Is the Blue Lagoon natural or man-made?

Catching a glimpse of the milky-blue water against the black-rock lava fields, it may not come as a complete surprise that the Blue Lagoon is man-made. Runoff water from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant trickles into the lava fields and a blanket of mineral-rich mud lines the foundations of the Blue Lagoon.



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While Iceland is a country brimming with natural hot springs, the Blue Lagoon actually isn't one of them. The land is natural, as is the lava that shapes the pool, but the hot water is actually the result of runoff from the geothermal power plant next door.

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The Blue Lagoon was created accidentally by the condense discharge from the geothermal power plant in Svartsengi. The water was expected to disappear into the permeable lava field, but sedimentation gradually made the coarse lava field watertight, and the lagoon continued expanding.

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Water Quality Regular sampling of this natural resource—which is rich in salt, silica, and other minerals—shows that foreign bacteria do not thrive in the lagoon's ecosystem. Thus, disinfectants such as chlorine are not needed. In essence, the lagoon is a self-cleaning ecosystem.

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The water you find in Iceland's Blue Lagoon is no ordinary water. As soon as you come close to the geothermally active area, you will see, feel, and even smell that there is something unique here. Luckily, this isn't like many other geothermal pools in Iceland!

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Description. The water's milky blue shade is due to its high silica content. The silica forms soft white mud on the bottom of the lake which bathers rub on themselves. The water is also rich in salts and algae.

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The Blue Lagoon is blue because of the way silica—the lagoon's iconic and most abundant element—reflects visible light. The Blue Lagoon is blue because of the way silica—the lagoon's iconic and most abundant element—reflects visible light when suspended in water. All matter reflects visible light.

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How warm is the Blue Lagoon? The water in the Blue Lagoon is heated to around 37-40 degrees Celsius (98-104 F). Due to fluctuations in weather conditions, the precise temperature may change month to month, however you can expect pleasantly warm waters year-round. The sensation is similar to stepping into a hot bath.

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Despite how snowy and cold it is, you won't freeze your butt off at The Blue Lagoon. We went in January, which is one of the coldest months of the year, and the lagoon was the perfect place to warm up. Remember, the water is almost 40 degrees all year round, so while the air might be cold, the water is not.

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Can I swim laps in the Blue Lagoon and do I need goggles? The Blue Lagoon is designed for relaxed bathing. Its warm, milky waters are not suitable for vigorous exercise. Likewise, diving is not allowed anywhere.

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In fact, you can always touch the bottom of the lagoon standing up, so it is not like a swimming pool. The milky-blue depths aren't clear either, so you only really want to stick your head under the water to keep warm or perhaps wash off your mud mask.

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Owing to the sedimentation of silica, the bottom of the lagoon is smooth and soft. It is naturally uneven, but you needn't worry about encountering anything sharp or jagged. Many guests prefer to use flip-flops while walking in and around the water.

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The Blue Lagoon at night will be less crowded than during the day (though, again, it never feels uncomfortably crowded even then) and with fewer kids in their floaties. So if you're looking for a truly relaxing experience to just unwind, maybe visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland at night is for you.

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Unlike boring old regular geothermal water, the composition of the Blue Lagoon is unique—you won't find it anywhere else in the world. It's home to a couple of algae plants also not known to exist elsewhere. This combination has been found to have a number of proven beneficial effects on skin.

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Make sure you go for a wander too, there are hot spots around the lagoon where the water will be much warmer than other parts which is just what you want in a storm. The fun doesn't end in the lagoon either, for further sheltering from the storm I recommend The Lava Restaurant.

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