Warm water in the midnight sky. This Reykjavik-to-Laugarvatn Fontana evening blends Iceland’s geothermal routine with a shot at seeing the aurora, even when summer skies stay bright. I like that you get real free time at the baths with lake views, not just a rushed stop, and the onboard guide info makes the geothermal setting feel more meaningful as you arrive.

The other big win for me is the mix of warm outdoor soaking and the option to switch to cold lake water. The one thing to keep in mind is the northern lights are not guaranteed, and the tour explicitly depends on weather and sightings—so treat the aurora like a bonus, not a booking requirement.

Key points to know before you go

• Fontana gives you about 2 hours to use three outdoor mineral baths at different temperatures and depths
• Steam cabins (the Gufan) let you relax with naturally rising geothermal steam
• You can try a cold plunge into Lake Laugarvatn via a nearby platform, if you want the classic hot-cold contrast
• Guided bus commentary explains Iceland’s volcanic geology and how geothermal springs heat the pools
• Aurora hunting happens after the spa, but summer conditions mean sightings are never assured
• Small-ish group scale, with a maximum of 99 travelers, keeps logistics manageable

Why a summer spa can feel like the real Iceland experience

In summer, Iceland does something funny: the light barely leaves. That means your evening at Laugarvatn Fontana isn’t just another spa stop—it’s a chance to watch the landscape change color while you’re surrounded by steam, warm water, and lake air. It’s a very Iceland rhythm: geothermal comfort, big natural scenery, and then trying for the aurora when conditions are right.

This is also a tour built around the Iceland you can actually use. You don’t need to be a meteorologist or a geology student to enjoy it. You follow a simple plan, spend your time where it counts—soaking—and then you let the sky do what it does.

The tour also gives you context on the way there. That onboard commentary about volcanic rock and geothermal heating helps you understand why Fontana feels the way it does: warm water that comes up from underground systems rather than man-made heat.

Reykjavik pickup, the bus ride, and what the guide is doing for you

You start in the early evening, with the tour beginning around 6:00 pm from BSÍ101 in Reykjavík. There’s also an option for central pickup (some departures offer hotel pickup), which is handy if you don’t want to figure out meeting points in the dark.

Your ride is in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and you get free Wi‑Fi on the bus. That’s more useful than it sounds because it helps you plan your photos, check what apps you use for time and weather, and keep everyone calm while you travel.

A big practical plus: you’re not just transported—you’re guided. You’ll hear live commentary about Iceland’s volcanic geology and geothermal springs. The point isn’t facts for their own sake. The point is that when you’re later standing at Fontana, you’ll connect the dots between the lava-covered terrain outside and the warm mineral water under your feet.

One more detail that matters for timing: the tour includes a scenic detour on the return trip around southern Iceland countryside. Even if you only get glimpses through the bus windows, that extra drive turns the evening into a “full experience,” not just a round-trip to a single site.

Laugarvatn Fontana baths in 2 hours: pools, steam cabins, and the cold-lake option

Fontana is where this tour cashes in its value. You get about 2 hours at the geothermal baths, with time inside the main Fontana wellness complex by calm Lake Laugarvatn. After you change into your swimsuit, the real fun begins.

The outdoor mineral baths

You’ll have access to three interconnected outdoor mineral baths. The key detail is that they’re not identical: each has its own depth and temperature, so you can play with how hot you want it and how much you want to sink into the moment.

If you’re sensitive to heat, start with the gentler pool first, then work your way warmer. If you love the heat, don’t just stay in one bath the whole time—move between pools so your body doesn’t plateau at the same temperature for the full 2 hours.

The views help too. Lake Laugarvatn sits right there, so you’re soaking while looking out over water and sky. On a clear evening, that’s genuinely relaxing in a way no hot tub can copy.

The Gufan steam cabins

If you want something more Iceland than poolside lounging, try the Gufan. These are steam cabins where steam rises naturally from below. You step inside, let the warm vapor do its work, and you get a different kind of heat than water soaking.

Steam cabins can feel intense when you first enter, so go slow. Think of it as a “reset” between pools rather than an endurance test.

The cold plunge into the lake

You also have the optional chance to switch from heat to cold by going into the lake waters via a nearby platform. The tour notes that this hot-cold contrast is believed to help circulation and support toxin release. Even if you treat that as traditional belief, the physical effect is real: your body wakes up fast after the cold water.

If you’re going to try it, pick a moment when you’re mentally ready and you’re not rushed. It’s also easier if you give yourself a little time between hot and cold so you don’t feel like you’re sprinting between extremes.

Changing facilities and practical comfort

The baths include clean changing facilities, and the facilities are communal, so plan on sharing space with other visitors. That’s normal for geothermal spas, but it’s worth mentioning if you prefer privacy. Bring your towel if you can; towel and swimsuit rental is available on site if you forget.

One trick that makes your time better: wear the clothes you’ll actually want to change into after. The evening can feel damp and chilly around the lake, so having warm dry layers ready on the other side of the soak makes the whole tour feel smoother.

Also note: if you want food, don’t count on being hungry later. One review described an on-site buffet and said it’s good but easy to miss if you don’t act quickly. If you plan to eat at Fontana, eat soon after you arrive so you’re not making decisions while you’re also deciding between baths.

The Northern Lights hunt: what to expect when summer skies stay bright

After your bath time, the tour shifts into aurora mode with a Northern Light Hunt. The guide does the search as part of the included program, and the experience depends on weather and sightings.

Here’s the reality check that keeps expectations healthy: in summer, you’re dealing with midnight sun, meaning the sky may stay bright even at late hours. So when the tour includes an aurora hunt, it’s best to think of it like a respectful attempt, not a promise.

If you don’t see lights during the tour, there’s a helpful safety net in the tour info: the operator offers you a chance to join a Northern Lights Tour for free by contacting customer service. That doesn’t fix the disappointment in the moment, but it does give you an actual next step.

How to improve your chances on the hunt

You can’t control clouds or aurora activity. But you can control your comfort and patience. Dress warmly. Bring your attention to the sky, not your phone screen. If you’re tempted to peel off to warm up early, don’t—aurora hunting is a waiting game.

Also, if it’s windier and colder outside, it helps to layer so you can adjust. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so the hunt might be done under less-than-spring-like skies. Warm gloves and a hat go further than people expect when you’re standing outside.

The evening schedule: from 6:00 pm start to drop-off after midnight

This is a 7-hour (approx.) evening adventure. You begin around 6:00 pm, reach Fontana for bath time, and then continue on to the aurora hunt before returning to Reykjavík.

The end point is back at your meeting point area, with hotel or central drop-off in Reykjavík just after midnight. Your actual return time can vary, and the tour includes a scenic return detour on the way back. That detour is part of the fun, but it’s also why you should treat the schedule as flexible.

Why this matters for you: if you’re thinking about dinner reservations or late plans back in the city, don’t lock yourself into something that requires you to be on time to the minute. This tour is designed to finish late.

Price and value at about $249: what you get for the money

At $249, you’re paying for a bundled evening that includes more than just a ticket to a spa. The included items are bus fare, a professional guide, admission to Fontana, the Northern Light Hunt, and free Wi‑Fi on the bus.

If you tried to DIY this, you’d likely spend money on transportation, then you’d still need to solve how to get to a reliable aurora-hunting situation after dark. The value here is that the tour handles the sequencing: bath first, then search, all with guided context on the ride.

Also, the tour gives you a real time window at the baths. Not every geothermal outing offers enough time to actually do the hot pools, steam cabin, and optional lake swim. Having around 2 hours at Fontana means you can choose your pace instead of feeling like you’re ticking off checkboxes.

What’s not included

Dinner isn’t included. That means you have to decide whether you’ll eat before you go, eat at the baths if there’s an on-site option, or eat back in Reykjavík after you return. One review referenced an on-site buffet and said it was good but you should get in quickly—so if you want a meal during your Fontana time, plan to do it early rather than waiting.

Who gets the best value

You’ll feel this price is fair if you want:

• guided context on the geothermal side
• an all-in-one evening plan
• a real chance at aurora hunting (even if it’s never guaranteed)
• the hot-cold bathing options Fontana offers

If you only want the spa and you don’t care about the aurora search, you might be able to find cheaper ways to reach Fontana. But you’d lose the guided ride and the bundled hunt plan.

Who this tour suits best, and who should reconsider

This fits best if you want an Iceland evening that feels grounded in nature. If you love soaking, steam, and scenic lake views, you’ll enjoy Fontana’s pacing and choices.

It’s also a decent fit for families, with one note: children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour is open to most travelers. The group is capped at 99 travelers, so it won’t be a tiny private outing, but it’s also not so big that you feel lost.

Consider skipping—or at least adjusting expectations—if you’re counting on northern lights as a must-see. The tour is explicit that sightings aren’t guaranteed and depend on weather. In summer, bright skies make aurora viewing harder even when everything goes right.

Also keep in mind the changing facilities are communal. If you strongly prefer privacy, think about how you’ll handle that before you book.

Should you book this Northern Lights & Geothermal Baths Adventure?

Book it if you want a full, guided summer evening in Iceland where the main event is the geothermal experience, and the aurora is a hopeful add-on. The value is strongest when you like the idea of “transport + admission + guided bathing time + night hunt” all in one package.

Skip it if aurora viewing is your top priority and you need a high certainty. This tour tries, but it doesn’t promise.

If you do book, come with three attitudes that pay off: dress warm, plan to use the full bath time, and treat the sky as weather-dependent. Do that, and even on a cloudy night you’ll still leave having done something very Iceland—steam, mineral heat, and lake air under the summer light.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Reykjavík?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm from BSÍ101 Reykjavík.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered. If you don’t take pickup, you can meet the guide at a central Reykjavík location.

How long do I spend at Laugarvatn Fontana?

You get about 2 hours at the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths.

Is northern lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather and sightings, so aurora viewing is not guaranteed.

If I don’t see northern lights, is there any follow-up?

Yes. If you don’t see lights on the tour, you can join a Northern Lights Tour for free by contacting customer service.

What should I bring, and can I rent things on site?

Bring a swimsuit and towel. These can also be rented on the spot. You should also dress warmly.

Is dinner included in the price?

No. Dinner is not included.