From Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

Two Iceland classics fit into one winter day. This 8-hour outing pairs the Blue Lagoon with an evening Northern Lights hunt, giving you warm mineral water in the afternoon and a shot at green or pink skies after dark. I like the easy combination, and I like that the aurora guide chooses stops using weather and forecast information rather than sticking to one fixed viewpoint. The main drawback is simple: the lights may not appear, even with careful planning.

The Blue Lagoon portion includes a silica mud mask, towel, and one drink, which keeps the spa visit from feeling bare-bones. I also like the free Wi-Fi on the coach and the chance to return to Reykjavík between activities. Still, the $318 price is a serious spend, and you need to budget for food, warm clothing, and possibly a bathing suit or towel rental.

Key details before you book

• Two major winter activities in one day: Spend the afternoon at the Blue Lagoon, then head out after dark to look for the Aurora Borealis.
• Comfort admission includes extras: Your ticket covers a silica mud mask, towel use, and one drink.
• The Northern Lights route can change: The English-speaking local guide picks locations according to weather and aurora forecasts.
• You return to Reykjavík between stops: The coach gives you time for an early dinner or a short break before the night tour.
• No sighting means another chance: If the lights do not appear, you can join the Northern Lights tour again free of charge.
• Start at BSI bus terminal: Be there 15 minutes before departure, or 30 minutes early if using an assigned pickup point.

Why this Blue Lagoon and aurora pairing works

I like this tour because the two halves have completely different moods. The Blue Lagoon is calm, warm, and predictable. The Northern Lights hunt is cold, dark, and uncertain. Put them together, and the day has a good rhythm: soak first, search later.

That contrast matters in Iceland during winter. A Northern Lights outing alone can mean several hours outside in freezing conditions, waiting for clouds to move or for the sky to brighten. Starting with geothermal water gives you a more comfortable first half of the day. It also means you do not have to arrange two separate excursions or work out transport to the lagoon on your own.

The plan is especially useful if your stay in Reykjavík is short. You get one of Iceland’s best-known spas and an evening attempt at one of its most famous natural sights. You do not need to choose between a relaxing afternoon and a night outside.

The tradeoff is cost. At $318 per person, this is not a budget outing. The price makes more sense if you already plan to visit the Blue Lagoon and would otherwise pay separately for entry, transfers, and an aurora tour. It makes less sense if you mainly want a quick dip or if your schedule allows cheaper independent arrangements.

Afternoon arrival at the Blue Lagoon

The day begins with transport from Reykjavík toward the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The setting is part of the appeal. Warm, mineral-rich water sits among dark lava fields and moss-covered rock, creating a sharp contrast between Iceland’s cold volcanic ground and the steaming pool.

Your Comfort admission includes a towel, a silica mud mask, and a drink. The mud mask is a small but worthwhile touch. You can apply it while soaking, then rinse it away in the warm water. The drink gives you something to enjoy while taking in the spa’s quiet setting.

The Blue Lagoon is not simply a swimming pool. It is built around the pleasure of staying still for a while. Steam rises from the water, the air feels cold against your face, and the heat gives your body a break from Iceland’s winter weather. I would treat this part as a proper rest period, not as a rushed photo stop.

You should bring a bathing suit if you have one. Suits and towels can be rented at the lagoon, but rentals add to your spending and can make the visit less straightforward. Warm clothes are also important for the time outside the water and for the coach ride afterward.

The activity is open to people age two and older. Children under two cannot take part. The information provided does not give a specific amount of time inside the lagoon, so check the departure details when booking and avoid assuming you can linger indefinitely.

What the Comfort admission really covers

The word Comfort matters here because it tells you what is included and what is not. You are not only paying for access to the geothermal water. You also receive:

• A silica mud mask
• Use of a towel
• One drink of your choice
• Return transfers to and from the Blue Lagoon

That package covers the basics for a pleasant visit. You will not need to carry a towel onto the coach, and you can enjoy a drink without arranging every small extra at the spa.

Food is not included. Since the day lasts about eight hours, I would plan an early meal or substantial snack before the evening Northern Lights portion. You return to Reykjavík after the lagoon, so you have a useful window to eat before the night activity. Do not assume that the tour bus or Blue Lagoon ticket includes dinner.

The drink is also not a substitute for a meal. This sounds obvious, but a long winter night outside feels much harder when you are hungry. Keep your schedule practical and use the Reykjavík break well.

The return to Reykjavík and the evening gap

After the spa visit, you return to Reykjavík by coach. Free Wi-Fi is available on the tour bus, which is useful for checking messages, looking at weather updates, or simply passing the time while you warm up.

This middle section gives the tour a welcome pause. You can explore a little, eat an early dinner, or rest at your accommodation if your timing allows. The exact amount of free time depends on the scheduled start and the evening departure, so check availability rather than assuming you will have several hours.

The return to the city also makes the combined itinerary more manageable. You are not spending the entire day in one vehicle or carrying dinner supplies through the spa. The day is divided into three clear parts: transfer and bathing, a Reykjavík break, then the night search.

If you use optional hotel pickup, be ready at your designated point at least 30 minutes before departure. Pickup vehicles carry the Reykjavik Excursions logo, and drivers may make several stops. The pickup process can take up to 30 minutes, so a delayed arrival at your stop does not automatically mean the tour has left.

If you meet at BSI bus terminal instead, arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. That meeting point is more direct for anyone who does not need hotel pickup.

Chasing the Northern Lights after dark

The second half is a Northern Lights hunt with an English-speaking local guide. The guide uses weather conditions and aurora forecasts to choose where to go, rather than promising one particular stop in advance.

That flexibility is valuable. Aurora watching depends on several factors, including darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity. A fixed viewpoint can be disappointing if clouds settle over it. A guide who can adjust the route has a better chance of finding a clearer patch of sky, though no route can guarantee a sighting.

You may see green or pink light moving across the sky if conditions cooperate. The display can be faint, bright, quick, or difficult to spot. I would approach this as a search, not a scheduled performance. Iceland can offer the right conditions and still keep the show hidden.

Dress warmly. The instruction is not a polite suggestion. You might spend time standing outside while the guide checks the sky or waits for conditions to improve. Wear layers, bring gloves and a hat, and protect yourself from the cold as carefully as you can. The supplied information does not specify whether special photography equipment is provided, so bring your own camera or phone if you want pictures.

One helpful detail from a recent outing is that a guide on the night tour used a tripod to photograph a couple with a phone while the Northern Lights showed green and pink. That is not listed as a guaranteed service, so you should not book solely for that reason. Still, it suggests the guiding can include practical help when the sky cooperates.

What happens if the sky stays cloudy

The tour is weather-dependent, and sightings are not guaranteed. This is the most important point to understand before you pay for the combined day.

The useful safeguard is the free return opportunity. If you do not see the Northern Lights, you are welcome to join the tour again at no extra charge. You need to check the available dates and arrangements, but this policy gives the activity more value than a one-shot aurora trip.

A recent outing shows how the policy can work in practice. The initial Northern Lights departure was canceled because of cloud cover, then operated the following night and produced a good display with green and pink tones. The tour ran on time once conditions allowed it, and the staff were described as friendly.

That example also shows why you should keep some flexibility in your Reykjavík schedule. If the aurora portion is canceled or you need to use the free return option, a tightly packed itinerary may leave you with no practical replacement evening. Check your email for updates before departure, and ask your hotel receptionist whether the tour is running as planned.

The Blue Lagoon part and the aurora part do not carry equal certainty. The spa is a booked experience you can count on, while the lights are a natural event. If you need a guaranteed full day, this tour may frustrate you. If you accept uncertainty and value the chance of a memorable sky, the repeat option helps.

Is $318 a fair price?

The price is high, but it covers several useful pieces. You receive Blue Lagoon admission, a mud mask, a towel, a drink, return transfers, and a guided Northern Lights tour. You also get transport between the city and the lagoon, plus a coach with Wi-Fi.

The value depends on how you would otherwise organize the day. If you would pay for the lagoon and an aurora hunt separately, the combined format saves planning time and joins the activities neatly. It also reduces the risk of booking transport that does not line up.

I would not call it cheap. Food is extra, hotel pickup may affect your timing, and bathing suit or towel rental is not included. You should also allow for the possibility of another evening if the lights do not appear.

The strongest value comes from convenience and the free retry policy. The weakest value comes if you are not especially interested in the Blue Lagoon or if you have plenty of time to arrange less expensive options yourself.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 80 reviews, with especially strong praise for the spa, punctual operation, and friendly staff. A good Northern Lights display helped make one outing memorable, but the weather cancellation also shows why the score should not be read as a promise of aurora success.

Who should choose this day tour?

I think this combination suits you best if:

• You have limited time in Reykjavík.
• You want the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights without arranging separate transport.
• You prefer a guided search based on weather information.
• You appreciate a warm, relaxing activity before a cold evening outside.
• You can keep another night available in case the aurora tour is canceled or unsuccessful.
• You are comfortable paying more for a packaged day.

It may not suit you if you dislike fixed schedules or want to spend a full day at the lagoon. The day includes a return to Reykjavík and a later departure, so it is not one long spa visit.

Families should note the age rule. Children must be at least two years old to visit the Blue Lagoon, and the tour is not suitable for children under two. Anyone joining should be prepared for warm water followed by cold outdoor waiting.

This is also not the best fit if seeing the Northern Lights is your only goal. The Blue Lagoon remains part of the price even if clouds cancel the evening search. For aurora-focused plans, you may prefer a separate Northern Lights booking that lets you choose more nights.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive early at BSI bus terminal, especially if you are unfamiliar with the building. If you use pickup, be at the point 30 minutes before departure and allow time for the marked vehicle to work through several stops.

Check your email on the day of the tour. Weather can affect the evening plan, and the operator specifically advises checking for updates and confirming with your hotel receptionist.

Pack for two climates in one day. You need swimwear for the lagoon and serious warm clothing for the night. A waterproof layer, warm socks, gloves, and a hat are sensible choices, though the supplied requirements only specifically state warm clothing.

Do not count on food being provided. Use the Reykjavík break for an early dinner, and keep your plans loose enough to handle a delayed pickup, a weather change, or a second aurora attempt.

Should you book this Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour?

I would book it if you want two famous Iceland experiences in one organized winter day and you value simple transport. The Blue Lagoon portion is the reliable anchor, while the guide-led aurora hunt gives you a sensible chance at the night sky and a free return if conditions fail.

I would skip it if $318 feels uncomfortable, if you need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting, or if you have enough time to arrange each activity separately. The right buyer is someone who sees the spa, transfers, guide, Wi-Fi, and retry option as worth paying for.

Keep your expectations honest: the lagoon should deliver relaxation, but the sky makes its own schedule. Book with warm clothes, an open evening, and a willingness to let Iceland’s weather have the final word.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You should meet at the BSI bus terminal 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. If you use it, wait at your designated pickup point at least 30 minutes before departure. Vehicles are marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 8 hours.

What is included at the Blue Lagoon?

Comfort admission, a silica mud mask, use of a towel, one drink of your choice, and return transfers are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Food is not included. One drink at the Blue Lagoon is included, but any other food or drinks are extra.

Can I rent a bathing suit or towel?

Yes. Bathing suits and towels can be rented at the Blue Lagoon.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The tour depends on weather, and Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You are welcome to join the Northern Lights tour again free of charge if you do not see them. Check your email for updates and confirm the arrangements before going again.