The Blue Lagoon is about 20 km from Keflavik International Airport and about 49 km from Reykjavik, roughly 50 minutes by car. Myvatn Nature Baths is in North Iceland near Lake Myvatn, and Lake Myvatn is about 90 km from Akureyri, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car on the Ring Road, and about 480 km from Reykjavik via the Ring Road, roughly 6 to 7 hours of driving.
How the two geothermal lagoons differ in location and setting
The Blue Lagoon sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. Myvatn Nature Baths is in North Iceland, in a lava field overlooking Lake Myvatn near the village of Reykjahlid. Use the Driving Distance Calculator to help plan your trip. If your route passes through the Reykjanes Peninsula, compare Blue Lagoon ticket prices before you go.
What the water feels like and where it comes from
The Blue Lagoon is a man-made lagoon fed with water from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant. Blue Lagoon bathing water is kept at about 37 to 39 degrees Celsius. The Blue Lagoon water has a high silica content that gives it a milky blue colour. The Blue Lagoon water has a salt content of about 2.5 percent and an average pH of about 7.5. The Blue Lagoon renews its water roughly every 2 days.
Myvatn Nature Baths draws water from the Bjarnarflag borehole from up to 2500 metres underground. Water at Myvatn Nature Baths is cooled from about 130 degrees Celsius to a bathing temperature of about 36 to 40 degrees Celsius. The water at Myvatn Nature Baths is alkaline, silica-rich and high in sulfur, and the baths use no added chlorine.
Which lagoon fits your Iceland itinerary
The Blue Lagoon is about 5 km from the town of Grindavik. Lake Myvatn is about 90 km from Akureyri, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car on the Ring Road. Myvatn Nature Baths, also known as Earth Lagoon, opened in 2004.
What else you can see near each lagoon
Attractions near Myvatn include the Namafjall Hverir geothermal area, the Dimmuborgir lava field, the Grjotagja cave and the Krafla volcano. The Blue Lagoon is about 5 km from the town of Grindavik.
Comparing crowds, booking and the overall soak
The Blue Lagoon opened its bathing facilities in 1987. The Blue Lagoon company was established in 1992, a few years after the bathing site first opened. The Blue Lagoon recorded about 1.3 million visitors in 2017, making it one of Iceland's most visited attractions. Advance booking is strongly recommended at the Blue Lagoon, and Myvatn Nature Baths is generally far quieter.
Compare North Iceland tours that include a geothermal soak
You can compare North Iceland tours to see the current options.
