Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a major tourist destination and on most people’s bucket list to visit. It is also one of the safest places in the world for women to visit. The milky blue warm waters of the Lagoon are so relaxing and comforting to visit. See my guide here to visiting this must do destination!
About the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a large geothermal sea water pool that is completely man-made. Fresh water and ocean water converge underground in immense pressure and heat. This is what creates this amazing hot spring of milky blue white water that is the Blue Lagoon.
The water is naturally renewed every 40 hours, which makes the water safe and healthy to bathe in. The Lagoon water is naturally self-cleaning, and no additives are ever added to it.
Because Iceland is a country that is literally bursting with volcanoes and volcanic activity, Icelanders utilize that to create electricity – by drilling and bringing it closer to the top. That geothermal electricity is used by about 30% of the country’s electricity. The Lagoon was created from a nearby power plant, that was in the process of drilling to create that electricity, and the Blue Lagoon was created from that completely by mistake!
The water of the lagoon is a milky-blue color and it is full of minerals, algae and silica. The water is said to cleanse, heal, rejuvenate, and bring radiance to the body and mind.
The water temperature is around 98-104F, but due to seasons and weather conditions this can vary. It is entirely possible that you can be wallowing in the warm waters of the Lagoon while it is hailing or snowing around you!
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How to Get to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon itself is about a 45 minute drive from Reykjavik. It is only about 20 minutes away from the airport, which makes it an easy place to visit on a layover as well as a longer trip to Iceland.
There are shuttles that run from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, and also shuttles and buses that run from Reykjavik out to it too.
Booking Tickets for the Blue Lagoon
All tickets for the Blue Lagoon have to be booked in advance. You can book tickets here on their website at Bluelagoon.com
Currently (at the time of writing this) there are two packages available to book: the Comfort Package and the Premium Package. There is also an additional Retreat Spa package, which gives you 5 hours entry to the exclusive Retreat Spa.
The Comfort Package is the lowest priced package and for this you get entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, use of towel, and 1st drink of your choice.
The Premium Package gets you entrance to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, two additional masks of your choice, use of towel, 1st drink of your choice, use of bathrobe, and one glass of sparkling wine if you are dining at the Lava Restaurant.
The Retreat Spa package gives you 5 hours of exclusive entry to this spa. This includes entry to the Blue Lagoon, and the Retreat Spa. It also includes a private changing room, the Blue Lagoon Ritual, skin care amenities, a drink of your choice, access to the Spa restaurant, and access to 8 subterranean spaces.
I personally chose the Premium package when I visited, which I would recommend. In that package you get a robe to wear – which you will be very glad of. You also get some flip flops that are yours to keep afterwards, and more face masks.
Tickets give you an arrival time to use the Lagoon. Arrive within a one-hour window of your ticketed time, and don’t be late.
The Lagoon can get packed, especially at high tourist summer season. Be prepared for many people visiting at the same time as you. If you want less people go as early in the day as possible. But to be honest it is so large that it never feels really crowded.
There is no time limit for visiting the Lagoon, and you can stay all day if you wish to. But most people spend a couple of hours there.
How Much the Blue Lagoon Costs to Visit
When you visit the Blue Lagoon keep in mind that you are having a spa experience – not just a visit to a pool. You do have to pay to visit the Blue Lagoon but you would have to pay to visit a spa for a massage and treatments. If you keep that in mind you will realize that the costs for visiting are justified.
There are several different packages available for visiting. The Comfort Package is what most people choose and that costs 53 US dollars per person. The Premium Package costs 69 US dollars per person.
The Retreat Spa for 5 hours costs 451 US dollars.
What to Take to Visit the Blue Lagoon
You will need to take a bathing suit, towel, robe, and slippers/flip flops. Robes and flip flops are also provided in the Premium package. Use of a towel is provided with both packages, unless you wish to bring your own.
My personal opinion is to get the Premium package that comes with the use of a robe, instead of taking your own robe. My robe (not my personal robe) was not there when I got out of the water, so if it had been a personal robe I would have been pretty upset. It usually isn’t anything deliberate – all those robes look alike and people get confused. While a personal robe would maybe stand out more if it is different to those provided, I would still worry about it going missing.
I would also try to take a towel if possible too, as I have heard from others that towels ran out or they stopped giving them out at certain times of the day.
If you don’t have a bathing suit it is possible to rent one at the Lagoon itself. This is very handy if you are on a stopover. But I would check with the Lagoon ahead of time to make sure they will be available.
Take a deep hair conditioning pack for your hair to place on while you are in the pool and afterwards too, as it can be harsh on your hair (see below paragraph on the Blue Lagoon and your Hair!)
Take a hair brush and/or comb too – you will need it. Also take any hair ties to tie your hair back, and a change of clothing and your makeup etc.
Related: Essentials to Pack for a Trip to Iceland
The Blue Lagoon and your Hair
A lot of guides to the Blue Lagoon mention that it is very harsh on your hair. I do have to say that yes it was harsh on my hair.
This harshness is due to the minerals and silica that are in the water of the Lagoon. They are not harmful to your hair, but they can make your hair stiff and unmanageable after bathing in the water.
My hair definitely felt dry and coarse afterwards and I had to go to probably the only pharmacy in Reykjavik to get a deep conditioning pack afterwards to place on my hair.
But there are steps that you can take before you take a dip in the Lagoon. Many people recommend wetting your hair and then placing conditioner in it from roots to ends – and leave it in while you are in the water. Complimentary conditioner is provided in the showers at the Lagoon.
I would recommend putting your hair up in a ponytail or bun if you have long hair. Rinse your hair, work in conditioner from roots to ends, tie your hair up, and then enter the Lagoon like that with the conditioner left in.
You can even wear a shower cap in there (I have seen people in there with them!) if you don’t mind looking a little less glam!
After you have swum in the Lagoon, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo a couple of times, and then place a deep conditioning pack on it. Your hair will soon bounce back after this shampoo and conditioning.
Facilities at the Blue Lagoon
There are separate changing rooms for men and women at the Lagoon, with showers. There are also electronic lockers available to hold your stuff while you are bathing in the Lagoon.
When you check in at your ticketed time, you are given an electronic bracelet that functions as the key to your electronic locker. The bracelet also serves as a cashless payment method during your visit (it isn’t connected to a credit card – you settle up how you want to pay later).
When you arrive at the Lagoon there are separate entry lines depending on the package you purchased. The lines for the Premium package are usually shorter. You are then given your robe (if you purchased the Premium package), flip flops (if you purchased the Premium package, towel to use, and electronic wrist band.
You then proceed to the locker rooms and place your stuff in the lockers provided. All guests are advised to shower first before entering the Blue Lagoon. They do provide shower gel, shampoo, and hair conditioner for when you shower before and after using the Lagoon. The hair conditioner is meant to be placed in your hair (rinse it first) and left in while you dip into the Lagoon to protect your hair.
You don’t need to be able to swim to enter the Blue Lagoon. There is no part of the Lagoon that will be over your head unless you are very small or a child. The deepest depth of the Lagoon is 4.7 feet. At the edges of the Lagoon the depth is about 2 feet. Lifeguards are on site to help out if somebody gets into difficulties.
There is an in-water mask bar located in the middle of the Lagoon. It houses the silica mud that you can place on your face and body. You are supposed to leave it on you for about 5-10 minutes and then rinse it off in the water. There are also other masks available (you will have to pay for these other masks if you do not have the premium package).
There is a sauna/steam cave located on the edges of the Lagoon. You walk to it and then sit with others inside and enjoy the experience.
A bar is located also in the water. Both packages come with one drink of your choice. It was quite amazing to lounge in the water and drink a glass of sparkling wine! You can purchase further drinks if you wish to (your electronic bracelet serves as your payment method for this). However guests are limited to 3 drinks each.
There is a luggage storage area which is especially useful if you are visiting the Blue Lagoon on a layover flight. Smaller bags can usually fit inside the electronic locker that is provided to you inside.
For food and drinks there is a cafe and indoor dining area in the Blue Lagoon complex, which sells snacks and drinks. There is also the Lava Restaurant, which is built into a lava cliff at the edge of the Blue Lagoon.
Taking Photographs and Videos at the Blue Lagoon
You are allowed to take photographs in the Lagoon itself, but not in the changing areas.
If you take your phone or camera into the Lagoon I would protect it with a special waterproof bag or case. It might be possible to set a camera up on a tripod to get some pictures.
Water is not only harmful to electronics, but Lagoon water is full of minerals that will damage metal and other materials.
Taking photographs in the Lagoon is a great thing to do to remember your experience and show your friends!
Accommodations at the Blue Lagoon
If you want to stay at the Lagoon itself, there are two hotels available. The Silica Hotel has its own private lagoon, and complimentary tickets to the Blue Lagoon are included when you stay there.
The Retreat Hotel is built into a centuries old lava flow. Guests here have access to the subterranean Retreat Spa, and the Retreat Lagoon.
There is also the Northern Lights Inn about half a mile from the Lagoon, which also provides a free shuttle to and from the Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon Do’s
Do put conditioner in your hair, and leave it in, before entering the Blue Lagoon to protect your hair from the harsh minerals and silica in the water.
Do wash your hair several times with a clarifying shampoo when showering after your dip in the Lagoon. Then place a deep conditioning treatment on your hair and leave it in for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
Take some plastic bags to put your wet bathing suit in after you have finished bathing in the Lagoon.
Take water with you, as you will get thirsty, and bottled water is expensive to purchase. See here for the best recommended refillable water bottles.
Even though you should get the use of a towel at the Lagoon with whatever package you purchase, some people have mentioned that towels ran out or they stopped giving them out at certain times of the day. Towels are obviously bulky to pack, but you could consider a quick-drying microfiber towel.
Hang your robe and place your flip-flops in a place you remember and get creative with this! You will need to take the robe and flip flops off before you enter the water. People get confused (my robe and flip flops were missing when I got out of the water) and tend to take other robes and flip flops.
Leave all your valuables inside the locking electronic locker that you will be given access to. You won’t need cash or credit cards inside the facility – everything is charged to your electronic bracelet.
Blue Lagoon Dont’s
Don’t wear jewelry into the Lagoon. The high level of minerals in the water can tarnish and damage jewelry.
Don’t wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses in the Lagoon. The water can damage them.
Protect your camera and phone if you intend to take it into the water with a special waterproof bag or case.
More about Iceland:
How to Visit Iceland on a Budget
How to Travel in Iceland on a Budget
The Essentials to Pack for a Visit to Iceland
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a major tourist destination and on most people’s bucket lists to visit. The milky blue warm waters of the Lagoon are so relaxing and comforting to visit. See my guide here to visiting this must do destination!
