I visited Iceland earlier this summer. Iceland is a beautiful country, though it’s also an expensive destination. While I have more to write about trip, I will start with my visit to the Blue Lagoon. Of course, it goes without saying that Iceland has far more natural wonders than just the geothermal spas.
When people think about Iceland, lots of people think about the Blue Lagoon and its blue geothermal water. I’m not one to shy away from tourist destination if it piques my interest, even if it’s a tourist trap. While there are other geothermal attractions closer to my hotel in downtown Reykjavik (e.g. Sky Lagoon), I wanted to tick “Blue Lagoon” off my bucket list. Naturally, I did a lot of research before the trip. Now that I’ve visited, I like to share back on what I’ve learned from my visit to this iconic attraction.
Where is the Blue Lagoon? How long does it take to get there from downtown Reykjavik?
The Blue Lagoon is a “geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland.” It’s about a 15 minutes drive from the Keflavik International Airport. Because of its proximity to the airport, it’s often the first stop or the last stop for most people. I stayed in downtown Reykjavik and it should have been a 35–45-minutes drive. However, due to visiting Iceland in the in the aftermath of volcanic activities, our bus had to be routed through another way. Our 45-minute ride to to Blue Lagoon ended up taking closer to 1 hour and a half.
What’s the check-in line like?
It was a good thing we didn’t plan this trip before a flight, since that would have felt rushed. In fact, the delayed arrival worked out better than expected. By the time we got there in the middle of the afternoon, I was surprised to see…no lines. I think we missed all the tour buses that might typically arrive at the top of the hour. I thought we’ll be greeted with long lines, so it was a pleasant surprise.
How to get to Blue Lagoon?
If you don’t have a car, you can simply book (as I had) the shared transport directly from the Blue Lagoon website when you buy your tickets. There are convenient “bus” stops located in Reykjavik. We were picked up by a small “feeder” bus that took us to a larger coach bus, and we were on our way. Super easy and convenient.
A few fun facts about Blue Lagoon?
I like fun facts, so here’s a couple:
Is the Blue Lagoon natural spring?
No, it’s not. It’s partially human-made. It’s “wastewater from a power plant drilling for steam and hot water” but it’s safe and the water contains rich minerals, including one called Silica. To read more about history, you can read here and here..
How deep is the Lagoon?
Directly from the source, “The deepest area in the Blue Lagoon is 1.4m/4.7ft. and the shallowest area is less than 0.8m/2.6ft”. Even if you can’t swim or even if you’re short you would be still be ok visiting the Blue Lagoon. Besides, it’s not exactly a swimming spot (more of a spa/ “relaxed bathing”). You don’t want to put your head in the water. The water is great for the skin; bad for the hair. If you normally wear contacts, wear your prescription glasses.
Other logistics:
What if you forgot your swimsuit?
Now, who would plan a visit to Blue Lagoon and promptly forgot to pack the swimsuit in the luggage? Well, leave it to yours truly. 🙂
If you’ve forgotten it, swimsuits are available to rent for ISK 800 (as of this writing). I didn’t see swimsuits for sale when I visited the Blue Lagoon shop after my visit. I’m sure the swimsuit rental will work just fine. Since I had some time and I did think it was a little icky (plus finding the right fit), I ended up buying a simple swimsuit from a H&M store near the hotel. It’s a nice souvenir and to remind me of a goofball I am. But, at least you know that swimsuit rental is still an option if you forgot or decide to visit at the last minute.
What ticket type should you get?
There are three types: Retreat Spa, Premium and Comfort. It’s not too difficult to choose since it largely depends on your budget and the kind of experience you want.
If time and prices aren’t of significant concerns and you want to pamper yourself, you can go all-in for the Retreat Spa experience. It will cost you.
I picked the premium package since it made most sense for me. I wanted to experience the lagoon (with the idea of expedited lines), and not looking for an all-inclusive spa experience. For those who are interested in spa experiences, in-water massage add-ons are available.
Both the Comfort and Premium package includes the use of a towel. The Premium package includes a bathrobe (can be rented for those with Comfort package). While this is a nice option if you plan to walk around, I generally find this to be of limited value. Most likely, you will make a beeline to the water when you come out of the shower (chillier air and the water is more inviting), and then make a beeline to the showers to wash up when you’re done.
What I liked about the Premium package is the inclusion of two drinks at the walk up bar. I got a frozen smoothie as my first pick (great choice). I thought I’d balance it out with a healthier green mixed drink for my second drink. Let’s just say, it’s a little TOO healthy. I wouldn’t do that again.
Face masks at the Mask Bar:
With the premium package, you get two additional face masks of your choice at the Mask Bar. The silica mud is standard for everyone. I tried the Mineral Mask and the Algae Mask. You just rub them over your face, arm and body and wash them away after the recommended time. If you like the masks, you can buy them at the store onsite. (Prices are steep: $45 USD for a small 30ML tube)
If you’re deciding on which mask to try, below are the mask options, application time, and its respective “benefits”:
-
Silica Mud Mask:
- “deep cleanses and strengthens”
- (everyone gets this, to start. leave on for only 5-10 minutes)
-
Mineral Mask
- “hydrates and revitalizes”
- (this is the selection after the silica mud application. Leave on for about 10-20 minutes. For those with the comfort package, it seems that you may be able to choose between mineral, algae or lava mask). Mineral mask seems to be the “default” selection.
If you have the premium package, you get to choose one more mask type:
-
Algae Mask
- “nourishes and enhances glow”
- (this is also touted as “Anti-aging” mask, so it is very popular choice. leave on for 5-10 minutes)
-
Lava Scrub Mask
- “exfoliates and renews.”
What about having to shower naked before entering the Lagoon?
Showering is expected before entering in the Lagoon. There’s an age-old question about whether you must shower naked communal style. You can. For people who are shy and more concerned about privacy, I can confirm there are small number of bathrooms (for changing, not showering), on the women’s side There are also a few shower stalls with more privacy (e.g like with frosted curtains) where you can shower. I don’t know if these are newly installed, but I’m glad they have this setup (if this eases anyone’s concerns for their upcoming trip).
I recommend simply changing in the locker, put all your things in the locker (you lock with your electronic wristband), head over to shower area with the provided towel and bathrobe (make sure you apply hair conditioner first to protect your hair), and then head out to have fun.
Should you bring your phone to the Blue Lagoon?
Yes, it would be fun to take pictures, but it’s also not the most practical. You’re wading in water (hands free helps). You’re also going to be busy sipping drinks. Or applying the masks. Yes, you can put the phone on the side for a while, but it’s just one more thing to look after. Enjoy the experience. It’s absolutely do-able; just make sure you don’t drop it (you can’t see anything underwater). You can rent a waterproof phone protector at the walk-up bar.
What season to visit Iceland/Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is open year round. I visited during the summer and the temperature is comfortable (long days of daylight). Of course, visiting Iceland in the summer months mean forgoing the chance to see the Northern lights. If you visit during the winter time, you should still be OK in terms of temperature; the tradeoff is that you get fewer daylight hours.
Overall Thoughts on Blue Lagoon
Did I have fun at the Blue Lagoon? Absolutely. I can definitely see why this is a popular destination – it’s a relaxing spot. I might explore other geothermal pools/lagoons, but I’d also wouldn’t hesitate to visit this attraction again. If you know your plans, pre-booking is recommended. (Just in case tickets are sold out on the on the day you want to visit)
Any questions or different experiences at Blue Lagoon? Any other geothermal pools or lagoons you highly recommend? Sound off below!
