Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this outing is the switch between heat and cold: you can sit in Fontana’s warm outdoor pools, step into steam rising from the earth, then take an optional plunge in Lake Laugarvatn. It is a very Icelandic way to spend an evening, especially with open views across the lake and the chance of a midnight-sun sky.

I like the simple rhythm of the experience: scenic bus ride, two hours at the spa, then a Northern Lights search. I also like that transport, admission, a guide, and bus Wi-Fi are included, so you do not have to arrange the evening in pieces. The main drawback is the seasonal mismatch in the description. Midnight sun means little or no darkness, so you should confirm that the Northern Lights portion fits your travel dates.

Key things to know before you book

• Three connected outdoor pools: Fontana’s baths have different depths and temperatures, giving you more choice than a single hot pool.
• Natural steam cabins: The Gufan uses steam that rises from the ground below, rather than relying only on heated air.
• Optional cold lake swim: A platform gives you access to Lake Laugarvatn if you want to follow hot bathing with a very brisk dip.
• A long evening from Reykjavik: Pickup or meeting time is around 6 p.m., with the return just after midnight, though timing can change.
• The Northern Lights are not guaranteed: Weather and sightings control this part of the experience, and a free return Northern Lights tour is offered if you see nothing.
• Bring your own swim gear: A swimsuit and towel are recommended, though both can be rented at the spa.

From Reykjavik to the warm waters of Laugarvatn

Your evening begins at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at 6 p.m., with central hotel pickup also offered. If you use the meeting point, allow enough time to find the correct bus and settle in before departure. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and free Wi-Fi is included.

The trip takes you east from the capital toward Laugarvatn. Look out for lava-covered ground and the broad, open Icelandic scenery as the bus leaves the city. Your guide provides live commentary about volcanic geology and geothermal water, which helps explain why Iceland has so many hot pools in a country shaped by underground heat.

That commentary is useful here because the spa is not just a heated swimming complex. Its pools and steam cabins make use of natural geothermal activity. You get a little context before reaching the water, rather than simply arriving at a changing room with no sense of place.

The group can be as large as 99 people. That matters most during boarding, changing, and the final departure. The spa itself gives you free time, so once you are in the pools, you can set your own pace instead of following a tight guided sequence.

Two hours at Laugarvatn Fontana

Fontana sits beside Lake Laugarvatn, and the setting is a major part of the experience. You are not looking at a city pool or an enclosed hotel spa. From the outdoor baths, you can watch the lake and surrounding countryside while warm water takes the edge off Iceland’s cool air.

After arrival, you change into your bathing suit and enter the bathing area. The three interconnected mineral baths have different depths and temperatures. Move between them as you like, using the warmer pool for a long soak or choosing a cooler one when you want to feel more refreshed.

Two hours is enough time for an unhurried visit, but it is not an entire afternoon at the spa. You will need to allow time to change, use the steam cabins, and possibly eat before returning to the bus. If you want every minute in the water, arrive prepared with your swimsuit and towel easy to reach.

The changing facilities are clean, but they are communal. If you prefer a private changing room, this may not be your ideal spa setting. Towel and swimsuit rental is available on site, which helps if you are packing light, but bringing your own usually makes the transition faster.

The Gufan and the cold-water option

The three steam cabins, known as the Gufan, are one of Fontana’s most unusual features. Steam rises naturally from the ground below, giving the cabins a direct link to the geothermal source. You can spend time there between pool sessions, then return to the open-air baths.

I would treat the steam as a short rest rather than a challenge to see how long you can stay. The point is to slow down and let the heat do its work. You can leave whenever it feels too warm, and the interconnected pools make it easy to cool off without leaving the bathing area.

For a sharper contrast, walk to the nearby platform and take a dip in Lake Laugarvatn. This is optional, not a required part of the tour. The lake water is cold, so it suits people who enjoy a bracing swim more than anyone looking for a purely gentle spa visit.

The hot-to-cold routine is often associated with circulation and recovery, but you should make your own call based on comfort. You do not need to swim in the lake to enjoy Fontana. The pools and steam cabins provide the main experience, while the lake is an extra for those who want it.

Food, timing, and the midnight return

Dinner is not included in the $249 price. One experience connected with this outing included a buffet, with vegetarian choices, but you should not assume that food is part of your booking unless it is clearly confirmed. Bring something to eat or plan around the evening schedule if you know you will be hungry after the spa.

A useful practical tip is to move promptly if a buffet is available. Food service may not remain open indefinitely, and the tour still has a fixed departure to meet. The safest plan is to check the meal arrangements before you go and avoid counting on a full dinner at Fontana.

After your spa time, you change back into dry clothes and meet the vehicle. The return includes a scenic detour through southern Iceland before the bus heads back to Reykjavik. The tour ends at the meeting point, or with central drop-off where that arrangement applies, just after midnight.

The late finish is both a strength and a limitation. You get a full evening rather than a rushed visit, but this is not a good choice if you want an early night or have a morning excursion the next day. Bring warm clothes for the outdoor portions and the ride home, even if the pools leave you feeling hot.

The Northern Lights question

The experience includes a Northern Light Hunt after the Fontana visit. The guide and driver look for suitable conditions on the way back, but cloud, rain, and daylight can prevent a sighting. No provider can promise an aurora, and this tour makes that clear.

There is a particularly important point to check before booking. The description presents the outing as a summer evening and highlights Iceland’s midnight sun, while also advertising a Northern Lights search. The Northern Lights require darkness, so these two features do not normally belong to the same part of the year.

If your priority is the aurora, ask Reykjavik Excursions to confirm the operating season and the amount of darkness expected on your date. If your priority is Fontana, the geothermal spa remains worthwhile even when an aurora search makes no sense or weather blocks the view.

If you do not see the lights, the company offers a free chance to join its Northern Lights Tour by contacting customer service. That is a useful safety net, but it does not turn the sighting into a guarantee. You still need clear enough skies and the right conditions.

Rain can also change the plan. One recorded experience included a pleasant Fontana visit but no lights because of rain. That is a fair picture of Icelandic weather: the spa can still be enjoyable when the sky refuses to cooperate.

What the guide adds to the ride

The guide’s main job is to handle transport, timing, and commentary. On the outward ride, you hear about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. That gives the drive a purpose and helps you understand what you are about to use at Fontana.

The quality of the evening can depend on the guide’s manner. One visitor had an especially good experience with a woman who served as both guide and driver. There was also a complaint about guide behavior during another outing, and the operator asked for a detailed report so its quality team could examine it.

That is worth keeping in proportion. The tour is not built around a long guided walk or a personal cultural exchange. You have free time at the spa, and the guide’s most important responsibilities are getting you there safely, explaining the setting, and bringing you back on schedule.

Is $249 a fair price?

At $249, this is not a cheap public-bus trip to a swimming pool. You are paying for round-trip transport from Reykjavik, a professional guide, Fontana admission, the Northern Lights search, and Wi-Fi on the bus. You also avoid arranging a rental car or working out an evening route in unfamiliar conditions.

The value is strongest if you want several parts in one booking. A warm spa visit by Lake Laugarvatn, transport across the countryside, geothermal commentary, and an aurora search would take more planning if handled separately. The price is less attractive if you already have a car, can arrange Fontana on your own, or only want a short soak.

The package also carries some uncertainty. The Northern Lights may not appear, dinner is extra, the return time can vary, and the group may reach 99 people. I would judge the price mainly on the spa and transport, treating the aurora search as an added possibility rather than the main reason to pay.

Who should book this evening?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxing Icelandic activity without spending the whole day on the road. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a planned outing, couples who like quiet evening bathing, and anyone who wants a geothermal experience beyond central Reykjavik.

It also works well for people who enjoy contrasts: hot pools and cold lake water, steam and fresh air, a calm spa and a late drive through the countryside. You can take part in the lake swim or skip it, which makes the evening fairly flexible.

I would be more cautious if you dislike communal changing facilities, do not want to return after midnight, or need a dependable dinner plan. I would also avoid booking it solely for Northern Lights photographs until the operator confirms that your date has enough darkness.

The free cancellation policy gives you some room to change plans, provided you cancel at least 24 hours before the 6 p.m. start. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. The activity runs in all weather when operating, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Final call: book for Fontana, not a guaranteed aurora

Book this experience if the Laugarvatn Fontana visit sounds like the heart of your evening. The three pools, naturally fed steam cabins, lake setting, and optional cold swim give you a memorable use of two hours, and the included transport makes the outing easy from Reykjavik.

Book with more caution if the Northern Lights are your main goal. Confirm the season, darkness, and exact plan first, since the midnight-sun description conflicts with an aurora hunt. If you accept that the lights depend on nature, the $249 price can be reasonable for a comfortable spa evening with a scenic ride and a second chance to join a later Northern Lights tour if the sky stays empty.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel is also offered.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 6 p.m. The experience ends back at the meeting point, with the return expected just after midnight, although times can vary.

Is admission to Laugarvatn Fontana included?

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

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

You should bring both. A swimsuit and towel can also be rented at the spa.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price. A buffet with vegetarian options was available during one reported experience, but you should confirm food arrangements before departure.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

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

What happens if I need to cancel?

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