That first warm breath of steam.

This tour takes you from Reykjavik to Laugarvatn Fontana for an Iceland-at-night feeling: outdoor geothermal pools by Lake Laugarvatn, steam cabins called the Gufan, and the long summer light (midnight sun can still happen). I especially like how you get real bath time to choose your own pace, not just a quick dip, and I also like that the ride includes guided commentary on the geology behind those hot springs. One thing to keep in mind: Northern Lights sightings aren’t guaranteed, since the hunt depends on weather.

The practical win here is the pacing. You’ll have a focused window at the spa, then a later push to look for lights, with return to Reykjavik after midnight. The main drawback for some people is that you’re hopping between hot pools and cold lake water, so if you’re not into temperature switching, you’ll want to plan your comfort level before you go.

Key Things That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Fontana’s outdoor mineral baths: multiple interconnected pools with different depths and temperatures
• The Gufan steam cabins: natural steam rising up from the ground below
• Hot-and-cold option at Lake Laugarvatn: a platform for a cold-water dip
• Real time on-site: enough space to change, soak, and still have energy for the lights hunt
• Group size stays reasonable: up to 99 travelers, with air-conditioned bus comfort
• A backup offer if lights don’t show: join another Northern Lights tour for free by contacting customer service

Laugarvatn Fontana at Night: Iceland’s Simple Luxury

Iceland does not need fancy tricks. It’s all about water warmed by the earth, steam that rolls in like weather, and views that don’t ask you to ignore your surroundings. At Laugarvatn Fontana, you get that in a summer-evening setting where the sky can stay bright late. Even if you never see lights, the geothermal experience still feels like the main event.

What makes this stop special is the way Fontana is built around the lake. The outdoor baths give you a reason to slow down, whether you’re watching the water or just letting the heat do its job. You also get options: some pools are deeper, and some are hotter or cooler, so you can match the soaking to how you’re feeling.

And yes, the steam cabins are the star for a lot of people. The Gufan is three steaming rooms where you get warmth from rising steam. It’s not just a novelty. It’s a different kind of heat than the water, and it’s a big part of why this feels like an Iceland ritual rather than a basic pool stop.

The Reykjavik-to-Laugarvatn Schedule (And Why 6:00 pm Matters)

This tour starts at 6:00 pm and meets at BSÍ101 Reykjavík. If you prefer not to self-navigate, the tour offers optional early pickup from central Reykjavik hotels, or you can meet the guide at a central city location. That flexibility helps if you’re staying far from BSÍ101 or you like not thinking too much on day one of your trip.

You’re in the vehicle for a good chunk of the evening. The ride is in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus, and you also get free Wi‑Fi onboard. Because the total time is about 7 hours (approx.), you’re not rushing from stop to stop like a checklist tour. You’re building an evening.

Keep one timing reality in your head: your return to Reykjavik is after midnight, and return times can vary. If you’re thinking about dinner reservations, I’d treat this as a “late night first” plan, not something to pair with an early show.

The Bus Ride: Volcanic Geology With Real Context

This isn’t just a transfer. On the way east, your guide shares live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. The key idea is simple: underground volcanic rock heats natural groundwater, and that warmed water is what you’re bathing in later at Fontana.

You’ll also pass lava-coated terrain, and it helps to hear what you’re seeing while you’re still moving. It turns the scenery into something you can actually connect to later—why the thermal water is there, and why Iceland can create hot springs and steam like it does.

One practical upside: the bus commentary keeps the first part of the evening from feeling dead time. You’re focused, but in a relaxed way.

Fontana Wellness: Outdoor Pools, Different Temperatures, and the Gufan Steam Cabins

When you arrive at Laugarvatn Fontana, you go into the Fontana complex and get time to change and settle in. Plan on arriving ready to use the facilities, not just ready to look around. You’ll want your swimwear handy so you can get into the baths efficiently.

The outdoor mineral baths

You’ll have about two hours at the spa. The baths are three interconnected outdoor mineral pools. They’re not all identical, and that matters because it lets you control your soaking experience. If you want gentle heat, you can choose a pool that feels right. If you want full “Iceland geothermal therapy,” you can aim for the hotter option.

Also: the pools are positioned so you can admire the quiet lake view. That’s the difference between a “bathroom break” and a real spa evening. You’re not only warming up—you’re resting your brain for a while.

The Gufan steam cabins

If you want something different from water, spend time in the Gufan. It’s made up of three steam cabins with steam that naturally seeps up from below the ground.

Steam cabins can be intense, especially if you’re sensitive to heat or strong steam. But used in short rounds, they’re a great complement to the pools. They also give you a change of setting without leaving the property.

Hot pools to cold lake dip (the optional dare)

There’s also the chance to go from heat to cold. If you feel adventurous, you can dip in the cold waters of Lake Laugarvatn, accessed via a nearby platform. The idea given for this routine is that switching from warm to cold supports circulation and may help your body feel refreshed.

This is optional. You don’t have to prove anything to the lake. If you do try it, go slowly. If cold water is not your thing, you can still have a great experience just staying in the baths and steam cabins.

Changing facilities: communal but clean

One detail that’s good to know ahead of time is that the changing facilities are communal. That’s common for facilities like this, but it’s worth mentioning so you’re not surprised. The facilities are described as clean, which helps a lot when you’re gearing up for a wet-weather evening.

Northern Lights Hunt: Worth Doing Even When Summer Makes It Harder

Here’s the honest truth: this tour includes a Northern Light Hunt, but it’s weather dependent, and sightings are not guaranteed. That’s not a tactic. It’s just reality. Clouds, rain, and wind can kill your chances fast.

Because this is a summer evening plan, you may also find the sky has more light than during the winter peak. That can make faint auroras harder to spot. Still, the hunt is part of the experience, and the timing is set up so you’re looking late enough in the evening to have a shot.

The backup option is important. If you don’t see any lights on this tour, you can join a Northern Lights Tour for free by contacting customer service. That’s a solid way to protect your money when conditions don’t cooperate.

One more note: if it’s raining or miserable outside, you might still feel like you got your trip’s value from the spa. One review even framed it as: even when lights were off the table, the warmth and steam made the night feel worth it.

What to Pack: Swimsuit, Towel, and Dressing for Iceland Weather

This is where you win or lose the day. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you’re going to be outdoors at least briefly, and you’ll be wet at Fontana.

Bring:

• a swimsuit
• a towel

If you forget something, you can rent a towel and swimsuit on the spot, so you won’t be stuck—but you’ll still want to plan ahead.

Dress warmly too. Iceland can feel brutally cold even when summer is doing its best. Think layers you can move in, plus something you’ll want when you come out of the steam and pools and you’re heading back toward the vehicle.

If you’re prone to slipping, consider footwear that works on wet surfaces. The platform dip is optional, but the grounds around spas can be slick.

Food and the Midnight Timing: Plan Snacks, Not a Full Dinner

Dinner is not included. That doesn’t mean you’re hungry all night, but it does mean you should plan your timing like a grown-up.

Fontana is a proper spa complex, and one review mentioned a buffet-style food option there and said it was good, including vegetarian suitability. So you might find something to eat on-site during your spa time, but don’t count on a meal being included in the tour price.

My advice: if you’re doing this tour as a main evening activity, eat earlier before pickup if you can, or bring a light snack for the long evening stretches. Then you’re not stressing when the clock gets late.

Price and Value: Getting Admission + Transport + a Lights Search for $249

At $249, you’re paying for more than a “pool visit.” Your money covers:

• bus fare and transport from Reykjavik
• a professional guide
• admission to Fontana Wellness
• the Northern Lights hunt
• free Wi‑Fi on the bus

The biggest value piece is that Fontana admission plus transport saves you the hassle of planning your own trip across Iceland’s winter-style distances (even if it’s summer). You’re also buying guided context on the geothermal side, which makes the hot springs feel less like a random attraction.

Is it worth it if you only want the lights? Probably not, since sightings aren’t guaranteed. But if you want the thermal spa as the anchor and you’re happy to take a shot at auroras as a bonus, this is a sensible package. Even one review that didn’t include the lights portion still called the spa time amazing and restorative.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Want to Skip It)

You’ll likely love this if you:

• want an evening activity that mixes relaxation + nature
• like geothermal experiences and steam cabins
• want guided transport so you don’t drive late at night
• are comfortable with changing temps, at least in theory

It’s also a decent fit for many travelers since the tour says most travelers can participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult, so if you’re traveling with kids, this can work as long as everyone is okay with the late return and colder outdoor moments.

You might consider skipping if:

• you’re extremely uncomfortable with cold water dips
• you’re expecting guaranteed Northern Lights (this is explicitly not that kind of tour)
• you dislike communal changing spaces

Should You Book This Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure?

I think this tour is a strong choice if you treat the spa as the main goal and the Northern Lights as the gamble. Laugarvatn Fontana is the part that doesn’t depend on weather staying clear. Even when lights don’t show, the geothermal pools and steam cabins can still feel like the highlight of your evening.

Book it if you want a smooth evening plan from Reykjavik, built around real geothermal soaking and the chance to look for auroras afterward. Skip it if your whole trip plan is based on seeing lights no matter what. In that case, you’ll likely feel disappointed when conditions don’t cooperate.

FAQ

What time does the tour start and where do we meet?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm and you meet at BSÍ101 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. The tour offers optional early pickup from central Reykjavik hotels, or you can meet the guide at a central location in the city.

How long do we spend at Laugarvatn Fontana?

You have about 2 hours at Laugarvatn Fontana for the geothermal baths.

What’s included in the price?

The price includes bus fare, a professional guide, admission to Fontana Wellness, a Northern Light Hunt, and free Wi‑Fi on the bus.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes, you should bring a swimsuit and a towel. You can also rent these items on the spot.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights sightings depend on weather. If you don’t see any lights on the tour, you can join another Northern Lights tour for free by contacting customer service.

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