Iceland Day Five: Geothermal Energy and the Blue Lagoon

The new van was significantly newer and nicer than the previous van, so that was a win. However, it had the oil light on, so I had to figure out how to find an auto supply store and get the right kind of oil. I headed west all the way to the Reykjanes Peninsula (which means smoking point), the very furthest southwest point of Iceland. This part of the country is home to intense geothermal activity, lava blanketing everything - similar to Kona and parts of Hawaii, and geothermal energy plants. The most recent eruption was April 2025. I visited sites here that looked similar to what we'd seen at Yellowstone at an area called Seltun (sometimes known as Krysuik). There was a short set of boardwalks over mudpots and mineral pools. At Gunnuhver Geothermal area I watched a continually spurting geyser that had the remnants of the old boardwalk in the middle of it. From there I went to the Reykjanes Lighthouse, site of the oldest lighthouse on Iceland - the southwestern most point of the island. Then up to The Bridge Between Continents. The geothermal activity is a result of this being the site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowing pulling apart. At The Bridge Between Continents, it is possible to see the rift and walk from one plate to the other which is kind of mind-blowing. 

The best effect of this geothermal energy is the Blue Lagoon - now a fancy hot springs resort that started in 1976 when the power plant next to it drilled very deep and then put the wastewater into a nearby lava field. The silica in the water filled the holes in the lava and created a watertight pool. Over time, it became known for its healing mineral qualities and turned into a spa. It is 70% seawater heated under the earth and rising up to the surface and 30% freshwater. One of National Geographic's 25 wonders of the world, its minerals, silica and algae are known for their healing qualities. The temperature is steady at about 100F and there are vents that pull water from under the earth to add heat and refresh the water. Most places with this much hype fail to live up to it - but that is not true of the Blue Lagoon. It is so large that there is space for everyone, it is well run easy to navigate and most importantly the water feels amazing. I spent five hours here moving between the pools and into the steam rooms and saunas and back again. I tried three different mud masks they were pretty amazing. I hope to visit again and I am squirreling away some notes for how to have an even better experience next time.

After my long soak in the Blue Lagoon, I drove a short 10 minutes south to the town of Grindavik's campground on the harbor. There I spent my last night in Iceland. I hope to be back and able to share this wonderful place with others. My flight out was easy - seven hours direct and I got to see the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Greenland on our way. It was beautiful!