Ice Floating and Aurora Borealis Tour

At a dark lake beyond Rovaniemi, you float in cold water inside a thick, waterproof survival suit and watch the Arctic sky. The unusual vantage point is the main draw: you can lie back on the water, away from city lights, and wait for the Northern Lights to appear.

I like two things in particular: the quiet, unusual view from the lake, and the practical touches afterward, with hot blueberry juice and gingerbread to warm you up. Hotel transfers are included, so you do not have to arrange your own ride out of town.

The trade-off is real: aurora sightings depend on clear skies and solar activity, and the floating suits may feel cold, awkward, or less than fresh. The floating area can also be small, so go for the experience itself, not a guaranteed light show.

What to know before you book

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• The lake is about 20 kilometres from Rovaniemi, away from city light pollution.
• You float in a high-quality insulated survival suit, not ordinary winter clothes.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed; clouds and solar conditions can spoil the view.
• Allow for a long evening out: pickup times vary, with return listed at about 23:00.
• Hot blueberry juice and gingerbread are included at the end of the outing.
• You must be at least 150 centimetres tall to fit the suit, even though the minimum age is four.

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Floating under Lapland’s dark sky

This is a northern lights outing with a twist. Instead of standing beside a road or walking through snow, you float on a lake in a buoyant survival suit and look up at the sky. The setting is meant to be quiet and dark, around 20 kilometres from Rovaniemi, where the city’s lights are less likely to interfere.

The suit keeps you afloat and is designed to insulate you from the cold water. You do not need swimming skills to take part, but you do need to be comfortable with the idea of entering water in a bulky outfit. The suits can limit your view and movement, so listen closely as your guide helps you put one on and get into the lake.

The atmosphere depends heavily on the weather. On a clear night, you may see stars and, if the aurora is active, bands of light overhead. On a cloudy night, the sky may offer little to see. The floating itself can still be a novel way to spend time outdoors, but it is wise to book only if that sounds worthwhile even without the lights.

The evening trip from Rovaniemi

Pickup is available from selected hotels and accommodations within 10 kilometres of Rovaniemi city centre. The exact time changes with the season, availability, and weather. The stated departure window runs from 16:00 to 20:30, while the itinerary gives a return time of 23:00. Treat this as an evening activity, not a quick stop between other plans.

You will share the transfer with other participants, and the vehicle may arrive a little early or late. Enter your hotel name and address when booking, then watch for the operator’s message confirming the pickup time and location. Arrive 15 minutes early once you have the details.

The drive out of town is part of the appeal: the destination is chosen to get away from Rovaniemi’s light pollution. It also means you cannot simply leave when you are ready. Bring what you need for the whole evening, and do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward.

The activity is described as two hours, while the detailed schedule lists a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour and a return around 23:00. Pickup timing varies, too. The practical lesson is to leave room in your schedule and confirm the exact timing before you go.

Getting into the floating suit

At the lake, the guide explains ice floating and the northern lights, then helps participants into their suits. The guide’s role matters here: getting into a bulky suit and moving toward the water can feel awkward, especially when your vision is restricted. A guide named Lea has been associated with the tour, but the guide assigned to your departure may be someone else.

The suits are intended to be warm and waterproof, but the experience is not the same as sitting indoors in a heated room. Some people have found the suit cold, smelly, dirty, or leaky, and one person found it difficult to see while entering the water. Those accounts are not a reason to assume every suit will have a problem, but they are useful expectations to carry. Wear layers beneath the suit and tell the guide promptly if the fit or seal seems wrong.

Pay attention to instructions before you step into the water. The suit’s bulk may make ordinary movements feel strange, and it can be harder to see where you are going. If you are uneasy about entering cold water or need a very precise fit, ask the operator about the suit before booking.

Floating time, space, and the aurora

Once suited up, you float on the lake and look skyward. One account described roughly 30 minutes in the water, though the exact time may vary with conditions and the schedule. The floating area may be limited, particularly where the lake is frozen, and in a shared group you may drift close to other people. This is a calm activity, but not necessarily a private one.

The guide can explain how ice floating works and share information about the aurora. That context helps make the outing more than a cold wait in the dark, especially if the sky stays cloudy. Still, no explanation can make the northern lights appear on cue. The aurora is a natural phenomenon influenced by solar wind and local weather, and the tour does not guarantee a sighting.

A clear sky gives you the best chance of seeing stars and aurora, but clear weather alone does not promise the lights. Clouds can block the view, while wind and falling snow may make the outing feel colder. If seeing the aurora is your main goal, check the forecast before booking and consider whether you would still value the float if the sky stays blank.

Warm drinks after the lake

After the floating session, the group gets hot blueberry juice and gingerbread. It is a small finish, but a welcome one after time in cold water. The warm drink and snack are included, so you do not need to bring food for this part of the outing.

The return to your hotel or personal address is included, with drop-off details entered at checkout. The listed return time is 23:00, although weather and traffic can affect the schedule. If you are travelling with children or anyone who gets cold easily, bring extra layers for before and after the float; the suit does not replace warm clothes for the rest of the evening.

Price and what the outing is worth

Prices are shown from $99.99 for the join-in tour, while the experience summary gives a starting price of $114.99. Prices can change, so check the amount shown for your chosen date and package before paying.

The cost includes round-trip transfers, an English-speaking guide, a floating suit, hot blueberry juice, and gingerbread. That bundle is useful in Lapland, where reaching a dark lake independently can be inconvenient. You are also paying for a distinctive activity and the chance to see the aurora from the water, not a promise that the lights will appear.

Value depends on your expectations. If you would enjoy a short, unusual float and a guided evening outdoors even under a starry or cloudy sky, the price may feel fair. If you are paying mainly for a guaranteed aurora sighting, it is a risky purchase. The floating time can be brief, the area can be crowded, and the suit experience is not everyone’s idea of comfort.

Who will enjoy this tour

This outing suits you if you want a different way to spend an Arctic evening, are curious about ice floating, and can take an uncertain aurora forecast in stride. It is also a convenient choice if you want transfers arranged rather than making your own way to a lake outside town.

Families can take part from age four, but children aged four to eleven must be accompanied by a paying adult. Participants must be at least 150 centimetres tall to fit the suit, so age alone does not establish eligibility. Anyone aged 12 or older pays the adult rate.

The tour is not wheelchair-accessible, and luggage delivery is not provided. Other guide languages, including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Chinese, can be requested, but you should confirm availability in advance. The standard guide language is English.

Should you book the ice floating tour?

Book it if the float itself sounds memorable and the aurora would be a bonus. The combination of a dark lake, a buoyant insulated suit, a guide, and a warm drink afterward makes for an unusual Lapland evening. Keep your expectations flexible, dress in layers, and be ready for a suit that may feel bulky or less fresh than you would like.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed northern lights sighting, dislike cold-water activities, or would be unhappy with a short float in a shared area. For a better chance of enjoying your money, treat this as an ice-floating experience with an aurora possibility, not an aurora tour with guaranteed front-row seats.

FAQ

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and visibility depends on weather and solar wind. Clouds can block the sky, so a sighting is not guaranteed.

How far from Rovaniemi does the tour go?

The lake is about 20 kilometres beyond the city, away from much of Rovaniemi’s light pollution.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, round-trip transfers to and from your hotel, a floating suit, hot blueberry juice, and gingerbread. Personal expenses are not included.

How long does the tour take?

The experience is described as two hours, while the detailed schedule lists a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour. Pickup time varies by season, availability, and weather, and return is listed at about 23:00.

Can children take part?

Yes. The minimum age is four. Children aged four to eleven must be accompanied by a paying adult, and participants must be at least 150 centimetres tall to fit the floating suit. Participants aged 12 and older pay the adult rate.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from selected hotels and accommodations within 10 kilometres of Rovaniemi city centre. Provide your hotel name and address when booking, then check the operator’s message for the confirmed pickup time and location.