By Eileen Ogintz
I love waterfalls. We certainly have seen plenty on our two-week Arctic Exploration cruise with Abercrombie & Kent. But equally memorable is standing under a waterfall as the warm geothermal water pulsates over my back and shoulders.
We are at Sky Lagoon, about a 14 minute bus ride from central Reykjavik. The Blue Lagoon is more iconic—many people make a stop to-or-from the airport. But Sky Lagoon, I’m told, is less crowded and doesn’t disappoint with its views over the sea and spa ritual including sauna overlooking the sea, steam, salt scrub and shower, finishing with a beer or a glass of wine in the Lagoon. Yes, there is a swim up bar!
[Photos by Andy Yemma]
We also thoroughly enjoyed the Sky Platter afterward in the Lagoon’s Smakkk bar that included local cheese, organic blueberry jam, reindeer pate with red onion jam, cheeses, gravlax with homemade mustard and dill sauce, and “happy marriage bliss pie,” kind of like a fruit-filled cookie, accompanied by sourdough bread. At about $50, it seemed a bargain in a small nation where the cost of living is pretty steep.
In Reykjavik, there are 18 public swimming pools, as well as geothermal spas, and a geothermal beach. The waters are naturally heated from deep in the earth. Kids would love some of these pools with water slides; adults will love the hot tubs and steam baths. Sky Lagoon is an oceanside Geothermal Lagoon. Icelandia, which also does many day tours from the city, can arrange bus transfers.
As we soaked, there were views at the infinity edge of the North Atlantic, mountain peaks, and glaciers. Over the centuries, Icelanders have learned to combine warm and cold water, dry heat, and fresh air. That’s the basis of Sky Lagoon’s seven step Ritual which includes a sauna, body scrub, cold mis, and steam room. There is also a cold plunge pool. Many like to come summer evenings for the Midnight Sun or perhaps in winter for a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Where do you want to go first? Don’t forget a swimsuit!
Take your pick of Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach complete with hot tubs heated by warm water. Arbaejarlaug has water slides, a kiddie pool, wading pool and massage tub. Asvallaug is the biggest thermal pool in Iceland (65,000 feet and two children’s pools, one designed for the youngest kids. It is also wheelchair accessible.