to reach a pool. You are learning why hot water can rise naturally from rock heated below the surface.

The drive also gives you a look at Iceland’s lava-covered scenery. The trip is not a full sightseeing circuit, so the scenery is mainly part of the journey rather than a series of planned stops. Still, the coach ride helps the evening feel like a small escape from Reykjavik rather than a visit to an urban spa.

Free Wi-Fi is included on the bus. That is a modest perk, but useful if you want to check the forecast, send a message, or pass the time between the guided commentary and the spa visit.

The group can be as large as 99 people. That is worth noting before you book. You get the ease of organized transport, but you should not expect a private outing or an intimate guide-led trip. A large coach also means that changing times and the return departure need attention.

Laugarvatn Fontana’s three pools and lake setting

Fontana sits on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn, and the setting is the main reason to choose it. You can look across the water while sitting in warm mineral pools, with the outdoor air adding a crisp edge to the experience.

The three interconnected pools differ in depth and temperature. You can move between them at your own pace, choosing a warmer spot or a slightly cooler one. This variety is helpful if you do not enjoy very hot water or if you want to change position during the two-hour stop.

The pools are not presented as a rushed photo stop. You have free time to bathe, rest, look toward the lake, and use the spa facilities. That flexible block works well after a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik, especially if your legs need a break.

The changing facilities are clean and communal. You should be comfortable changing in a shared area, since this is not described as a private changing-room experience. Bring your own swimsuit and towel if possible. Both items can be rented on site, but packing them avoids one more expense and one more queue.

The warm pools are suitable for most people, and the tour information says most people can participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult. As with any hot-water facility, you should follow the spa’s own instructions and take breaks if the heat becomes uncomfortable.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold lake choice

Fontana’s Gufan consists of three steam cabins filled by steam that 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, so you get a closer connection to the geothermal source that defines the region.

You can alternate between the cabins and the outdoor pools. The enclosed steam offers a different feel from sitting outside beside the lake, and the choice lets you set your own pace. You do not need to use every facility to enjoy the stop.

For the boldest option, walk to the nearby platform and enter the cold water of Lake Laugarvatn. The hot pool, steam, and cold lake combination is meant to refresh the body and stimulate circulation. That said, the lake swim is optional. You can enjoy the spa fully without taking the cold-water step.

I would treat the lake dip as a personal choice rather than a required part of the tour. The supplied information describes the water as pure and cold, and the change from steam and hot pools can be intense. If you are unsure, simply watch the more adventurous members of your group and return to the warm water.

The Northern Lights search and the summer timing problem

The tour includes a Northern Lights hunt after the Fontana visit. The guide and driver take you out to look for the lights before returning to Reykjavik. Sightings depend on weather and conditions, so the search is not a promise of a display.

There is an important seasonal point here. The description also presents the outing as a summer evening experience with the midnight sun. In bright summer conditions, the sky may not become dark enough for the Northern Lights. You should check the operating date and expected daylight before booking if seeing the aurora is your main goal.

If the lights do not appear, the operator offers a free chance to join a Northern Lights tour later by contacting customer service. This does not make a sighting certain, but it gives you a useful fallback. Ask customer service how the free return works and how long you have to arrange it.

Weather can also affect the search. The tour operates in all weather conditions when possible, but the supplied terms say the activity requires good weather and may be moved or refunded if poor conditions cause cancellation. Dress warmly, even if the pools are the central attraction. You will be outside before, after, or during the search.

One past outing had rain that prevented the lights portion, while the Fontana visit still went ahead. That is the right way to think about the booking: the spa is the dependable part, while the Northern Lights are the bonus.

A late return and scenic southern detour

After the spa and sky search, you reconvene with the vehicle for the trip back to Reykjavik. The route includes a scenic detour through southern Iceland, giving you another look at the countryside rather than sending you straight back by the shortest road.

The tour ends back at the meeting point or with a central Reykjavik drop-off, depending on the arrangement. The listed return is just after midnight. Exact times can vary, so do not schedule an early morning activity immediately afterward.

This late schedule affects the kind of day you should plan around it. The tour works well as an evening finale after a relaxed day in Reykjavik. It is less suitable if you need an early night, have a dawn departure, or want to stay fully alert for another long excursion the next morning.

Food deserves a little planning. Dinner is not included in the stated price. One account of the outing describes a buffet at the spa and notes that vegetarian food was available, but you should confirm current food arrangements rather than assume a meal is included. A snack before departure may be sensible, especially since the return is late.

What the $249 price really covers

At $249, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Iceland. The value comes from bundling several costs and decisions into one booking: bus transport, a professional guide, Fontana admission, the Northern Lights search, and Wi-Fi.

If you would otherwise need to arrange a rental car, pay for fuel, navigate unfamiliar roads, and buy separate spa admission, the package becomes easier to justify. You also avoid driving after a long evening in hot water and cold weather.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a geothermal bath. In that case, a shorter spa visit or a facility closer to Reykjavik may suit you better. You are paying for the journey, guide commentary, countryside detour, and second attempt at seeing the Northern Lights, not just for pool access.

The 92 percent recommendation rate and 4.5 rating from 24 listed ratings suggest a generally strong experience, but the sample is small. The details point to the main strengths: the spa, the clean communal changing area, the hot pools, the cold lake option, and the quality of at least one guide. One account specifically praised a female guide and driver as the best guide of that person’s Iceland trip, though no guide name is provided.

There was also a complaint about guide behavior during an otherwise enjoyable spa visit. The operator asked for a detailed report so its quality team could investigate. That does not define the whole tour, but it is a reminder that organized group outings depend partly on the day’s guide and driver.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a spa visit with scenery and transport included, rather than a simple soak in Reykjavik. It suits first-time visitors who want to combine a geothermal bath with a taste of Iceland’s volcanic countryside.

It is also a good fit if you do not want to rent a car. The bus handles the route, the guide provides context, and the late return gets you back to the capital without requiring you to drive in changing weather.

You will probably enjoy it most if you are happy with an unhurried two-hour spa stop and an uncertain sky search. The cold lake swim is a nice extra for adventurous bathers, but you can skip it without losing the heart of the visit.

I would be more cautious if your sole aim is the Northern Lights. The tour is tied to weather and darkness, and the summer midnight sun can work against that goal. For an aurora-focused trip, confirm the date and light conditions first, then treat Fontana as the reliable centerpiece.

Practical details that make the evening easier

Pack a swimsuit, towel, warm layers, and clothing that works in wind or rain. Towels and swimsuits can be rented, but they are not the first things I would leave to chance if you already have them.

The tour operates in all weather conditions when possible, so warm clothing matters even though you will spend time in hot water. The Northern Lights search can keep you outside, and the return time may shift.

Most people can take part, and children need an accompanying adult. The group limit is 99 people, so arrive ready to follow the guide’s instructions and return to the vehicle on time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Laugarvatn Fontana evening?

Book it if you want a full evening built around Icelandic bathing, with a chance to see the Northern Lights added on. The hot pools, natural steam cabins, lake view, and optional cold-water swim give the outing a clear identity, and the included transport makes the $249 price easier to understand.

Skip it if you only want a quick soak, dislike communal changing facilities, or need a guaranteed aurora sighting. For everyone else, I would choose a date with darker skies if possible, bring a swimsuit and towel, eat before departure, and regard the Northern Lights as a welcome extra rather than the main promise.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Central Reykjavik hotel pickup is also offered, so check the pickup details at booking.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and usually returns to Reykjavik just after midnight. Return times can vary.

What is included in the price?

The price includes bus fare, a professional guide, admission to Fontana Wellness, the Northern Lights hunt, and free Wi-Fi on the bus.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price. A buffet was available during one reported visit, but you should confirm current food arrangements directly.

Should I bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You should bring both if possible. Swimsuits and towels can also be rented at Fontana.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The lights depend on weather and 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.

Can I swim in Lake Laugarvatn?

Yes, an optional swim in the cold lake is available from a nearby platform. You can skip it and use the warm pools and steam cabins instead.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.