Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

The strange, wonderful part is the moment you lie back in a frozen Lapland lake and let a rescue suit hold you on the surface. Above you: stars, darkness, and perhaps the Northern Lights. Beneath you: cold water and, in places, ice forming nearby. It is less an adrenaline stunt than a quiet reset.

I like the silence of the lake and the simple pleasure of floating without having to swim. I also like the warm finish, with hot drinks and a fire waiting after the water. The main drawback is the long transfer: the floating site is about an hour from Levi each way, and clouds may hide the aurora.

Key points

• You float in an Arctic rescue suit: No swimming skills are required, and the suit keeps you on the surface.
• The trip takes about three hours: Roughly two hours can be spent driving to and from the lake.
• Aurora sightings are not guaranteed: The tour gives you a chance to see the Northern Lights, but nature makes the decision.
• Hot drinks follow the cold-water portion: Fires, lights, and a cabin setting help you warm up afterward.
• Groups can be fairly large: One reported group had 23 people and split into two floating groups.
• The meeting point is central Levi: Meet at the Safartica Levi office 10 minutes before departure, unless your pickup instructions say otherwise.

Why Float in a Freezing Lake?

Ice floating sounds like a dare. In practice, it is remarkably calm. Once you are wearing the special rescue suit, you lie back and allow the water to carry you. The suit provides buoyancy, so you do not need swimming skills.

That changes the mood completely. You are not paddling, racing, or trying to stay upright. You are watching the sky. If the Northern Lights appear, you may see them directly overhead and reflected on the water. Even without the aurora, the stars, snow, and quiet can make the time worthwhile.

I especially like that this is a nature experience with very little machinery at the lake itself. The memorable part is not a show or a staged performance. It is the odd feeling of floating in cold Arctic water while the world around you goes still.

Still, do not book this only for the aurora. The lights are an unpredictable natural event, and clouds can block them. One evening can bring a perfect display, while another offers only stars. The floating itself needs to be enough reason to go.

From Safartica Levi to the Remote Lake

The meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins and check the exact time and meeting instructions in the email from Safartica. Missing the meeting time or place means missing the safari, with no refund.

The drive to the floating location takes about one hour each way. That is a substantial part of a three-hour activity, so set your expectations properly. This is not a quick walk from the resort to a nearby pond. You are paying for transport into a darker, quieter setting away from Levi.

The journey also shapes the evening. You leave the lights and activity of the town behind, then reach a place chosen for its open water and night sky. The long transfer may feel less appealing if you want maximum time at the lake, but it helps provide the peaceful setting that makes the experience work.

Pickup is included, and Safartica Levi is the stated meeting point for people staying in the city. The available information does not name individual guides, but the live tour is conducted in English.

Getting Into the Arctic Rescue Suit

At the lake, the guide explains how the floating works before anyone enters the water. This briefing matters. You need to understand how to step in, how the suit keeps you afloat, and how to remain comfortable once you are on the surface.

The suit is the key piece of equipment. It is designed to keep you warm and buoyant in cold water, so you do not need to know how to swim. That makes the activity possible for many people who would normally avoid open water in winter.

You should still bring warm clothing for the full outing. The suit protects you in the water, but you remain outdoors before and after the floating. Pay special attention to your hands and feet. One useful tip is to bring hand and foot warmers if you have them, as the cold can still be felt through the suit.

The changeover from arrival to floating can feel brisk. You receive instructions, put on the suit, and get into the water rather than spending a long time relaxing beside it. If you are traveling with children, consider the outdoor stay, late timing, and cold conditions carefully.

Floating Under Stars and Possible Aurora

Once you are in the water, the best approach is to stop trying to make the experience happen. Lie back, breathe slowly, and look up. The suit does the work.

This is where the activity earns its unusual price. A normal lake visit gives you a view of the water. Here, you become part of it, floating at eye level with the surface while ice, snow, and sky surround you. The sensation is weightless and a little surreal, especially when the water begins to freeze around you.

The Northern Lights are the hoped-for bonus. If the aurora appears, the dark water can reflect it, giving you a second view below the horizon. That combination of color, stars, and still water could be striking. But the tour cannot control cloud cover or solar activity, so you should treat the lights as a possibility rather than a promise.

Clouds did hide the aurora on at least one outing, yet the experience still worked because the floating remained peaceful and unusual. On another evening, the lights appeared during the return journey, with stops made so people could take photographs. That is a useful reminder to keep watching the sky beyond the lake itself.

The floating portion may feel cold despite the suit. This is not a warm-water spa. If you want a soft, heated experience from start to finish, choose something else. If you like unusual outdoor activities and can accept some chill, the cold is part of the story.

Fire, Hot Drinks, and the Warm-Up

After the water, the evening shifts from stark Arctic quiet to comfort. Hot drinks are included, and the setting includes fires, lights, and a cabin atmosphere. This warm-up is not a small extra. It gives the experience a proper rhythm: cold water first, then warmth, conversation, and time to thaw.

You may find hot chocolate and marshmallows around the fire, which adds an easy family feel to the finish. The warm drinks also make the outdoor setting more manageable, especially after you have spent time lying still in the water.

The cabin and fire area help soften the practical awkwardness of changing out of a wet-weather suit. They also give you a chance to look back at the floating without being rushed straight into a vehicle. The experience is at its best when you appreciate both halves, the stark lake and the cozy recovery.

Group size can affect this part of the tour. One group had 23 people and split into two floating groups. A larger party may mean more waiting and less of a private, silent feeling. The guide team may keep things moving, but do not assume you will have the lake entirely to yourself.

How Much Time Do You Really Get?

The advertised duration is three hours, while the drive takes about one hour each way. That leaves a compact window for instructions, changing, floating, warming up, and any sky watching at the site.

I would not call this poor planning. The remote setting is part of the appeal. But you should know what you are buying: a special evening outing with a long transfer, not three full hours of uninterrupted floating.

The late timing can also affect your wider plans. The activity is built around darkness and possible aurora viewing, so it may not suit young children who struggle with cold or late nights. Adults and older children who can handle outdoor conditions will likely get more from it.

The minimum requirement is two adults. Children must be at least 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches, tall. There is no stated need for swimming ability, but the activity still asks you to tolerate cold water, darkness, changing clothes, and time outdoors.

Is $155 a Fair Price?

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price needs to cover transport from Levi, the guide, the rescue suit, the remote setting, and the hot drinks and fire area. You are also paying for an activity that is far less common than a standard aurora minibus ride.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want the lowest-cost way to look for the Northern Lights, this is not the obvious choice. A simple viewing trip may give you more time under the sky for less money, though it will not provide the floating experience.

If you want one memorable, physical activity in Lapland, the price is easier to defend. The rescue suit and instruction remove the need to own special equipment, while the transport gets you away from Levi. The activity also has value even when clouds hide the aurora, provided you genuinely want to float in an Arctic lake.

I would be more cautious if the Northern Lights are your only goal. No tour can guarantee them here. I would be more positive if you like unusual experiences, accept a little discomfort, and see the aurora as an extra rather than the whole purpose.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

This suits adults, couples, friends, and families with children over the height limit who want something different from snowmobile rides and ordinary aurora outings. You should be comfortable following instructions and spending time outside at night.

It is also a good choice for people who enjoy quiet more than constant activity. The central sensation is lying still, looking up, and letting the setting do the work. If silence makes you restless, the floating may feel too passive.

Families should think carefully about age and stamina. The suit makes swimming unnecessary, but it does not remove the cold. The late hour, outdoor setting, and transition in and out of the water may be tiring for small children.

You should also be ready for a group experience. The guides are there to explain and help, but the lake may be shared by many people. A large group can reduce the feeling of solitude, especially during the floating portion.

Practical Tips for a Better Evening

Bring warm clothes for the journey and the time around the lake. Add warmers for your hands and feet if you use them. The rescue suit is essential protection, but small areas such as hands and feet can still feel cold.

Arrive at the Safartica Levi office 10 minutes early. Confirm the exact departure time and meeting point in the email from the operator, especially if you are staying outside central Levi.

Keep your phone or camera use realistic. You may get a chance to photograph the aurora, and stops can happen if the lights appear on the way back. But the dark, cold setting and water make this an outing where staying present matters more than taking constant pictures.

Finally, plan your expectations around nature. The sky may be cloudy. The aurora may not appear. You may still get a quiet float beneath stars, with the strange sight of ice forming around you and a warm drink waiting afterward.

Should You Book the Levi Ice Floating Tour?

Book it if you want an unusual Lapland memory and would be satisfied with the floating even if the sky stays cloudy. The rescue suit makes the activity accessible without swimming skills, and the hot drinks, fires, and cabin setting give the evening a comfortable finish.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed Northern Lights show, if you dislike cold water, or if a one-hour drive each way feels too long for a three-hour outing. At $155, the experience is best value for someone who wants both the Arctic lake and the chance of an aurora.

For the right person, this is not simply an aurora tour. It is a quiet, slightly surreal way to meet the Arctic, one slow breath at a time.

FAQ

How long is the Levi Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour?

The activity lasts three hours. The floating location is about one hour from Levi each way, so the visit includes substantial driving time.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, and an English-speaking guide.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. Each person receives instructions before entering the water, and the rescue suit keeps you on the surface.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Clouds or other conditions may prevent a sighting.

Where do I meet the tour?

The main meeting place is the Safartica Levi office in the city center. Arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts and check your email from Safartica for the exact meeting details.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included. If you are staying in Levi city, select Safartica Levi as the meeting point.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you handle the cold, particularly during the outdoor portions.

Can children join the activity?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches, tall. Consider the cold, outdoor setting, and late timing before bringing young children.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps your plans flexible.