Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

The lake becomes your midnight hammock. This unusual Levi outing combines weightless floating in an Arctic lake with the chance to watch stars and Northern Lights from the water. I like the special rescue suit, which keeps you on the surface without swimming skills, and I like the calm, quiet setting far from Levi’s town lights. The main catch is the long transfer: the floating site is about one hour from Levi each way, and cloudy skies can hide the aurora.

At $155 per person for three hours, this is not a cheap way to spend an evening. Still, the price covers the suit, guide, floating session, hot drinks, and transport from the city-center meeting point. I would see it as a memorable one-off Arctic activity, not a budget sightseeing trip.

Key points at a glance

• You float without swimming: The rescue suit keeps you on the surface, so basic water confidence is enough.
• The transfer takes about two hours total: Expect roughly one hour by road from Levi to the lake and one hour back.
• The Northern Lights are possible, not promised: Clouds and natural conditions can shut down the show.
• The cold is manageable but real: Bring warm clothing, and consider hand and foot warmers.
• The evening ends with warmth: Hot drinks, a cabin-style setting, fire pits, and marshmallows help you recover after the water.
• The minimum height is 120 centimeters: Young children may find the late hour and cold outdoor setting tiring.

Leaving Levi for a dark Arctic lake

Your evening begins at the Safartica office in central Levi. You need to arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts, and the provider sends the exact meeting time by email. Pay close attention to that message. Missing the stated time or meeting point means missing the safari, with no refund.

Once the group is assembled, the ride to the floating location takes about an hour each way. That is a serious part of the outing, so you should know what you are buying. This is not a quick activity just outside town. You are giving up most of an evening for a remote, quiet setting.

The long drive does have a purpose. Away from Levi, artificial light is reduced, which gives you a better chance of seeing stars and the Northern Lights. The dark setting also helps create the silence that makes this activity different from a standard aurora minibus tour.

The three-hour duration includes the drive, preparation, instruction, floating, and return journey. Your actual time in the water will be much shorter than three hours. That is normal for an activity that requires transport and careful preparation, but it matters when you compare the cost with other things to do in Levi.

Getting ready in the rescue suit

At the floating site, the guide explains what will happen before anyone steps into the water. You do not need swimming skills. The special Arctic rescue suit is designed to keep you afloat, so the basic task is to relax, lie back, and let the suit do its job.

The suit is the key piece of equipment here. It provides protection from the cold water and gives nervous beginners a practical safety net. You are still outside in winter, though, and the suit does not make you magically warm from head to toe. Warm clothing remains important before and after the session.

I would bring the warmest practical layers you have, with special attention to your hands and feet. One useful tip is to pack hand warmers and foot warmers. They are not listed as an included item, but they may make the wait, changing process, and floating period more comfortable.

The preparation can feel brisk. The arrival, safety explanation, and process of putting on the suit all happen within a limited evening schedule. If you like slow, leisurely activity setup, this may feel rushed. If you prefer clear instructions and a quick start, you will probably appreciate the efficient rhythm.

Floating while ice forms around you

The central moment is simple: you enter the open water, lie back, and float. The water is cold, but the rescue suit lets you remain on the surface without fighting to stay up. That changes the mood from an adventure requiring effort to something closer to quiet observation.

The best part is the stillness. You are not paddling, swimming, or trying to reach a landmark. You are simply looking upward at the dark sky while the water supports you. The silence and clean Arctic air give the activity a restful quality that many more active snow experiences do not offer.

In winter, the water around you may be partly frozen or closing with ice. That detail makes the experience feel strange in the best way. You can lie in open water while ice forms nearby, surrounded by snow and darkness. It is an odd contrast: the suit keeps you afloat, while the cold reminds you that this is not a normal lake swim.

You should not expect a long, warm-water session. The water can feel very cold, even through the suit, and one person found the floating itself a little too chilly. The activity is best approached as a short, striking Arctic moment rather than extended relaxation in the usual sense.

The guide’s instructions matter. Follow them carefully when entering and leaving the water, and do not hurry because you are excited. The equipment removes the need for swimming ability, but it does not remove the need to listen.

Stars, silence, and the Northern Lights

The sky is the second main attraction. On a clear night, you can look up at stars from the water, with few distractions around you. The reflection on the lake may add another layer to the view, especially when the surface is calm.

The Northern Lights add excitement, but they are never guaranteed. This is important when deciding if the tour is worth the price. The activity is still worthwhile without aurora if you enjoy the floating itself, but anyone booking only for a green curtain overhead may be disappointed.

Cloud cover can block the sky completely. A clear evening improves your chances, but even clear weather does not guarantee aurora activity. The tour is designed to give you an opportunity to see the lights, not to promise a performance on schedule.

There is also a practical advantage to seeing the aurora away from Levi. The remote lake setting offers darker surroundings than the town center. If the lights appear, the water can provide a striking reflection, and the floating position gives you a wide view of the sky rather than a view framed by buildings.

The return drive can also produce a surprise. The group may spot the Northern Lights on the way back and stop for photographs if conditions allow. That possibility is useful, but you should not count on it as part of the fixed plan. The natural display decides the timing.

Warming up beside the fire

After the water, warmth becomes the priority. Hot drinks are included, and the setup has a cozy cabin feel with lights and fire areas. Hot chocolate and marshmallows over a fire have been part of the post-floating welcome, adding a simple comfort after the cold session.

This recovery period is more important than it may sound. The floating itself is unusual, but the warm-up gives the evening a pleasant finish instead of leaving you to return immediately to the vehicle in a damp, cold mood. It also gives you time to talk with the guide and group after the unusual experience.

The atmosphere seems to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. Friendly, caring guides help explain the equipment and make the process less intimidating. Clear instructions are especially valuable when a group includes children or people who have never worn a rescue suit.

Group size can affect this section and the water time. One outing had 23 people, requiring the group to split into two floating sessions. A larger group may create a social, cheerful mood, but it can also mean waiting and less of a private, silent moment. If personal space is important to you, ask about the expected group size before booking.

Is $155 a fair price?

The $155 cost looks high at first, and it is fair to call this a premium activity. You are paying for a specialist suit, a trained English-speaking guide, transport to a remote location, safety instructions, the floating session, and hot drinks. You are also paying for a carefully arranged activity that would be difficult to organize independently in winter.

The value depends on what you want from your Lapland trip. If you want a rare story and an activity unlike a standard snowmobile ride or aurora chase, the price may feel justified. Floating in dark Arctic water while looking at the sky is a very specific experience, and there are not many easy substitutes.

The value is weaker if you are focused mainly on seeing the Northern Lights. The aurora is unpredictable, and clouds can cancel the main visual hope. You should book because you want Arctic floating first, with the Northern Lights as a bonus.

The long transfer also affects the calculation. Two hours of driving within a three-hour outing leaves limited time at the lake. Some people will find that acceptable because the remote setting is part of the appeal. Others may prefer an activity with more time on site.

A rating of 4.6 from 59 reviews suggests that the overall experience is consistently strong, but it is not perfect for everyone. The repeated praise centers on the guides, organization, unusual floating, cozy refreshments, and the magical feeling of snow or stars overhead. The main reservations are the cold, the large group size on at least one outing, the drive, and the fact that the aurora may not appear.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to adults, couples, friends, and families with children over the 120-centimeter minimum who are comfortable with a late outdoor activity. It suits people who enjoy unusual physical sensations but do not want a demanding sport. You do not need to swim, and you do not need special technical skills.

It is also a good choice if you value quiet. Much of the appeal comes from lying still and letting the night take over. If you want constant action, entertainment, or a packed schedule, the floating may feel too slow.

Families should think carefully about timing and cold. The minimum height is 120 centimeters, but that does not mean every child will enjoy standing outside late at night in winter. Young children may be happier with a shorter, warmer activity.

You should also be comfortable with uncertainty. The Northern Lights may appear, but there is no guarantee. If clouds roll in, the main reward becomes the floating, stars if visible, the quiet setting, and the warm-up afterward.

Practical advice before you book

Wear warm clothing for the whole evening, not just the drive. You will spend time outdoors before and after the water, and the suit does not replace your regular winter layers.

Arrive early at the Safartica Levi office. Ten minutes before departure is the stated requirement, but I would avoid cutting it close in an unfamiliar town. Check the provider’s email for the exact meeting time and location.

Remember that at least two adults are required for the activity to operate. If you are traveling alone, confirm that the booking can go ahead before relying on this plan.

Bring a phone or camera only if you can keep it secure and protected from the cold. The chance to photograph stars or the Northern Lights is appealing, but the activity is mainly about looking up and relaxing, not managing equipment.

Keep your expectations in the right order: first the float, second the Arctic night, third the Northern Lights. That order makes the experience feel successful even when the sky stays cloudy.

Should you book the Levi ice floating tour?

Book it if you want a rare, calm Arctic memory and you are willing to pay for the setting, equipment, guide, and transport. The floating suit makes the activity accessible to non-swimmers, while the quiet lake, stars, possible reflections, and warm drinks give the evening more depth than a quick novelty stop.

Think twice if your budget is tight, you dislike long transfers, or the Northern Lights are your only reason for going. The best choice is to treat the aurora as an extra, not a promise.

For the right person, this is a strong Levi pick. You float in freezing water without needing to swim, watch the winter sky from an unusual angle, and finish beside a fire with something hot to drink. That is a good evening, even when the clouds keep the lights hidden.

FAQ

How long does the Levi ice floating tour last?

The activity lasts three hours. The floating location is about one hour from Levi each way, so the total time includes transport, preparation, instruction, floating, and the return journey.

Are swimming skills required?

No. Each person receives safety instructions before entering the water, and the Arctic rescue suit keeps you on the surface.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Clouds and changing conditions may prevent you from seeing them.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, an English-speaking guide, and pickup according to the tour arrangements.

Where is the meeting point?

The main meeting point is the Safartica office in Levi city center. If you are staying in town, select Safartica Levi as your meeting point and check the exact time in the email from Safartica.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also be useful because the water and evening conditions can feel cold.

Can young children join?

Children must be at least 120 centimeters tall. You should also consider the late timing and the length of the outdoor stay before bringing young children.