Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

The strangest part of this Levi outing is also the point: you step into freezing Arctic water, lie back in a rescue suit, and let yourself float while the forest goes quiet around you. Above, you may see stars or the Northern Lights. Below, the dark water mirrors the sky. It is a calm, unusual way to experience Lapland after dark.

I like the peaceful floating and the chance to see nature without engines, crowds, or a busy program. I also like the simple finish: hot drinks, fire, and a cozy outdoor setting help take the edge off the cold. The main drawback is the long transfer, about one hour each way, and the aurora is never promised.

• A full hour from Levi: Much of the three-hour outing is spent reaching the floating site and returning.
• A special rescue suit keeps you afloat: You do not need swimming skills, but you must follow the guide’s instructions.
• The Northern Lights are a bonus, not a guarantee: Clouds or solar conditions can hide them.
• Fire-side drinks soften the cold: Hot chocolate, marshmallows, and warm drinks are part of the appeal.
• Small children may find the timing hard: The minimum height is 120 centimeters, and the evening can be cold and late.
• Groups can be sizable: One outing had 23 people and split into two floating groups.

What the Arctic floating experience feels like

This is not a standard sightseeing trip where you stand at a lookout and wait for the sky to change. The main event is physical and quiet. You wear an Arctic rescue suit, enter the lake with instruction from the guide, and float on your back in open water.

The suit is designed to keep you on the surface. That matters because the water is extremely cold and the experience does not require swimming ability. You still need to listen carefully before stepping in, move as instructed, and bring warm clothing for the rest of the evening.

Once you are settled, the activity becomes surprisingly still. You can look into the dark sky, watch snow fall if conditions are right, and notice the odd contrast between freezing water and the warm, insulated suit. The silence is part of the attraction. This is less about thrills than about letting your body slow down.

The cold remains real. One January outing felt chilly in the water, even with the suit. Pack hand and foot warmers if you have them, as they can make the waiting and changing periods more comfortable. That practical tip is especially useful on a long, cold night.

Leaving Levi for 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 meeting time in the email from Safartica. Missing the time or meeting point means missing the outing, with no refund.

The drive to the lake takes about one hour each way. That is a serious part of the schedule, not a minor transfer. The total duration is three hours, so you have limited time at the site once transport, changing, instructions, floating, and warming up are counted.

I see the ride as worthwhile if you want a remote-feeling night in the forest. It gives the activity a sense of getting away from Levi’s resort center. But if you dislike long transfers or want three full hours in the water, this may feel less efficient than the headline duration suggests.

Pickup is included, and the central Safartica office is the meeting point for people staying in Levi. The exact arrangements should come from the provider’s email, so do not rely only on your booking time when planning your evening.

Getting suited up beside the Arctic lake

At the site, the guide explains how to use the rescue suit before you enter the water. This briefing is important. The suit helps you remain on the surface, but it does not remove the need for care around cold water, slippery ground, or other people in the group.

Getting dressed is part of the adventure, but it can also feel rushed. One useful piece of advice is to have warmers ready for your hands and feet before you put on the suit. Bring clothing that keeps you warm while standing around, not just clothing for the drive.

The outdoor setting is dressed with lights and fires, creating a friendly base around the more stark lake. After the suit is on, the guide helps you move toward the water. Expect the process to involve several steps in a short period: arriving, receiving instructions, putting on the suit, and entering the lake.

This is a good point to adjust your expectations. You are not heading to a spa with a heated changing room and a long, leisurely preparation period. You are taking part in a cold-weather nature activity. The staff’s care and clear explanations help, but your own clothing and readiness still matter.

Floating under stars and possible auroras

The floating itself is simple. You lie back, allow the suit to support you, and let the water carry your weight. There is no swimming lesson and no athletic challenge. The pleasure comes from doing almost nothing in a place where most people would expect to be moving quickly to stay warm.

If the sky is clear, stars add a sharp Arctic quality to the experience. If the Northern Lights appear, you may see them above and reflected in the water. That reflection is one of the most special possibilities here because you are already lying at water level, looking upward from the middle of the scene rather than from a roadside viewpoint.

Still, the aurora must be treated as luck. The tour gives you a chance to see it, but clouds and natural conditions can stop the show. One successful outing had no Northern Lights, yet the floating remained memorable because of the quiet stars and the sight of water beginning to freeze around the suit.

Another evening brought light snow. From the water, the falling flakes looked like glitter in the fire and night light. That kind of weather can make the outing more atmospheric, but it also makes warmth and sensible clothing more important.

A useful way to book this is to ask yourself if you would still enjoy the activity without an aurora. If the answer is yes, you are choosing it for the right reason. If the lights are your only goal, an activity with no other appeal may leave you disappointed.

Group size and time in the water

Group size can affect how personal the experience feels. One group numbered 23 and had to split into two groups for the floating. That is not a problem for safety or organization, but it can mean waiting your turn and spending less time in the water than you imagined.

The guides received strong praise for being friendly, careful, and clear. They explain the process, help people get ready, and create a reassuring atmosphere for an activity that sounds more intimidating than it is. No guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named private guide service.

If you prefer a quiet, private outing, ask Safartica about the expected group size before booking. The available information confirms that larger groups can occur, but it does not promise a fixed number for every departure.

The best part of a group setting is that the unusual experience becomes something to share. The weaker part is that the silence may be interrupted by instructions, movement, and other people adjusting their suits. Your experience will depend partly on how many people are scheduled that night.

Fire, hot drinks, and the return trip

After the water, the warmth matters almost as much as the floating. You can change out of the rescue suit and settle near fires in a cozy outdoor area with lights. Hot drinks are included, and hot chocolate with marshmallows has been served on some outings.

This pause gives your body time to warm up instead of sending you straight from cold water into a vehicle. It also lets you enjoy the setting without trying to force an aurora sighting. The fire-side part makes the package feel more complete and helps justify the price.

The return drive to Levi takes about an hour. Keep watching the sky during the ride. On one evening, the Northern Lights appeared on the way back, and the group stopped more than once to get out and take photos. There is no promise that this will happen, but the return journey can extend the night’s chance to see the aurora.

You should not count on repeated stops, a particular photo opportunity, or a clear sky. Think of them as possible extras created by the conditions and guide decisions, not fixed parts of the program.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend an evening. You are paying for transport to a remote site, the rescue suit, an English-speaking guide, the floating setup, supervision, and hot drinks. The one-hour drive in each direction also adds transport value, though it reduces your active time.

I think the price makes sense for someone who wants a distinctive Arctic activity rather than a basic Northern Lights chase. The suit and water access are specialized, and the experience combines a guided outdoor activity with a chance to see the sky. It is harder to compare directly with a simple viewing excursion.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a guaranteed aurora. No Northern Lights tour can promise that sight, and this one gives you a memorable activity even when clouds block the sky. That makes it a safer choice than an outing built around waiting in one place, but only if you actually want to float.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. They do not change the weather risk, but they give you some flexibility while arranging a Lapland schedule.

Who should book this Levi night out?

I would choose this for adults, older children who meet the 120-centimeter minimum, and couples or friends looking for something quieter and more unusual than a standard snow activity. It suits people who can handle outdoor cold, late timing, and a long transfer without needing constant entertainment.

Families should think carefully about the age and patience of their children. The experience includes cold water, changing, waiting, and a long drive. Young children may find the late hour and outdoor stay tiring even if they like the idea of floating.

It is also a good choice for people who feel nervous around water but do not want a swimming challenge. The suit keeps you on the surface, and the guide gives instructions before entry. You still need to be comfortable following directions and being in cold open water.

I would skip it if you dislike being cold, hate group activities, or need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting. I would also look elsewhere if the one-hour transfer each way feels too long for a three-hour evening.

Practical advice before you go

Bring warm clothing for the ride, the shore, and the time around the fire. The rescue suit protects you in the water, but it does not turn the entire evening into a warm indoor activity.

Pack or wear hand and foot warmers if you have them. Cold hands and feet can distract from the floating, especially while you are waiting to enter or after you come out.

Arrive at Safartica’s Levi office 10 minutes early. Confirm the meeting details in the provider’s email, since a missed time or location is not refunded.

Remember that at least two adults are required for the activity to operate. The minimum height is 120 centimeters, and children should be able to manage a cold, late outdoor experience.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the Northern Lights to be part of a memorable activity, not the only reason for going. The floating is the real product, and the aurora is the prize that may appear above you or shimmer in the water.

At $155, it is a considered purchase. The long transfer and possible group size are fair points against it, while the specialized suit, guide support, fires, drinks, and unusual setting work in its favor. I would book it for the calm, the strange beauty of lying in Arctic water, and the chance to see the sky from an angle few people get. Just make peace with the cold and with nature keeping its own schedule.

FAQ

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

The activity lasts three hours. This includes transport, preparation, floating, warming up, and the return journey. The drive to the floating location takes about one hour each way.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming skills are required. You receive instructions before entering the water, and the Arctic rescue suit is designed to keep you on the surface.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. The evening is arranged to give you a chance to see them, including during the floating and possibly on the return drive.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, an English-speaking guide, and pickup arrangements from the Safartica Levi office.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you stay comfortable in the cold, particularly before entering the water and after leaving it.

Can children join the activity?

Children must be at least 120 centimeters tall. You should also consider the late timing and the amount of time spent outdoors before bringing young children.