Rovaniemi: Ice Floating in Forest Lake with Aurora Borealis

The strangest way to watch the sky. This Rovaniemi outing lets you float in an icy Lapland lake while wearing a warm survival suit, a wonderfully calm contrast to the cold air around you. I like the peaceful setting and the chance to see the aurora from the water, rather than from a crowded viewing platform.

I also like the practical touches: hotel pickup, a professional English-speaking guide, free photographs from some guides, and hot drinks with gingerbread afterward. The main consideration is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, and a few people have found that water can seep into the suit around the hands, feet, or inside lining during a long float.

Key points before you book

• You float fully clothed in a frozen lake: The insulated survival suit keeps your body buoyant and mostly dry while you drift in the water.
• The aurora is a bonus, not a promise: Clouds and solar activity control what you see, so the floating itself needs to sound worthwhile.
• The quiet setting is part of the appeal: You leave central Rovaniemi for a forest lake and a darker night sky.
• Warm clothing still matters: Wear thick socks, warm gloves, and thermal layers under the suit.
• Guides add much of the value: Guides such as Theo, Maria, Giselle, Lea, Maura, and Octavio have been praised for safety briefings, photographs, and friendly help.
• The minimum height is 130 centimeters: Children 11 and under must travel with adults paying the full price.

What makes ice floating so unusual

You do not simply walk to a lake and step into ordinary swimwear. The activity uses a high-quality insulated floating suit, designed to keep you buoyant and protected in very cold water. You remain fully clothed underneath, which can feel slightly strange when you first approach the lake.

Once you are in, the sensation changes. Your body rises easily, and you can float on your back while looking up at the winter sky. The experience is less like swimming and more like being gently held by the water. That is why this activity can feel peaceful rather than athletic.

The cold air remains around your face, but the suit protects most of your body. You may need a few minutes to relax, especially if you are not used to cold-water activities. Your guide stays close, explains the process, and helps you enter and leave the water safely.

I would not book this only as a Northern Lights hunt. The aurora depends on clouds and solar wind activity, neither of which the operator controls. Several outings have produced a strong display, while others have offered only a few glimpses or no lights at all. The best attitude is to treat the lake floating as the main experience and the aurora as a spectacular extra.

Hotel pickup and the ride into the forest

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, including transportation, preparation, floating, and refreshments. Pickup is included from your hotel or accommodation in central Rovaniemi, within 10 kilometers by driving distance.

You need to wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. This small detail matters in winter, when a late start can make the whole group wait in the cold. The exact departure time varies, so check availability for the date you want.

The ride takes you away from the city and toward a forest lake. That change is important. Rovaniemi itself can have light pollution and city traffic, while a darker rural setting gives the sky a better chance to show its stars and aurora. The journey also gives your guide time to explain the activity and answer questions.

Some guides have added value beyond the basic transfer. Giselle and Maura have been praised for friendly conversation about Finland and local culture, while Cator and Martin have explained how the aurora forms. Paola even stopped the van when the lights appeared, allowing time for photographs before reaching the lake.

Do not expect a sightseeing drive with several formal stops. The focus is the lake. Still, the transfer is useful because you do not need to arrange winter transport, find a remote meeting point, or drive after spending time outdoors in the cold.

Getting dressed in the floating suit

At the lake, your guide gives you instructions and helps you put on the floating suit. You wear your own clothes underneath, so the quality of your base layers makes a real difference.

I recommend thermal underwear, a warm top, thick socks, and substantial gloves. The suit may keep your torso comfortable, but your hands and feet can become cold after 10 minutes or more in the water. Some people also report minor leaks, so a dry top layer underneath is sensible.

The suit is not a fashion item, and getting into it can feel awkward. It is bulky by design. Tie back long hair before putting it on, and avoid assuming that you will be completely dry. Most people remain nearly dry, but a little water inside the suit is possible.

The minimum height is 130 centimeters. If you are unsure about the fit, contact the provider before booking. A poor fit can reduce comfort and make the activity harder to enjoy.

The guide’s safety briefing is a key part of the preparation. Listen carefully to the instructions for entering, floating, moving, and getting out. Reports of guides including Lia, Alexis, Victor, and Octavio emphasize that the staff remain nearby and help at each stage.

Floating beneath the Lapland sky

After the briefing, you enter the lake with the guide’s help. The initial moment can be startling. Cold water surrounds the suit, and your balance feels different from normal. Then the buoyancy takes over.

You can float quietly and look toward the sky. If clouds part and the aurora appears, the scene becomes wonderfully odd: you are lying in dark water, wearing ordinary clothes under a safety suit, while green or shifting light moves overhead. Even without a full display, stars, snow, and silence can make the setting memorable.

The actual time in the water can vary with conditions and the group. Some outings have included about an hour of floating, while other people have found the water more crowded than expected. A larger group can reduce the feeling of solitude and make the shoreline muddier as people enter and leave.

That tradeoff is worth understanding before you pay $142 per person. You are paying for more than a few minutes in a lake. The price includes transport, equipment, an English-speaking guide, help with the suit, and refreshments. It also buys access to an unusual activity that would be difficult and unsafe to arrange independently.

Still, the value depends on your priorities. If you want a private, silent aurora viewing session, this may feel too social. If you want a safe, unusual outdoor activity with a strong story to tell afterward, the price is easier to justify.

The Northern Lights: beautiful but uncertain

The aurora is the emotional prize of this experience, but it is never assured. Clear skies help, and solar activity is also needed. A cloudy evening can hide strong auroral activity, while a clear night may offer only stars.

Some outings have been exceptionally lucky, with the lights lasting for hours. Others have seen only small openings in the clouds. Several people still considered the floating worthwhile without an aurora, which tells you something useful about the activity’s basic appeal.

Your guide may help with photographs if the lights appear. Theo, Alex, Lea, and the guides named above have been praised for taking pictures, sometimes sending them to phones afterward. That is valuable because handling a phone while wearing a bulky suit is not easy.

Bring realistic expectations. You cannot order a clear sky, and the guide cannot create an aurora. Book this when you would be happy to float beneath stars even if the sky remains dark. That approach protects you from disappointment.

Hot tea and gingerbread after the lake

After the floating, you change out of the suit and warm up with hot drinks and gingerbread. This is more than a pleasant snack. After lying in cold water, your hands and feet may appreciate the warmth, and the pause gives everyone time to talk about what just happened.

The refreshments also make the outing feel complete. Without them, the activity would end with a wet change of clothes and a ride back to town. Instead, you have a short recovery period before returning to your accommodation.

The simple food suits the setting. Do not expect a full meal, but hot tea or juice and gingerbread are exactly the sort of small comfort that works after a winter activity.

Guide quality and group atmosphere

The guide can make or break this kind of outing. You need clear instructions, patience while putting on the suit, and steady attention near the water. The strongest guide feedback centers on friendliness, safety, photographs, and useful information about Finland and the aurora.

Names that have received especially warm praise include Theo, Maria, Giselle, Lia, Maura, Lea, Antoinette, Alex, Octavio, Victor, Cator, Martin, Laura Ribera, Alvaro, Miriam, and Clemence. Individual assignments can change, but the pattern is clear: the guide is not simply a driver. You rely on that person for much of the evening’s comfort.

The group setting can also help solo visitors. One person who joined alone felt the activity encouraged new friendships. Couples and families can enjoy it too, though children must meet the height rule and those 11 or younger need a full-price adult with them.

At least two people are required for the tour to operate. On Sundays, at least four people are needed. If the minimum is not reached, the activity may be canceled or rescheduled, so keep that condition in mind when arranging a tight itinerary.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to you if you like unusual outdoor activities, do not mind dressing in bulky gear, and want a quieter way to experience Lapland at night. It works particularly well for couples, small groups, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people.

It is also a good choice if you have already tried standard aurora chasing and want something different. Floating changes your viewpoint completely. You are not standing in a field waiting for the sky to move. You are part of a strange, calm scene on the water.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold water, have difficulty getting into bulky equipment, or need guaranteed access for a wheelchair. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also reconsider it if your only goal is seeing a strong aurora display, since that part cannot be promised.

Practical clothing and comfort advice

Pack for the water, not just the air. Wear:

• Thermal layers under the suit
• Thick wool or thermal socks
• Warm gloves
• A dry top layer in case water enters
• Hair ties if you have long hair

The suit protects you well, but it is not magic. Hands and feet are the first places you may notice the cold. Do not wear delicate clothing that you would hate to get damp.

You should also expect the water near shore to become muddy if many people enter and leave from the same area. That does not ruin the activity, but it can reduce the clear, pristine feeling during busy departures.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 614 ratings, a strong result for an activity affected by weather and group conditions. The most praised features are the uniqueness of the floating, the guides’ personal care, the convenient pickup, and the chance to receive photographs.

Should you book the Rovaniemi ice floating tour?

Book it if you want a memorable Lapland activity that remains worthwhile even when the aurora does not appear. At $142, it is not a budget outing, but the price covers transport, specialist equipment, a guide, safety support, and refreshments.

My advice is to schedule it early in your Rovaniemi stay if possible. That gives you another chance to seek the aurora later if clouds spoil the view, though the tour’s cancellation terms allow a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead.

Choose this for the floating first and the lights second. With warm layers, sensible expectations, and a willingness to laugh at the oddness of wearing your clothes in a lake, you are likely to come away with one of the more unusual memories from Finnish Lapland.

FAQ

Where does the ice floating experience take place?

It takes place at a forest lake in Finnish Lapland near Rovaniemi.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels or accommodations in Rovaniemi city center within 10 kilometers by driving distance.

How early should I wait for pickup?

You should be ready in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Is an English-speaking guide provided?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and solar wind activity, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What is the minimum height for the floating suit?

You must be at least 130 centimeters tall to fit the floating suit. Contact the provider before booking if you have questions about sizing.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by adults paying the full price. The 130-centimeter minimum height also applies.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.