レイキャネス半島の観光＋ブルーラグーン・ケプラビーク空港への送迎

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. It is the most popular attraction in Iceland drawing people from all across the world.

The Lagoon is just a fifteen-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport, or a thirty-minute drive from Reykjavík, located between the two. It is thus often visited straight after arrival to the country or right before departure.

There are few better ways to recharge after a long-flight or action-packed holiday.

History

The Blue Lagoon started as a pool of wastewater from the Svartsengi geothermal plant in 1976. The first person to bathe there was Valur Margeirsson in 1981. He was met with some resistance prior to taking the first dip as people thought he was mad for wanting to bath in a "blue mud pool". He and others soon began to notice the unusual but remarkable healing qualities of the azure waters.

Those with conditions such as psoriasis found the waters immediately soothing for their condition. News quickly spread, and by 1987, the first swimming facilities were officially opened.

Since then, the establishment has only grown, from an open pool with no surrounding buildings to a luxurious spa, research centre and hotel.

Today

The Blue Lagoon is considered to have such notable regenerative qualities because the water is rich in silica and sulphur. A research and development facility on site finds cures and remedies for skin ailments, and silica mud is available for free on the sides of the pool for guests to enjoy a facemask.

The temperature in the bathing and swimming area is very comfortable, averaging 37–39° C (98–102° F). The Blue Lagoon also boasts the LAVA Restaurant, the Blue Café and the Lagoon Spa: you can thus enjoy cocktails, health products, delicious meals and treatments such as massages without leaving the premises. Saunas, steam rooms and a small waterfall are also on site.

For all of these reasons and more, the Blue Lagoon is considered to be one of the most enjoyable and romantic spots in the country. It is surrounded by a plethora of fantastic volcanic landscapes, and the water itself is opaque and vividly blue. Rising pillars of steam only add to the spa’s fantastic ambience.

Things to Note

The Blue Lagoon Spa is open throughout the year, and popular in every season. Due to the fact it has a maximum capacity for the comfort of its guests, it is essential that you book several months in advance to ensure your space. The vast majority of the time, you will be turned away at the door without a reservation.

More reserved guests might want to be aware that it is a requirement to shower naked in public before entering the lagoon, to ensure that the highest hygiene standards are maintained. Though uncomfortable for some, nudity has little taboo in Icelandic culture, so worry not; no-one’s looking.

Those who are travelling on a budget will note that the Blue Lagoon is quite pricey. There are other smaller spas and pools that can be entered for less, such as the Fontana Spa, Secret Lagoon, Mývatn Nature Baths and Krauma Spa. Of course, natural hot pools are free to enter.

For more information, you can read articles on the best pools in the country and the best natural hot springs.

Krýsuvík is a geothermal area, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in south-west Iceland.

Geothermal activity at Krýsuvík

The Krýsuvík Geothermal Area is defined by mud pots, hot springs and steaming vents, as well as the multi-coloured mineral deposits that stain the earth. The reason for so much geothermal activity here is because of Iceland’s tectonic plates.

The Mid-Atlantic Rift runs all the way through Iceland; the western part of the country, including Reykjavík, the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords, are all on the North American tectonic plate, while the east, including the East Fjords and Vatnajökull National Park, are on the Eurasian plate.

This rift runs right across the Reykjanes Peninsula, and has dramatic consequences on the landscapes. As these plates pull apart, magma is brought close to the surface of the earth, causing groundwater to boil and create geothermal areas.

Krýsuvík, in fact, is not the only geothermal area on the peninsula; there is another called Gunnuhver, and a hot spring beneath the lake of Kleifarvatn.

These plates pulling apart make the Reykjanes Peninsula susceptible to earthquakes; it is also lined with cone-shaped volcanoes, and coated in lava rock, revealing a long volcanic history.

Exploring Krýsuvík

What makes Krýsuvík most unique as a geothermal area is that it has been excellently prepared for visitors.

Walkways take you safely across the uneven earth to the different features of the area, and there are many signs that have been erected to explain the geothermal and geological forces at work.

There is also a carpark right beside Krýsuvík for the convenience of drivers.

As the geothermal area is right in the middle of the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is recommended to visit it alongside other sites.

These include Brimketill, an oceanside ‘pool’ that was once said to be the bathing place of a troll; the bird-watching cliffs of Krýsuvíkurbjarg; the aforementioned lake Kleifarvatn; and the ‘Bridge between the Continents’.

Reykjanes is a peninsula in south-west Iceland, characterised by immense lava fields, volcanoes and heightened geothermal activity.

The Reykjanes Peninsula runs along the Mid-Atlantic Rift, where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. Due to this geological setting, the whole peninsula is extremely volcanically active, covered with lava fields, and eruptions and earthquakes are very common here. 

During the Middle Ages, many eruptions occurred in Reykjanes, but no eruptions have been recorded here for the last 500 years. This is simply a period of dormancy, however; they could start again at any time.

Earthquakes are still common. In 2001, one occurred beneath the lake Kleifarvatn and drained it to the extent that it lost 25 per cent of its surface area. Since then, hot springs have been bubbling beneath its surface.

The main geothermal areas of Reykjanes, however, are Gunnuhver, Krýsuvik and Svartsengi. Various mud pools and fumaroles can be seen at Gunnuhver, while Krýsuvik is characterised by hot springs and mud pots that bestow multicoloured hues upon the soil.

The green crater lake Grænavatn is also an impressive sight.

Svartsengi is home to a geothermal power station that produces 76.5 MW of electricity from the 475 litres of 90° C water that gushes from the earth per second.

The mineral-rich surplus water fills up the Blue Lagoon spa.

Reykjanes' cliffs are teeming with birdlife. Its best-known bird colony resides in Krýsuvikurbjarg which is the nesting place of approximately eighty thousand seabirds. While puffins are not found here, it is an excellent place to spot cormorants, fulmar, and other such species.

North of Krýsuvíkurbjarg is the aforementioned Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on the peninsula and one of the deepest in Iceland. On the centre of the peninsula is lake Djúpavatn, a popular fishing destination. 

Reykjanes is hammered by some of the most breath-taking breaker waves in the world. A short drive from Krýsuvík is Selvogur, where one can witness mighty waves shattering against the rocks. On Reykjanestá, the southwest tip of the peninsula, the waves are known to reach heights of thirty metres (nearly one hundred feet).

Because of this, coastal erosion is constantly ongoing at Reykjanes, and if it were not for the eruptions, it would either be much narrower or simply lost to the seas.

The peninsula's north side is dotted with fishing villages and towns, most notably Keflavík, Sandgerði, Garður and Vogar. Grindavík town is located on the south shore of the peninsula. Together, the towns and towns Keflavík, Njarðvík, Hafnir and Ásbrú make up the municipality Reykjanesbær which consists of just under 16,000 residents, making it the fifth largest municipality in Iceland.

Near Keflavík is the Miðnesheiði heath, where the international airport, Leifsstöð (also known as Keflavíkurflugvöllur, or Keflavík Airport) is located. This is the port of arrival for the vast majority of travellers coming to Iceland.

On the southern tip of the peninsula is the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, an ideal place for relaxing and bathing and one of the most-visited attractions in Iceland.

Valahnúkur is one of the most notable and famous mountains in the beautiful Þórsmörk valley in South Iceland.

It should not be confused for cliffs of the same name on the Reykjanes Peninsula, that were once popular amongst hikers and birdwatchers but have now largely been closed off to guests.

Valahnúkur in Þórsmörk

Valahnúkur cannot be missed by those who travel to Þórsmörk valley, a beautiful, forested oasis in south Iceland surrounded by dramatic glacier tongues. This valley can be driven to from the capital and is also visited on some super jeep tours.

It is most often seen, however, by those taking the most popular multi-day hiking trek in Iceland, the Laugavegur trail. This trail connects Þórsmörk to Landmannalaugar, a highland area renowned for its unusually coloured and stark rhyolite mountains and its abundance of hot springs you can bathe in.

The hike takes four to six days, with guests either staying in mountain huts or camping. Of course, the route should only be taken on sanctioned tours or else by hikers with the knowledge, experience, capability and planning skills to embark on it.

Even so, Þórsmörk and thus Valahnúkur can be travelled to independently without issue (although the roads may be blocked in winter).

Hiking Valahnúkur

It is possible to hike Valahnúkur, but then again, only on a tour or by those with experience and capabality. The best trail starts at the Þórsmörk Mountain Hut and takes an hour and a half to complete.

Valahnúkur sits at an elevation of around 1,000 metres, meaning the views from its summit are absolutely spectacular. You will not only see the aforementioned forests and glaciers but magnificent perspectives of the Highlands and the South Coast.

Valahnúkur has many precarious precipices which may seem like the best places to have a photo taken (or to take one), but please show extreme caution around them as the rocks that support them are not necessarily stable. The mountain is also exposed to all sorts of elements, exacerbating this.

Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Emstrur

Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located in the south-west of Iceland. It covers an area of 9.1 square kilometres (3.5 square miles) and is one of Iceland's deepest lakes, reaching a depth of 97 metres (318 feet).

Geography of Kleifarvatn

Kleifarvatn is located in the centre of the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the Krýsuvík and Gunnhver geothermal areas. This region is renowned for its geothermal and geological activity; the landscape is covered in a thick layer of lava, which itself is topped by a haunting moss, and hot springs steam in many areas. A row of active volcanoes run along its length.

The peninsula, and Kleifarvatn itself, lies on the fissure zone of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Their movements, as they pull apart, are what cause this region to have so many eruptions and earthquakes.

An earthquake in 2000, in fact, occurred beneath Kleifarvatn, and drained it of over twenty percent of its surface area. It has since recovered, but not quite the same; the seismic event created hot springs in one corner of the lake.

The draining of Kleifarvatn inspired the Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason to write a novel, titled after the lake. In the crime-fiction, the receding waters uncover a body long hidden beneath the surface, and the story follows how she died, and at whose hand. The name of the translation is ‘the Draining Lake’.

Kleifarvatn is not fed by any rivers; all the water coming in and out of it comes from the porous lava rock around it. In spite of this, it still has a high fish population, and is popular amongst anglers.

Kleifarvatn folklore

According to folklore, a whale-like monster lives in Kleifarvatn, akin to the Loch Ness Monster. It is one of two beasts of cryptozoology in Icelandic tales; the other regards a serpent in the eastern lake of Lagarfjlót.

Activities in Kleifarvatn

Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Balou46

Kleifarvatn is usually visited on sightseeing tours of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Recently, however, scuba diving tours have began in it. On these tours, divers can see the hot springs and feel the bubbles, while exploring the world between two tectonic plates.

The only other place this is possible is Silfra ravine. The water here is a lot clearer, having visibility for up to a hundred metres, but it has much less life in it in Kleifarvatn.

The sightseeing tours visit an array of sights on the Peninsula beside Kleifarvatn. These include the aforementioned geothermal areas, a ‘bridge between the continents’, the Reykjanes lighthouse, and the many fishing villages that nestle in the lunar landscapes.

Some also include activities in the surrounding area, such as lava tubing in the nearby cave of Leiðarendi. Caving here provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the peninsula’s geological history and folklore.

Of course, no discussion of the Reykjanes Peninsula can be complete without a mention of the Blue Lagoon. This stunning resort is renowned the world over for its azure waters and silica masks, as well as its healing properties.

Sandvík, by the southwest tip of the Reykjanes peninsula, is a popular destination for travellers, best known for being home to the Bridge Between the Continents.

• Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo by Josef Knecht

The Bridge Between the Continents

This bridge symbolically crosses the Mid-Atlantic Rift, the valley in between the North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates. Iceland is the only place where this rift can be seen above land, and was created by a volcanic bloom beneath it that started 16 million years ago and continues today.

The valley runs right across the Reykjanes Peninsula, a short way along the South Coast, then intersects the island via Þingvellir National Park, the Highlands of Iceland, and the Lake Myvatn Area. This makes places such as the Westfjords and Reykjavík in North America, and the Eastfjords and Vatnajökull National Park in Europe.

The rift is several kilometres across, and thus the bridge at Sandvík is symbolic; though you are walking in the direction of the rift, you are not really crossing the continents. The experience, however, is a fun way to imagine the geology of the country, and an educational experience for young ones; there are many signs explaining the forces at work here.

Reaching Sandvík and the Continental Bridge

Sandvík is often visited on tours of the Reykjanes Peninsula, and can be reached within an hour’s drive from Reykjavík. It is also conveniently close to Keflavík International Airport, so a perfect first stop for arrivals who rent a car.

This is particularly the case due to the aforementioned wealth of information on site, not just on the rift valley but on Iceland more generally.

Other sites of interest on the Reykjanes Peninsula include the Seltún Geothermal Area, the cave of Leiðarendi, Kleifarvatn Lake and, of course, the Blue Lagoon. The region is a beautiful but stark volcanic wasteland well-worth exploring more closely for those with the time; it is often only seen by travellers on the transit journey between the International Airport and the capital.

Gunnuhver is the name of an impressive and colourful geothermal field of various mud pools and fumaroles in the southwest part of the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is tied to a fascinating legend of the region.

Folklore at Gunnuhver

The tale of Gunnuhver is an example of classic Icelandic folklore, tying together the harshness of life on the island, ghosts, curses and the saving power of Christianity.

It was said that a woman called Gunna lived on a farm on the Reykjanes Peninsula about four hundred years ago. She was tied to the land in poverty, under the authority of a wealthy lawyer.

One day, she was unable to pay her rent, and her landlord took one of her only possessions, a cooking pot, as payment. She was enraged, and said she would starve herself until it was given back. Neither relented, and she died of hunger.

When her coffin was being carried to her grave, however, those holding it noticed it suddenly grow light. Then, a whisper echoed to the congregation: ‘No need deep to dig, no plans long to lie’.

The body of her landlord was later found mutilated, and all who heard the whisper suspected the ghost had killed him.

Unfortunately, Gunna’s vengeance did not end there. She killed his wife in a similarly brutal attack, then began to haunt the peninsula, driving many residents to madness.

This continued until the arrival of a priest, Eirikur, to the peninsula. Considered a sort of holy sorcerer, the locals begged him to help. He came up with a plan, involving a ball of yarn.

He gave the ball to the locals, left one end where Gunna was known to haunt, and told them to take it to the nearby hot spring and toss it in. They walked off with it, and Gunna picked up the end to follow their trail.

When the yarn was thrown into the hot spring, it took the spirit with it. It is still said that through the mist of the pools, it is possible to see her fighting to escape, and as such, the hot springs took her name.

Geothermal activity at Gunnuhver

The Reykjanes Peninsula is highly volcanic, due to the fact that the Mid-Atlantic rift runs right through it. This leads to many hot springs, with others occurring at Krýsuvík and beneath Lake Kleifarvatn.

These springs are beautiful, but unpredictable. In one of the mud pools, it is possible to see the engulfed remains of the old path, which was consumed by it expanding.

Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo by G. Mannaerts 

Grænavatn is a small lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its vivid colouration.

The name translates to ‘Green Lake’, and as it suggests, the lake is dyed a seafoam green due to the amount of sulphur in it, as well as its surprising depth of 45 metres (148 ft). The closer to the centre of the feature, the more intense the green. 

Grænavatn is located close to the Krýsuvik geothermal area, the lake Kleifarvatn, and the rock formation Brimketill, making it a natural spot to visit on a tour of Reykjanes.

Reykjanesvíti is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, located on the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

History of Reykjanesvíti Lighthouse

Reykjanesvíti lighthouse was first build in 1878, although it was damaged beyond repair just eight years later following a major earthquake. The current building was raised in 1907–1908 and, save from having gas installed in 1929, has remained little-changed since.

Due to the erosion of the cliff on which it stands, however, it is expected that a new building will be needed in the next few years.

Sites near Reykjanesvíti Lighthouse

Reykjanesviti is within sight of the geothermal area Gunnuhver, which holds the largest mud pot in Iceland. This area has a fascinating folklore, said to be the eternal prison of a ghost who terrorised the Reykjanes Peninsula.

As the lighthouse is on the tip of this Peninsula, it is close to the Blue Lagoon, a world-famous spa and treatment centre. It is also near to the Bridge Between the Continents, where visitors can walk from North America to Eurasia, and learn about the tectonic plates that divide Iceland.