Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure

The best part of this outing is the contrast: you spend the evening in hot geothermal water beside Lake Laugarvatn, then step outside into Iceland’s cool air to search for the Northern Lights. The Fontana complex feels calm and scenic, with three connected pools, natural steam cabins, and a platform leading to the lake.

I like the included round-trip transport and the live guide commentary about volcanoes and hot springs. I also like the choice built into the bath stop: you can stay in the warm pools, use the steam cabins, or try the icy lake. The main catch is timing. Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed, and a summer evening may have too much daylight for a proper aurora search.

Key points to know before booking

• Three connected pools: Each has its own depth and temperature, so you can move around instead of sitting in one spot.
• Natural steam cabins: The Gufan uses steam that rises from the ground below, giving the spa a distinctly Icelandic touch.
• Lake access: A nearby platform lets you try a short swim in Lake Laugarvatn after the hot water and steam.
• Late return: The tour starts at 6 p.m. and usually finishes in Reykjavik just after midnight, though times can shift.
• Aurora conditions vary: The Northern Lights portion depends on darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity.
• Simple planning: Bus fare, a professional guide, Fontana admission, Wi-Fi, and the Northern Lights search are included. Dinner is not.

From Reykjavik to the warm waters of Laugarvatn

Your evening begins at BSÍ101 in Reykjavik at 6 p.m., with hotel or central pickup offered for some departures. Check your exact pickup details when booking, since the stated meeting point is the Reykjavik bus terminal and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

The ride east takes you away from the city and toward Laugarvatn. From your seat, you can watch Iceland’s dark lava fields and open countryside pass by. The bus has air conditioning and free Wi-Fi, useful comforts on a long evening that ends late.

The guide provides live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. That context matters here. The pools at Fontana are not simply heated by a boiler. Iceland’s underground heat comes from volcanic activity, and geothermal water has shaped daily life across the country.

This is also a good reason to choose a guided trip rather than arranging the visit on your own. You do not need to drive after spending time in hot water, and you can listen to the guide while someone else handles the road. The tradeoff is a fixed schedule. You cannot decide to stay at Fontana for three extra hours or leave whenever you like.

Laugarvatn Fontana, with pools facing the lake

Fontana sits on the shore of Lake Laugarvatn, and the setting is a major part of the experience. You are not soaking in a pool hidden inside a city building. The outdoor baths look toward calm water and the surrounding countryside, giving the stop a quiet, open feel.

Once inside, you change into your bathing suit and have about two hours at the spa. The three outdoor mineral baths are connected, but they are not identical. Each offers a different depth and temperature, so you can move between them to find the spot that feels right.

I like this arrangement because it gives you some control. If one pool feels too warm, you can shift to another. If you want to sit and look across the lake, you can choose a less active part of the bathing area. It is a simple setup, but it makes the two-hour stop feel less restrictive.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. Towels and swimwear can be rented on site, but packing your own keeps the visit easier and may save an extra charge. You should also bring warm clothing for the walk between the vehicle, changing facilities, and outdoor areas.

The changing facilities are clean, though they are communal. That is normal for an Icelandic spa, but it is worth knowing if you prefer private changing space. The tour suits most people, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Gufan steam cabins and the cold lake option

The Gufan is one of Fontana’s more distinctive features. It consists of three steam cabins where steam rises naturally from the ground beneath the spa. The effect is different from a standard electric sauna, and it connects the relaxing part of the visit to the volcanic activity discussed on the drive.

You can spend time in the steam cabins, return to the pools, or simply sit outdoors beside the water. The tour does not force you to try every feature. That is useful because a hot pool and steam session can be plenty for one evening.

For the bold, a nearby platform provides access to Lake Laugarvatn. The lake water is cold, especially after the steam cabins or warm pools. The point is not to swim across the lake. It is to try a quick cold-water dip, then return to the warmth.

Alternating hot and cold water is often associated with improved circulation and a refreshed feeling, but you should treat it as an optional novelty, not a requirement. If cold water is not for you, skip it. The warm pools and steam cabins are the heart of the stop.

Keep an eye on the clock. Two hours sounds generous, but changing, showering, trying several pools, and using the steam cabins can take most of that time. If you want to use the lake platform, leave enough time to dry off and dress before the bus departs.

What the Northern Lights search can really offer

After Fontana, the tour continues with a search for the Northern Lights. This is the part that requires the most realistic expectations.

Aurora sightings depend on several conditions, including darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity. The tour does not promise a sighting. If the sky is cloudy or the lights do not appear, the evening can still be worthwhile because Fontana is a complete experience on its own.

The summer wording deserves special attention. Iceland’s midnight sun creates long, bright evenings, which are beautiful for a spa visit but not ideal for seeing auroras. You may have a better chance during a darker season, while the summer version offers the unusual pleasure of bathing beside a lake in extended daylight.

If you do not see the lights, the operator offers a free chance to join a Northern Lights tour later by contacting customer service. Ask about the arrangement after your tour, since the offer is handled through customer service rather than automatically added to your booking.

Weather can also change the plan. The activity operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately, but poor weather can lead to cancellation. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The late return and the value of the $249 price

At $249, this is not a cheap evening outing. The value depends on how you would otherwise arrange the same pieces.

The price includes bus transport from Reykjavik, a professional guide, admission to Fontana, the Northern Lights search, and Wi-Fi on the bus. You also avoid renting a car, paying for fuel, navigating unfamiliar roads, and driving back after a late spa visit.

If you already have a rental car and planned to visit Fontana, the price may feel high. A self-drive plan gives you more time and control. You could also choose a different spa closer to Reykjavik if your main goal is a short soak.

The guided package makes more sense if you want the lake setting, the geothermal explanation, and a possible aurora search in one evening. It is also useful if you prefer not to manage transport in winter conditions or do not want to plan two separate outings.

Dinner is not included, so plan to eat before departure or bring something suitable if allowed. One account described food at the spa as a good buffet with vegetarian choices, but the official inclusions do not cover dinner. Treat food service as something to confirm rather than part of the $249 package.

The stated duration is about seven hours, with a return just after midnight. The late finish matters. You may not want to schedule an early excursion the next morning, especially if you plan to spend the full two hours at the spa and continue with the aurora search.

How the group size affects the evening

The maximum group size is 99 people. That is a fairly large coach group, not a small personal outing.

A larger bus keeps the cost lower than a private trip and gives you a standard, organized route. It can also mean more people changing at once and less flexibility at stops. Fontana’s facilities help spread people out across several pools and steam cabins, but the experience will not feel private.

The guide quality can shape the trip. A particularly strong guide and driver can make the road portion more useful and keep the late return pleasant. One account specifically praised a female guide and driver for being the best part of that outing. Since no guide name is provided in advance, you should think of the commentary as an added benefit rather than something to book around.

The live explanation of Iceland’s volcanic geology is most useful on the drive. At Fontana, you are free to set your own pace. That balance works well for people who like some guidance but do not want a guide directing every minute in the pool.

What to pack for a smooth evening

Bring a swimsuit, towel, warm layers, and sturdy shoes for walking between the bus and the spa. Even if the evening looks mild in Reykjavik, conditions near the lake can feel cold and windy.

A small waterproof bag can help keep personal items together, though the provided information does not specify storage arrangements. Pack only what you need for the bath stop and late ride home.

You should also plan for the lack of included dinner. Eat before the 6 p.m. departure if you tend to get hungry early, or confirm whether food can be purchased at Fontana. Do not assume a buffet is part of the ticket.

The tour is suitable for most people, but you should be comfortable with communal changing facilities, warm pools, steam rooms, a possible cold-water dip, and a long evening away from Reykjavik. The lake swim is optional, so you can enjoy the outing without doing it.

Who will enjoy this Fontana and aurora combination?

I would recommend this for you if you want more than a city spa and like the idea of combining geothermal bathing with Icelandic scenery. It works especially well for a first Iceland visit, when a guided ride can explain the volcanic setting without adding a separate full-day excursion.

It also suits people who want a relaxed evening rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. Most of the Fontana stop is unhurried. You can soak, steam, look across the lake, and choose how active you want to be.

You may want another plan if seeing the Northern Lights is your main goal. The lights are not guaranteed, and the summer setting may not provide enough darkness. This tour should be booked as a spa experience with an aurora search attached, not as a guaranteed aurora expedition.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike late returns, large groups, communal changing areas, or fixed schedules. A private trip or self-drive visit gives you more freedom, though it will require more planning.

Should you book this evening?

Book it if you value Fontana’s lakefront pools and natural steam cabins and want transport, admission, and a Northern Lights search handled in one package. The warm water, cold lake option, and volcanic setting give the evening a clear sense of place.

Skip it if you need a strong chance of seeing the aurora, want a private spa setting, or prefer to control your own schedule. At $249, the tour earns its price through convenience and the combined format, not through a guaranteed light show.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ101 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Pickup from a central Reykjavik hotel may also be offered, so check your booking details.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 6 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The return to Reykjavik is expected just after midnight, but return times can vary.

What is included in the price?

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

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner is not included in the tour price.

Should I bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You should bring both. Swimwear and towels can also be rented on site.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, you can contact customer service about joining a Northern Lights tour for free.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.