Warm water first. Dark sky second. This guided winter loop pairs a fjord-view soak at Forest Lagoon with a night drive outside town to chase the Northern Lights. You start with a relaxing geothermal start, surrounded by birch and pine, looking out toward Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s longest fjords.

I especially love how the tour gives you two different kinds of “magic” in one evening: a calm, warm bath with serious scenery, then a focused aurora hunt with time to actually search. I also liked the guide approach—Sigi, for example, was praised for taking scenic routes, making multiple stops, and even sharing great photos after. The one drawback to plan for is that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, since sky and weather conditions control what you’ll see, and the tour may be adjusted if the aurora doesn’t cooperate.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Geothermal soak + fjord views at Forest Lagoon, with admission and a towel included
• Vaðlaskógur forest setting of birch and pine that makes the whole evening feel quieter
• Aurora hunting outside city light in Eyjafjardarsveit for better dark-sky chances
• Small group size (max 18), and it can even feel private if the group is tiny
• Guide-driven searching with multiple viewpoints, not a single roadside stop
• Free rebook option if the night goes ahead but the lights don’t show

Forest Lagoon geothermal baths with a fjord view, not a parking-lot vibe

Most Northern Lights tours start with a van and end with a hopeful glance at the sky. This one flips the order in a smart way. You begin at Forest Lagoon, where the main event is warm water and space to breathe. And yes, you’ll be doing it in winter darkness—but in a way that feels cozy instead of rushed.

The setting is part of the value. Forest Lagoon sits by Eyjafjörður, so you’re not staring at walls or looking straight into artificial lights. You’re looking outward, with the fjord and night sky doing their thing from the other side of the water. In reviews, people specifically call out the view across the fjord as pretty in the evening, which matches what you’d hope for on a winter night.

The forest surrounding the baths matters too. You’ll be in Vaðlaskógur, described as a forest of birch and pine. That gives the experience a softer edge than you’d get in a purely urban spa. You can feel the difference when you’re not just “at a hot tub,” but in a place with trees, quiet, and winter air.

What 2 hours in Forest Lagoon really buys you

Two hours at the baths sounds straightforward, but it’s the kind of timing that makes the difference between relaxing and just changing clothes and leaving. Admission is included, and you also get a towel, so you aren’t scrambling for basics right before your aurora chase. You can plan to settle in, find a comfortable spot, and spend real time with the view.

Here’s how to think about the timing: you’re in the warm water at the start of the evening, when you’re still alert and not yet tired from hours of cold weather. That means you can get the best of both worlds—first warmth, then sky—without the usual mid-tour fatigue.

One practical benefit: going after dark is part of the experience, not a detour. The baths are designed to be used in evening conditions, and the night atmosphere can make the fjord view look extra cinematic. If you like photographs, this is one of the easier moments to capture a scene without the pressure of waiting for the sky to cooperate.

A possible drawback is that geothermal bathing isn’t for everyone in winter. If you’re not keen on soaking or you’re sensitive to warm water, you may find the first part of the evening less exciting than the aurora portion. Still, even then, the view and the calm setting are worth considering.

Aurora hunting outside Akureyri: why the switch to Eyjafjardarsveit matters

After the baths, you’ll head out of town for the sky part of the night. The tour shifts you toward Eyjafjardarsveit, specifically to escape light pollution from Akureyri. That one change is huge. Northern Lights viewing isn’t just about whether the lights show up—it’s about how clearly you can see them against the background.

You’re given about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the aurora hunt. That’s long enough to do more than a quick roadside glance, especially if your guide is willing to move when the sky changes. In the reviews, people mention that the guide tried a few spots and then found a better place once conditions looked right. That matches the idea that auroras can be patchy, and the best view often depends on your exact position.

Also, the tour is designed for winter nights around Akureyri, and the provider builds in the reality that weather and sky conditions control the outcome. The info is clear that sightings can’t be guaranteed even when the tour goes ahead. That’s not a marketing excuse; it’s a normal expectation for aurora tourism.

If the lights do show, you’ll be in the right “mode” to enjoy them. You’ve just had warmth and calm first, so you’re not starting the night chase feeling drained. That mental reset helps when you’re standing outside, waiting for the sky to do something you can’t force.

The guide is the real product: what Sigi’s style shows

The guide experience is a big theme here, and it makes sense. When you’re hunting the Northern Lights, good planning beats luck. You need someone who knows how to read conditions, manage the van-to-viewpoint rhythm, and decide when it’s worth moving.

One review highlights Sigi as amazing, with a key detail that matters: he took a scenic route to get the most out of the tour. Another mentions he made multiple stops so people could get out and enjoy the lights. That’s exactly what you want from a guide—more time looking, less time stuck in one place just because it was the first spot on the map.

There’s also the photo angle. In that same praise, Sigi is credited with taking amazing photos and sharing them after. I don’t treat this as a guarantee of professional results for every night, but it does signal something useful: the guide is thinking about documentation, not just logistics.

The tour also lists licensed guide/driver, and the group size stays small (max 18). A smaller group is easier to manage during cold stops and quick changes in plan. You can move efficiently, and the guide can keep an eye on everyone.

Timing and meeting point: what your evening schedule should look like

This tour starts at 7:30 pm from Hótel Kea by Keahotels on Hafnarstræti 87-89 in Akureyri. You’ll end back at the meeting point, and the total duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes including travel time.

That schedule is balanced. You’re not starting too late to miss the bath window, and you’re also not finishing so early that you’re hoping the sky will magically produce lights before your ride home. The night drive portion happens after you’ve had a solid soak, which is a good use of time in a winter itinerary.

Pickup is offered, which can reduce stress if you’re staying outside the meeting point area. You’ll also have a mobile ticket, which helps if you prefer to keep everything on your phone instead of juggling paper in gloves.

One small reality check: winter evenings can be slow to start. Even when the lights are active, you might spend time waiting between moments of activity. The tour’s structure helps because you’re doing something enjoyable while you’re waiting for the sky part to begin—like relaxing in warm water.

If you’re the type who gets restless standing still for long periods, choose this tour with awareness: the aurora portion is outdoors and dark-sky dependent, so you’ll want to be comfortable enough to wait.

Price and value: is $176 actually fair for this mix?

At $176, you’re paying for two things: paid admission to Forest Lagoon (plus the towel) and the guided night transport for the aurora hunt. The dinner-bell comparison is that it’s not just a “Northern Lights ride”—it’s also an activity with a built-in cost and time allotment.

So the value comes from not treating the evening as two separate transactions. You’re getting the bath included, which can otherwise be an extra booking and an extra coordination problem. Then you’re getting the guide and the vehicle plus the effort to find darker viewing areas outside town.

The small group size (max 18) also supports the price. A group that small usually gives the guide more control and flexibility during stops. And in one review, the group became effectively private with only two people, which is the sort of outcome you can love if you want personal attention and faster movement between viewpoints.

To be fair, you are also paying with an expectation of uncertainty. The Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed. The tour information is upfront about that, and the tour adds a consolation: if the evening goes ahead but the lights aren’t seen, you’ll be offered the trip again for free on a future booking. That policy can significantly reduce the financial sting of a cloudy or quiet aurora night.

Who should book this tour, and who might skip it

I think this tour suits people who want more than a checklist. If you like your winter days to have a warm, real activity and then a guided night “hunt,” this is a strong match. It also works well if you’re visiting Akureyri and want to compress two high-impact experiences into a single evening without extra planning.

It’s also a good choice if you care about guide skill. The reviews emphasize the guide’s determination, making multiple stops, and finding a perfect place once conditions were favorable. That kind of searching approach is exactly what you want when auroras can be moving and unpredictable.

On the other hand, if your only priority is the Northern Lights and you’re not interested in soaking, you may feel like the first half is time you’d rather spend elsewhere. Also, if you’re traveling with very strict health or mobility concerns around getting in and out of baths, you’ll want to think carefully before choosing geothermal water as your main start.

Quick decision guide: book or pass?

Book this tour if you want a well-timed evening with Forest Lagoon included, a guide-led aurora chase outside light pollution, and enough time to actually relax before standing outside in winter darkness. I’d also lean toward booking if you like the idea of a guide who will make multiple stops, because that approach has shown up in real praise.

Pass or choose something different if you’d be unhappy spending 2 hours in a geothermal setting or if you know you can’t handle the uncertainty of aurora viewing. Even when the guide works hard, weather and sky conditions still win.

FAQ

What time does the Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights tour start in Akureyri?

It starts at 7:30 pm.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri, Iceland.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes, including travel time.

What is included in the price?

Entrance fee to Forest Lagoon and a towel are included, along with a licensed guide/driver.

Is Northern Lights viewing guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed even if the tour operates.

How long do you spend at Forest Lagoon?

Stop 1 is about 2 hours at Forest Lagoon, with admission included.

How long do you spend looking for the Northern Lights?

Stop 2 is about 1 hour 30 minutes outside Akureyri in Eyjafjardarsveit for Northern Lights viewing.

What happens if the Northern Lights are not seen?

If the evening tour goes ahead but the Northern Lights aren’t seen, you’ll be offered the trip again for free next time you have a booking.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you’re aiming for comfort (short waits, warm start) or maximum sky time, and I’ll help you decide if this timing is ideal for your week in Akureyri.