Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Floating in an Arctic lake while ice forms around you sounds like a stunt, but the special rescue suit keeps you on the surface and lets you relax without swimming. Look up at the stars, listen to the night, and you may see the Northern Lights above you or reflected in the dark water.

I like the rare combination of quiet nature and a genuinely unusual activity. I also like the warm finish, with hot drinks, fires, and a cabin that gives you somewhere comfortable to thaw out.

The main drawback is the travel time: you spend about an hour each way getting from Levi to the floating site. The lights are never guaranteed, and the water can feel cold even inside the suit, so this is best for people who enjoy a little Arctic discomfort.

Key points to know before booking

• The rescue suit does the floating: You do not need swimming skills, but you must follow the guide’s instructions before entering the water.
• The drive takes about two hours round trip: The remote setting is part of the appeal, but it makes this a three-hour evening outing.
• Northern Lights sightings depend on nature: Clouds or weak activity can block the show, even on a well-planned tour.
• The warm-up is part of the fun: Hot drinks, fires, marshmallows, and a cabin help make the cold manageable.
• Groups may be larger than expected: One outing had 23 people and split into two floating groups.
• Bring more warmth than you think: Warm clothing matters, and foot or hand warmers may help inside the suit.

What the night is really like

This is not a fast-paced snowmobile ride or a packed sightseeing circuit. The heart of the outing is surprisingly still. You lie back in the water, supported by the rescue suit, and let the cold air, dark sky, and silence do most of the work.

That quiet is the reason I find this activity more memorable than a simple Northern Lights viewing stop. You are not standing beside a road hoping for a gap in the clouds. You are floating under the sky, with the water carrying your weight and the icy surroundings making every sound seem far away.

The experience has two possible rewards. The first is the floating itself, which is unusual even if the sky stays cloudy. The second is the chance to see the Northern Lights overhead and mirrored on the water. The first can be planned. The second cannot.

Meeting Safartica in central Levi

If you are staying in Levi’s city center, select the Safartica Levi office as your meeting point. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins, and pay close attention to the meeting time sent by Safartica.

This matters more than it might on a casual walking tour. The floating site is about an hour from Levi, and the group leaves on a set schedule. A missed meeting time or meeting point means a missed safari, with no refund.

Pickup is included, but the practical instruction is to use the Safartica office in the city center if that is your chosen pickup point. Check your email carefully before leaving your accommodation, especially if you have booked several activities during your stay.

The one-hour ride into the Arctic night

The drive to the lake takes about an hour each way. That is a significant part of a three-hour tour, so you should book this as an evening outing rather than a quick activity between other plans.

The long ride has a useful side effect: it takes you away from the built-up center of Levi and toward a quieter natural setting. The floating location is not presented as a city attraction with a quick walk from the office. Its distance helps create the stillness that makes the activity work.

Still, you should set your expectations. Roughly two of your three hours can be taken up by transportation, preparation, floating, and warming up. If you want nonstop action, this will feel slow. If you value a remote, peaceful setting, the drive is part of the bargain.

Getting fitted with the Arctic rescue suit

At the site, the guide explains what to do before you step into the water. You put on a special Arctic rescue suit designed to keep you warm and hold you on the surface.

You do not need swimming skills. The suit supports you, but that does not mean you should treat the lake like a swimming pool. Listen closely to the instructions, move as directed, and let the guide manage the entry into the water.

The suit is the key to the whole activity. Without it, the idea of lying in an icy lake would be unpleasant at best. With it, you can settle into a horizontal position and focus on breathing, the sky, and the strange sensation of floating while ice forms nearby.

The fit and preparation take time. One useful tip is to consider bringing chemical hand and foot warmers. A pair of warm socks and properly insulated clothing underneath the suit may also make the waiting and changing periods easier, although the stated requirement is simply warm clothing.

Floating beneath stars and possible auroras

Once you are in the lake, the pace changes. You are not asked to perform anything. You float, look upward, and take in the silence.

That simplicity is the point. The activity gives you time to notice the cold air, the open sky, and the water around you. In a busy holiday schedule, this can feel almost meditative. You may find that the floating itself is enough, even if clouds cover the aurora.

If the Northern Lights appear, the setting adds something special. You can look at the lights above and possibly see them reflected on the water’s surface. The reflection will depend on conditions, but the possibility gives the activity a stronger sense of place than a standard viewing stop.

Keep the aurora promise in the right category: a chance, not a guarantee. Northern Lights activity is unpredictable, and cloud cover can hide the sky. One outing had no aurora because of clouds, yet the floating remained a memorable part of the night. On another, the lights appeared during the return trip, and the group stopped more than once to take photos.

That detail is worth noting. The main activity is built around floating and aurora watching, but the guide may take advantage of a sighting on the way back when conditions allow. You should not count on extra stops, but it is wise to keep your camera ready.

A cold activity with a warm ending

After the water, the tour shifts from Arctic silence to simple comfort. Hot drinks, fires, and a cabin provide a place to warm up. Marshmallows by the fire have also been part of the finish, which is a welcome touch after lying in cold water.

The cabin and refreshments matter more than they may sound on paper. A cold-weather activity is only as enjoyable as its recovery period. Having a lit, sheltered place to gather keeps the experience from ending with a hurried change of clothes and a long ride back while you are still shivering.

The warm-up also gives the evening a social rhythm. You begin with the drive and safety briefing, spend a quiet stretch alone with the sky, then return to the group around warmth and drinks. It is a better shape than simply entering the water and immediately heading back.

One note of balance: the suit helps, but it does not make the cold disappear. The water has felt chilly for some people, and the outdoor setting can be demanding, especially late at night. Dress warmly, bring patience, and do not book this expecting indoor comfort from start to finish.

Group size and the pace of the setup

The size of your group can affect how personal the activity feels. One outing had 23 people and needed to split into two floating groups. That is not necessarily a problem, but it can mean more waiting and less uninterrupted quiet.

The preparation also moves at a brisk pace. You arrive, receive instructions, put on the suit, and enter the water within a fairly short sequence. Pay attention during the briefing, and have your warm clothing organized so you are not fumbling around in the cold.

A larger group may slightly reduce the feeling of solitude, especially around the changing area and fires. On the other hand, the safety briefing and structured process are useful when several people are entering the lake. The guides are described as friendly, caring, and clear in their explanations, which matters when the activity feels unfamiliar.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for the rescue suit, guide, transportation to a remote site, the floating session, and hot refreshments. The price also covers the special setup needed to operate safely in cold water.

The value depends on what you want from your Lapland holiday. If your main goal is a guaranteed Northern Lights show, this is a risky purchase because the aurora cannot be promised. A cloudy night can leave you with no lights at all.

If you want a distinctive Arctic activity that remains worthwhile without the aurora, the price makes more sense. Floating in open water while surrounded by ice is not a routine sightseeing stop, and the warm cabin, fires, and drinks give the evening more substance than a short photo opportunity.

I would compare it with other paid evening activities in Levi, then ask yourself one direct question: Would I still be pleased if the sky stayed cloudy? If your answer is yes, the price is easier to justify. If your answer is no, choose an activity whose main value does not depend on weather.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits adults, couples, friends, and families with children tall enough to take part. The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. At least two adults are required for the activity to operate.

Children may enjoy the novelty and the warm drinks afterward, but consider the late timing and the length of the outdoor stay. A young child who dislikes cold, waiting, or darkness may not enjoy the quiet parts of the evening.

You should also be comfortable with a slow, unusual activity. There is no swimming challenge, but there is a mental adjustment involved in trusting the suit and lying in icy water. If the thought makes you curious rather than nervous, that is a good sign.

The tour is less suitable if you need a short, close-to-town outing, dislike cold-weather gear, or want a guaranteed aurora. It is also not suitable for anyone under the stated height requirement.

Practical ways to make the outing better

Arrive early enough to find the Safartica office without stress. The required arrival time is 10 minutes before the start, and the departure schedule matters because of the long ride.

Wear warm clothing that is easy to manage. Pay special attention to your hands and feet, since these can feel cold even when the suit protects the rest of you. Foot and hand warmers are a sensible extra based on the conditions described by people who have taken part.

Keep your expectations flexible about photographs. You may see stars, snow, clouds, or the aurora. A phone or camera can be useful during possible aurora stops, but do not let photography replace the floating itself. The unusual part is lying in the water and looking up, not simply collecting another night-sky picture.

Finally, leave room in your evening schedule. The tour lasts three hours, and the ride to the site is about one hour each way. You will enjoy it more if you are not worrying about reaching dinner or another timed booking.

Should you book the Levi Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour?

Book it if you want an unusual, peaceful Arctic experience and would value the floating even on a cloudy night. The rescue suit makes the activity possible without swimming skills, while the hot drinks, fires, and cabin give you a proper recovery after the cold water.

Think twice if your only goal is to see the Northern Lights, since nature controls that part. Also consider the two-hour round trip, possible larger groups, and the fact that the water can still feel cold.

For the right person, this is one of Levi’s more distinctive evening choices. Go for the strange calm of floating in an icy lake, and treat the aurora as a bonus. You will get better value from the $155 price that way.

FAQ

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. Each person receives instructions before entering the water, and the Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface. You still need to follow the guide’s safety directions.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts three hours. The floating location is about a one-hour drive from Levi in each direction.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Clouds or changing conditions may prevent a sighting.

Where do I meet the tour?

If you are staying in central Levi, select the Safartica Levi office as your meeting point. The main meeting place is the Safartica office, where you should arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you stay comfortable inside the rescue suit and during the outdoor portions of the evening.

Can children join the activity?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall, or about 3 feet 9 inches. At least two adults are required for the activity to take place, and you should consider the late timing and outdoor conditions before bringing young children.