Earth Lagoon Mývatn
Earth Lagoon Mývatn is the new name of the Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin), North Iceland's answer to the Blue Lagoon, which reopened on 9 July 2026 after a rebuild costing billions of krónur. The milky-blue alkaline lagoon is about 35% larger than before, the facilities building three times the size, and capacity is now roughly 600 bathers. If you read about "Mývatn Nature Baths" elsewhere, much of it now describes a place that no longer exists - this page covers the rebuilt lagoon.
What The Rebuild Changed
The new building - just under 4,000 m², east of the original lagoon - connects to the water through a newly shaped stretch built around a tuff pillar, a fissure passage and lava-rock walls, with a waterfall and two hot tubs added along the way. The signature addition is a swim-in steam cave fed by natural geothermal vents in the rock, averaging about 45 °C at full humidity. Construction ran nine days past its June 30 target for a memorable reason: crews uncovered a cave more than 100 metres long, which is now undergoing formal protection and may partly open to visitors in future.
The Water
The lagoon's water is drawn from geothermal boreholes up to 2,500 metres deep and held at 36–40 °C. It is naturally alkaline and low in bacteria, so no chlorine is used - the same mineral-rich character that made the old Jarðböðin famous for its soft, silky feel. As at all Icelandic baths, everyone showers thoroughly without swimwear before entering.
Tiers And Prices
Admission comes in three tiers, priced dynamically by time of day and attendance (checked July 2026). Earth Essential, 7,900–11,900 ISK, covers the lagoon, hot tub and steam bath with standard changing rooms and private showers. Earth Signature, 9,900–15,900 ISK, upgrades to the Lava changing rooms and adds a towel, a drink and a bistro discount - but, unusually, drops the private showers. Earth Exclusive, from 52,000 ISK per person, buys a private lagoon area with fireplace lounge and private changing rooms for two. Children 5 and under enter free; swimsuits rent for 1,100 ISK and towels for 1,200. Book at earthlagoon.is - off-peak slots price lower.
| Tier | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Essential (Kjarni) | 7,900 - 11,900 ISK | Lagoon, hot tub and steam bath, standard changing rooms, lockers and a private shower. |
| Earth Signature (Kvika) | 9,900 - 15,900 ISK | Lava changing rooms, lockers, a towel, a complimentary drink and a bistro discount. This tier has no private showers, despite being the more expensive of the two standard options. |
| Earth Exclusive (Kyrrð) | 52,000 ISK | A private lagoon area with relaxing space and fireplace, an exclusive menu, private changing rooms for up to two, towels and robes, two drinks each and a shower gift set. Priced per person, not per group - we confirmed this by driving the operator's booking engine, where two adults came to 104,000 ISK. Adults 20 and over only. |
Getting There And Nearby
Earth Lagoon sits at Jarðbaðshólar, directly off Route 1 just east of Lake Mývatn - about an hour (89 km) from Akureyri and 58 km from Húsavík, making it the natural bathing stop on a Ring Road circuit of the north. The Mývatn area around it is dense with geothermal sights: Dimmuborgir's lava formations, the Hverir mud pots and Grjótagjá - the famous cave pool, which is for looking at, not bathing in. GeoSea's cliffside seawater baths in Húsavík are the region's other developed option; see the full regional directory. For the south's equivalent new opening, compare Laugarás Lagoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earth Lagoon The Same As Mývatn Nature Baths?
Yes. Earth Lagoon Mývatn is the new name of the Mývatn Nature Baths (Jarðböðin), which reopened on 9 July 2026 after a multi-year rebuild. It is the same geothermal lagoon at Jarðbaðshólar - "the north's Blue Lagoon" - but with the bathing area enlarged by roughly 35%, a new facilities building about three times the size of the old one, and capacity for around 600 guests.
How Much Does Earth Lagoon Cost?
Three tiers, dynamically priced by time of day and attendance (checked July 2026): Earth Essential 7,900–11,900 ISK (lagoon, hot tub, steam bath, standard changing rooms with private showers); Earth Signature 9,900–15,900 ISK (Lava changing rooms, towel, a drink and a bistro discount - but no private showers); and Earth Exclusive from 52,000 ISK per person (a private lagoon area, private changing rooms for up to two, robes and two drinks). Exclusive is priced per head, not per group: we confirmed this in the operator's booking engine, where two adults come to 104,000 ISK. Children 5 and under enter free. Swimsuit rental is 1,100 ISK, towels 1,200 ISK.
What Changed In The Rebuild?
Nearly everything except the water. The lagoon surface grew by about 35%, connected to the new building by a stretch of water shaped around a tuff pillar, a fissure passage and lava-rock walls, with a waterfall and two hot tubs added. The facilities building is roughly 4,000 m², three times its predecessor. The project ran late partly because construction uncovered a cave more than 100 metres long, now undergoing formal protection - parts of it may open to visitors in future.
Is The Water Natural?
Yes. The water is geothermal, drawn from boreholes up to 2,500 metres deep, and is naturally alkaline and low in bacteria according to the operator, so it needs no chlorine. Bathing temperature is kept at 36–40 °C. The swim-in steam cave is fed by natural geothermal steam through vents in the rock, averaging around 45 °C at 100% humidity - its heat varies with the weather, as the operator puts it, "a gift from mother nature".
What Are The Opening Hours?
Open daily year-round. At the time of checking (July 2026, shortly after the soft opening), the official site listed summer hours of 10:00–23:00 in one place and 12:00–22:00 in another, so confirm current hours at earthlagoon.is before visiting. Pre-booking a time slot is recommended, especially in the peak summer season, as evening slots by the lagoon are popular for the midnight-sun light.
How Do You Get There, And What Is Nearby?
Earth Lagoon sits at Jarðbaðshólar just east of Lake Mývatn, directly off Route 1 (the Ring Road) - about an hour from Akureyri (89 km) and 58 km from Húsavík. It slots naturally into a Ring Road itinerary alongside the Mývatn area's geothermal fields, Dimmuborgir and Grjótagjá (the famous cave pool, which is for viewing only, not bathing). GeoSea in Húsavík is the other developed bath in the region.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against the official site, Earth Lagoon Mývatn, and reporting by Iceland Review and RÚV (9–10 July 2026), in July 2026 shortly after the reopening. Note the operator's site currently lists two different daily opening-hour ranges (10:00–23:00 and 12:00–22:00) while the soft opening settles; confirm current hours and rates on the official site before visiting.
Last updated: 2026-07-28 · Reviewed against official sources.