Hacker News Reader

Comment by resolutebat | Hacker News Reader

> The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa south-west of Reykjavík, announced it would close its doors on Thursday for a week

This is temporary, not permanent. Short of the whole thing being swallowed by a lava fissure there's no way they will close Iceland's most famous tourist trap.

View on HN

Yep. But: the upcoming eruptions could limit or destroy access routes, change geothermal patterns, create other nearby health risks – or even, as you put it, result literall in "the whole thing being swallowed by a lava fissure".

I'm not sure why this is being downvoted since there is considerable evidence that a new fissure might open very close to this area. The three eruptions in the last few years on the peninsula have not been far from Blue Lagoon.

There's a gentleman who came across my radar, who follows this kinda stuff much like a 'storm chaser' might in the US. He has a recent (Wednesday) video where he found hotspots on the surface with a thermal camera - close enough to the Blue Lagoon that it's in-frame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV75cDceExw&t=115s

It's worth noting the area is surprisingly flat. Flat like sandpaper - it's not at all smooth, but there's not much of a gradient either. Essentially whatever the volcanic version of a flood plain is. So a surface fissure here could be quite problematic. It's very close to the power station, very close to the resort, and there's not a lot of geography to channel it away.

Yep. I was lucky to visit to see the nearby 2021 eruption – and also got in a Blue Lagoon stop.

Peninsula / coast / power / airport / key roads all pretty close, and an eruption could be bigger & longer.

I do have immense confidence in Iceland's ability & expertise to adapt no matter what. They know their land, & the geo science, very well and can coordinate/cooperate on a rapid, large scale.

I liked my time there, but yes it's a tourist trap.

Is there a comparable experience elsewhere (in Iceland or not) that's not overpriced, overcrowded, or out of the way? (a lot to ask I know)

When I spent a week in Selfoss, the landscape was littered with natural hot pools. Local guides could help you navigate them safely. It was sublime to be in them mid-day, mid-winter, with nothing around you for miles in every direction.

Depends on what you mean by comparable. Pretty much every midsized town in Iceland (and many of the small ones) have hot springs for the locals to frequent. If you want the whole trifecta of fancy hotels, crowds, and high end dining, there aren't that many. Myvatn meets the criteria though.

If you simply want a nice view with some hot water, my family says that sky lagoon in Reykjavik is just as nice for less.

I recently stayed at the sister resort, the Silica Hotel, and found it quite pleasant. It has its own lagoon and it’s a much quieter experience. It’s a 5 minute walk from the main resort so you can still take advantage of all the accommodations.

https://www.bluelagoon.com/accommodation/silica-hotel

Yes. It's a short flight to a colony of Iceland called Japan. The locals call them onsen there. The local Icelandic dialect is very different but there are signs in English.

As a sibling commenter said, Sky Lagoon may be worth a look. It’s still a tourist destination, but my experience there was very quiet and tranquil. I think if people want to show off and take selfies, maybe party a little bit the Blue Lagoon might be the place, but for relaxation and an experience, sky lagoon really ticked the boxes for me.

You need to drive or get a bus there, but it wasn’t too far a journey from Reykjavik city centre.

There’s a in-spring bar there, which is practically the only time I was in close proximity to other people, except my party. The rest of the ritual and ‘journey’ space you go through was all really roomy, quiet and clean.

I think it was around £60, or ~$70 including the journey there and back, and a drink.

> tourist trap

We visited Blue Lagoon on Monday. It’s definitely a tourist destination and slightly gimmicky, but overall we enjoyed it. It’s organized, relaxing, and a great photo op.

Maybe the term is fair if you’re expecting something “authentic locals” do, but it has none of the long lines, price gouging, or disgruntled staff of real “tourist traps” I’ve landed in.

I still remember going to the lagoon back when there were only a couple of portable container houses there for changing your clothes before going in. No charging, no tourists, almost no people.

Back then, before the commercialisation of it (which btw I am fine with) it was just what it is; the run off from the Svartsengi powerplant.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com