Akureyri: Northern Lights Hunt with Forest Lagoon Entry

The clever part of this evening tour is the two-step plan: you start warm and relaxed at Forest Lagoon, then head into the Eyjafjord area to search for clearer skies and the Northern Lights. If the aurora does not appear over the baths, the guide keeps looking instead of simply calling it a night.

I like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, especially in winter when icy roads and dark streets can make evening plans awkward. I also like the value of having Forest Lagoon entry, a towel, and a refreshing drink included in the $235 price.

The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights are natural, so nobody can promise a show. You also need to be comfortable with a late five-hour outing, cold conditions, and a tour that may change or be canceled if the weather turns poor.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours at Forest Lagoon: You get time to enjoy the geothermal baths rather than making a rushed stop.
• Three-hour aurora search: The evening continues around Eyjafjord if the lights do not appear at the lagoon.
• Pickup from nine Akureyri locations: Choose from listed hotels, guesthouses, Stórholt 1, and Hof Cultural and Conference Centre.
• Useful inclusions: Your price covers lagoon entry, a towel, a drink, transport, and the Northern Lights hunt.
• Adults and teens only: The tour is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.
• Weather remains in charge: Warm clothes and a camera matter, but an aurora sighting is never guaranteed.

Why the Forest Lagoon and aurora pairing works

Many Northern Lights outings involve sitting in a vehicle, waiting in the cold, and hoping the sky cooperates. This tour gives you a pleasant first activity even if the aurora stays hidden.

Forest Lagoon is the anchor of the evening. You have two hours in the geothermal baths, with a towel and a refreshing drink included. That makes the first half feel like a proper Icelandic spa visit, not just a brief warm-up before the search begins.

I like this setup because the lagoon provides real value on its own. You are not paying only for a chance at a natural event that may not happen. You get a scheduled soak in a highly regarded geothermal setting, followed by a guided search for the sky show.

The timing also suits an evening in Akureyri. You are collected from your selected pickup point, driven to the lagoon, given time to enjoy the baths, and then taken toward the Eyjafjord area. The tour returns you to your chosen drop-off point later that night, around midnight according to the stated schedule.

Pickup from Akureyri hotels

Pickup starts 15 minutes before the tour start time and can take up to 15 minutes. You should be waiting at your selected location 15 minutes before departure, rather than assuming the van will arrive at the exact posted start time.

The listed pickup points include Hotel Halond, Centrum Hotel, Stórholt 1, Acco Guesthouse, Hótel Kea, Hotel Akureyri, Icelandair Hotel Akureyri, Hof Cultural and Conference Centre, and Hotel Kjarnalundur.

This is useful if you are staying in central Akureyri or near one of the listed stops. Check your exact location carefully when booking. Pickup is included, but the service is tied to the stated locations rather than every accommodation in the area.

The drive to Forest Lagoon is listed as about 15 minutes. That short transfer keeps the evening efficient and leaves more time for the two main activities.

Two hours at Forest Lagoon

Forest Lagoon gives the tour a calm opening. After the short drive, you have two hours to enjoy the warm geothermal water and the setting around the baths.

You should bring swimwear. A swimsuit can also be rented at the site if you need one, but bringing your own is the easier option. A towel is included, along with a refreshing drink.

Two hours is a useful amount of time. You can settle into the water, enjoy the surroundings, and have a drink without feeling that you must rush straight back into dry clothes. The spa stop also gives you a chance to warm up before the outdoor portion of the evening.

Food is not included in the tour price. One booking account specifically praised the food available at Forest Lagoon, but you should treat that as an option to handle separately rather than part of the package. If you expect to need a full meal, plan around the tour timing and your own budget.

The tradeoff is that a geothermal bath can make it tempting to end the night there. Instead, you will leave the lagoon for the colder aurora search. Bring proper layers, not just the clothes you wore for the spa.

Three hours around Eyjafjord

After Forest Lagoon, the tour moves into the Eyjafjord area for a guided Northern Lights hunt lasting about three hours. The guide’s job is to watch conditions and seek locations that may give you a better chance of seeing the aurora.

That second stage matters. If the lights are not visible from the lagoon, the group does not simply give up. The guide takes you out toward areas that may offer a better view of the sky.

You should keep your expectations realistic. The Northern Lights depend on conditions outside anyone’s control. Cloud cover, weather, and aurora activity can all affect the result. Even a careful guide cannot guarantee that you will see green or colored lights.

The supplied booking information describes the guides as friendly, fun, and determined to find at least a glimpse when conditions allow. One account described the guide as being on a mission to locate the lights. That is encouraging for anyone who wants an active search rather than a passive drive.

Still, the goal is a chance, not a promise. Think of the three hours as a guided attempt to improve your odds, not a guaranteed performance.

What the evening feels like in practice

The experience shifts tone halfway through. Forest Lagoon is warm, quiet, and comfortable. The aurora hunt is more open-ended, with time spent outside or moving between possible viewing areas.

That contrast is part of the appeal. You get both a soothing Icelandic bath and the excitement of looking into a dark Arctic sky. It is a better mix than spending the entire evening waiting in one place.

It also means you need to pack for two very different settings. Swimwear handles the lagoon. Warm clothing handles the search. Add a camera if you want to record the night, though photographs of the aurora depend on conditions and your equipment.

The drive between stops gives you a break, but this is still a late outing. Pickup may begin in the evening, and the return is scheduled around midnight. If you have an early flight, a long drive, or a full morning tour the next day, consider the effect of the late finish.

Price and what the $235 covers

At $235 per person, this is not a cheap evening activity. The price makes more sense when you count the separate parts: round-trip hotel transport, entry to Forest Lagoon, a towel, a drink, and a guided Northern Lights search.

The strongest value comes from the fact that the geothermal bath is not merely a backup plan. Even if the sky remains dark, you still receive two hours at one of the area’s main bathing attractions, plus transport back to your accommodation.

The aurora portion adds a second kind of value. You do not need to work out where to go around Eyjafjord or drive unfamiliar winter roads at night. An English-speaking live guide handles the search and takes you back to your pickup area afterward.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a spa visit or if you are already renting a car and planning to search for the lights on your own. It is more appealing if you want one organized evening and prefer not to manage transport, lagoon admission, and aurora planning separately.

Who should book this evening

I would recommend this for adults and older teenagers who want two different Iceland experiences in one night. It suits you especially well if you are based in Akureyri and value a simple pickup arrangement.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Forest Lagoon but do not want to arrange a separate transfer. The included entry and towel remove a few small tasks, while the drink adds a pleasant touch.

You should also consider it if you are visiting Iceland during a short stay. A five-hour evening lets you combine a geothermal bath and an aurora search without giving up a full daytime schedule.

The tour is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems. If any of those restrictions apply, you should choose a different activity rather than trying to force this one into your plans.

Practical tips for a better night

Bring your swimsuit, warm layers, and camera. A hat, gloves, and a proper warm outer layer are sensible for the Northern Lights search, even if the bath portion feels mild and comfortable.

Arrive at your selected pickup point early. Pickup can begin 15 minutes before the tour and may take up to 15 minutes, so you should not wait until the advertised start time to leave your hotel.

Do not schedule a tight connection afterward. The tour lasts five hours, and the stated return is around midnight. Winter weather can also affect the route or timing.

Keep some flexibility in your itinerary. The tour can be adjusted or canceled because of weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at the time of booking.

Most important, judge the outing by the whole evening rather than by the aurora alone. If the lights appear, the night may become a highlight of your Iceland visit. If they do not, you still receive the Forest Lagoon visit and a guided ride through the Eyjafjord area.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a comfortable, organized Akureyri evening that combines a geothermal bath with a serious attempt to find the Northern Lights. The logistics are easy, the lagoon time is generous, and the included transport is valuable in winter.

Skip it if your only goal is guaranteed aurora viewing, because no tour can offer that. You may also prefer another plan if you dislike late nights, cannot manage cold outdoor conditions, or want to spend longer at the lagoon without a second activity.

For most eligible visitors, the combination makes sense. Forest Lagoon gives you a worthwhile experience even when the sky refuses to cooperate, while the Eyjafjord search gives the night a real sense of adventure.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts five hours. The schedule includes about two hours at Forest Lagoon and about three hours for the guided Northern Lights hunt around Eyjafjord.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at the listed locations in Akureyri, including several hotels, Acco Guesthouse, Stórholt 1, Hof Cultural and Conference Centre, and Hotel Kjarnalundur.

When should I be ready for pickup?

You should be ready at your selected pickup location 15 minutes before the tour starts. Pickup begins 15 minutes before the start time and can take up to 15 minutes.

Is Forest Lagoon entry included?

Yes. Entry to Forest Lagoon is included, along with a towel and a refreshing drink.

Should I bring a swimsuit?

Yes. You should bring swimwear for Forest Lagoon. Swimsuits are also available to rent at the location.

Is food included?

No. Meals are not included in the tour price. Personal expenses are also excluded.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The guide will search around the Eyjafjord area for favorable viewing locations.

Can the tour change because of weather?

Yes. The tour may be adjusted or canceled because of weather conditions.

Who cannot join this activity?

The tour is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, or people with back problems or heart problems.