Sea swimming has always coincided with the culture of the Icelandic nation. The oldest known sea swimming feat in the world was performed 1030, when Grettir Ásmundarson (Icelandic Saga legend) swam across a bay approximately 7 km, in 10 degrees warm sea over to Drangey island in the north of Iceland.
In the summer of 2000 the Geothermal beach in Nauthólsvík was opened. Golden beachsand was braught in from elsewhere and big seawalls were build which form a lagoon where the cold sea and hot geothermal water fuse together. The goal with this project was to make this bay, Nauthólsvík, a diverse outdoor area with numerous possibilities as, for example, sunbathing, seabathing and sailing.
A service center provides changing rooms, hot showers and possibility to buy hot drinks and chocolate among other things. A big hot tub is in front of the service center which is, in average, 38°C hot. The beach is very popular in the summertime and is progressively becoming a hit in the wintertime as well.
The sea temperature has been known to become around -1,8°C during the coldest months and around 16°C in the summertime. Average temperature is 4°- 6°C in the winter and 12°- 13°C in the summer.
The temperature of the sea inside the lagoon itself is a bit higher in the summer, average 15°- 19°C, as it is heated up with geothermal heat. In the wintertime this hot water that sometimes runs into the lagoon does not make any difference for the temperature.
Few important advices for seabathing:
1. Never swim alone. Always have a partner with you.
2. Always watch your partner. Monitor his/her condition by speaking regularly.
3. Dont go to far from the coast.
4. Stay very briefly for your first few times.
5. Recognice the possible symptoms of hypothermia.
6. Listen to your body and act on it.
In case of an emergency dial 112
The staff can not ensure the safety of the guests while in the sea.
Opening hours *
15th of May - 15th of August
Open every day from 10:00 - 19:00
*The service during opening hours at the Geothermal beach
The admission to the beach, hot tub, changing rooms and toilets is free.
It is possible to buy refreshments and rent necessaries and storage in the reception.
The temperature of the hot tub is around 38°C all year long.