Cold nights, warm water, and aurora chances.

This guided evening pairs Forest Lagoon geothermal baths with a later Northern Lights search outside Akureyri. You start with time to soak and reset while looking out over Eyjafjörður, one of Iceland’s long fjords, then you head away from city glow to chase the aurora under dark winter skies.

Two things I really like about this experience are the way it balances comfort and spectacle, and the fact that the guide’s focus is on actually finding good viewing spots, not just driving in the general direction. A possible drawback to plan for: Northern Lights sightings are never guaranteed, and weather or sky conditions can affect whether you see anything that night.

Key points to know before you go

• Geothermal soak with fjord views: Forest Lagoon is built around calm outdoor soaking with Eyjafjörður in the background.
• A focused, guided aurora search: You’ll go outside Akureyri to reduce light pollution and look for the lights in darker surroundings.
• Longer time than a quick stop: The tour includes about 2 hours at the lagoon and about 1.5 hours for the aurora portion.
• Small group size (max 18): This keeps the night hunt feeling more controlled and easier for your guide to manage.
• Guide-led photo help and multiple stops: In the field, your guide may adjust spots and timing to improve your chances.
• If no lights, they re-offer the trip: The operator can offer the Northern Lights trip again for free next time you have a booking.

Forest Lagoon in Winter: Warm Water and Eyjafjörður Views

The Forest Lagoon is the part of this tour that helps you feel human again after a winter day in the North. The setting matters here. The baths sit with views over Eyjafjörður, and you’re surrounded by birch and pine trees while you soak. That mix of warm geothermal water and winter forest air is exactly the kind of sensory contrast people come to Iceland for.

You get about 2 hours at the lagoon, and that’s long enough to do more than a quick dip. I like that the tour isn’t trying to cram the soaking time into something rushed. Instead, you can settle into the rhythm: find your spot, enjoy the view, and relax without feeling like you’re being timed out.

The tour also includes the entrance fee and a towel, which removes one small headache. In winter, anything that saves you from scrambling for basics is a win. You’ll also likely enjoy the way the lagoon’s location changes how the landscape feels at night. Even if the daylight is long gone, the fjord view gives you that open, faraway sense of place.

One small consideration: the lagoon is outdoors geothermal soaking. If you’re sensitive to cold air while dressing and undressing or you don’t love waiting in winter conditions, plan to take your time and keep moving between steps. The “work” is light, but it’s still a night in the North.

The Northern Lights Hunt from Akureyri: How Your Guide Changes the Plan

After the lagoon, the tour shifts from relaxation to pursuit. The second half takes you outside Akureyri toward Eyjafjardarsveit, where the goal is to escape city light pollution. That matters because Northern Lights are faint and camera-friendly only when the sky isn’t fighting bright street lighting.

This part runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, which is a reasonable window for aurora hunting. It’s long enough for your guide to assess the sky, try viewing spots, and give you time to stand still and actually watch. It’s also not so long that the energy of the night hunt turns into impatience.

What makes this tour feel worthwhile is the guide style. In particular, the guiding approach seems to be: look for the best conditions, not one fixed spot. One guide named Sigi (also shown as Siggi in feedback) is described as taking a scenic route, making multiple stops, and staying determined once the search is underway. The practical point for you is simple: when the aurora is behaving, the guide’s willingness to adjust can make the difference between seeing something and missing it.

If the sky cooperates, you’ll get that moment where the whole group goes quiet and you stop thinking about time. If it doesn’t, you at least learn what goes into a real aurora search: darkness, patience, and flexibility.

And here’s the honest truth to plan around: Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. Even with a guided hunt, you’re not guaranteed a sighting. The operator notes the tour is subject to weather and sky conditions, and they reserve the right to cancel. That’s not a bait-and-switch; it’s how aurora tourism works in practice.

Price and Value: Why $176 Can Make Sense for This Mix

At $176 for about 4 hours 30 minutes total (including travel), this tour isn’t the cheapest way to spend an evening in Akureyri. But I think it can be good value because you’re paying for two different categories of experience that each cost money on their own.

Here’s what’s included:

• Forest Lagoon entrance fee plus a towel
• A licensed guide/driver
• The tour runs with a planned route and timing between lagoon and aurora viewing

If you price out a geothermal bath visit separately, the included lagoon entry can do a lot of the heavy lifting for the total cost. Then there’s the aurora portion, where you’re effectively paying for a local guide who understands where to go outside the city and how to manage a group in winter darkness.

The other value angle is group size. With up to 18 travelers, you’re not in a huge herd. That matters for aurora viewing because it’s easier to keep the group together when visibility is shifting and the guide needs to relocate quickly.

In short: this price works best when you want a no-stress night plan with transportation, lagoon entry, and guidance during the aurora search. If you’re the type who would rather do the lagoon on your own and drive around the countryside independently, you might be able to do it cheaper. But if you want a guided route and a real aurora strategy, $176 starts to look more reasonable.

Itinerary Flow in Real Time: From Hótel Kea to Eyjafjardarsveit

The evening starts at 7:30 pm. Your meeting point is Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87-89, Akureyri. The tour ends back at the meeting point, which helps keep the logistics simple—one less puzzle after a cold night out.

Stop 1 is Forest Lagoon for about 2 hours. You’ll get time to soak, enjoy the trees and fjord view, and come back around at your own pace. The tour is designed so this isn’t just a quick photo stop. You actually have time to relax.

Stop 2 is Eyjafjardarsveit for about 1 hour 30 minutes. This is where your guide is trying to get you away from the strongest sources of light pollution. The idea is that your chance improves when you’re in a darker setting with clearer sight lines.

One practical thing to note: the total duration includes travel time. In winter, driving time can feel longer than you expect because you’re moving between darker areas at night. The upside is that you won’t have to coordinate your own transfers or worry about finding your own way out of the city.

If you’re balancing this tour with other activities in Akureyri, it helps to keep it as a key evening event rather than squeezing it into a tight schedule. You’ll likely want some buffer before and after.

What the Best Guides Do Here (and Why You Should Care)

A Northern Lights tour can fail in a boring way: you drive, you stop once, you wait, and then you all return. The reviews associated with this tour point to a different approach—guides who work the conditions instead of treating the night hunt as a fixed ritual.

In the feedback, Sigi/Siggi is highlighted for determination and for adjusting the route and viewing positions. The described pattern is:

• Taking a scenic route to set up a good drive-and-watch rhythm
• Multiple stops so you’re not trapped in one spot if cloud cover or visibility isn’t cooperating
• Help with photos, including sharing pictures after the outing

Even if you never ask for photos help, the bigger takeaway is how this kind of guide changes your experience. You spend less of the night wondering what you’re doing wrong, and more time simply watching the sky when conditions line up.

Also, the tour includes a licensed guide/driver, which matters for winter night driving. You’re not dealing with guesswork. You’re on a planned route with someone who’s used to navigating the region at night.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Might Prefer Another Plan

This tour suits you if you want:

• A guided geothermal evening with a real scenic setting
• A structured Northern Lights search with time built in
• A small-group experience (max 18) that’s easier to manage in the dark

It may be especially appealing if you’re the type who doesn’t want to research aurora locations for hours. You’re buying the guide’s judgment and local planning, plus lagoon time.

It might not be the best fit if:

• You need a guaranteed Northern Lights outcome (nobody can promise that)
• You’re only interested in one part of the evening (the lagoon or the lights) and would rather tailor the rest of your schedule yourself

For families, note the basic rule: children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour says most travelers can participate, which suggests there’s no overly complex skill requirement beyond being able to join a winter night plan.

Should You Book Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights from Akureyri?

I’d book this tour if you want an evening that gives you two chances to enjoy the North: first through a warm geothermal break with fjord views, then through a guided hunt designed to improve your odds by going outside Akureyri and making multiple attempts.

Choose it especially if you value a good guide who works the night. When the sky cooperates, this kind of guided flexibility can turn a good night into a memorable one. And when it doesn’t, the operator’s note about offering the Northern Lights trip again for free next time you have a booking is a helpful safety net.

Skip it only if you’re mainly chasing a guaranteed aurora or you’re trying to build a minimalist plan with no transportation support. Otherwise, the combination of lagoon relaxation plus a planned aurora search is a solid way to spend a winter evening in Akureyri.

FAQ

What is the meeting point for the Forest Lagoon and Northern Lights guided tour?

The tour starts at Hótel Kea by Keahotels, Hafnarstræti 87-89, 600 Akureyri, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin, and how long does it take?

The start time is 7:30 pm, and the total duration is about 4 hours 30 minutes including travel time.

What’s included in the price?

Entrance to Forest Lagoon is included, along with a towel, plus a licensed guide/driver. The Northern Lights viewing stop is described as having admission free.

Are Northern Lights guaranteed on this tour?

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

What happens if the weather or sky conditions are poor?

The Northern Lights portion is subject to weather and sky conditions. The operator may cancel the trip, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is there a limit on group size or any rules for children?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.