The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is the single most popular visitor attraction in Iceland, drawing people in from across the world. It is located approximately fifteen minutes drive from Keflavík International Airport, or a thirty minutes drive from Reykjavík, the country’s capital.
History
People first began bathing in the waters beside Svartsengi power plant in 1981, quickly realising that it had amazing healing qualities for the skin (the original lagoon was a result of a project of the power plant in 1976).
People, such as those suffering from psoriasis, found the waters immediately soothing for their condition. News quickly spread of this miraculous lagoon, and by 1987, the first swimming facilities were officially opened.
Today
The reasons as to why the Blue Lagoon is considered to be such a regenerative spot is because the water is rich in silica and sulphur. This is greatly complemented by the fact that the Blue Lagoon also operates a Research and Development facility, finding cures and remedies for skin ailments using the mineral-rich water.
The temperature in the bathing and swimming area is very comfortable, and averages 37–39° C (98–102° F). The Blue Lagoon also boasts the LAVA Restaurant, the Blue Café and the Lagoon Spa, from where you can buy a range of cocktails, health products, delicious meals and book an in-water massage. Saunas, steam rooms and a small waterfall are also on the premises.
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 sports a stunning aquamarine colour in the water, as well as rising pillars of steam that only add to the spa’s fantastic ambience. Guests can also enjoy silica face masks and massages. Most visitors to the Blue Lagoon will arrive there either on their first or last day in the country due to its proximity to the airport.
Krysuvik is a geothermal area in the Reykjanes peninsula in Southwest Iceland, situated in the middle of the fissure zone on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
At Krysuvik you may see all kinds of solfataras, fumaroles, hot springs and mud pots. The soil is colourful, giving of hues of green, red and bright yellow. We also recommend the crater lake Graenavatn, with its luminous green colour, Kleifarvatn, Reykjanes's largest lake and the birdcliff Krysuvikurberg, nesting place of around 77 thousand sea birds, including kittiwake, auk, fulmar and gull.
Reykjanes is a peninsula in Southwest Iceland, characterised by immense lava fields, volcanoes and strong geothermal activity.
Volcanic & Geothermal Activity
The peninsula runs along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. Because of this geological setting, the whole peninsula is extremely volcanically active, covered with lava fields and volcanoes and small earthquakes are very common there.
During the middle ages, many eruptions occurred in Reykjanes, but no eruptions have been recorded there for the last 500 years.
The main geothermal areas of Reykjanes 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 warm water that gush from the earth per second. The mineral-rich surplus water fills up the Blue Lagoon spa.
Nature & Wildlife
Reykjanes' cliffs are teeming with birdlife. Its best-known bird colony resides in Krýsuvikurbjarg which is the nesting place of approximately 80 thousand seabirds. North of Krýsuvíkurbjarg is Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on the peninsula and one of the deepest in Iceland and on the centre of the peninsula is lake Djúpavatn, a popular fishing destination.
Reykjanes is hammered by some of the most breathtaking breaker waves in the world. A short drive from Krýsuvík is Selvogur where one is able to witness some of the country's greatest waves. On Reykjanestá, the southwest tip of the peninsula, the waves are known to reach heights of 20-30 meters.
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.
Miðnesheiði
Near Keflavík is the Miðnesheiði heath, where the international airport, Leifsstöð (also known as Keflavíkurflugvöllur or ‘Keflavík Airport’) is located.
The World-Famous Spa
On the southern tip of the peninsula is the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, an ideal place for relaxing and bathing.
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula in Southwest Iceland, 9,1 km², as well as one of Iceland's deepest lakes, reaching a depth of 97 meters. It lies on the fizzure sone of the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Kleifarvatn is is located in the southern part of Reykjanes, near the Krysuvik geothermal area and another geothermal area to the east. Following an earthquake in 2000 the lake started receding but has now recovered. However, steam may still be seen rising by the lake's border. The steam comes from hot springs that were revealed during the earthquake.
The crime novel Kleifarvatn by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason was named after this lake.
Sandvik, by the southwest tip of the Reykjanes peninsula, is a popular destination for travellers, best known for its continental bridge.
The Reykjanes peninsula itself is a continuation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the bridge is a symbol of the meeting of the American and Eurasian plates (continental drift). Crossing it a traveller may straddle the Western World.
Gunnuhver is a collective name for an impressive and colourful geothermal field of various mud pools and fumaroles in the southwest part of Reykjanes.
The area is said to be haunted by the ghost of Gudrun Onundardottir, 'Gunna', said to have been tricked into holding an enchanted knotted-rope that pulled her over the field and into one of the fumaroles, resulting in her death.
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.
Reykjanesviti is the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, located on the tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Originally built in 1878, it was damaged beyond repair just eight years later following a major earthquake. The current building was raised in 1929 and 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.
Reykjanesviti is within sight of the geothermal area Gunnuhver, which holds the largest mud pot in Iceland.
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