Booking choice: The Golden Circle, lagoon and aurora chase, from $208 per person. Check dates Tour details
In January you sit in hot water while snow lies on the hills and the sun barely clears them. In July you float through a long, bright evening with green grass all around. Same pool, same warmth, two very different visits.
This guide uses the lagoon's own opening hours (secretlagoon.is), Wikipedia's "Climate of Iceland" table for the weather, Visit South Iceland for daylight hours, Visit Iceland and the Icelandic Met Office for the northern lights, and the tour listings for their timetables.
The quick answer
Any month works: the water is 38-40°C all year. For a quiet soak, go at opening time, 10am. For snow and steam, go between November and March; for long light, go between May and August, when the lagoon stays open to 20:00 from June. You can't see the northern lights from the pool, since it closes in the evening, but the Golden Circle, lagoon and aurora combo adds a northern lights hunt the same night, from $208.
What is the best time to visit the Secret Lagoon?
There's no official best month: the lagoon keeps its water at 38-40°C all year and opens every day. We'd pick winter for the snow-and-steam contrast, summer for long light, and 10am opening time in any season for a quieter pool.
How we'd choose:
- For atmosphere: November to March. Snow on the ground, steam thick over the water, low sun. Daylight runs about 5 to 9 hours in December to February, per Visit South Iceland, so plan the drive.
- For light: May to August, with 17 to 20 daylight hours per Visit South Iceland, and the lagoon open to 20:00 from 1 June.
- For a quiet pool: opening time. Guests who came at 10am describe having the pools almost to themselves (see below).
- For the northern lights: September to April, per Visit Iceland, on a combined tour.
Whatever you pick, book ahead. The lagoon says pre-booking is highly recommended and it can't guarantee a place without one.
Driving yourself? Pick an early slot on the entry ticket and stay as long as you like.
Check dates for the Secret Lagoon entry ticketWhat are the Secret Lagoon opening hours?
In winter (1 October to 31 May), daily from 10:00 to 19:00, and on 24 and 31 December from 10:00 to 18:00. In summer (1 June to 30 September), daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
The hours from the lagoon's website:
| Season | Dates | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 1 October to 31 May | Daily, 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve | 24 and 31 December | 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Summer | 1 June to 30 September | Daily, 10:00 to 20:00 |
Your ticket is for a date and time slot. The lagoon urges guests to arrive on time, as it can't guarantee entry outside your booking. Individual guests can stay until closing, and the average stay is 1.5 to 2 hours, so book a slot that leaves you room before closing time.
The pool is on private property and closed outside these hours. Entering after closing is treated as an offense.
What is the best time of day to go to the Secret Lagoon?
Opening time, 10am, if you want space. Guests who arrive early write about having the pool nearly to themselves, and on a tour the timing depends on the route.
Two guests on early arrivals:
- Sandra, on the entry ticket (September 2026): "We were there at 10 AM and were able to use the most varied pools for a short time, almost by ourselves."
- Jessica, on the small-group day tour (November 2023): "[...] we arrived there early and had the pool to ourselves for at least half an hour before other people started arriving."
On a tour, the route sets the hour:
- The Kerid tour and the aurora combo go to Kerid first, then the lagoon, then Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir.
- The guided tour and the day trip finish the day at the lagoon, the warm way to end it.
- The private tour uses a 14:00 lagoon slot; the lagoon ticket is booked separately.
Lorraine, on the Kerid tour (November 2026): "Sunny arranged a good reservation for the secret lagoon which avoided a busy time."
Kerid in the morning, then 1.5 hours in the lagoon before Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir.
Explore the Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon tour Tour detailsIs the Secret Lagoon better in winter or summer?
Neither is better; they're different. Winter brings snow, steam and short days, with the lagoon open to 19:00. Summer brings long, bright evenings and opening to 20:00.
Side by side:
- Winter. Reykjavik's daily mean stays under 1°C from December to February, per Wikipedia's climate table, and Visit South Iceland lists about 5 daylight hours in December and January. Roads can be icy: check the Icelandic Road Administration (umferdin.is) before you drive. Wrap up for the walk from the changing rooms. The hot water does the rest.
- Summer. July is the warmest month in Reykjavik, with a daily mean of 11.6°C and a mean daily maximum of 14.9°C. Visit South Iceland lists about 19 to 20 daylight hours from May to July, and says the nights are bright all over Iceland. Summer is cool rather than hot, so the warm pool still feels great.
- Spring and autumn. Light comes back fast in March and April; September and October bring autumn colors and the first northern lights nights.
The winter season is long: the lagoon counts 1 October to 31 May as winter. Our winter 2026 post covers this season in detail.
Two full hours in the water, ticket included, then home along the Golden Circle in the long summer light.
Check dates for the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon day tripCan you see the northern lights from the Secret Lagoon?
No. The lagoon closes in the evening in the northern lights season, and it says the chances are higher later at night, so you won't see them from the pool. For the lights, book a day tour with an evening aurora hunt.
The Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and aurora chase does both in one day. Per the listing: Kerid, 2 hours at the Secret Lagoon, Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir, back in Reykjavik for dinner, then the northern lights tour. On the 09:00 departure you're back around 17:30 and the lights tour starts at 20:30; on the 10:30 departure, back around 19:00 and out again at 21:30. Hot chocolate is included, and if you see no lights, you can join again on another night for free.
When to go for the lights, per Visit Iceland: September to April, when the nights are dark. Activity is usually strongest around midnight and a few hours either side, and you need clear skies or gaps in the clouds.
Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast at vedur.is on the day. It shows a cloud cover map of Iceland and an aurora activity forecast on a scale of 0 to 9.
Aldrin, on the aurora combo (November 2026): "Amazing tour combination if your on a short vacation to explore and experience Iceland!"
The Golden Circle and 2 hours at the Secret Lagoon by day, a northern lights hunt by night, with a free retry if the sky stays dark.
Explore the Golden Circle, lagoon and aurora chase Tour detailsWhat is the weather like at the Secret Lagoon by month?
Cool all year on land, with the warmest months in July and August and the wettest in December. The nearest climate table on Wikipedia is for Reykjavik; the lagoon water stays at 38-40°C whatever the air does.
Reykjavik climate normals (1991 to 2020) from Wikipedia's "Climate of Iceland" article, sourced there to the Icelandic Met Office. Flúðir is inland, so expect it to differ a little.
| Month | Daily mean | Mean high | Mean low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.7°C | 3.2°C | -1.7°C | 87.1 |
| February | 0.5°C | 3.3°C | -1.9°C | 90.6 |
| March | 1.2°C | 4.2°C | -1.3°C | 80.7 |
| April | 3.7°C | 6.9°C | 1.0°C | 59.0 |
| May | 6.7°C | 10.1°C | 4.0°C | 52.6 |
| June | 9.8°C | 13.0°C | 7.2°C | 43.3 |
| July | 11.6°C | 14.9°C | 9.1°C | 49.9 |
| August | 11.0°C | 14.1°C | 8.6°C | 64.5 |
| September | 8.5°C | 11.4°C | 6.2°C | 87.0 |
| October | 4.9°C | 7.6°C | 2.7°C | 79.8 |
| November | 2.2°C | 4.7°C | -0.1°C | 86.5 |
| December | 0.8°C | 3.3°C | -1.6°C | 94.9 |
The weather in Iceland is notoriously variable, the same article says, so pack for rain and wind in any month. Our packing guide has a list by season.
Is it ever warm enough to swim in Iceland?
In geothermal water, every day of the year: the Secret Lagoon is 38-40°C in every season. The air rarely gets warm, with July averaging 10-13°C in the south of Iceland, per Wikipedia.
A few numbers from Wikipedia's "Climate of Iceland":
- July is the warmest month. The average July temperature in the south is 10-13°C, and warm summer days can reach 20-25°C.
- The record is 30.5°C, in the Eastern fjords in 1939.
- Winter is mild for the latitude: the southern lowlands near the coast average around 1°C.
That's why Icelanders swim in hot water. The Secret Lagoon itself was where the country's first swimming lessons were held, in 1909. More on the pool's story in our is-it-worth-it guide.
Snow outside, 38-40°C inside: the guided tour ends its Golden Circle day in the Secret Lagoon.
Check dates for the guided Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tourWhich season suits which Secret Lagoon tour?
Every tour here runs through the year. In the dark months the aurora combo makes the most of the evening; in the long days a self-drive ticket gives you the most freedom.
The seasons side by side, from the sources above:
| Season | Lagoon hours | Daylight | Reykjavik daily mean | Northern lights | A good fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (November to February) | 10:00 to 19:00 | About 5 to 9 hours | 0.5 to 2.2°C | Season (September to April) | Aurora combo |
| Spring (March to May) | 10:00 to 19:00 | About 12 to 19 hours | 1.2 to 6.7°C | Until April | Kerid tour |
| Summer (June to August) | 10:00 to 20:00 | About 17 to 20 hours | 9.8 to 11.6°C | Bright nights | Entry ticket |
| Autumn (September to October) | 10:00 to 20:00 in September, 19:00 in October | About 10 to 13 hours | 4.9 to 8.5°C | From September | Guided tour |
Daylight from Visit South Iceland, temperatures from Wikipedia's Reykjavik table, lights season from Visit Iceland. From-prices on the tour pages are GetYourGuide prices in USD and move with the date, and every tour here cancels free up to 24 hours before. Planning the drive? The Reykjavik guide covers the routes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Secret Lagoon open at Christmas?
Yes. The lagoon opens daily, and on 24 and 31 December it opens from 10:00 to 18:00 instead of 19:00.
Can you visit the Secret Lagoon at night?
No. The lagoon is on private property and closes at 19:00 in winter and 20:00 in summer. Entering outside opening hours is forbidden, and the lagoon reports it to the police.
When is the Secret Lagoon quietest?
Guests who arrive at the 10am opening describe having the pools almost to themselves. Book ahead in any season: the lagoon says it can't guarantee a place without a reservation.
What is the hottest month in Iceland?
July. In Wikipedia's Reykjavik climate table it has the highest daily mean, 11.6°C, and the highest mean daily maximum, 14.9°C.
Ready to book
Choose your soak
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Aurora Chase
The lagoon by day and a northern lights hunt the same night
Secret Lagoon Admission Ticket
- Entry to the Secret Lagoon
- Changing rooms, lockers, showers
- Stay until closing time
Golden Circle, Kerid and Secret Lagoon Tour
- Full-day Golden Circle by bus
- Secret Lagoon entry
- Kerid crater entry
