The Blue Lagoon is one of the best-known and most popular places to visit in Iceland.
Being an Icelander, I have visited the Blue Lagoon many, many times through the years, and have always enjoyed my visit.
Top photo: enjoying a refreshing drink in the Blue Lagoon
Soaking in the Blue Lagoon
I have not visited the Blue Lagoon since the volcanic activity started on the Reykjanes peninsula. But my last visit was with a group of Finnish teenagers and their group leaders.
We arrived at the Blue Lagoon at 18:30 and stayed for 4 hours. The sun was shining, and at the end of the day, the midnight sun cast an orange hue on the blue water, creating a surreal scene.
There I was with a glass of sparkling wine in one hand (complimentary), floating in golden water with light steam surrounding me - it was pure heaven :) I didn't have a camera with me, but shot this photo below of the midnight sun outside the lagoon.
At the Blue Lagoon
Everybody was so happy and serene, and all over there were couples of all ages in love. My extremely social husband, on the other hand, had gone somewhere with another group leader, leaving me alone in the lagoon ;)
Floating there alone for a while, I listened to what the other guests were saying about the lagoon. They were in the same state of mind as I was: "heavenly", "wow, what a treat", "once in a lifetime...", "Where else can you sit in a hot spring by a volcano drinking beer and having the time of your life - only in Iceland"!
I was so happy to hear that people were enjoying themselves so much. One joker said: "Imagine that there was no water and we were all crawling around like crabs or zombies" :) As you can only move slowly in the water, it's almost like a supernatural being floating around.
The Finnish teenagers look like zombies behind me ;)
The beautiful blue water in the Blue Lagoon is actually excess water from the geothermal power plant, Svartsengi, next to the lagoon, but it is good as such, as it has healing properties and works wonders on psoriasis and eczema.
The geothermal seawater comes from very deep wells, and the temperature is around 36-39 degrees C.
The white stuff in my photo above is a silica mud mask provided by one of the bars in the Blue Lagoon. It used to be found in kegs in certain areas of the lagoon, but now I only found it at the bar.
You apply the silica mud mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes until it dries. The silica mud mask acts as an exfoliant and is supposed to make your skin look younger.
Just a word of warning: the minerals in the water will leave your hair feeling like hay after a dip in the lagoon, especially if chemically treated (coloured), so use plenty of the conditioner provided by the Blue Lagoon. I wash my hair, then put conditioner in 3 times.
After my very first visit to the Blue Lagoon, I didn't know about this, and my hair had the feel of a haystack on my head - it was pointing in all directions and was totally unmanageable - like big time.
Remember to drink water while in the lagoon, as the water in the Blue Lagoon is seawater. Of course, there are other drinks at the bar as well...
By the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is located on the Reykjanes peninsula in SW-Iceland, and is the most frequented tourist attraction in Iceland.
It is on the National Geographic list of 25 wonders in the world and makes for a fantastic visit.
After the visit to the Blue Lagoon, you can take a stroll in a beautiful area next to the lagoon. Here are some great photo opportunities as you walk by a miniature version of the Blue Lagoon.
By the Blue Lagoon
The colours here are very vivid and beautiful; the spectacular blue of the water set against pitch-black lava, whitened around the edges by silica.
In some places, this part of the Blue Lagoon looks like a glacial lagoon and reminds me of a miniature version of Jökulsárslón glacial lagoon.
Here we are walking in the lava field, Illahraun or Evil Lava, believed to have resulted from a volcanic eruption in 1226.
Isn't this pretty :)
Parts of the lava are covered with green moss. It has become downtrodden, and access to the lava is now restricted to protect it. So let's stay on the path.
There is no bathing here, just wonderful scenery.
As you walk further, the blue water runs in lava chutes - until it then disappears into the lava in one spot.
In that spot, the lava is white, as if someone had painted it white. But it has become coated with silica.
By the Blue Lagoon
This area is especially beautiful in the sunshine. It is only recently that I discovered the spot where the water disappears into the ground. It will eventually clog the lava, though, as silica fills the pores and holes within it.
That is how the Blue Lagoon was initially created - the excess water clogged up the lava, and this wonderful lagoon was created back in 1976.
The first person to bathe in the Blue Lagoon in 1981, and the one who gave it its name, was Valur Margeirsson, who had psoriasis.
The blue water, which is rich in minerals and algae, did wonders for his skin.
By the Blue Lagoon
Here is where the blue water disappeared into the lava.
Here you can see it in a video I took back then (before the eruption started):
Then, in 1987, when public showers were introduced, locals began bathing in this warm lagoon.
Back then, the Blue Lagoon was open to everyone for free, and we locals would soak there at will.
Times have changed for sure with the increased popularity of the lagoon, but soaking in the Blue Lagoon is always a delightful experience.
To those of you who are contemplating visiting the Blue Lagoon, I would say: "Go for it!" Pricey or not, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The old entrance to the Blue Lagoon is closed now
Even though I, as a local, cannot afford to visit it as often as I used to, visiting at least once is an unforgettable experience and well worth it.
To book a ticket and a slot at the Blue Lagoon:
Further reading: The Blue Lagoon - the Ultimate Guide
Access to the Blue Lagoon has changed, and lava from recent volcanic eruptions has covered parts of the parking lot and the main entrance.
So now the entrance is in a new place, and you follow the path by the lagoon from the parking lot.
The new parking lot by the Blue Lagoon and the barricade walls
It is amazing to see how high the barricade walls are, built to prevent lava from reaching the Blue Lagoon and the town of Grindavík.
The Blue Lagoon of the North - the Mývatn Nature Baths
Jarðböðin á Mývatni - the Mývatn Nature Baths
By Mývatn in North Iceland, you will find another Blue Lagoon-type experience, on a much lesser scale, though, than the Blue Lagoon in SW-Iceland.
This lagoon is called Jarðböðin á Mývatni - the Mývatn Nature Baths and is partly owned by the Blue Lagoon.
The blue water here is also rich in silicates, minerals, and geothermal microorganisms, which are beneficial to the skin.
I visit the Mývatn area every year, and it is wonderful to soak in the Mývatn Nature baths after a day of travelling and taking in the area's myriad of interesting sights.
Visiting these two lagoons should not be missed while travelling in my country; it is such a wonderful experience.
More and more geothermal baths are being opened in Iceland, making use of our plentiful geothermal water.
Soaking in the Geosea geothermal sea baths with an infinity view
I visited the Geosea geothermal sea baths in Húsavík, North Iceland, just after they opened. Here you soak in geothermal seawater from a borehole, with an infinity view over the bay.
You can get tickets to the Geosea geothermal sea baths here.
Krauma geothermal baths in West Iceland are also a relatively new addition. There you soak in the geothermal water from the most powerful hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver.
You can see photos of Krauma in my travel blog: The Spectacular Silver Circle of West Iceland.
I got a massage in the Secret Lagoon in South Iceland
Another geothermal bath is the Secret Lagoon upcountry in South Iceland. And Fontana, which is located on the Golden Circle of Iceland. I have yet to visit it.
Sky Lagoon in the Great Reykjavík area is also worth a visit. I always enjoy my visit to the Sky Lagoon. It has a beautiful infinity view.
I visit these geothermal baths from time to time, but mainly I go swimming in the geothermal swimming pools - Árbæjarlaug is an all-time favourite of mine.
It overlooks the beautiful Elliðaárdalur valley, where a salmon river runs through Reykjavík.
And, there are several more, some of which I have yet to visit:
You will find Hvammsvík Hot Spring Bathing in Hvalfjörður, Vök baths at Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, and several hot baths are being constructed now, one in Þjórsársdalur valley, another one by the bridge Iða was just opened, one in Hveradalur valley, and another one by the beginning of the hike into Reykjadalur valley.
But the Blue Lagoon is by far the most popular, so don't miss visiting it. Just remember to book well ahead of time to get a slot :)
Have a lovely time visiting the geothermal baths of Iceland :)
