Blue Lagoon

Imagine yourself dashing around mostly-naked outside in 2 degree weather before frantically jumping into the warm 39 celcius waters of a geothermal pool. This is the Blue Lagoon (Bláa lónið), yet another odd Icelandic occurrence. Neither natural, nor intentional, it is an unusual and surrealistic pean of serendipity created by a geothermal powerplant. With it’s mineral rich content and unusual algae, the natives soon found that a dip in this ersatz spa was quite nice and so they designed a high-tech spa facility and restaurant around it for foreigners to take the edge off Iceland’s ridiculously exhorbitant prices.

One of the most surreal experiences – beginning even before you get into the complex when you see the steam rising in the distance. Take care when you first get into the water, it’s not like getting into a swimming pool where the floor is flat! It’s slightly rough underfoot and a bit slippery too because of the silica mud.

Be sure to apply some of the mud to your face, it’s meant to have great skin benefits. You’ll find it in boxes placed around the lagoon.

Someone I know has been when it’s been snowing outside. She was toasty warm in the water, whilst snow flakes built up in her hair!

I couldn’t get out of the water! So serene and amazing. :)

Number 1 on my list of places to go before I croak!

Best place to relax, ever. I absolutely loved it.

I’ve been to Iceland, but only barely. Flying back to Boston from Glasgow on Iceland Air, there is a 5 hour connection in Reykjavik Airport. This is more than enough time to buy a return shuttle ticket from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, rent a swimsuit and towel (or think ahead and bring your own) and get in the water.

If you ever find yourself with a similarly lengthy connection, I would highly reccommend doing this. The airport is tiny, and as only one airline is flying in and out, it will only take a moment for you to get back through security to check in for your connection.

It’s great to either start your trip to Iceland with this, or better yet end the trip—as The Blue Lagoon is relatively next door to the airport, but neither are close enough to Reykjavik.

Given that The Blue Lagoon is the very large non-natural hot springs that’s very touristy, I’m not as enamored with it as most people are. However, I did enjoy it enough to recommend it as a must-do on a trip to Iceland. Many of the locals come here regularly, too.

And it’s really best to experience the Lagoon when it’s near freezing outside. The gentle cold drizzle might be lightly pelting your face, but the rest of your body is thanking you for the warmth. Just like one would want to dive into a cool pool on a really hot day, it’s great to wade inside a very warm pool on a very cold day.

That said, if you get a chance to relax in a smaller natural hot spring bath in town, I’d recommend that as well. It’s as relaxing but realizing you are in water that was not synthetically engineered to feel that way makes that experience feel much more special and—for first timers—a bit out of the ordinary.

(And…! Always bring an extra pair of shorts, as the ones you’d be wearing inside will have a slight sulfuric smell, of course.)

Visited The Blue Lagoon in 2003 on a 4by4+hanger Icelandic roundtrip with my closest family (my dad turned 70). We started out in the Blue Lagoon on our first day on Iceland and ended it there too. So actualy I’ve been there twice ;-) .. and I would do it again for sure if time and money aren’t a problem (which they are at the moment).

one in a lifetime experience, it’s exactly what one deserves after long walks on the glaciers and getting soaked behind the watterfall… if you go to iceland, do not miss the amazing blue lagoon…

It was freezing at times but fun.