The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a geothermal spa set in an area where lava and geothermal water meet. It is one of the most visited places in Iceland.
Blue Lagoon is located in a lava field in the Grindavik area of Iceland. The lagoon is man-made which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every two days.
The lagoon’s warm geothermal water and natural active ingredients; mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and unwind while the lagoon’s distinctive white silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. The mineral salts balance and relax body and soul. The outside temperature can be pretty cold but once you are in the water it is extremely comfortable and relaxing.
Most tour operators from Reykjavik drop you outside the main entrance of the Blue Lagoon. Once you enter the complex there are separate queues for standard tickets and VIP ticket holders. Both move with equal speed and efficiency.
When I got called to the reception counter, in exchange of my entry ticket, I was handed a band with a chip to wear. This band lets me enter the complex, use this as a locker key and also to buy drinks while in the lagoon (which I can pay while checking out). The band needs to be dropped into the dropping point at the exit gate.
At the reception counter, there is option to rent towel, dressing gown and slippers but I chose to bring my own.
Once in, I was requested to go the changing rooms which are separated by gender. There are lots of lockers and I used one of the lockers for my clothes, bags, camera and also my shoes. I was asked to open all my jewellery items and keep in the locker.
Past this area people can use flip flops or walk barefoot if they prefer. It is a clean area so walking barefoot is absolutely fine. Next, the most important thing is that everyone MUST take a shower before they enter the lagoon. It is recommended to use conditioner on the hair, supplied in the shower rooms and to keep it on while in the lagoon water due to its high mineral content.
After the warm water shower, I braved the cold windy weather and walked slowly down to the lagoon, which is absolutely pleasant with its average temperature of 37-39 deg celsius. Its not a problem if you don’t know how to swim, there are lots of rails and the lava cave walls to hold and walk into the water unless you are in the centre of the lagoon. In its deepest place the lagoon is only 1.4 metres, so you can actually stand in the water.
The silicate minerals is the primary cause of that water’s milky blue shade. The lagoon water is nearly opaque, you cannot see anything in the water. So if anything falls down, there is no chance you can dive to get it back as you cannot see anything in the water.
Taking photos while you are in the lagoon can be quite tricky and challenging because ideally if you are going in the water, you have to leave your camera in your locker, or have someone standing out in the freezing cold to hold your camera to take photos. However, I saw quite of lot of people using water proof cases on their phones and taking them to the lagoon still holding their phone up in one hand. Cannot miss that selfie, of course!
While inside the lagoon, there is a Silica Bar with a white face mask which is Blue Lagoon’s principal element, the Silica mud mask. You can apply as much as you want to your face and body and leave it on for about 5 minutes and then wash it off with the lagoon’s warm water. I can say that definitely made my skin feel quite soft or maybe it was just the mineral rich water.
The water is said to have a therapeutic effect on your skin and specially for those people with skin conditions like psoriasis.
After I enjoyed a lovely soak and chatting with fellow travellers from different corners of the world inside the lagoon, it was time to come out of the warm water, shiver my way to another round of warm shower, drying myself and back to the locker to grab my stuff and the dressing room. There are also hair dryers available in the changing rooms.
After that wonderful soak, anyone is bound to feel hungry. There are options for meals in the Blue Lagoon complex. There is the upmarket Lava restaurant, for which reservation is recommended. There is also a cafeteria which has snacks, soups, sandwiches and coffee.
For those interested in beauty products, there is a Blue Lagoon store selling algae masks, mud masks, scrubs, shower gels and many other stuff.
After a great experience, it was time to head towards towards my pick up coach to be back to Reykjavik. A day well spent despite the cold weather.
Helpful Hints
- Iceland’s currency is the Icelandic Krone.
- Pre booking entry to the Blue Lagoon and/or treatment is a MUST, else you’ll be disappointed.
- Other than Comfort entry which includes the silica mud mask, there are packages to include other masks, dressing gowns, slippers.
- Towel rentals are expensive and with all white towels around its difficult to recognise which is yours. It is a good idea to carry your own bright coloured towel.
- You can purchase Blue Lagoon beauty products from Reykjavik airport at duty free prices.
- Don’t forget to ask for a Tax free form at city stores to claim back the VAT on your purchases if your shopping amount is more than ISK6000. (Applicable even for UK residents)
- A newly built resort complex will be open from April 1st, 2018. http://retreat.bluelagoon.com/
- Blue lagoon is open from 7/8 am to 10/11 pm based on seasons and till midnight in peak summer months
- There is Left Luggage area just near the entrance, so if you want to indulge in a soak before or after your flight, you can store your luggages safely.
- There is also a hotel, the Silica Hotel , which is a 10 minutes walk from the lagoon. The hotel also has a private lagoon for hotel guests.
- If you have booked a coach tour to the Blue Lagoon, it will drop you at the lagoon entrance and the return coach back to Reykjavik is available every hour.
- It is best to keep around 3-4 hours time to spend in the lagoon.
Related post: First view of Iceland
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