Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Floating in a frozen northern lake while wearing a rescue suit sounds like a stunt, but the feeling is surprisingly calm. You lie back, let the suit hold you on the surface, and watch the starry sky from the water. If the clouds open, the Northern Lights may appear above you and shimmer in the lake.

I like the unusual mix of quiet relaxation and Arctic adventure. I also like that you do not need swimming skills, and that the warm drinks and fire afterward give the evening a proper finish. The main drawback is the long transfer: you spend about an hour driving each way, and the aurora can never be promised.

Key points to know before booking

• The floating takes place about one hour from Levi, so this is a three-hour evening with a large share of time spent on the road.
• A special Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface, allowing you to float without swimming.
• Northern Lights viewing is possible but not guaranteed, since clouds and aurora activity are beyond anyone’s control.
• The warm-up afterward matters, with hot drinks, a fire, and marshmallows helping take the edge off the cold.
• Groups may be fairly large, with one outing reaching 23 people and splitting into two floating groups.
• Warm clothing and careful timing are essential, especially for children and anyone sensitive to cold.

The strange calm of Arctic ice floating

The appeal here is not speed, noise, or a long list of stops. You put on an Arctic rescue suit, step into cold open water, and float. The suit keeps you on the surface, so your job is mostly to relax and let the water support you.

That changes the usual idea of an outdoor activity. You are not racing across a lake or learning a difficult skill. You are lying still in the dark, hearing very little, and looking upward. The contrast between freezing water and a protected body is the whole trick.

The water may be partly frozen as you float. That gives the experience an odd, almost dreamlike quality. Snow can fall around you. Ice can form nearby. Above, the sky may be clear enough for stars, or it may be covered by clouds. The setting does much of the work, so the best attitude is to treat the floating itself as the main event and the aurora as a bonus.

From Safartica Levi Office to the floating site

The meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins and check the exact time and meeting point in the email sent by Safartica. This matters. A missed departure or wrong meeting point means a missed safari, with no refund.

From Levi, the ride to the floating location takes about an hour each way. That is a substantial part of the three-hour outing, but it also gets you away from the resort and into a quieter part of Lapland. If you are comparing this with a short activity close to town, factor in the transfer before deciding that the floating itself is the full three hours.

The return ride can add a useful aurora-watching chance. On one recent outing, the Northern Lights appeared during the drive back, and the group stopped more than once to get out and take pictures. That sort of sighting is never scheduled or assured, but the dark roads away from Levi can offer better conditions than the town center.

Getting into the suit without the drama

At the site, the guide explains what to do before anyone enters the water. This briefing is important, not just a formality. The suit is designed to keep you afloat, but you still need to follow instructions when stepping into open water and getting settled.

No swimming skills are required. The suit keeps you on the surface, which makes the activity possible for people who would not normally consider a cold-water experience. You should still be comfortable being outdoors at night and accepting a little awkwardness while getting dressed and moving around in bulky gear.

The process can feel quick. You arrive, receive instructions, put on the suit, and get into the water without a long period to adjust to the cold. Wear warm clothing underneath and bring extra attention to your hands and feet. One useful tip from the experience is to consider hand and foot warmers, since those areas may still feel cold even when the suit protects the rest of you.

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. Children who meet the height requirement may take part, but you should think about the late hour, the outdoor stay, the cold, and the long drive. A child who loves unusual adventures may have a wonderful time. A tired child who dislikes waiting or cold weather may not.

Floating beneath stars, ice, and possible aurora

Once you are in the water, the mood changes. The suit gives you a sense of weightlessness, and the usual effort of staying afloat disappears. You can look at the night sky without craning your neck, while the water and nearby ice create a quiet frame around you.

This is where the activity earns its price. You are not simply standing outside hoping for an aurora. You are lying in Arctic water, looking up through a setting that feels far removed from normal sightseeing. Even without green lights in the sky, the stars, snow, and silence can make the time worthwhile.

The Northern Lights are unpredictable. Clouds may block them, and clear skies do not guarantee an aurora display. The tour is built to give you a chance to see them, not to deliver them on demand. A recent evening had no aurora because of cloud cover, yet the floating itself remained the highlight.

The best way to book this is to decide that you want the floating first. If you need a guaranteed aurora, no northern Finland activity can honestly provide that. If you want a memorable night experience with a real chance of seeing the lights above and reflected on the water, this is a stronger choice.

What the cold feels like

The rescue suit does its central job, but it does not turn winter into summer. You may still notice the cold, especially in your hands and feet. The open-air setting, late timing, and time spent changing can make the outing feel sharper than the water alone suggests.

That is why your clothing choices matter. Bring warm layers for before and after the float. The supplied suit is included, but your personal clothes must carry you through the drive, preparation, changing, and warm-up period.

The cold also affects how long the floating feels. Some people find the water peaceful and easy to enjoy. Others may find it brisk, even with the protective suit. The experience works best if you accept a short period of discomfort as part of the setting rather than expecting complete warmth.

Snowfall can add to the effect. Floating while snow falls may make the water seem to sparkle, especially under nearby lights. It is a beautiful detail, but it also reinforces the need for warm clothing once you leave the water.

Fire, hot drinks, and the welcome return to warmth

After the float, you get hot drinks and a chance to warm up by the fire. This is not a minor extra. It gives the evening a second act and prevents the activity from ending with a hurried change into cold clothes.

The setting includes a cabin and a cozy arrangement with lights and fires. Hot chocolate and marshmallows have also been part of the warm-up, which makes the stop especially appealing for families. After a cold-water activity, a simple warm drink can feel like excellent hospitality.

You should not view this portion as a full meal or long indoor visit. The main event is still the floating, and the warm-up is there to restore comfort. But it adds value to the overall package and gives you time to talk with the guides and other people in the group.

The staff have been described as friendly, caring, and clear in their instructions. That matters here because the activity involves unusual equipment and a cold environment. You want guides who keep the mood light without treating safety as a joke.

Group size and how personal the experience feels

Group size can shape this outing. One group reached 23 people and had to split into two floating groups. That does not ruin the experience, but it means the evening may feel more like an organized group activity than a private moment in the wilderness.

The floating itself can still feel personal once you are in the water. Everyone is spread out, lying quietly in their own suit. The preparation and return to shore are more social, with people changing, warming up, and taking pictures.

If you are hoping for complete solitude, ask about the expected group size before booking. If you are happy to share the experience, a larger group can make the practical parts feel easier, especially for first-time cold-water floaters. The guide has more people to manage, but there are also more people around during the briefing and warm-up.

The English-speaking guide leads the outing and gives the water instructions in English. You should be prepared to listen closely, since the explanation comes before you step into the lake. The provider is Safartica, and pickup is included, with the central Levi office serving as the main meeting place for people staying in town.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. You are paying for the rescue suit, guide, floating activity, transport to a location about an hour from Levi, hot drinks, and the staff needed to run a cold-water outing safely.

The price makes more sense if you value the whole evening rather than counting only the minutes in the water. You get a distinctive Arctic activity, a remote setting, a possible aurora viewing chance, and a warm-up afterward. The long transfer is part of the cost, but it also takes you away from the brighter and busier center of Levi.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to see the Northern Lights. The aurora is not guaranteed, and clouds can block it completely. For that purpose, you might prefer a lower-cost aurora outing, then choose a separate activity for the water.

I would see this as a special-occasion purchase. It suits a first visit to Lapland, a couple looking for a quiet night activity, or a family with older children who enjoy trying something strange. It is less suitable if you are watching every euro, dislike cold water, or want a guaranteed visual payoff.

Who will enjoy this most

You are a good match for this activity if you:

• Like unusual outdoor experiences more than standard sightseeing.
• Enjoy quiet moments and star watching.
• Want an aurora chance that feels different from standing beside a road.
• Can handle a late outdoor activity and a one-hour drive each way.
• Are comfortable with the possibility of cold hands and feet.
• Meet the minimum height requirement of 120 centimeters.

Families can consider it, but do not judge suitability by height alone. The late hour, cold, changing process, and outdoor wait all matter. Older children may love the novelty, especially with hot chocolate and marshmallows afterward.

You should think twice if you need a warm, quick, guaranteed activity. The suit helps, but the cold remains part of the deal. You also need to accept that clouds may hide the Northern Lights.

Booking details that can save your evening

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also gives you flexibility while your Lapland plans take shape.

Still, read the provider’s email carefully. Confirm the meeting time and point, arrive at the Safartica Levi Office 10 minutes early, and do not assume that a town pickup means a door-to-door hotel pickup. If you stay in central Levi, select the Safartica office as your meeting point when required.

At least two adults are needed for the activity to take place. Check this before building your plans around a single booking. Bring warm clothing, and consider hand and foot warmers if you tend to feel cold.

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

Book it if you want the floating experience itself, not only the aurora. Lying calmly in an Arctic lake beneath stars, with the suit holding you safely on the surface, is unusual enough to justify the trip even when clouds hide the Northern Lights.

Skip it if $155 feels high for an activity with an uncertain sky or if an hour-long transfer each way sounds tedious. The best reason to choose it is the combination of quiet water, cold air, stars, fire, and a real chance of aurora. That mix cannot be guaranteed, but it can produce one of the most memorable nights of a Levi stay.

FAQ

How long does the Levi Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the transport between Levi and the floating location. The drive takes about one hour each way.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and clouds or low aurora activity may prevent a sighting. The evening is arranged to give you a chance to see them.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming skills are required. Each person receives an Arctic rescue suit that keeps them on the surface, and the guide provides instructions before you enter the water.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes the Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, and an English-speaking guide. Pickup is included, with the Safartica Levi Office in the city center used as the main meeting point for people staying in Levi.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you stay comfortable in the cold, particularly during the outdoor portions before and after floating.

Can children join the activity?

Children must be at least 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches, tall. You should also consider the late timing, the cold, the outdoor stay, and the one-hour drive each way before bringing young children.