Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights Guided Night Tour

The best part of this Akureyri evening is the contrast: first, you soak in warm geothermal water among trees with a dark fjord beyond, then you head into the countryside hunting for the Northern Lights. I like the two-hour lagoon visit because it gives you time to relax rather than rush through the spa. I also like the guide-led search, especially since Sigi, sometimes written Siggi, is willing to try several spots and stop when the lights appear.

The main drawback is simple: the aurora is weather-dependent and cannot be promised. At $176, this is a fairly costly evening, but the price includes Forest Lagoon admission, a towel, transportation, and a licensed guide, making it more useful than a basic Northern Lights drive if you want both a spa visit and an evening search.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different experiences in one evening: Enjoy a geothermal soak first, then leave town to look for the aurora.
• Forest Lagoon includes two hours, admission, and a towel: You have time to settle into the warm water and enjoy the fjord view.
• The Northern Lights search takes place outside Akureyri: The tour heads toward Eyjafjardarsveit to get away from city light.
• Guide Sigi, also listed as Siggi, may make several stops: The search can change with cloud cover and aurora activity.
• Small groups are capped at 18 people: The vehicle experience should feel more personal than a large coach outing.
• A missed aurora can qualify for a free repeat: If the tour operates but the lights do not appear, you are offered the trip again next time there is a booking.

Why this Akureyri evening works so well

Akureyri is a good base for a winter night out. You can reach the Forest Lagoon quickly, then move into darker countryside without spending the entire evening in a vehicle. This tour uses that setting well, pairing a comfortable indoor attraction with a natural event that demands patience and luck.

The order also makes sense. You begin with a scheduled, dependable activity at 7:30 p.m. The lagoon gives you warmth and a calm start. Later, when the sky is fully dark, you go searching for the aurora. That timing is much more pleasant than standing outside in the cold for hours hoping something happens.

You should view the Northern Lights portion as a search rather than a fixed show. The guide checks the conditions and may try different places outside Akureyri. That flexibility matters. A single viewpoint can be cloudy, too bright, or simply quiet while the sky a short drive away is active.

When the lights do appear, the reward can be dramatic. Sigi reportedly made several stops so the group could get out and watch, and he also shared photographs afterward. That is a useful extra because taking good night-sky photographs is difficult, especially when you are also trying to enjoy the view.

Forest Lagoon: two hours among trees and fjord views

Forest Lagoon gives the first half of the evening a clear sense of place. It sits in Vaðlaskógur, a forest of birch and pine, above or near views toward Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords. In a country better known for open lava fields and treeless horizons, the wooded setting gives this spa a different feel.

The view matters most after dark. You may not see every detail of the fjord, but the lights and dark water create a quiet setting. One evening account describes the view across the fjord as particularly pretty once darkness had arrived. The trees around the baths add shelter and texture, so you are not simply soaking beside a road or in a plain indoor pool.

You receive two hours at the lagoon, which is enough time to use the visit as a genuine break. You do not need to rush in, take a quick soak, and leave before you have relaxed. The entrance fee and towel are included, so you have fewer extra costs to manage.

I like this part of the tour for another reason: it provides value even if the aurora stays hidden. You still get a geothermal bathing experience in a scenic setting, rather than paying only for a forecast and a drive. That does not remove the disappointment of missing the lights, but it makes the evening less dependent on one natural event.

There is one practical point to keep in mind. The lagoon is a spa stop, not an all-day bathing experience. The tour allocates about two hours, and the full outing lasts about four hours and 30 minutes, including driving. If you want a long, slow spa day with no schedule, a separate Forest Lagoon visit would give you more freedom.

For this evening, though, the two-hour limit is sensible. It keeps the visit relaxed while leaving enough time for the second half of the tour.

Leaving Akureyri for the aurora search

After the lagoon, the tour heads toward Eyjafjardarsveit, outside Akureyri. The goal is to get away from the city’s light pollution and find a darker place for viewing. That is the right approach for Northern Lights watching, since dark skies make faint activity easier to see.

The search lasts about one hour and 30 minutes, though the whole schedule includes travel time. You should expect the guide to make decisions based on the sky rather than follow a rigid sightseeing route. If clouds cover one area, the group may drive on or stop elsewhere.

This is where the guide can make a real difference. Sigi, also written Siggi in the tour information, is specifically praised for trying several spots and staying determined. One small group even received a scenic route and multiple stops. The group size can reach 18 people, but a smaller booking may create a much more private feel. On one outing, only two people joined, turning the evening into something close to a private tour.

You should bring patience to this part. The lights may appear quickly, or you may spend much of the time checking the sky. The natural event controls the pace. A guide can read conditions, choose better viewing areas, and keep searching, but cannot switch on the aurora.

When the display starts, the experience changes at once. The guides can stop the vehicle and let you step outside to watch. That is better than trying to view the lights through a window while driving. If the activity becomes strong, you may get a memorable show rather than a faint green glow.

The supplied tour terms offer a useful safety net. If the tour goes ahead but the Northern Lights are not seen, you can take the trip again for free the next time there is a booking. This does not guarantee that a second attempt will work, and you will need another suitable evening, but it shows that the operator treats the aurora as an uncertain part of the outing.

What $176 includes, and what it does not

At $176, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for a combined spa and aurora evening, not simply a transfer to a viewing point. The price includes Forest Lagoon admission, a towel, and a licensed guide and driver.

That package has real value if you already want to visit the lagoon. Buying the two parts separately could require more planning, separate transport, and a second evening. Here, the tour connects them in one outing and takes you from the spa to a darker area outside town.

The value is weaker if your main goal is only the Northern Lights. You may prefer a dedicated aurora tour with more time devoted to the search, particularly if you do not care about geothermal bathing. Likewise, if you have already visited Forest Lagoon, you would be paying again for an experience you do not need.

I would compare the price with your schedule, not just with the cost of other aurora tours. This outing gives you something reliable first, then a chance at something uncertain. That combination suits you if you want your evening to feel worthwhile even under cloudy skies.

The tour has a maximum of 18 people. That is not a tiny private group, but it is more manageable than a large bus. The guide’s ability to make stops and respond to conditions is especially valuable in a smaller group. If your booking is lightly filled, the experience may become much more personal.

Timing, meeting point, and winter planning

The scheduled start is 7:30 p.m. at Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87 to 89 in Akureyri. Pickup is offered, while the stated meeting point is the hotel. Confirm the pickup arrangement when you book so you know where to wait.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. With a duration of about four hours and 30 minutes, you should plan for a late return, likely around midnight depending on driving and the amount of time spent searching. The exact finish can shift because weather and aurora conditions affect the evening.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but this is still a winter night excursion with time outdoors. You should dress for standing outside in cold conditions, even though the tour does not specify a clothing list. The warm lagoon is only the first half of the evening, and you will need to be comfortable later when the vehicle stops.

The tour requires suitable weather and sky conditions. The operator can cancel because of poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.

For your own plans, keep the next morning flexible if you can. A late return is not a problem for most people, but it is worth considering if you have an early flight, a long drive, or another fixed activity.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so check the local cutoff time before making last-minute changes.

Who should book this combined tour

I would choose this for a first winter visit to Akureyri when you want two classic Iceland experiences in one evening. The Forest Lagoon gives you a dependable attraction, while the aurora search adds excitement and a chance at something rare.

It also suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who would rather not plan evening transport. The guide handles the driving, route choices, and viewing stops. You can focus on the bath, the sky, and the changing conditions.

This may not be right for you if you dislike cold-weather waiting or need a guaranteed schedule. The second half is controlled by nature, and you may spend the evening searching without seeing anything. You also may prefer a longer spa session if bathing is your main interest.

The experience is especially appealing for photographers because Sigi has shared photographs after the tour. Still, you should not book it only for professional-quality images. The Northern Lights may be faint, and the tour does not promise photography instruction or equipment.

The most convincing reason to book is the balance between comfort and adventure. You start with warm water, a forest setting, and a fjord view. Then you trade that comfort for dark roads, open sky, and the possibility of a sudden aurora display.

Should you book the Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights tour?

Book it if you want a well-shaped winter evening rather than a single-purpose aurora chase. The two-hour Forest Lagoon visit is long enough to feel worthwhile, and the later search outside Akureyri gives the guide room to respond to the sky. Sigi’s willingness to make several stops is a strong advantage.

Skip it if $176 feels too high for an activity with no guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, or if you have already visited the lagoon. The free repeat policy helps, but only if you have another chance to join a later booking.

For most first-time visitors with one evening free in Akureyri, I think the combination makes sense. You get a real spa experience even when the sky stays dark, and if the aurora appears, the night can become a highlight of your Iceland trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87 to 89 in Akureyri. Pickup is offered, and the stated meeting point is the hotel.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 p.m.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is about four hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

Is Forest Lagoon admission included?

Yes. The entrance fee and a towel are included in the tour price.

Can the Northern Lights be guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings are not guaranteed. If the tour operates but you do not see the lights, the operator offers the trip again for free next time there is a booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same type of alternative or refund applies if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.