Blue Lagoon in Grindavik, Iceland

Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas, visited this day spa in Iceland in May 2003

I suspect everyone has a private list of things they want to do or places they want to see sometime in their lives. I certainly do. And now I've added one more item to the list...to float in the warm, silky waters of the Blue Lagoon while watching the curtains of colored light of the Aurora Borealis fill the winter sky.

Photo Index Click HERE for Photos of the Blue Lagoon Contact Blue Lagoon • Address: P.O. Box 22 IS-240 Grindavik, Iceland • Tel: + 354 420 8800 • Fax: + 354 420 8801 • E-mail: lagoon@bluelagoon.is • Web Site: www.bluelagoon.is/english/

I am fortunate that I have already had an opportunity to float in the Blue Lagoon in Spring. That's how I know I'd like to return. On the day of my visit, the sky was gray and the air cool - alternating between drizzle and pelting rain. The highway from our hotel to the Blue Lagoon cut through moss-covered lava fields. The driver let us off in a parking lot. The only indication we were in the right place were Blue Lagoon posters. We followed a relatively long path cut through the lava and eventually arrived at entrance to the Blue Lagoon building whose unique walls are made of approximately 60,000-70,000 pieces of lava.

We entered the facility and checked in at the reception desk. The entry fee allows access to the changing rooms and the Blue Lagoon. Also available for rent are towels, bathing suits and bath robes. The men’s and women’s changing rooms on the first floor contain 114 lockers, 13 mirrors and five hairdryers each. There are additional changing rooms on the second floor. Altogether, the locker rooms accommodates up to 700 guests at a time! The locks on the lockers are neat. You wave a wrist band in front of the locker you want to use, then in front of a terminal to lock it and reverse the process to open it. In Iceland, the custom is to shower completely before putting on a bathing suit (as opposed to putting on your suit then stepping into the shower), so I left my clothes in my locker, wrapped up in my towel and took my bathing suit with me to the showers. I left the towel and suit in the rack, got in the shower and soaped up and shampooed my hair. There were at least 20 other women showering, so I didn't feel particularly exposed. I then put my bathing suit on and walked outside where I saw the 5,000 m² Blue Lagoon for the first time. The bright, cloudy, aqua-colored water steamed into the gray sky. The color is due to the combination of natural minerals, blue green algae and white silica mud. The lagoon extended into the mist beyond my sight. The air was quite chilly and the driving rain stung my skin, so I quickly got into the warm water. I turned my back to the rain, crouched down so I was submerged up to my chin and started to explore the lagoon. After a few minutes, I was oblivious to the weather. There was a small mountain of silica mud on the shore of the lagoon. I (and many others) took a handful of the white mud and rubbed it on my face and body. Most of it rinsed off almost immediately, since I returned to my crouched position. I left it on my face for a while and wandered around looking for hot spots. I stopped under a waterfall to massage my shoulders and rinse the mud from my face. I ducked out of the rain in a "cave" and another covered area that led back to the locker rooms and returned to the main lagoon. I floated. I chatted with other bathers. I wandered about. It was heavenly. My skin felt incredibly smooth when I finally got out of the water.

During my visit, I just soaked in the lagoon and enjoyed an excellent lunch at the restaurant overlooking the Blue Lagoon. Other facilities include two saunas and two hot tubs. Massage is offered from 10-50 minutes in-water and on the shore of the lagoon as well as in an area away from the main bathing area. The Blue Lagoon also offers following spa treatments (more reasons to return!):

Spa Treatment 1 • Relaxation in the Blue lagoon before and after massage and silica mud treatment • 10 minutes massage in the Blue lagoon • Silica mud treatment in the Blue lagoon • Blue Lagoon Massage Oil 100 ml • Blue Lagoon Spa Soap • Blue Lagoon Silica Mud • Use of bath towel and bathrobe

Spa Treatment 2 • Relaxation in the Blue lagoon before and after massage and silica mud treatment • 20 minutes massage in the Blue lagoon • Silica mud treatment in the Blue lagoon • Blue Lagoon Massage Oil 100 ml • Blue Lagoon Spa Soap • Blue Lagoon Silica Mud 50 ml • Use of bath towel and bathrobe

Spa Treatment 3 • Relaxation in the Blue lagoon before and after massage and silica mud treatment • 30 minutes massage in the Blue lagoon • Silica mud treatment in the Blue lagoon • Blue Lagoon Massage Oil 100 ml • Blue Lagoon Spa Soap • Blue Lagoon Silica Mud 50 ml • Blue Lagoon Massage Brush • Blue Lagoon Bath Tablet • Use of bath towel and bathrobe

The Blue Lagoon also has a clinic staffed by dermatologists for the treatment of psoriasis and other skin ailments. Treatment includes bathing in a separate, private pool filled with the same water as the Blue Lagoon, application of silica mud to the skin and the use of UVA/UVB light therapy. The treatment process normally takes 21-28 days. In 2002, the clinic provided 6,000 treatments to patients from 17 countries. The Icelandic, Danish and Faroy Island ministries of health have recognized the facilities as an official treatment center for the treatment of psoriasis, and reimburse their patient's treatment costs.

About The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a pool of geothermal water rich in unique natural minerals such as silica mud and blue green algae. It is comprised of two-thirds saltwater and one-third fresh water. The water comes from bore holes as deep as 6,000 feet. In its travels through porous lava, a blend of sea and fresh water undergoes mineral exchange and then near the surface, concentration occurs, due to vaporization, evaporation and finally, sedimentation. The water is led via pipeline directly to the Blue Lagoon. The water temperature is kept between 100 and 110°F. The water is constantly refreshed and is completely exchanged every 24 hours.

Diagram Courtesy of the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon was formed in 1976 following the operation of the Suðurnes Regional Heating Corporation in Svartsengi geothermal area. People started bathing in the Blue Lagoon in 1981. People with psoriasis found relief from the condition after bathing in the lagoon and rubbing silica mud on their skin. The first public bathing facility at the site was opened in 1987, and a treatment center for psoriasis patients opened in 1994. The current facility was opened on July 15, 1999. In its relatively short life, the Blue Lagoon has become one of Iceland's most visited tourist attractions and is also very popular with Icelanders. The Blue Lagoon is open daily year-round.

Blue Lagoon manufactures and distributes about 40 geothermal skin care products, which all include the unique ingredients found in Blue Lagoon - Blue green algae, silica, salt and minerals. The products are designed to cleanse, nourish and regenerate the skin. The products are hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested (not on animals) and manufactured according to European law of good manufacturing practice (GMP). Blue Lagoon products are used in the Spa Treatments at the Blue Lagoon Spa and at the Blue Lagoon Treatment Center. The line is designed to be beneficial for all skin types, including the most sensitive. Products can be purchased at the retail store or online.

Photos and Information Courtesy of the Blue Lagoon

Photos copyright 2003, Julie Register
Licensed to About.com

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