Blue Lagoon in Iceland: photo, description, services, prices, how to get
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal complex that has formed alongside many other natural pools. This place is wonderful! If you look at it from the side, the blue water seems to merge with the sky and smoothly passes into infinity. The spectacle is simply breathtaking!
Where is
The very popular Blue Lagoon geothermal pool is located on a peninsula called Reykjanes, in the southwest of Iceland. The pool was created thanks to lava flows through which water from the sea seeped through and was able to create a similar miracle of nature. There are no analogues of such a place anywhere in the world! Among the lava fields (as the complex of pools is called), there is a lagoon. Under the ground, a small number of reservoirs were formed, which were filled with hot water from the sea, and, breaking through to the top, warm currents emit steam.
The Svartsengi power station, which is located nearby in this vast area of high temperature and geothermal activity, and at the junction of the European and American plates, contributes to the renewal of the water in the pool every few days. All wells that exist on the territory of the power plant have fairly deep reservoirs and reach up to several hundred meters. At the lowest depth, the water temperature can reach up to 250 °C!
Why is the water in the Blue Lagoon cloudy?
On the territory of the pool, periodically the water becomes slightly white or cloudy, which locals and visitors call milky. The thing is that when cooling to 37 ° C, water is highly saturated with silicon. Because of this, the so-called silicon porridge begins to form, due to which this white, cloudy color occurs. A mass of white color gradually begins to fill those cracks that are in the lava. Thus, the Blue Lagoon gradually changes its size and expands more and more. The width of the basin has already reached 200 meters, and the length is several kilometers. If we talk about the depth, then it varies from 0.5 to 3 meters.
As mentioned above, the water of the Blue Lagoon is very concentrated in silicon, to be precise, it is about 140 microns / kg. Thanks to silicon molecules, which are able to refract light rays, a bluish-opalescent color of water occurs.
Climatic conditions
37 ° C is the temperature that is considered normal in the Blue Lagoon. This indicator may periodically decrease, including due to windy weather, rain or snow. As for the pH index, it does not exceed 8%, and the amount of salt contained is not more than 3%.
Of course, in such conditions, various bacteria that people would carry here during their visit could rapidly develop, given that the number of visitors per year can be more than 250,000 people. A huge number of various studies have been carried out, which nevertheless prove the fact that bacteria can neither survive nor multiply in local waters. It seems that nature has independently created disinfectant protection systems.
Water composition
The Blue Lagoon is two-thirds sea water, and the rest is fresh water. In addition to mineral salts and silicon, the composition also includes blue and green algae. It is thanks to this combination of components from the thermal spring that many skin diseases, including psoriasis, can be cured. The therapeutic mud, which is located here, can also cleanse and heal any type of skin, and softening and nutrition will be possible thanks to algae.
Water contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, sulfates, chlorine and fluorine. The most amazing sight is several kilometers of lifeless landscapes on a huge number of frozen lava flows that are located around the geothermal pool. Their combination with the blue water of the lagoon creates enchanting pictures that will take your breath away!
Services and opening hours of the SPA-center
On the territory of the Blue Lagoon there is a SPA complex, a clinic, a restaurant, a shop, a cafe, as well as a recreation area with a hotel. Visitors can take advantage of a variety of services to suit every taste and budget:
This complex works every day without days off. There is only a certain schedule of work at different times of the year. 1 Autumn-winter from 10 am to 8 pm. 2 During the first month of summer (June) from 9 am to 9 pm.. 3. During the second and third summer months from 9 am to 11 am.
The schedule can change only during the New Year and Christmas, therefore, if a vacation and a trip are planned for this period, the work schedule should be clarified on the official website of the SPA complex.
Ticket prices
The pool area can only be entered with a purchased ticket. Ticket price:
How to get there
The Blue Lagoon geothermal complex can be reached from the city of Reykjavik, which is approximately 40 km from the pool. Travel time by bus will take a little less than an hour.
In addition, the resort can be reached from Keflavik, which is Iceland's international airport. It is located in the northwest side no more than 16 km from the lagoon, and the trip takes less than half an hour. Several regular buses run from the airport and Reykjavik to the thermal complex, although they run no more than 3 times a day.
You can get to the territory of the Blue Lagoon with the help of excursion tours, Excursions of Iceland and Excursions of Reykjavik will help with this. The fare will not exceed 30 euros per person, this includes a one-way trip and back. The price of teenagers who have reached the age of 17 will be calculated by half. Children up to 10 years old inclusive have the opportunity to visit the tour for free if they are accompanied by adults.
The Blue Lagoon is an incredible and beautiful place. It simply fascinates with its unearthly beauty and amazing landscapes. Here, like nowhere else, you can not only enjoy warm sea water with minerals, but also help your skin get rid of various diseases. The Blue Lagoon is a place worth visiting!
Recommended reading Geyser Strokkur in Iceland.