Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

This is a great summer-season idea because you get geothermal comfort first, then you chase the skies later. Lake Laugarvatn sits there like a quiet postcard, while the steam and warm mineral pools do the heavy lifting before the cold night air shows up.

I especially like the Fontana Wellness setup: three outdoor mineral pools at different depths and temperatures, plus the Gufan steam cabins. I also like that the tour includes round-trip transport from central Reykjavik and an onboard guide with volcanic and geothermal context, so you are not just hopping from place to place.

The main drawback is simple: Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed. If weather rolls in, you may finish the night without lights, but you still end up with a legitimately relaxing geothermal evening.

Key things to know before you go

• Two hours at Laugarvatn Fontana gives you time to test multiple pools and the steam cabins
• Steam cabins called the Gufan let you enjoy naturally rising steam without fuss
• Cold lake plunge is optional, but it is right there if you want the contrast
• Pickup is flexible (central meeting point or optional hotel pickup), and the bus has free Wi-Fi
• Lights depend on the sky, and the tour is weather-dependent
• Group size can be up to 99, so plan for a busier feel at peak moments

Geothermal first, Northern Lights later, this summer rhythm makes sense

I love tours that match Iceland’s reality instead of pretending everything is controllable. This one does that. In the early part of the evening, you are at Laugarvatn Fontana, soaking and steaming beside Lake Laugarvatn. Later, you head out to search for the Northern Lights, knowing the sky has the final say.

Summer nights can be bright, which affects how easy the lights may be to spot. That said, Iceland can still surprise you. On a clear, calm evening, the tour includes the chance to experience the dramatic look of midnight sun across the sky while you wait for darkness.

And even if the aurora does not show, you still get a full geothermal experience, not just a quick stop. That is a big part of the value here. You are buying time in warm outdoor pools and steam cabins, with a guided night plan attached.

Reykjavik pickup, the ride east, and what the guide adds on the bus

The tour starts at 6:00 pm, with the main meeting point at BSÍ101 Reykjavík. You can also choose an optional early evening pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel, depending on where you are staying.

You ride in an air-conditioned vehicle. That may sound small, but in Iceland that comfort matters. You will likely be moving from city air to a cooler outdoor evening, and it is nice to have a warm reset before you change into a swimsuit.

One underrated win is the live onboard guided commentary. You get context on volcanic geology and how geothermal springs heat natural pools. When you arrive at Fontana, those facts make the whole setting feel more real, not just scenic.

Practical note: the tour runs until just after midnight. So think of it as an evening program, not something you squeeze in and then still keep your full night free.

Laugarvatn Fontana Wellness: how the pools, steam cabins, and lake plunge fit together

This is the heart of the trip. After you arrive at the Fontana complex on the shores of Lake Laugarvatn, you head inside, change, and settle in with about two hours to enjoy the baths.

What you are looking at is a set of interconnected outdoor mineral pools. Each pool has a different depth and temperature, so you can tailor the experience. Want gentle warmth? Pick the pool that feels easiest on your body. Want the heat to really work? Move to the hotter one. This works well if you are traveling with someone who likes different water temperatures.

Then there are the steam cabins, known as the Gufan. These are small spaces filled with naturally rising steam from belowground, and they are a classic Iceland move for people who want that sauna-like effect without overthinking it.

If you want the full contrast, there is an optional swim in the cold lake water. You access it via a nearby platform. The idea is that switching from warm steam and pools to cold water can help circulation and help you feel refreshed. Whether or not you buy the science, the experience is memorable, because the temperature difference is real and immediate.

Changing rooms and comfort tips that help

Fontana-style baths are designed for a shared, communal vibe. Reviews note that changing facilities are clean but communal, which means expect shared lockers and shared space rather than private rooms. Go with calm expectations and you will enjoy it more.

Bring your swimsuit, and bring a towel. The good news is that towels and swimsuits can also be rented on the spot, so you are not stuck if you forgot something.

You will feel warm in the water, then cold when you step out. That is why it helps to dress strategically. Wear warm layers you can peel off easily, and keep an outer layer handy for the walk to the cold lake platform area.

Food at the spa

There may be food available at the complex, and one practical tip is to go quickly if there is a buffet or food service, since it can run out faster than you expect. If you care about vegetarian options, you are likely to find them available there, based on what people have said after visiting.

Northern Lights hunt: the plan, the limits, and how to make the waiting part work

After your spa time, the tour heads out to search for the Northern Lights. This part is included, but it is also the part with the most uncertainty. The tour specifically notes that sightings are not guaranteed and that it depends on weather.

So what do you do with that information?

First, show up dressed for real cold. Even in summer, once you are outside waiting, cold winds can cut through quickly. Your warm bath is great, but you still need a strategy for the walk and the waiting.

Second, manage expectations. The sky is not a light switch. Sometimes you get clouds or rain, and the aurora simply cannot be seen. In at least one case tied to the tour, no lights were visible because of weather, even though the geothermal part was still excellent.

Finally, there is a backup option if you do not see lights on this trip. The tour info says you can join a Northern Lights tour for free by contacting customer service, but you need to do that if your night turns out cloudy.

That does not erase disappointment in the moment, but it can turn a missed aurora night into a second chance.

Price and value: is $249 a fair deal for a 7-hour Iceland evening?

At $249, this is not a budget hop. But it also is not paying for hours of hotel transfer and nothing else. You get several key things folded together:

• Round-trip bus fare from Reykjavik
• A professional guide
• Admission to Fontana Wellness
• A Northern Lights search
• Free Wi-Fi on the bus

Meanwhile, dinner is not included, so you should plan your food either before you go or after you return late. That matters because the tour ends just after midnight, so post-tour hunger is real.

From a value perspective, the big win is the Fontana admission and the guided structure. If you were doing geothermal baths and then trying to coordinate a separate aurora plan on your own, you would spend time arranging transport, tickets, and timing. Here, the tour handles the basic framework.

My rule of thumb: if you want the geothermal portion and you are okay treating the aurora as a chance rather than a promise, the price feels reasonable for what you get.

What to pack for a warm bath and a cold sky (without overdoing it)

Here is the kit that keeps your evening smooth:

• Swimsuit and towel (you can rent if needed)
• Warm layers for outside waiting, even in summer
• Flip-flops or easy sandals for bath-to-platform movement
• A small bag to keep wet things separate from dry clothes
• Optional, but helpful: something quick-drying to reduce that long damp feeling after you leave the pools

If you are thinking, I will just wear my cold-weather jacket the whole time, keep in mind you will be changing into and out of swimwear, and you will be moving around both indoor and outdoor areas. So wear layers you can manage without turning the evening into a complicated outfit puzzle.

Also, bring a mindset shift. This tour runs late. It is not a quick nature photo stop. You are doing a full evening routine, soak and steam first, then sky watch later.

Who this tour suits best, and who might want a different plan

This tour is a strong fit for people who want two things in one night:

1. A genuinely relaxing geothermal stop with warm outdoor pools and steam cabins
2. A guided plan for the Northern Lights search that does not require you to drive

It is also a good option if you do not want to spend mental energy coordinating logistics across Iceland. The bus route, timing, and guidance are handled for you.

It might be less ideal if:

• You are arriving with only one night and you need the lights to happen no matter what
• Cold water plunges are not your thing, since there is an optional lake dip right there
• You expect a quiet, private bathing experience. Changing areas are communal, and the group can be large (up to 99)

For families, the tour notes that children must be accompanied by an adult. Most travelers can participate, but adults should consider whether the cold outdoor waiting time is manageable for kids.

Should you book this Reykjavik Northern Lights and Fontana spa tour?

If your top priority is the Fontana geothermal experience, I would book this. Two hours at the pools, plus the Gufan steam cabins, is the kind of Iceland evening that feels complete even when the sky is stubborn.

If your top priority is the Northern Lights, book with one clear expectation: the lights are a bonus, not a guarantee. The good part is that you get a warm, scenic, memorable plan before you ever step outside for aurora hunting.

So my call is simple:

• Book it if you want warm baths with a guided Northern Lights search.
• Consider a different plan if you need a certainty of aurora viewing.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long is the experience?

It runs about 7 hours (approx.), with the end time just after midnight.

Where do I meet the guide?

The meeting point is BSÍ101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup available from my hotel?

Pickup is offered from central Reykjavik hotel locations, or you can meet the guide at a central city location.

Is admission to the baths included?

Yes. Admission to the Fontana Wellness is included.

Do you guarantee the Northern Lights?

No. The tour depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed.

What if I do not see Northern Lights on this trip?

If you do not see any lights on the tour, you can join a Northern Lights tour for free by contacting customer service.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. You can also rent both on the spot. Dress warmly for outdoor time.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, it will not be refunded.