The Blue Lagoon

Heaven. Pure heaven. Chalk full of turquois waters, a belly-up bar and muscle healing hot water, you have my happy place. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with seawater that does wonders for the skin as it soothes and relaxes. Many stop in to/from the main, Keflavik International Airport, which is closer (12 miles) than the capital, Reykjavik (24 miles). The lagoon is located smack in the middle of lava fields in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Literally, just lava fields all around. Disney can't say that.

It's a man-made lagoon fed by water from the nearby (and background noticeable) geothermal power plant, Svartsengi. Throughout the many hours in and out of the lagoon, you'll notice the passing steam clouds where the hundreds of other guests simply disappear. Ta da! The warm waters (approximately 98-102 degrees F) are full of silica and sulfur. The silicate minerals are the root cause of the water's milky blue shade. Buckets are located around the back side of the lagoon with vats of the stuff (silica) to apply to your face, neck, back and chest. It's a gooey communal facial. 

Packages vary according to price and amenities included. I booked the Premium package, the most popular of all the packages. It came with entrance, a towel, robe, flip-flops, sample products, a free drink from the pool bar and a two course 4-star lunch (where I could wear the robe). I had also heard about the floating massages, so I had them throw one of those in too. Cha-ching.

After a couple hours exploring the many parts of the lagoon, I met my masseuse in the far corner section. He applied oil to my back and then had me lay down on a floating mat with pillow. A "blanket" was put over me to keep me warm and every few minutes he would dunk my body to rewarm the blanket. It wasn't one of the best massages I've ever had but it was certainly the strangest. Both categories are awarded equal merit status. Once time was up (30 minutes) my masseuse tub-boated me to the corner "holding" area to relax on my floating mat until I decided to rejoin the others. (Just a minute or so before I felt like a floating weirdo).

Six hours from when I arrived, I had been properly soaked, fed, boozed and massaged. All it needed was the pearly gates.

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The Blue Lagoon