Geothermal heat on a midnight clock. This Reykjavik-to-Laugarvatn outing mixes outdoor geothermal bathing with a hunt for aurora on a summer evening when the light never really fully leaves. The setting at Lake Laugarvatn makes the spa feel extra Icelandic: you’re soaking in mineral warmth while the sky stays bright, then (if weather cooperates) you push back out into the dark for a chance at Northern Lights.

I especially love the simple setup: spend real time at Fontana’s three interconnected outdoor baths, then shift gears for the colder contrast. You also get onboard guidance about Iceland’s volcanic plumbing as you ride out east, which makes the whole experience feel more grounded than just soaking and hoping.

One drawback to plan around: the northern lights are weather-dependent, so you could end the night with amazing spa time and no aurora. It can also be cold and windy outside, especially when you switch from hot water to lake air.

Key Things I’d Prioritize

• Fontana’s outdoor mineral pools: multiple depths and temperatures so you can choose how hot you want it
• Gufan steam cabins: natural steam rising from the ground below, perfect when the air feels sharp
• Hot-to-cold rhythm: optional lake platform dip after warm soaking, based on a circulation idea
• Midnight-sun timing: you may watch evening light fade slowly across Lake Laugarvatn
• Included transport + guided ride: air-conditioned bus, live commentary, free Wi-Fi on board
• Aurora hunt with a fallback: sightings aren’t guaranteed, but there’s a path to a free northern lights tour if none are seen

Why This Tour Feels Very Iceland (Even in Summer Light)

This is the kind of trip that works because it doesn’t pretend Iceland is only about one big moment. You’re not rushing from one photo stop to another. Instead, you get time to slow down in geothermal warmth, and then you get a second shot at Iceland magic with an aurora hunt.

Summer in Iceland is strange in the best way. You might expect darkness at night, but in the time window of this tour the sky can still be bright, thanks to the midnight sun. That changes how the evening feels. The geothermal baths become the main event, and the northern lights hunt becomes the hopeful extra. For a lot of people, that balance is exactly right.

Getting Out of Reykjavik: Pickup, the Bus, and the Live Commentary

The evening starts in the city at 6:00 pm, with departures from BSÍ101 Reykjavík as the main meeting point. If you want it easier, pickup may be available from central Reykjavik or your hotel, depending on the option you select.

You’ll ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, and you’ll get live onboard commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. That matters because geothermal bathing is more than comfort. When you understand that the warm water is heated by underground volcanic rock, the baths feel like you’re using a natural system, not just visiting a hot pool.

Two practical notes I’d keep in mind:

• There’s a maximum group size of 99, which usually means you’ll share the baths with other people but you won’t be trapped in a tiny bus forever.
• There’s free Wi-Fi on the bus, handy for mapping your next stop in Reykjavik after you get back.

The schedule gives you a real chunk of time at Fontana (about two hours), which is enough to change, relax, and try the warm/cold routine without feeling rushed.

Fontana Wellness: Outdoor Pools, Deep Steam, and That Optional Cold Lake Dip

This is the heart of the experience. You arrive at Laugarvatn Fontana, a spa complex beside the calm waters of Lake Laugarvatn. After changing into your bathing suit, you head into the bathing area where the geothermal heat does what it does best: it convinces your body to stop tensing up.

The three outdoor mineral baths

Fontana’s main feature is three interconnected outdoor pools. Each pool has a different depth and temperature, so you can choose your level of comfort. I like this design because it gives you options:

• want to ease in gently? start with the milder pool
• want full heat? move to the hotter section
• want a reset without boiling? switch temperatures as your body asks for it

The views over the lake are part of the reward. Even when it’s windy, you’re sheltered by the spa’s layout enough to keep the focus on soaking.

The Gufan steam cabins

If you want something different from water, you can try the Gufan, which are three steam cabins. Steam fills the cabins naturally as it rises from the ground below. This is the kind of heat that feels different from a pool—more like a gentle wall of warmth against your skin and sinuses.

The steam cabins are a strong pick when the air outside is cold. After an hour in wind and drizzle, the cabins feel like a reset button.

Optional: the cold lake platform dip

If you’re feeling brave (or just curious), there’s an option to step onto a platform and dip into the lake’s cold water. The idea behind the hot/cold routine is believed to help circulation and help the body release toxins. Even if you don’t treat it as science, the experience itself is useful: it shocks you awake after warm soaking and gives you that clear-headed feeling for the rest of the evening.

Plan for this psychologically. When you go from hot steam and warm pools straight into cold lake water, it’s not a gentle transition. You’ll likely want to brace, go quickly, and then head back to warmth.

What to bring (and what to expect on-site)

You’ll want a swimsuit and a towel. The spa notes that towels and other items can be rented on the spot, so you’re not stuck if you forgot. Changing facilities are clean but communal, so be ready for shared space rather than private changing rooms.

One more real-world tip: wear footwear you’re okay with getting wet or changing out of quickly. You’ll move between bus, locker area, pool areas, and the lake platform, and it’s easier when your kit is simple.

Northern Lights Hunt: How It Fits After the Spa

After your time at Fontana, the night shifts toward aurora. The tour includes a northern light hunt, and the guiding team will take you out to search for better viewing conditions.

Here’s the part to keep expectations honest: northern lights aren’t guaranteed. The tour depends on weather and actual aurora activity. That’s not a marketing issue; it’s just the reality of Iceland. Clouds can erase the sky fast, and even clear skies don’t mean aurora will show up.

Still, the hunt is a valuable use of time because you’re not doing it from scratch. You’ve already warmed up, you’ve got the guidance from the group, and you’re leaving from the right base area at the right hour for a summer attempt.

And there’s a helpful safety net: if you don’t see lights on this tour, the operator offers the chance to join a northern lights tour for free by contacting customer service. That’s one of the better “don’t worry” policies you’ll see with aurora outings, since it doesn’t just shrug at the weather.

One more nuance: even if you get lights, you’ll be experiencing them in a summer context. In other words, the sky might not be total darkness, so the aurora can look different than what people expect from winter viewing.

Food and Comfort: What to Do With Dinner Not Included

Dinner isn’t included on this tour. That means you’ll want a plan for food either before you go, or during the evening if you can grab something on-site.

One thing that can surprise people is that the spa complex may have a buffet-style option available for purchase. Based on experience notes, lines can move quickly—so if you want food, don’t treat it as an afterthought. Vegetarian options also appear to be available.

If you’re staying flexible, this is what I recommend:

• Eat earlier in Reykjavik before you leave for Fontana
• If the spa buffet is open when you arrive, consider it as a backup
• Don’t count on a full dinner happening during your spa time, since your schedule is built around bathing and the aurora hunt afterward

Comfort-wise, the big swing is temperature. You’ll likely feel warm for most of the spa portion, then you’ll get exposed to cold air when you head out for aurora searching and later return to Reykjavik. Dress warmly enough that you don’t feel trapped in your own jacket.

Price and Value: Is $249 a Good Deal for This Evening?

At $249 for an approximately 7-hour experience, you’re paying for a package that’s hard to copy cheaply on your own: transport from Reykjavik, a professional guide, admission to Fontana Wellness, and the northern light hunt.

Here’s why the math often works in your favor:

• Admission plus guided organization usually costs more than you expect if you try to piece it together.
• The bus ride isn’t just transportation. You get live commentary about geothermal geology and spring behavior.
• You get a coordinated schedule, including a solid block of time at the baths before the aurora search.

The value drops slightly if your priority is only seeing the northern lights. Since sightings aren’t guaranteed, you’re really buying the geothermal experience first, aurora second.

But if you’re coming for something truly Icelandic—warm water, steam cabins, and the cool lake dip—then the price starts to feel more reasonable fast. You’re not just paying for luck. You’re paying for access + time + guidance.

Who Should Book This, and Who Might Want Another Option

This tour is a great fit if:

• you want a real spa block rather than a rushed stop
• you like the contrast of warm pools, steam, and an optional cold dip
• you want a guided aurora attempt without arranging transport yourself
• you’re traveling in summer and still want a shot at night sky magic

You might skip this if:

• you need guaranteed northern lights (no aurora tour can honestly promise that)
• cold wind and lake-platform moments make you feel uneasy
• you’re hunting for a full dinner experience as part of the tour (dinner isn’t included)

Book It or Pass: My Decision Guide

I’d book this if you’re the type of person who can enjoy a plan even when the sky is stubborn. The geothermal part is the main event, and it’s worth doing on its own: outdoor mineral baths, steam cabins, and the lake’s hot-to-cold contrast.

I’d also book it if you want an evening that feels Iceland-shaped. The drive includes live commentary about volcanism and geothermal springs, and the timing lets you experience the strange summer night light before switching into aurora search mode.

Pass if aurora is the only reason you’re traveling. In that case, you’ll be happier picking an aurora plan that better matches your expectations and comfort level with uncertainty.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The start point is BSÍ101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Reykjavik hotels?

Pickup may be offered from central Reykjavik locations or hotels, depending on the option you choose.

How long does the experience last?

The duration is about 7 hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes bus fare, a professional guide, admission to the Fontana Wellness, free Wi-Fi on the bus, and the northern lights hunt.

Do I need to pay for admission to the geothermal baths?

No. Admission to Fontana Wellness is included.

Are northern lights guaranteed?

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

What happens if there are no northern lights?

If you don’t see any lights on this tour, you can join a northern lights tour for free by contacting customer service.

What should I bring for the spa?

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. Towels and bathing items can also be rented on the spot.

Will the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but it does depend on weather for aurora sightings.

Should you dress warmly?

Yes. You should dress warmly, especially for colder air outside after the geothermal bathing.