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We often talk about all the amazing geothermal destinations one can find here in Iceland. But it’s not often that we get to tell you about a place that’s made TIME’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. And that from what can be considered one of the youngsters of Iceland’s geothermal family: Geosea.
The Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths has undoubtedly made waves worldwide. In this article, we dive into what makes this place so special, how to prepare for a trip, and what you can expect from your visit. So, without further ado, let’s explore the Geosea Sea Baths and all this magical venue has to offer.
All About the Geosea Baths
Geosea first opened its doors here in Iceland in 2018 and was the result of a happy accident. Iceland is famous for its natural hot springs caused by all the volcanic activity heating up the underground water supply here on the island. These warm waters are used for a wide variety of things (not just rest and relaxation), such as providing warm water and heating to local houses and businesses.
During one of these hot water drilling excavations at Husavikurhöfdi in the 20th century, they did find hot water. But it turned out to be hot seawater so rich in minerals that it would be impossible to use for regular house usage. However, a high mineral content means more health and wellness benefits. In an attempt not to let these waters go to waste, an old cheese barrel was used to collect the water and allow locals to take dips in the warm healing waters.
The water, which remains at a consistent 38 to 39 degrees Celsius has treated all sorts of skin ailments, aches and pains, and weary souls since that day. During the development of the Geosea, the same water that fed the cheese barrel as well as another source located at Husavik Harbor was utilized.
Except for the fact that this warm seawater is already a pretty unique phenomenon, it just keeps getting better since there are no cleaning agents or equipment used to keep the water clean – nature does all the work for us.
The fast flow ensures that clean water is constantly being pumped through. The movement between the pools, and over the edges also acts as a sort of natural filtration system, keeping the water well within the limits of the Icelandic health and safety codes.
The Facilities and Amenities at Geosea
Many who hear the name and the description of the water expect to see some sort of heated wave machine when they visit. But although Geosea harnesses the warm and healthy seawater, that’s where the resemblance stops.
Geosea consists of a somewhat tiered pool that looks a bit like a gigantic pond with all sorts of rounded nooks and crannies, offering seating where one can relax and look out over the bay. The views across the bay are simply breathtaking, and Geosea is actually one of the spots where spotting whales from the pool is quite a common occurrence.
There’s also no need to stop the fun when you’re getting thirsty; just swim up to, well, the swim-up bar, and you can grab various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hungry? Then mosey on over to the dining area where even grabbing some refreshments is a relaxing experience as people walk around in their bathrobes.
Geosea is also well-equipped when it comes to the basics, with bathrooms, changing rooms, and showers offering gel, shampoo, and conditioner by one of our local natural skin care companies absolutely free of charge. And if that wasn’t enough already, as an add-on, you can also use the steam room.
Where is Geosea in Iceland?
Geosea lies on the northern edge of Husavik and sits at the base of the Husavikurviti Lighthouse, perched on the cliffs, overlooking Skjalfandafloi (“Shaky Bay”). If you would like to do a day outing, Husavik will be the closest, and driving from there, reaching Geosea won’t even take 5 minutes.
Second-best when it comes to day outings is traveling from Akureyri or Myvatn (both of which are roughly an hour’s drive away). But since Geosea is just a short detour off the Ring Road, many opt to add it to their Ring Road road trip.
Opening and Closing Times at Geosea
As with many sights and attractions here on the island, the operating hours change along with the seasons:
1 September to 31 December
12:00 - 22:00
1 January to 29 February
Mondays to Thursdays, 17:00 – 22:00
Fridays to Sundays, 12:00 – 22:00
1 March to 31 May
12:00 – 22:00
*Please note that during this time, even though Geosea technically only closes at 22:00, guests can only enjoy the baths till 21:45.
1 June to 31 August
12:00 – 00:00
*Please note that during this time, even though Geosea technically only closes at 22:00, guests can only enjoy the baths till 23:45.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Geosea?
Pricing at Geosea looks as follows:
Entry fees:
Adults (anyone 17 and older) = 6 490 ISK (+/- $47.25 /€43.50)
Children (anyone between the ages of 6 and 16 years) = 3 290 ISK (+/- $24.00 /€22.05)
Children (those between 0 and 5 years of age) = Free
Seniors, the Disabled, and Students (with a valid student card) = 4 390 ISK (+/- $31.95 /€29.40)
For the forgetful among us, or those with just very limited packing space, there are rental options available:
Towels @ 1 390 ISK (+/- $10.15 /€9.35)
Swimwear @ 1 090 ISK (+/- $7.95 /€7.30)
Bathrobe @ 2 690 ISK (+/- $20 /€18.05)
When is the Best Time to Visit Geosea?
As you can see from the above-mentioned operating hours, Geosea is open to the public all year round, even though opening and closing times may change. When the best time to visit will largely depend on your own personal preferences and your holiday budget. To help you make your decision, you need to take the following into consideration:
- While most associate summer with ideal swimming conditions, summertime in Iceland is peak season, which means certain drawbacks in the form of peak season crowds and peak season prices.
- If you’re dead set on visiting when it’s summerish, many opt to visit during one of the shoulder months (April/May or September/October) when you still get decent weather, but at much more affordable prices.
- That being said, many swear by the contrasting experience of soaking in a hot spring while the cold air blows against your face. You’ll often see locals varying their dips in the hot springs with a quick roll in the snow. Except for the fact that we think it’s fun, these cold vs. warm “dips” have been proven to have a myriad of health and wellness benefits.
- There are two natural phenomena here in Iceland that people often enjoy combining with their hot spring experience. Unfortunately, you cannot experience both on the same trip, so whichever takes priority will also dictate when you visit. Our Midnight Sun can only be experienced mid-summer when daylight hours are 22+ hours each day, and the Northern Lights can only be experienced during cold and dark conditions (so winter in Iceland is peak Northern Lights hunting season).
- You will not believe it, but whales can often be seen from the pool at Geosea! So, if these gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in your heart, it might be best to visit during our official whale season between April and September when we also have some migratory species coming to say hello.
Geothermal Pool Etiquette at Geosea
When visiting Geosea there are a couple of general geothermal pool etiquette expected of you. These are the following:
- Despite being called the Geosea Baths, bathing is the last thing that you should be doing at these hot pools. In fact, it’s considered an absolute must to take a shower (naked!) before you enter the pools. Cleaning also means getting everything out and off – including hair gel, make-up, perfume, and cologne. No one wants to be soaking in your “leftovers”.
- The geothermal pools in Iceland are exclusively for soaking and relaxing. There are no jumping, splashing, and swimming laps around the pool. We have plenty of other recreational pools throughout the country where you can do that.
- The same consideration should be given when it comes to sound. No loud music or shouting and screaming will be tolerated, and disturbing others’ peace like this is perceived as incredibly rude.
- Once again, it may be the GeoSea Baths, but you can’t be walking around here in your birthday suit. All visitors must wear appropriate swimwear, and at least be covered in a robe in certain areas, such as the dining area.
Other Attractions Near Geosea
You will find some of Iceland’s most famous attractions within an hour’s drive from Geosea. These include:
- Lake Myvatn
- Asbyrgi Canyon
- Krafla Caldera
- Godafoss Waterfall
Geosea is a Must-See!
Geosea emerged as a must-see (couldn’t resist) in 2018 and rose to one of the top 100 must-visit destinations in the world. From breathtaking views while soaking in the warm healing waters, to enjoying a few basic amenities with a touch of luxury and all sorts of drinks and refreshments for the hungry and the parched – a site so idyllic with everything you could possibly want and need should probably also feature on some top 100 apocalyptic destinations too.
For the ultimate convenience and cost-effective trip around the island, we recommend renting a campervan in Iceland, taking on the Ring Road, and making Geosea a rejuvenating stop along the way. See you soon at Geosea! (once again, couldn’t resist).
