Forest Lagoon (Skógarböðin)

What to expect

Forest Lagoon, Skógarböðin in Icelandic, sits in Vaðlaskógur, a forest on the slopes of Vaðlaheiði across Eyjafjörður from Akureyri. In a country with few trees, that alone makes it different. You soak among the trees and look out over one of Iceland’s longest fjords to the town and the mountains behind it.

The lagoon opened in May 2022, and its water has an unusual backstory. Crews drilling the Vaðlaheiðargöng road tunnel, which shortens the drive from Akureyri toward Húsavík and Mývatn, hit hot water of about 122°F50°C inside the mountain. The flow slowed the tunnel work considerably. Rather than waste it, the water is now piped about 3 km to the lagoon. The Reykjavík Grapevine reported that no chemicals are added and cold water is mixed in, with the pools refreshed several times a day.

It is a polished, modern spa, not a natural pool. Expect a ticket desk, lockers, swim-up bars and a bistro. The scale is modest compared with the big southern lagoons, which helps on busy days.

The pools

• Main pool: 99-102°F37-39°C.
• Warmer pool: 102-106°F39-41°C.
• Sizes: the operator lists the two pools at about 530 and 330 square metres. The larger one has an indoor entrance, so you can get into the water without crossing the cold outdoors, and the smaller one is the quieter of the two.
• Cold tub: around 53°F12°C, next to the sauna.
• Finnish sauna: a dry sauna at about 176°F80°C and around 20% humidity, with a window over Eyjafjörður. Swimsuits are worn inside.

Both pools are 125 cm (4.1 ft) deep. Two swim-up bars sell soft drinks, smoothies, beer and wine. You may not bring your own drinks or water bottles. In 2024 the Grapevine reported a limit of four alcoholic drinks per guest.

The operator says the water is harmless to hair. Jewellery is allowed but not recommended, because the oxygen-rich water can damage some metals.

Prices and booking

Prices below are from the operator’s website in October 2026.

• Warm, ISK 7,490: entry to all pools, the cold tub and the sauna.
• Calm, ISK 10,150: entry plus one drink and a towel.
• Delight, ISK 11,210: entry plus two drinks and a towel.
• Youth 13-15, ISK 3,790.
• Children 6-12, ISK 3,790: last entry 18:30.
• Children 5 and under, free: last entry 18:30.

Towels rent for ISK 1,400, and swimwear and bathrobes are also for hire. The lagoon accepts Icelandic krónur in cash and all cards except American Express. A guardian or escort for a disabled guest who needs full assistance gets in free.

Book online. The lagoon recommends it for every visit and says walk-ins are not guaranteed a place. It does not take bookings by phone. Each booking allows you to arrive up to 30 minutes late. If you cancel more than 24 hours ahead, you can move your ticket to another date or take a gift card. Groups of 10 or more can ask for a discount by email.

Hours: Daily 10:00 to midnight. The last booking slot is 22:30 and everyone must be out of the water by 23:30. There are no fixed time limits, but the lagoon suggests staying no longer than about two hours.

Children and age rules

Children are welcome until 20:00, and children 5 and under go free. The rules are stricter than at many lagoons:

• Children aged 12 and under must enter by 18:30 and may not be in the lagoon after 20:00.
• Anyone up to 16 must come with a guardian aged 18 or over.
• After 22:00, under-18s must be with a parent, step-parent, grandparent or spouse.
• Staff can ask for an ID showing a child’s date of birth and can refuse entry without one.

For a family visit, go in the morning or early afternoon.

Getting there

The lagoon is 3.6 km (2.2 miles) from the centre of Akureyri, about five minutes by car. It sits on the eastern side of Eyjafjörður just off Route 1. There are disabled parking spaces and electric car chargers (you need the ISORKA app). From the cruise terminals it is 4.2 or 4.5 km, depending on the pier.

Free shuttle: From 7 September to 31 May, a daily evening bus leaves Centrum Kitchen and Bar on Skipagata at 18:45 and returns from the lagoon at 22:00. It does not run on 24, 25 and 31 December or 1 January. From 1 June to 6 September it leaves Centrum at 17:30 and Urbanfarm on Hafnarstræti at 17:35, and returns at 21:00. In summer an extra shuttle runs from Tangabryggja harbour every hour on the hour from 10:00 to 17:00 (from 09:00 in June to August), and more often on busy cruise days. You cannot reserve a seat, but a lagoon booking gives you priority. Children under 6 need a car seat, and the lagoon provides seats for ages 1 to 5 if you ask ahead.

You can also walk from town, though the paths are not all paved.

When to go

Summer cruise days bring a steady flow of passengers in the middle of the day, which is why the harbour shuttle runs hourly. If you want a calmer soak, book a weekday morning, or come in the late evening once the under-12s have left at 20:00. Winter evenings are dark and cold, and the hot water feels best then. On a clear night you might see northern lights over the fjord, though that is never promised.

Rules and etiquette

• Shower without your swimsuit first. The lagoon makes this mandatory, in line with Icelandic bathing custom. Shower gel, shampoo and conditioner are provided.
• Proper swimwear only. Swimsuits, bikinis, trunks and swim shorts are fine. Underwear, trousers and sweaters are not.
• Changing rooms: the men’s and women’s rooms have 130 lockers each and closed cubicles for changing. There are no private changing rooms. A fully equipped accessible changing room with four lockers is also available to gender-neutral guests if they book it by email.
• Photos are allowed, but respect other guests and do not share images that could harm them.
• No re-entry after the bistro. Decide whether to eat at Skógur Bistro before or after your soak.

Where to stay nearby

There is no lodging at the lagoon yet. The Grapevine reported in 2024 that a 120-room hotel was planned about 90 metres south, with opening aimed for 2027; treat that as a plan, not a booking option. For now, stay in Akureyri, which is five minutes away and has the widest choice of hotels and guesthouses in North Iceland. From there, Earth Lagoon Mývatn is about an hour east, and GeoSea in Húsavík is in the same direction.

Safety notes

• Heat: 106°F41°C water combined with drinks from the bar can make you lightheaded. Drink water and step out to cool down.
• Medical conditions: the lagoon says you enter at your own risk and suggests skipping it if warm water could affect a serious condition.
• Cold plunge: 54°F12°C water is a shock. Ease in, especially if you have heart problems.
• Winter footing: paths and decks can ice over. Walk, do not run.