Blue Lagoon Review and Tips for Your Icelandic Adventure

Going to Iceland and thinking about visiting the famous Blue Lagoon? This post will review the Blue Lagoon based on my experience and will also provide some useful tips so you can spend more time relaxing and enjoying the rejuvenating waters of the Blue Lagoon.

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Intro

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most iconic attractions and is a must-visit spa pool regardless of the popularity it has gained. This geothermal spa offers a unique relaxation and rejuvenation experience that makes it a must-visit destination for travelers. Here’s a review of the Blue Lagoon when I visited, along with some essential tips to enhance your visit.

Blue Lagoon Tickets

Blue Lagoon requires pre-purchased ticket to enter, which can be purchased here (or at the widget below). They have a few packages that you can choose from that ranges in inclusion:

Comfort package: includes entry, mud mask, towel, and a drink
Premium package: same inclusions as Comfort but adds 2 additional masks, a bathrobe, and a glass of sparking wine if dining

When you purchase, you will have to specify a date and time entry of your visit, however once you enter, you can spend as much time inside as you’d like.

Purchase your Blue Lagoon tickets using one of the widgets below:

The Experience

Facilities and Services

The Blue Lagoon has several amenities: a spa, facilities, several dining options, and two hotels. I was not able to experience all the Blue Lagoon amenities so my review won’t include everything they offer unfortunately. Regardless, I really enjoyed the experience where the lagoon access and all the inclusions in my ticket made it well worth the price. Also you can easily spend 2 to 4 hours here, so be sure to allocate time to enjoy the Blue Lagoon.

Facilities

The Blue Lagoon’s facilities include lockers and a changing and shower room, which is a single-sex communal shower where people will shower fully nude. However, if you are on the shyer side, you are able to shower privately. Just bring your bathing suit and towel to one of the curtained shower stalls.

Before you dip into the lagoon, it is expected that you rinse your body and hair. You may also feel obligated to shower after your day in the pool as well. Thoroughly rinsing before entering will prevent too much unwanted body oils and dirt from getting into the pool. The showers include complimentary shower gel and hair conditioner so you don’t have to bring your own.

Also, if you have longer hair, put it in a high bun to prevent from shedding and from getting it wet. If you do get your hair wet, the silica in the pool will make it feel stiff for a bit.

Once you’re ready to get into the lagoon, it may be hard to find a spot to put your towel(s). Right before entering there are towels racks you can hang it on. However when I went it was full so I left mine on a hook within the facilities.

The Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon’s warm milky blue waters and otherworldly atmosphere make this magical lagoon a one-of-a-kind in Iceland.

The spa pool is quite large where you won’t feel too crowded despite its popularity. When I went in September, there were lots of empty space in the waters and it didn’t feel crowded at all.

The therapeutic waters are at a very nice warm temperature where you can relax comfortably in them and not be too cold or overly hot. The water is also not deep with about an average depth of ~4 ft (1.2 m), with the shallowest at ~2.6 ft (0.8 m) and deepest at 4.7 ft (1.4 m). However, there are life vests available if needed as well, especially for younger children.

Explore the whole pool and you’ll find cave tunnels you can wade through, waterfalls you can soak in, and smaller hangout areas. They also have swim-up bars where you can redeem your free drink, which includes beer, cider, wine, sparkling wine, and smoothies.

If you want to purchase additional beverages, you use an electronic bracelet that you receive at check-in. The bracelet is used as a means to charge any purchases to while you’re enjoying the Blue Lagoon. After you’re done with your day, then you’ll pay for all the charges that were made to the bracelet at check out.

There are restrooms right next to a pool entry/exit so you don’t have to walk in the open air for too long. There are also showers you can rinse off in right in front of them. Also, please do not relieve yourself in the lagoon.

Silica Mud Masks

The Blue Lagoon offers complimentary silica mud face masks so you can exfoliate while enjoying your soak in the warm mineral-rich waters. You can get the mud clay at a swim-up mask bar where a staff member is occupying. The masks are a beneficial skincare treatment and after about 5-10 minutes, you can simply use the lagoon water to wash and clear the mud from your face. Afterwards, my skin felt so soft and rejuvenated!

Sauna and Steam Rooms

The lagoon area also includes saunas and steam rooms carved into the lava rock that offers an additional relaxation option.

Dining Options

If you get hungry, the Blue Lagoon complex has a few dining options: Blue Café, Lava Restaurant, Spa Restaurant, and Moss Restaurant. The Blue Café has cheaper food options with sandwiches, salads, etc.

The other restaurants are more pricey and you can reserve a table if you want guaranteed seating. Lava Restaurant offers a gourmet dining experience with stunning views of the lagoon, and the Moss Restaurant is a Michelin Star restaurant with quality and prices reflecting that of one.

*Entrance sign to the Famous Blue Lagoon*

Tips for a Perfect Visit

Review these tips to make the most of your Blue Lagoon visit:

1. Book in Advance

The Blue Lagoon is super popular so slots can fill up quickly especially during peak tourist seasons. To guarantee your entry and your preferred time slot, buy your tickets in advance.

2. Bring the Essentials

The Blue Lagoon does provide towels, robes, shampoo and conditioner, and even a swimsuit at a cost. However if you want to enhance your comfort then you can bring your own hair essentials and towel, and of course don’t forget to bring a swimsuit if you don’t want to purchase one.

3. Leave the Valuables

With any water activity, it’s possible you can drop and lose things in the water. Leave your jewelry and any valuable items in the lockers to avoid the hassle of carrying things and potentially losing them.

4. Waterproof Case or Carrier

If you want to bring your phone into the lagoon, have a waterproof phone case preferably one with a lanyard to hang around your neck. Alternatively, a waterproof carrier can suffice as well. I have a waterproof “fanny pack” that buckets around my waste and keeps small items dry.

5. Protect Your Hair

The silica in the water can be harsh on your hair. If you get it wet, you’ll find it stiff and hard to manage. To prevent this, put hair conditioner in your hair and leave it in while you go into the lagoon, and also try to avoid getting your hair wet. As mentioned, the showers provide conditioner but you can also bring your own to use if you’d like.

6. Stay Hydrated

Being in warm waters for an extended period of time can be dehydrating. So drink water before and after your dip. You can also get water at the Blue Lagoon as well.

7. Use Provided Skincare Products

Definitely take advantage of the complimentary silica mud masks. It’s a fun experience to do in the lagoon and it’s also beneficial for your skin. You’ll feel great after doing it.

8. Plan for Extra Time

As mentioned, you can easily spend 2 to 4 hours here. If you want to fully unwind and relax, as well as explore the facilities, then consider planning in extra time. If you also want to enjoy the restaurant or booked a special spa treatment, then plan in extra time for those as well.

9. Combine with Nearby Attractions

The Blue Lagoon is conveniently located near the Keflavík International Airport (KEF) where most travelers will land into. Because of its close location to the airport, stopping at the Blue Lagoon right after landing in or right before your flight out is a convenient addition to your itinerary. I had visited right after landing at KEF and it worked out perfectly before heading into Reykjavík to check-in and finish the day in the city.