5 Common questions tourists have about Iceland's Blue Lagoon
- Abigail Gaston
- Feb 22, 2019
- 4 min read
Get Blue Lagoon ready - Great swimwear on a budget
What is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions! It is a large geothermal spa, uniquely located in an Iceland lava field. Think of it as a small, warm lake with magnificent healing powers! The Blue Lagoon provides guest with a tranquil, one of a kind Icelandic experience. To paint an ambiance picture, the turquoise waters are surrounded by black lava stone and green moss, and the steam that floats above the calm, therapeutic pool adds just a little extra to the relaxed mood.
The travel trend is real! People from all over the globe, celebrity status, to corporate elite, to regular folks like me, are traveling to Iceland for many reasons. However, soaking it up in the delightfully warm (average water temperature is 39 degrees Celsius/102 degrees Fahrenheit) and milky waters of the geothermal hot springs sits at the top of the list for Iceland tourists of multiple backgrounds and economic classes.
While at Blue Lagoon, visitors enjoy a rather relaxing break from the other adventurous and exploratory activities the North Atlantic island brings; all the while lathered in curative silica and algae masks! I am sure it comes across as a bit peculiar and uncomfortable to be coated in white and green clay-like substances while bathing (in suits), and even sipping on cocktails, with hundreds of strangers; however, it is the exact opposite! Think of it as a “When in Rome” circumstance. Everyone is doing it; in fact, if you do not partake, you would be the unusual one in this situation.
Where is Blue Lagoon located?
Blue Lagoon is situated in Grindavík, a city located on the Reykjanes Peninsula on the southwestern coast of Iceland. Blue Lagoon is about a 20-minute drive from Keflavik Airport and around 45 minutes from Reykjavik!
How is the Blue Lagoon Heated?
Prior to my Iceland vacation, I learned that Blue Lagoon is heated naturally through geothermal power (Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station located nearby). The turquoise water that fills the lava field is also supplied by the power station. However, it gets a little more in-depth that, and though I may know a good amount of info regarding many things, natural, sustainable power is not a topic I am knowledgeable enough on to advise readers to quote me. Therefore, I took to the web myself (part of travel blogging is a good amount of research) and got a little help on this subject from fellow fantastic blogger, Landlopers!
"Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchange to provide heat for a municipal hot water heating system. What happens next to the water though has become a multi-million industry in its own right. After the water is used to provide heat for the water system, it is fed into what we know today as the Blue Lagoon.“
Okay, I do not know about you, but to me, that is a pretty nifty process! Check out the rest of Landlopers article on "Why the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is not a natural wonder."
Is the Blue Lagoon really a
"World Wonder?"
It is! In 2012, National Geographic released an updated list of their top 25 World Wonders and Iceland's Blue Lagoon made this list of the most remarkable places in the world. Now, as you already know by earlier topics in this article, the Blue Lagoon is not one of Earth's natural phenomenons. Therefore, how on Earth (pun intended) did it wind up on their "Wonders of the World" list?
National Geographic has multiple lists of World Wonders; the original natural 7 list, an ancient times list, a contemporary list, a larger list of a mix of natural and unnatural wonders, as well as their own individual lists of natural and unnatural wonders; maybe even more!
The list that the Blue Lagoon landed on is National Geographic's "Wonders of the World - Earth's most awesome Places." The Blue Lagoon earned a spot on this list for its "geothermal gift of nature." National Geographic states,"The steaming turquoise pools of Iceland's Blue Lagoon, trapped in volcanic rock represents an otherworldly vision." I can attest that it truly is...
Does the Blue Lagoon actually have healing powers?
The phrase "Healing Powers" may be a bit ambitious; however, I suppose it depends on what you view as being a "healing power." According to Bluelagoon.com the Blue Lagoon has been celebrated for in relation to healing effects are:
- The warm mineral water has been said to melt away pain and stiffness in joints and muscles for those suffering from arthritis, muscle soreness, and everyday aches and pains.
- The natural minerals in silica and sulfur have been noted for their positive effects on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
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