Everything you need to know about Iceland’s Sky Lagoon
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This blog contains affiliate links, which helps to support this blog if you choose to purchase via the link but does not add any additional cost to you 〰️
Hello fellow travel buddies! If you’re debating which lagoon you should go to in Iceland, you’re probably thinking about the iconic Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. In this blog, I’ll be focusing on my experience in Sky Lagoon and how it differentiates itself from the others.
Table of Contents:
Is Sky Lagoon considered a hot spring?
How can you get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik?
What’s included in Sky Lagoon’s Pure Pass?
Would you recommend Sky Lagoon to a friend?
Is Sky Lagoon considered a hot spring?
Did you know that the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon is actually not considered a hot spring?
Well… the water is heated by geothermal energy (i.e. heated by the earth’s crust - mother nature be givin’), so you’d assume it met the criteria to be considered a hot spring. Surprise! I thought so too, but a local told me otherwise, and who am I to argue with the locals how their pools work.
The main reasons that Sky Lagoon is not considered a hot spring includes:
It is a man-made pool,
The pool is filled with natural geothermal hot water via pipes, and
The temperature can be regulated.
Rather than a hot spring, Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are considered a spa since they’re artificially-made and provide additional “spa” experiences, whereas places like Secret Lagoon would be considered a hot spring instead.
How can you get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik?
Entrance Pass + Transfer Packages
If you’re booking your passes with Sky Lagoon directly or through third-party travel companies, e.g. GetYourGuide and Viator, you’ll be able to purchase a package that includes the entrance pass and a return transfer to and fro Reykjavik to Sky Lagoon.
Personally, I think the inclusive pass and transfer package is expensive despite the close proximity Sky Lagoon is to Reykjavik. Thus, I would only recommend this inclusive package if you’re travelling alone and would prefer having the convenience of having it all in one place. For the cheapest option, I recommend purchasing the package directly from Sky Lagoon!
Using Taxi Services
If you’re travelling with a group, I would highly recommend using a taxi to get to Sky Lagoon from Reykjavik City Centre instead. This is the method I used when travelling with 6 people!
🕜 Time taken: 8 minutes
💷 Price: ~£15 per ride
They accept both card and cash payments
Keep in mind that Uber and Grab doesn’t run in Iceland, so you’ll need to use a taxi if you want a private car hire.
In the city centre, there’s a taxi stop across the street of Hard Rock Cafe, where you can also grab some breakfast at Baka Baka (i.e. a bakery) close by before you go. If you’re looking for other delicious restaurants in Iceland, you can read my other blog post about it here.
In Sky Lagoon, you can find the taxi stop within the parking lot area in front of the main entrance.
What’s Included in Sky Lagoon’s Pure Pass?
The Pure Pass includes:
A 7-step spa ritual experience, 🧖🏻♀️
Access to main lagoon area (i.e. the heated geothermal pool), 🏊🏻♀️
A shared changing room area 🩱, and
Free towels + toiletries (e.g. body soap and shampoo)
The main difference between the Sky Pass and Pure Pass is the changing room area, where Sky Pass has a private changing room and Pure Pass doesn’t. If that doesn’t bother you, then I’d suggest the Pure Pass to save some money!
Rubber Wristbands
Upon checking in to the lagoon, each person will be given a waterproof rubber wristband that you’ll be using to lock/unlock your lockers, pay for any drinks or purchases within the lagoon and also access the area for your 7-step spa ritual.
You’ll only pay for your additional purchases during your self-check out and you can tally multiple wristbands together for convenience!
Please make sure you don’t lose your wristband or else it’s going to give you a big hassle once you try to leave the area.
Changing Room Experience
When I heard that it was a shared changing room, my mind went straight to swimming pool toilet vibes. While it did in some aspects, the biggest thing that shocked me was that you’re basically stripping and changing in public.
With that said, both genders are split into their respective changing rooms if you’re not a Sky Pass holder and there are a couple of rules you need to follow:
Filming/photography is not allowed due to obvious reasons, and
You must take off your shoes before entering to maintain cleanliness.
There are some toilets that you can go into to change if you’re shy, but you could probably count the number of toilets with one hand. I recommend wearing your swimsuits underneath your outfit before coming to the lagoon instead.
There’s also hair dryers around the changing room and plastic bags for you to keep your wet swimsuits in once you’re done.
Main Lagoon Area
If you’re worried that you’d feel cramped due to the crowds, then let that worry go because the lagoon is HUGE!
The lagoon is connected to all the changing rooms, so you don’t have to worry about being separated from your group if you’ve bought different passes.
In terms of the view, you have an amazing view of the sea and plenty of rock shaped benches around the pool for you to sit on while still being immersed in the experience. There is also a poolside bar that you can buy some drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available), a waterproof sleeve for your phone, and others.
Since I went during winter time, I could see the steam coming out of the warm water and swirling around us with the wind. It was actually so magical. At one point, it also hailed for a bit but it would instantly melt once it touched the water, but that’s just Icelandic weather for you.
Ice Bath
I know, you’re terrified you’re gonna get hypothermia for jumping into an ice bath in Iceland during the winter time.
Trust me, I was as well and still am, but was it fun? Yes. Did I go for multiple dips? Yes. Did I scream every time I went in it. Also, yes! And here I am alive to tell my story to you all.
There’s a bunch of benefits about going into a cold plunge and having that change of temperature in your body which you can search online, so I’m not here to tell you about that.
I’m here to tell you that there is no real ice in that pool, but it’s gonna make you feel like you’ve jumped straight into a freezer. It’s gonna sting a little from the shock but it gets like a little better after sitting for a while, and they do not force you to go in this pool.
However it is part of the 7-step ritual, where they recommend you to take a quick plunge before going into their sauna.
One-time Spa Experiences
In the corner of the lagoon, there’s a small hut that will have the remaining spa experiences - dry sauna, cold mist shower, full body scrub, and a steam bath in order.
Upon entry, you will need to give them a wristband as a ‘ticket’. This should be a different wristband from the one that will unlock your locker and should’ve been given during check-in.
You are only allowed to enter this hut once and with no time limit, so I suggest going at your own pace. You’re also allowed to bring your phone into this area if you have it with you.
Most of the experiences were self-explanatory, but I think the most unique part of it compared to the other lagoons and spa experiences is the full body scrub.
The staff will hand you a small tub of a body scrub per person that’s rich with minerals. You’ll have to apply it by yourself, but you’re not suppose to do the full on “scrubbing” there.
P.S. You’ll definitely be at a disadvantage if you’re wearing a tight long sleeved swimsuit, since there’s a private room for you to apply the body scrub.
It’s a little rough at first if you’re skin isn’t damp enough from the cold mist shower, but once you’ve stepped into the steam bath with it applied, that’s when the magic happens.
The steam will start melting the scrub into you skin better, which will allow you to scrub yourself smoother and make your skin feel silky smooth. It can get quite slippery though, so try your best not to slip! It’s a great relaxing experience and you can wash it off in a proper hot shower before you head back into the pool.
Would you recommend Sky Lagoon to a friend?
Yes, definitely!
It’s true that I didn’t manage to go to Blue Lagoon due to the volcanic activity or the Secret Lagoon, but I can strongly say that I really enjoyed my time in Sky Lagoon.
I had accidentally planned it at the end of my trip and our bodies were all sore from walking around, so this experience was the break we all desperately needed. Not only that, I felt that it was worth more for my money since it also included the 7-step ritual.
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May your passports be full, and see you in the next post!
