The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal complex that has developed alongside many other natural pools. This place is wonderful! If you look at it from the side, then 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 the flows of lava, through which water from the sea seeped and was able to create such a miracle of nature. There are no analogues of such a place anywhere in the world! Among the lava fields (as the pool complex is called), there is a lagoon. A small number of reservoirs were formed underground, which were filled with hot water from the sea, and, breaking through to the top of warm currents, they throw out steam.
The Swartsengi Power Plant, which is located nearby in this vast area of high temperature and geothermal activity, as well as at the junction of the European and American plates, renews the water in the basin every few days. All wells that exist on the territory of the power plant have rather deep reservoirs and reach up to several hundred meters. At the lowest depths, the water temperature can reach up to 250 ° C!
Why is the water in the Blue Lagoon cloudy
On the territory of the pool, the water periodically becomes slightly white or cloudy, which locals and visitors call milky. The thing is that when it cools down to 37 ° C, the water is strongly saturated with silicon. Because of this, the so-called silicon porridge begins to form, thanks to which this cloudy white color occurs. The white mass gradually begins to fill in the cracks in the lava. Thus, the Blue Lagoon is gradually changing its size and expanding more and more. The width of the pool has already reached 200 meters, and its length is several kilometers. In terms of depth, 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 μ / kg. Thanks to the silicon molecules, which are able to refract light rays, a bluish-opalescent color of water occurs.
Climatic conditions
37 ° C is the normal temperature in the Blue Lagoon. This indicator may periodically decrease, including due to windy weather, rain or snow. As for the pH value, it does not exceed 8%, and the amount of salt contained is not more than 3%.
Of course, in such conditions, a variety of bacteria could rapidly begin to develop, which would be transferred here by people during a visit, 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 disinfecting protection systems.
Water composition
Two-thirds of the blue lagoon consists of sea water, and everything else is fresh. In addition to mineral salts and silicon, the composition also includes algae with a blue and green color. It is thanks to this combination of components from the thermal spring that many skin diseases, including psoriasis, can be cured. The healing mud, which is located here, can also cleanse and heal any type of skin, and softening and nourishment will be possible thanks to algae.
The 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 around the geothermal pool. Their combination with the blue water of the lagoon creates enchanting pictures that will take your breath away!
Services and working 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:
- Massage
- Swimming pool with geothermal water
- Jacuzzi
- Range of cosmetic procedures
- Body and hair care services
- Wellness program for children and adults
This complex works every day without days off. There is only a specific work schedule 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 only change during the New Year and Christmas, therefore, if the rest and the trip are planned for this period, the working schedule should be clarified on the official website of the SPA complex.
Ticket prices
You can enter the pool area only with a purchased ticket. Ticket price:
- Adult from 28 to 43 euros
- Teenager 16 euro
- Children under 12 are free
How to get there
The Blue Lagoon geothermal complex can be reached from the city of Reykjavik, which is about 40 km from the pool. Travel time by bus will take just under an hour.
In addition, the resort can be reached from Keflavik, which is Iceland's international airport. It is located on the northwest side, no more than 16 km from the lagoon, and the trip will take 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 sightseeing tours, Iceland Excursions and Reykjavik Excursions will help with this. The fare will not be higher than 30 euros per person, this includes a one-way trip and vice versa. The price of adolescents who have reached the age of 17 will be calculated in half. Children under 10 years old have the opportunity to visit the excursion free of charge if accompanied by an adult.
The Blue Lagoon is an incredible and beautiful place. It simply mesmerizes 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 definitely worth a visit!
Recommended reading Strokkur Geyser in Iceland.
