Two things make this tour hit hard in winter: Forest Lagoon warmth and the Northern Lights hunt. The evening starts with a drive to a geothermal spa set beside one of Iceland’s longest fjords, Eyjafjörður, surrounded by birch and pine trees. After your soak, you head outside Akureyri away from city lights to look for aurora activity on a guided night run.

What I like most is the combo of long, comfortable time in the baths and a guide who really works the hunt. On nights like those led by Sigi, the driving plan and multiple stop attempts can mean you catch the lights, not just hope for them, and you may even get shared photos afterward. The one drawback is clear upfront: Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and weather and sky conditions control what you see.

Key highlights you should care about

• Two-hour geothermal soak at Forest Lagoon, with admission and a towel included
• Fjord views over Eyjafjörður from a spa placed in birch-and-pine forest
• Aurora hunting outside Akureyri in darker conditions to improve your odds
• Licensed guide/driver with an emphasis on finding good viewing spots
• Small group size (max 18), and sometimes a more intimate experience
• If no lights are seen, you’ll be offered the trip again for free next time you have a booking

How the Evening Flows: 7:30pm Pickup, 4h 30m Total, Then Back Home

This is a proper evening plan, not a quick stop. It starts at 7:30pm with pickup offered (and the stated meeting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87-89, Akureyri). Total duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes including travel time, and you end back at the meeting point. That matters because winter nights in North Iceland can feel long and cold—having a set rhythm keeps things simple.

You’ll also be on a small-group tour with a maximum of 18 people. That size is big enough to feel social, but small enough that you’re not stuck behind a crowd when you want to enjoy views or step out for photos. You’ll likely feel you’re traveling with a team, because the guide is managing timing between the lagoon and the aurora search.

One small practical note: this is a winter night out. If you get cold easily, the schedule is still manageable because it begins with warm water. You’re not starting the evening shivering in the dark while you wait.

Forest Lagoon in Vaðlaskógur: Geothermal Heat With Eyjafjörður Views

Your first stop is Forest Lagoon, and you get around 2 hours there. The key detail isn’t just that it’s geothermal—it’s where it is. The baths sit with views over Eyjafjörður, and the whole setting is surrounded by birch and pine trees. The forest around the lagoon is Vaðlaskógur, and the idea is that you’re not just visiting a pool. You’re stepping into a quiet pocket of winter where the heat and the view do the heavy lifting.

For you, that translates into two useful things:

• You can relax without rushing. Two hours gives you time to settle in, not just pose for a photo.
• You can enjoy the fjord view after dark. In winter, that contrast—warm water and cold air—can make the whole place feel extra cinematic.

The tour includes entrance fee and a towel, so you can travel lighter. You’ll want to dress smartly for the walk between car and lagoon areas, but inside you’ll be focused on comfort. The reviews you’ll find for this area often point out the same theme: the view across the fjord looks especially pretty once the evening is underway, and the time feels long enough to actually relax instead of skimming.

A possible drawback to consider: you’ll be in a seated/soaked environment, so if you don’t love waiting in one place, this part could feel a bit slower than the aurora portion. But it’s exactly the warmth break that makes the later nighttime driving bearable.

Aurora Hunting Outside Akureyri: Dark Skies in Eyjafjardarsveit

After the lagoon, you switch gears. The second half is all about chasing the Aurora Borealis from outside Akureyri, specifically in Eyjafjardarsveit. You’ll spend about 1 hour 30 minutes there.

Why this area? The simple reason is light pollution. The tour plan is built around escaping the city glow so the aurora—when it appears—has a better chance of looking clear. This is one of those nights where being guided matters, because you’re relying on the guide to pick where to stand once the skies start behaving differently.

Here’s what to expect in real terms:

• You’ll be out in the dark, looking up and waiting for changes.
• The aurora is unpredictable, so the viewing experience can shift fast.
• The guide’s job is to keep you in spots with better visibility and less light interference.

The best nights tend to feel sudden. One moment it’s just dark sky; then the lights show up and suddenly you’re staring at moving color. On past nights with Sigi, the pattern included multiple stop attempts and a quick move toward a more promising spot once conditions improved. That kind of flexibility is exactly what you’re paying for on an aurora tour: not a guarantee, but a strong search plan.

Also remember: the tour data is clear that sightings can’t be guaranteed. That doesn’t mean the tour is a gamble—it means you’re buying a professional attempt, plus the chance to try again.

The Guide Makes the Difference: Licensed Driving, Multiple Stops, Shared Photos

This is a guided night, run by a licensed guide/driver (provided by Star Travel Iceland). That license isn’t a marketing line—it’s comfort for you. Aurora nights involve driving in winter conditions, and you want the person behind the wheel to know how to manage routes and timing while keeping the group together.

The small-group setup helps here too. With a maximum of 18, your guide can more easily manage short walks to viewing spots. If the group is tiny—like in one example where it turned into a private-style night—you get even more control. Less scrambling, more attention from the guide, and typically more willingness to stop and try another angle.

One of the most praised details from the aurora side is how guides handle the search effort. With Sigi, the approach included:

• taking a scenic route to improve viewing opportunities
• making multiple stops so you can actually enjoy the lights once they appear
• helping with photos, including sharing images afterward

Even if you’re not chasing Instagram shots, photos can be useful for learning what worked—where you stood, what direction you faced, and what the timing was when the lights came alive.

And if you end up unlucky? The plan includes a safety net: if the tour goes ahead and the Northern Lights aren’t seen, you’ll be offered the trip again for free next time you have a booking.

Price and Value: Why $176 Feels Fair for a 4h 30m Winter Night

At $176, this tour isn’t cheap, but it’s also not overpriced for what it packages. You’re paying for three things:

• Geothermal admission plus a towel at Forest Lagoon
• Guided aurora searching outside the city
• Transport and a licensed guide/driver during a winter evening

The value gets clearer when you think about what a DIY version often turns into. If you try to manage both a lagoon visit and an aurora hunt on your own, you’ll spend time driving, figuring out where to go, and possibly burning daylight in the wrong places. Here, someone else handles the routing logic and the schedule.

Also, the total time is about 4 hours 30 minutes. You’re getting an actual evening experience: warm soak first, then the chase. That pacing matters because it helps you stay comfortable while you wait for something that’s outside anyone’s control.

A final value angle: the group size limit (max 18) means you’re not one of hundreds packed into a bus. That tends to make the viewing parts feel more personal, especially when you’re stepping out to look at the sky.

What to Bring for a Cold Evening (So You Can Focus on the Sky)

The tour plan is built for winter nights, so your comfort affects your enjoyment. Keep it simple and practical:

• Wear warm layers you can move in.
• Bring gloves/hat for the aurora portion, since you’ll be outside during the hunt.
• Have waterproof outerwear if snow or wind shows up.
• If you’re photographing, bring a charged camera/phone and extra battery if you can.

One underrated tip: plan to be patient. The aurora can shift quickly, but it also can take time to show. If you’re cozy enough to wait, you’ll get more out of each moment when conditions improve.

If you’re hoping for photos, remember you’re competing with darkness and movement. A guide-managed stop helps, because you’re not guessing where to stand in the cold while trying to frame a shot.

Who This Tour Suits Best in Akureyri

This tour fits best if you want a one-evening plan that gives you both comfort and a real aurora attempt.

You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• you’re in Akureyri for a short stay and want to pack in the North’s winter highlights
• you want a guided aurora search that prioritizes finding darker spots outside the city
• you like the idea of starting warm (Forest Lagoon) before you commit to hours of nighttime sky watching

It’s also reasonable for couples and solo travelers because the schedule is tight and the group stays small. If you’re traveling with kids, the tour data says children must be accompanied by an adult, so plan on adult supervision at all times.

Should You Book the Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour?

I’d book it if you want a well-paced winter evening that combines a real geothermal soak with a guided aurora search outside Akureyri. The Forest Lagoon portion gives you something relaxing and visually satisfying even if the aurora is slow, and the guide-led hunting improves your odds compared to random guessing.

I’d hesitate only if you’re the type who needs guaranteed results. The Northern Lights aren’t promised, and sightings depend on weather and sky conditions. The good news is that the tour includes a rebook offer if the lights don’t show when the tour proceeds.

If you can handle uncertainty and you want a tour that handles both warmth and logistics for you, this one is a solid bet.

FAQ

Where does this tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Hótel Kea by Keahotels (Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri) with pickup offered, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 7:30pm.

How long is the tour?

The total tour duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes, including travel time.

Is admission included for Forest Lagoon?

Yes. The entrance fee to Forest Lagoon and a towel are included, and your Forest Lagoon stop is about 2 hours.

Are Northern Lights guaranteed on this tour?

No. Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour also depends on weather and sky conditions.

What happens if Northern Lights are not seen?

If the evening tour goes ahead and the Northern Lights are not seen, the trip will be offered again for free next time you have a booking.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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