Levi: Arctic Ice Floating Adventure

The strange magic of this outing is simple: you step into cold Arctic water, lie back, and let a special suit keep you afloat and warm. Around you, winter forest replaces the usual noise of a ski resort. It is a quiet, almost dreamlike way to experience Lapland.

I like the calm pace and the practical care from the guides. Mattais has been especially good at helping people feel at ease, while guides at the floating site give clear instructions and help in the water. I also like the open-fire coffee or tea, a small touch that makes the cold setting feel friendly and human.

The main drawback is the travel time. You spend about 45 minutes each way getting from Levi to the floating site, so the three-hour booking includes a fair amount of transport and preparation. Bring thin gloves or hand warmers, since bulky ski gloves may not fit inside the dry suit.

Key points for your Levi ice-floating day

• Floating needs no swimming skills: The special suit keeps you on the surface after your safety briefing.
• The transfer takes 45 minutes each way: Plan for a half-day feel, even though the listed activity lasts three hours.
• Open-fire drinks warm up the finish: Coffee and tea are included, while food is not.
• Guides help with nerves: Mattais and the site guides have been praised for patient instruction and personal attention.
• The minimum height is 120 centimeters: This rules out children below that height.
• Thin gloves are the smart choice: Thick ski gloves may make it hard to get into the protective suit.

What the three-hour Arctic ice float really involves

This is not a fast-moving snowmobile ride or a packed sightseeing circuit. It is a slow outdoor experience built around one unusual act: lying in open water while ice and winter forest surround you.

You meet at the Safartica office in central Levi at least 10 minutes before the start time. If you are staying in town, this is the practical meeting point to select. Pickup can be arranged within a 10-kilometer radius, but you need to contact Safartica at least 48 hours ahead. That detail matters, since the office is easy to reach from central Levi, while a hotel transfer requires advance planning.

From the office, the journey to the floating site takes about 45 minutes. The same trip is made again afterward, so transport uses roughly 90 minutes of the three-hour activity. That is not a flaw, but it changes the value calculation. You are paying for a carefully organized half-day outing, not three full hours lying in the water.

The drive is part of the practical setup rather than an attraction listed on its own. The real activity begins once you reach the site, receive your equipment, and learn how the suit works.

Getting into the Arctic water without swimming

Before you enter the water, the guide gives instructions on using the suit and staying comfortable. No swimming ability is required. The suit is designed to keep you on the surface, which makes this possible for people who would not normally choose a cold-water activity.

That does not mean you should rush. The first step can feel odd, especially for a child or anyone nervous about cold water. The guides have helped hesitant participants, including an eight-year-old who was unsure at first and later enjoyed the experience. You can expect guidance before stepping in and help at the water during the float.

The suit is the central piece of equipment. It is intended to keep you warm and dry, and a recent participant specifically noted that the suit is waterproof. You still need to dress sensibly underneath and pay attention to your hands. One useful tip is to bring thin gloves, since thick ski gloves may not fit through the suit. Hand warmers are also worth considering because hands can cool faster than the rest of your body.

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. This is a firm safety limit, so check the height of younger children before booking. At least two adults are also required for the activity to operate.

The float itself is quiet rather than thrilling

Once you are in the water, the best approach is to stop treating it like a challenge. Lie back, let the suit support you, and give yourself time to notice the quiet.

The appeal is not speed or spectacle. It is the contrast between the cold setting and the feeling of being safely supported. You can breathe the clean air, look toward the winter forest, and allow the usual pressure of a holiday schedule to fade for a while.

That peaceful quality has been the strongest part of the experience for many people. It is also the reason I would not recommend this as your only Arctic activity. If you want constant action, dramatic movement, or a long list of sights, this may feel too slow. If you want a break from skis, vehicles, and crowded indoor spaces, the slow pace is the point.

The setting is described as pure nature and winter forest, but the precise view can vary with weather and conditions. You should expect a scenic outdoor location rather than a guaranteed northern lights show or a specific wildlife encounter. Neither of those is part of the activity.

The guide remains an important part of the experience. Mattais has been praised for making people feel comfortable and for offering advice about other activities in Levi. A guide at the floating site also provides help and instructions in the water. That two-stage support is useful because you first need help with the journey and setup, then hands-on direction at the water.

Open-fire coffee gives the outing its warm finish

After the float, hot coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire. This is included, while food is not.

That distinction is worth noting. The drink is a welcome warm-up, but it is not a meal. If you need something substantial afterward, plan to eat separately in Levi. One outing included marshmallows and cookies, but those treats should be viewed as a possible extra rather than something guaranteed by the stated inclusions.

The fire also gives the activity a more personal finish. You have moved from a central town office to a quiet outdoor site, put on an unusual suit, and floated in winter water. Sitting with a hot drink beside an open fire brings the group back together without turning the experience into a rushed exit.

Some guides have also taken photos, and one recent outing included a small photo session. That can be helpful because taking your own phone into this kind of activity may be awkward. Still, photography should not be treated as a promised inclusion unless Safartica confirms it for your departure.

Why the $147 price can make sense

At $147 per person, this is not a budget add-on. The value depends on what you want from your time in Levi.

You are paying for winter clothing, an English-speaking guide, the ice-floating activity, hot drinks, and transport to a remote site. The safety briefing and assistance with the suit also matter, especially if you are trying this for the first time. The experience is unusual enough that it is not easily replaced by a standard walk in the snow.

The tradeoff is time. About 90 minutes are spent traveling to and from the water, and the activity itself lasts three hours. You should not book this expecting three hours of continuous floating. Preparation, clothing, instructions, and the return journey are part of the outing.

For a first-time visitor who wants one distinctive Arctic memory, the price is reasonable if the quiet mood appeals to you. I see it as a special-experience purchase rather than a sightseeing bargain. You are buying a feeling and a story, not a long list of attractions.

The value is strongest for couples, families with children over the height limit, and people who enjoy gentle outdoor activities. It is less convincing for anyone who dislikes cold-water activities, has a tight schedule, or wants to spend every minute skiing and sightseeing.

What to wear and what to pack

Safartica provides winter clothing, including the protective suit used for floating. Even so, you should not arrive in ordinary city clothes and expect the equipment to solve every comfort issue.

Thin gloves are the clearest practical tip. Thick ski gloves may not fit into the suit, so bring a lighter pair. Hand warmers can help your hands stay comfortable, especially during the transition before and after the float.

You should also remember that food is not included. Coffee and tea are provided, and extra treats may appear, but there is no stated meal. Eat beforehand if you need more than a hot drink.

Arrive at the Safartica office 10 minutes before the scheduled start. If you need pickup, contact the operator at least 48 hours in advance. Pickup is available within a 10-kilometer radius, and the office itself is in central Levi.

Is this suitable for children and nervous beginners?

The activity can work well for children who meet the 120-centimeter minimum and can follow instructions. An eight-year-old who began nervous reportedly gained confidence with guide support, which gives a useful sense of the experience for families.

Still, you know your child best. This is an outdoor water activity in an Arctic setting, so a child must be willing to wear the suit, listen to the guide, and enter the water. The suit keeps the person afloat, but it does not remove the need for calm cooperation.

Nervous adults can also manage it. You receive instructions before entering the water, and the site guide helps once you are there. The activity is more about relaxing than performing a skill, which makes it accessible to beginners.

The two-adult minimum is a separate operating rule. A small group or solo booking may not be enough for the activity to run, so confirm the arrangements before setting your plans around it.

Who will enjoy the silence most

I would choose this for someone who has already enjoyed Levi’s more active outings and wants a sharp change of pace. After skiing, snowmobiling, or other cold-weather activities, lying quietly in the water can feel surprisingly refreshing.

It also suits couples looking for an unusual shared memory. The setting encourages quiet conversation before and after the float, though the water itself is better suited to simply looking around and breathing slowly.

Families can enjoy it if every participant meets the height rule. The guides’ patient help is a real advantage for first-timers. Ask yourself if your children like trying new things, rather than assuming the novelty alone will win them over.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone with a very full day. The 45-minute transfer each way makes the schedule longer than the water time suggests. It is best placed where you have room to travel, prepare, float, warm up, and return without watching the clock.

Cancellation and booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. There is also a reserve-now-and-pay-later option, which helps if your schedule in Levi may change.

The activity is conducted in English. The main meeting point is the Safartica office in Levi, and you should arrive 10 minutes early. If you are staying in the city, selecting the Safartica Levi office as your meeting point is the straightforward choice.

The activity requires at least two adults to take place. It is not suitable for anyone under 120 centimeters tall. Those rules are more important than the flexible payment policy, so check them before booking.

Should you book Levi’s Arctic Ice Floating Adventure?

Book it if you want a peaceful, unusual Arctic experience and like the idea of letting a waterproof suit carry you on the water. The strongest reasons to go are the quiet forest setting, the gentle instruction, and the warm drink by an open fire afterward.

Skip it if you want a high-action outing, dislike cold-water activities, or have only a narrow window in Levi. The transfer takes about 90 minutes in total, and the price is aimed at a memorable specialty experience rather than a low-cost activity.

For most first-timers who are curious but not strong swimmers, this is a well-supported way to try something genuinely different. Bring thin gloves, leave enough time for the transfer, and treat the float as a chance to slow down. That is where this outing earns its keep.

FAQ

Where does the Arctic Ice Floating Adventure meet?

The main meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is included within a 10-kilometer radius, but you need to contact Safartica at least 48 hours in advance if you need pickup to the office.

How long does the transfer to the floating site take?

The transfer from Levi to the floating venue takes about 45 minutes each way.

How long does the whole activity last?

The listed duration is three hours, including transport, preparation, the floating activity, and the return journey.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. The special suit keeps you on the surface, and the guide gives instructions before you enter the water.

What is the minimum height?

Participants must be at least 120 centimeters tall. People below this height cannot take part.

Are children allowed to participate?

Children can participate if they meet the 120-centimeter minimum height requirement and can follow the guide’s instructions. At least two adults are required for the activity to take place.

What is included in the price?

Winter clothing, ice floating with an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks are included. Food is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.