Your Ultimate Guide to the Blue Lagoon
Ah, yes… the Blue Lagoon – one of the 25 wonders of the world, and one of the things one every tourist’s list on their trip to Iceland.
A kind stranger took a picture for me in the Blue Lagoon as I decided to leave my phone behind in the lockers!
For me, trip to Iceland wasn’t going to be complete without a trip to the Blue Lagoon – but considering I decided to visit the blue lagoon in the winter, wear contact lenses, and was off to the Blue Lagoon with all of my personal belongings – I had a lot of questions.
Thankfully, I’ve already lived through the Blue Lagoon – and I’m here to give you a complete guide on your upcoming Blue Lagoon experience and put any questions you have to rest.
First things first – you have to plan your trip to the Blue Lagoon well in advance. Booking spots are filled up easily, and the Blue Lagoon is open year-round – even on Christmas Day. I myself went on Christmas Eve, and even with an early closing time – the lagoon was still full of many tourists.
Although the checkout site seems insecure at times, this is indeed to correct place to officially book your Blue Lagoon ticket. I opted for the comfort package, were I paid around $77 USD for entry to the Blue Lagoon, a towel, a free drink at the in-water bar, and a free silicone mask. Considering the green smoothie I had at the bar would’ve run me around $13 USD alone, and a towel rental another $5 USD – this package was well worth the price to me.
Personally, I think that the time of day you book your Blue Lagoon ticket is irrelevant – I heard people with tickets for early morning, mid-morning, and late afternoon. Even as I was coming out of the Blue Lagoon at 3PM on Christmas Eve – there were more people coming in. I say it’s best to book the Blue Lagoon at convenient times you find transportation if you haven’t book a car – what I learned was a pretty good idea when in Iceland.
I am now going to break down things you should know before, at, and after going to the Blue Lagoon so that you can prepare accordingly.
Before going to the Blue Lagoon
Book your tickets for the bus to and from your accommodation at the airport. Round-trip bus tickets bought at Keflavik Airport cost around $60 USD or 55€. If you don’t rent a car, plan your bus fare (there is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR RIDE SHARES SUCH AS UBER IN ICELAND) carefully and accordingly. For frame of reference, I left my hotel in Reykjavik at 10:30AM to get back to Keflavik Airport at 11:15AM to catch a 12:30 PM bus to the Blue Lagoon. Give yourself as much time as possible.
If you really care about your hair like me, buy a shower cap before going to the blue lagoon to prevent paying through-the-roof prices there. I found a pack of them in Norway before I flew to Iceland. This is because the minerals and algae in the Blue Lagoon can cause your hair to become stiff and unmanageable for an indefinite period of time. Most simply tie their long hair up, but I went the extra mile due to my curly locks.
Purchase a water-proof case beforehand if you want to bring your phone into the Blue Lagoon. I myself went in the Blue Lagoon without my phone, and I don’t regret it – as I got to swim and experience the moment. I did meet a British girl who told me she paid around 20 GPB, or around 14€ for her waterproof phone case there.
Bring your own snacks if you think you’ll get hungry. I recommend eating a good meal before the Blue Lagoon, as even the cheapest cafe at the Blue Lagoon will run you around $17 USD for a slice of Avocado Toast.
Remove all jewelry before heading into the Blue Lagoon. I removed mine the night before so that I wouldn’t forget in the midst of being at the Blue Lagoon.
Back a bag that will go into the lockers with you. Here is what you’ll need at the lockers:
A swimsuit to change into
A towel (if you don’t opt for at least the comfort package where a towel is included)
Toiletries such as your favorite hair products, deodorant, lotions, perfume, etc. that you might want to use after the Blue Lagoon (they have body wash, shampoo, and conditioner there – and the products are top quality, so no need to bring those).
Hairbrush (blow dryers I believe were provided in the lockers).
Flip flops (optional, if you don’t want to use the shared showers barefoot)
A fresh pair of clothes to change into after the Blue Lagoon
Photo of the luggage hold center at the Blue Lagoon
At the blue lagoon
If you decide to come to the Blue Lagoon with all of your luggage, you will first have to drop off your luggage at the luggage center. It costs 800 ISK, or around $5 USD. The luggage hold is in a separate, small building before entering the Blue Lagoon facility.
Once you enter the Blue Lagoon, you’ll veer to the left to see the entry ways. You’ll get a quick review of what to do: to tie your hair up in the Blue Lagoon, take shower before entering, and when the Lagoon closes to you have enough time to shower after. Yes, that’s right – you have to shower sans bathing suit BEFORE and AFTER the Blue Lagoon. Technically, no one is watching to make sure you do so – it is just so that no toxins or dirt from the day go into the Blue Lagoon with you. The women checking me in gladly answered to questions of concern: if I could wear contact lenses, and if it was safe to go in the Blue Lagoon with a healing rash. I had previously read online that going in with glasses was just as bad as contact lenses, as if the glasses got wet – the minerals from the Blue Lagoon would damage my glasses. The women, also wearing glasses, recommended I go in with contact lenses – and just to be careful as if I were in the ocean or swimming pool with them on. She also said that with glasses, since the Blue Lagoon is so foggy with all the steam coming out – that it’s more difficult to see. I trusted her judgement, despite being wary – but I can confirm it is more than safe to go into the Blue Lagoon with contact lenses. She also told me as long as my rash didn’t sting in the Blue Lagoon, that it would be fine as well.
Did you know? The Blue Lagoon has healing properties that help to increase the skin-barrier function and can help to improve moisture in the skin and common irritants such as eczema.
You will receive a wristband that will be used to open your locker and make purchases at the Blue Lagoon. Beware that if you have small wrists like me, it will need to function as more of an arm bracelet.
Once you enter the lockers, it’s time to shower. Tie your hair up (there’s no need to wash it before the Lagoon – but after is a good idea, even if your hair doesn’t get entirely wet. This is because of the amount of steam in the Blue Lagoon – which is likely to leave some undesired minerals behind in your hair regardless if you get it wet or not). But first, you’ll need to pick out a locker.
The lockers at the Blue Lagoon aren’t exactly user-friendly. I had a pretty unfriendly woman come up to me, half-naked still blow drying her hair, ridicule me that it was easier than it looks – but it isn’t.
This is how you work the lockers at the Blue Lagoon. Pick a locker, and but all of your belongings you need (besides things for your first shower) inside. Slam the locker well to ensure it is closed, and then QUICKLY tap your wristband to the bar scanner on the side. This is what activates your wristband to the locker of your choice. Whenever you want to open your locker, scan your wristband back on the same barcode you used to activate your locker. I would have provided pictures, but sadly – there are no cameras allowed inside the locker rooms in the Blue Lagoon.
After changing into your swim suit, you can go take your first shower. The doors do not close all the way, and are somewhat see-through – but it is still private.
Return to your locker to put anything you don’t want to bring into the Blue Lagoon with you.
NOW you are finally ready to enter the Blue Lagoon!
View of the Blue Lagoon on the left just before entering the Blue Lagoon facility; December 2022.
During the Blue Lagoon
Enjoy it, the time will go by fast.
It is much more difficult to see in the Blue Lagoon than you’d expect, due to the fog from the steam. I went in December, where there had just been a blizzard – so the amount of steam was exceptional. However, it is perfectly (if not more) pleasant to visit the Blue Lagoon in the winter. It started to snow while I was still in the Blue Lagoon, and the toasty-temperatures feel good after a day of sightseeing in a cold Reykjavik.
If you enter the Blue Lagoon from the ramp side, the in-water bar is straight and to the right. The mask station is straight, and far to the left in another corner, as well.
If you decide to leave your phone behind, be sure to ask someone who does have a phone what time it is now and again to make sure you have enough time to shower afterwards. You don’t want to ruin your time at the Blue Lagoon by feeling rushed to leave it in a crowded, busy locker room.
Stay hydrated before, during, and after the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is naturally heated to be around 37-40 degrees Celsius ( or 98-104 Fahrenheit). While this is relaxing, it can cause dehydration – so drink up!
Did you know? Since the Blue Lagoon is heated using geothermal energy – different parts of the Blue Lagoon are warmer than others. Some areas will feel cooler, and others hot-tub-like-hot. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay put in one random spot in the Blue Lagoon!
If you go in without your phone, I highly suggest taking a swim in the Blue Lagoon. It isn’t as picturesque as you might think due to the excessive fog and in my case white-winter-sky – but there is something magical and warming about going for a lap in the Blue Lagoon.
After
Grab a towel, or go back to your locker to grab a towel and take a shower.
Wash your hair really well after the Blue Lagoon, and lather their fancy conditioner on really well!
Change into a fresh pair of clothes, and make sure you take all of your personal belongings from the lockers with you: such as phones, passports, wallets, or residence cards if you live in another country.
Drink some water. I walked to the main cafe outside of the famous Lava restaurant, and they kindly gave me some tap water free of charge.
Find your luggage tag before returning to the luggage hold center. In the chaos of being at the Blue Lagoon, I misplaced my luggage tag – beware that it is a small slip of paper easy to lose. Luckily, my suitcase was Airtagged, covered in stickers from my previous travels, and had a luggage tag on it so I could I.D. myself.
Get your luggage & board your bus back to the airport or your hotel
I really hope this guide has answered some of your questions about going to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland!
is the blue lagoon worth visiting?
I don’t think that Blue Lagoon is the most amazing thing I’ve ever done, however – I do think it is really worth a visit at least once, even if it is busy and tourist-like.
View of Blue Lagoon in the middle of winter; December 2022
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