All visitors to Iceland either have heard in advance about the extremely popular Blue Lagoon or find out while there. The world famous Blue Lagoon is an aqua colored pool of mineral-rich geothermal seawater with a temperature between 98-102℉. Accidentally created in 1976 when a nearby geothermal power plant began operation, people began bathing in the water and applying silica mud to their skin, resulting in a dramatic improvement for those with psoriasis. The Blue Lagoon has since developed different spa services and products based on the silica mud and approximately 400,000 people a year come to bathe in its water.
Click here to view the embedded video.
relaxing in The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
TravelsWithSheila applying silica mud in The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Transportation:
Other than taxi, many buses leave from either Reykjavik or Keflavik International Airport, 2,500 ISK one-way. Or book a tour with one of the many Reykjavik tour operators offering round trip transportation and entrance into the Blue Lagoon.
Ticket Prices:
Four different ticket prices include a visitor pass with different options. A basic 40 Euro Standard Ticket is entrance only. A 65 Euro Comfort Ticket also includes Bathrobe and towel, drink of your choice, skin care trial pack, volcano scrub or algae mask. A 99 Euro Premium Ticket includes all of the previous plus slippers and meal at LAVA Restaurant. A 172 Euro Luxury Ticket includes everything that Premium has plus entrance to the Exclusive Lounge, and a Spa Journey Product Set.
How to Use Lockers:
A towel was included in Tauck Tour guests entrance fee and we made our way to separate changing facilities; women on main level, men up one flight of stairs. All visitors are given a blue wrist band with a microchip in it that controls the lockers. How to use the lockers deserves a paragraph by itself even with instructions on the way. Ask another guest exactly what to do if these instructions are not enough and play it forward. Find an empty locker, put on bathing suit and insert all belongings in locker. Shut the locker door and hold your wrist band in front of a flashing blue light. The wrist band automatically registers your locker number, e.g., 57 and locks it. To open the locker, place your wrist band in front of the flashing blue light and locker door will open. Watch the video above to see how guests leave the Blue Lagoon area when finished.
wristband mechanism at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
a silica mud station in Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
TIPS:
– We were told to leave valuables on the Tauck bus, or if taken out to the pool, keep an eye on it. Do not leave in locker. I ran back and forth with cameras. Took photos and video, then put back in locker.
– Cover hair or pull it up. Silica mud is goopy and hard to get out.
– Bring whatever you need for post-soak unless purchasing a luxury package.
Soaking in the Blue Lagoon:
Pad out on boardwalk leading from lockers (flip flops not needed) to the Blue Lagoon carrying towel or whatever is needed. There are many steps scattered around the large lagoon for visitors to walk down into the water. Warning: The bottom around edges is rough lava; watch feet! The lagoon bottom gets smoother towards the middle and none of the sections are more than chest deep when standing in the nice, hot water.
slather yourself with silica mud in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Several silica mud stations can be found with ladles to take the goop and smear on face and body. It is supposed to take 20 years off face and body. Hah. I’d have to sit in the blue lagoon for months before that happens. There is also a steam cave, saunas, black lava beach, hot and gushing outdoor showers, and an outdoor bar so visitors don’t have to leave the water. Wade up, and charge drinks with your wristband… How easy is that! And while there, opt for a volcano scrub or algae mask.
The entire experience is crowded, fun and I recommend at least a half day to really enjoy the Blue Lagoon. Tauck Tours allotted a short amount of time for bathing, followed by an excellent lunch in the Lava Restaurant before leaving for Keflavik Airport. A half day or more in the pool will allow time for a massage, smearing up with silica mud, reclining half in/half out of the hot water, to really make the most of this experience. Totally worth the time and money!
Lava Restaurant at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Lava Restaurant at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Lava Restaurant at Blue Lagoon, Iceland
A Tauck Tours farewell lunch followed the Blue Lagoon dip in the lovely Lava Restaurant built into a cliff with an entire wall of natural lava. The outstanding buffet included: sushi, excellent bread and butter, raw salmon cubes, slices of cured salmon, salads (beet salad was the best), delicious catfish, potatoes, cucumbers with feta cheese, a carving station with yummy lamb and turkey, chocolate mousse and Skyr for dessert and unlimited wine.
Skyr (pronounced skeer) is a dairy product similar to strained yogurt but unique to Iceland. Brought over by the first Nordic settlers, dairy products took on new qualities in Iceland thanks to its unique climate and environment. I really liked Skyr and was sorry I didn’t know about it at the beginning of this trip to Iceland. I wholeheartedly recommend the Lava Restaurant which had the best food the Tauck Tour group ate off the ship. This restaurant serves four set menus and also has an a la carte menu. Expensive, but worth it
People can visit the Blue Lagoon without buying a 40 Euro ticket. The Blue Cafe serves sandwiches, sushi, snacks and light dishes, has floor-to-ceiling windows, seating inside and out and is the perfect place to see what the Blue Lagoon looks like if you don’t want to bathe. Walk up above the Lava Restaurant for outstanding views of the Blue Lagoon power plant and thermal pool, visit the gift shop with Blue Lagoon beauty products, souvenirs and even handbags made from fish skin, and say, “Yikes. What a place.”