Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

The odd magic of this Levi outing is simple: you lie in an icy lake, fully supported by a rescue suit, while the sky opens above you. Floating beneath the stars feels quiet and slightly unreal, especially when thin ice forms around you or snow falls like glitter.

I like the rare sense of calm this creates, and I like that the experience works even if the Northern Lights stay hidden behind clouds. The hot drink afterward, often enjoyed beside a fire, is another welcome touch.

The main drawback is the long transfer. You spend about an hour driving each way, and the lake can feel cold despite the special suit. A large group may also need to split into smaller floating sessions.

Key points to know before booking

• One hour each way from Levi: The floating site is not close to town, so allow the full three-hour activity and more time for meeting arrangements.
• No swimming skills required: The Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface, and you receive instructions before entering the water.
• Northern Lights are not guaranteed: Clouds can hide them, but the stars, darkness, and silent setting still make the outing worthwhile.
• Warm drinks follow the float: Use this time to thaw out, take photographs, and enjoy the outdoor camp atmosphere.
• Large groups may be divided: A group of 23 was split into two floating sessions, so the pace can vary on busy departures.
• Bring warm clothing and consider hand warmers: The suit protects your body, but hands and feet can still feel the cold.

What this Arctic floating experience is really like

This is not a fast-moving snowmobile ride or a packed evening of sightseeing. It is a slow, quiet encounter with Lapland at night.

Safartica runs the activity from its Levi office in the town center. You should arrive there 10 minutes before departure, with the exact meeting time confirmed in the provider’s email. That detail matters. A missed meeting time or location means missing the safari without a refund, so do not treat the pickup as casual.

Once the group is together, you travel by vehicle to the floating site. The drive takes about one hour each way. That is a sizeable part of a three-hour outing, but it also carries you away from Levi’s lights and into darker, quieter country. If the Northern Lights appear during the return journey, the driver may stop so you can get out and take photographs. One evening included two separate stops after the lights appeared again, which shows why keeping your camera ready is sensible.

At the destination, the guides explain the process before anyone steps into the water. You put on an Arctic rescue suit designed to keep you warm and hold you on the surface. You do not need to know how to swim, though you do need to follow the instructions and be comfortable with the strange feeling of entering freezing water.

The suit is the key to the entire experience. Without it, the thought of lying in an Arctic lake would sound absurd. With it, you can float on your back, breathe normally, and let the water carry your weight. The feeling is less like swimming and more like being gently suspended.

Putting on the rescue suit without losing your nerve

Getting dressed is part of the adventure. The team gives instructions, helps with the equipment, and makes sure each person understands what to do before entering the lake.

Expect the process to move fairly quickly from arrival to changing and floating. You may have little time to stand around admiring the setting before it is your turn. That is useful in one way, since waiting in freezing air is no fun, but it can also make the first minutes feel rushed.

Wear warm clothes underneath as advised, and pack your layers so they are easy to remove and put back on. Hand and foot warmers are worth considering. The suit protects you well, but fingers and toes remain the parts most likely to complain.

Height also matters. This activity is not suitable for anyone under 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. The stated minimum is practical, since the rescue suit must fit correctly to keep you secure.

You should also think about the late timing if you are bringing young children. The outdoor stay, cold conditions, and changing process may be tiring for them. Older children who meet the height requirement may find it thrilling, but this is not a quick family photo stop.

Lying in an Arctic lake beneath the night sky

The actual float is the heart of the outing. You enter the open water, settle onto your back, and allow the suit to do its work.

The first sensation is likely to be cold. One person found the water brisk, which should not surprise you. This is still an outdoor Arctic activity, not a warm spa with a fancy view. Yet once you stop trying to control every movement, the experience becomes remarkably peaceful.

The lake is quiet. There is no engine noise on the water, no city traffic, and no need to paddle toward a landmark. You simply look upward. On a clear night, the stars become the main show. If the Northern Lights appear, you may see them above you and reflected on the water.

That reflection is one of the special details here. You are not just watching the sky from shore. You are lying at water level, with the dark surface close to your face. Even light snowfall can look unusual from that position, with flakes catching the light and dropping across your view.

Still, you should book this for the floating itself, not only for the aurora. The Northern Lights are a natural event and cannot be promised. Clouds may block them completely. One participant had no aurora at all and still found the silence, stars, and weightless feeling enough to make the evening memorable.

That is the right way to judge this trip. The lights are a bonus. The lake, rescue suit, and quiet night are the reliable parts.

What happens after the water

After the float, you change out of the rescue suit and warm up with hot drinks. The site includes a cozy camp-style setup, with a cabin and refreshments available according to the experience provided. Fire pits and marshmallows have also been part of the welcome, adding a cheerful finish after the serious business of lying in cold water.

This recovery period is not just a nice extra. It gives your body time to warm gradually and lets the group share the oddness of what just happened. Expect conversation, photos, and a chance to look back at the lake from dry land.

Plan your camera use carefully. The floating itself is not the easiest time for photographs, especially if you are lying in darkness with gloved hands. You may get better pictures before entering, after changing, or during an aurora stop on the road.

The return trip to Levi takes about another hour. If the sky clears, that drive may become part of the Northern Lights hunt. If nothing appears, you still return after a peaceful evening away from the resort.

Group size, timing, and the pace of the evening

The experience can feel intimate when the group is small, but group size is worth checking if that matters to you. A group of 23 had to separate into two floating sessions. That is not a safety problem, but it can make the evening less private and create some waiting.

A larger group also changes the rhythm. Some people may be getting dressed while others float. You might spend part of the time watching from shore rather than lying in the water. If you want long stretches of solitude, ask about the expected group size before booking.

The guides have received strong praise for being friendly, clear, and attentive. Their role is especially important here. A good briefing makes the suit feel reassuring rather than ridiculous, and calm help matters when you are stepping into dark, freezing water.

English is the tour language. The guide explains the process before anyone enters the lake, and the instructions are designed so that swimming ability is not required. You should still listen closely. The suit keeps you afloat, but it does not remove the need to follow safety directions.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap evening activity. The price covers the rescue suit, floating, hot drinks, English guidance, and transport to a site roughly an hour from Levi. You are paying for equipment, staff, a remote setting, and the practical work of running an Arctic night activity.

The value depends on what you want from Lapland. If you only want to see the Northern Lights, there are likely less expensive ways to wait for them, and no tour can guarantee a sighting. Clouds can erase the main visual goal.

If you want a distinctive physical experience, the price makes more sense. This is not simply standing beside a frozen lake hoping for color in the sky. You become part of the setting, float on open Arctic water, and experience the night from a position almost no ordinary sightseeing trip offers.

I would see it as good value for someone who enjoys unusual outdoor activities and does not mind paying for a memorable one-off experience. It is weaker value for anyone who dislikes cold, long transfers, or activities whose headline feature depends on weather.

The free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later option also help if your plans are still shifting. Read the provider’s timing instructions carefully, since flexibility with payment does not protect you from missing the meeting point.

The best way to prepare

Bring warm clothing even though the rescue suit is supplied. You will spend time outdoors before and after the float, and your regular layers matter during the transfer and changing process.

I would pack:

• Thermal base layers and warm socks
• A hat and gloves
• Extra hand and foot warmers
• Shoes that are easy to remove and put back on
• A phone or camera with enough battery for the evening

Do not arrive expecting to swim laps or move around freely. The point is to float and relax. If you are uneasy in water, tell the guide before entering and pay close attention to the briefing.

Also leave room in your schedule. The listed duration is three hours, but the meeting process, changing, and possible Northern Lights stops can affect the exact return time. The one-hour journey each way is fixed enough to shape the evening, so this is not a quick add-on between dinner and another activity.

Who will enjoy it most

I would recommend this to couples, friends, and solo participants who like unusual experiences with a quiet side. It suits you if the idea of lying still under a dark Arctic sky sounds better than another high-speed excursion.

It can work for families, but use the 120-centimeter minimum seriously. Young children may also struggle with the cold, late hour, and outdoor waiting. The experience is most enjoyable when everyone can stay calm during the changing process and follow instructions.

Photography-minded visitors should be realistic. You may capture the Northern Lights, starry sky, or reflections, but the setting is dark and the floating position is not ideal for handling a camera. Treat photographs as a bonus, not the purpose.

This is also a good choice if you are visiting Levi during a cloudy spell. The aurora may remain hidden, but the floating experience itself does not vanish. Snowfall, darkness, and still water can create their own kind of spectacle.

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

Book it if you want a strange, peaceful, thoroughly Lapland experience and you are willing to accept the cold and the long drive. The rescue suit makes the activity accessible without swimming skills, while the silent lake gives you something more personal than a standard aurora chase.

Do not book it only because you need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting. You may see nothing but clouds, and the $155 price will feel high if the aurora is your only goal.

For most people who enjoy trying something once-in-a-lifetime, I think the float is the stronger reason to go. The stars, hot drink, fire, and possible aurora make the evening better, but the real memory is lying weightless in Arctic water while the frozen world grows quiet around you.

FAQ

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

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

Is transport from Levi included?

Pickup is included. If you are staying in the city, select the Safartica Levi office in the city center as your meeting point and arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins.

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.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon. The evening is designed to give you a chance to see them, but clouds or other conditions may prevent a sighting.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you stay comfortable, particularly during time outdoors before and after the float.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The activity is not suitable for anyone under 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. You should also consider the cold, outdoor setting, and late timing before bringing young children.