From Myvatn Nature Baths to Earth Lagoon: a new language of luxury soaking
Earth Lagoon in the Mývatn area now occupies the same hillside where Iceland’s beloved Mývatn Nature Baths once quietly drew geothermal purists. The shift from the descriptive name Mývatn Nature Baths to the new Earth Lagoon identity signals a move from simple regional hot spring culture toward a more curated lagoon experience that families can book as confidently as a city hotel. For travelers used to Japanese ryokan stays, this rebrand feels familiar, echoing how traditional onsen inns refine their background story without losing the black volcanic rock, the white steam and the mineral water that made them special.
The operator at Earth Lagoon Mývatn has kept the same geothermal water that once defined the original nature baths, with temperatures held between 36 and 40 °C for long, unhurried soaking. What changes is the framing; the reimagined lagoon near Lake Mývatn in north Iceland is now presented as a destination in its own right, not just a pleasant bath stop on a ring road itinerary. In planning documents submitted to the local municipality of Skútustaðahreppur, the developer emphasizes that “the existing geothermal boreholes and water characteristics will be preserved while the visitor facilities are upgraded,” confirming continuity beneath the refreshed surface.
The new name also underlines the connection between the earth and the lagoon, reminding guests that every bath here is fed by geothermal water rising from deep below the Mývatn volcanic zone. You still see steam rising against a background of lava fields and the distant lake, but the branding now invites you to enjoy the lagoon as a complete experience, from changing rooms to steam baths and hot tub corners. As project manager Anna Kristín Jónsdóttir noted in a 2024 regional tourism briefing, “our goal is to keep the soul of the old Mývatn Nature Baths while giving families a smoother, more comfortable way to enjoy this landscape.”
Designing with lava and light: how Earth Lagoon stages Iceland’s geology
Stand at the edge of the main lagoon at Jarðbaðshólar above Lake Mývatn and you feel how deliberately the pools frame the surrounding nature. The water glows a soft blue white against black lava, while steam rising from the geothermal water drifts across views of the wider Mývatn area. This is not a generic hot spring; it is a carefully staged lagoon experience that still respects the raw earth beneath your feet and foregrounds the drama of north Iceland’s volcanic scenery.
Two steam baths anchor the new design language, each telling a different story about Iceland’s geology and its hot spring culture. One steam room opens toward the lake, with benches positioned so you can watch the changing light over north Iceland while dense steam wraps around you. The second steam bath hides in a lava cave, where temperatures average around 45 °C and the rock walls remind you that this whole lagoon is located in the heart of the north volcanic zone.
Families who travel regularly for hot spring stays will notice the parallels with Japanese rotenburo design, where every bath is oriented to a specific view or garden. Here, the Earth Lagoon team uses the contrast between black rock and white steam as their garden, with geothermal water flowing through channels that feel almost hand carved. If you are planning where to soak during peak summer, this is the kind of place that belongs on the same shortlist as the seasonal hot spring properties highlighted in guides to hot spring properties worth braving summer crowds for, while still feeling distinctly Icelandic in its use of lava, light and open sky.
Tiered access: how Earth Essential, Signature and Exclusive reshape the soak
Where the former Mývatn Nature Baths offered a relatively simple entry model, Earth Lagoon now introduces a three tier structure that feels closer to the Blue Lagoon playbook. Earth Essential is the baseline, and according to recent price lists shared in local tourism briefings it has been priced around ISK 7,900, giving access to the main lagoon, steam baths, changing rooms and the core hot spring experience that most families will book. Earth Signature steps things up at about ISK 9,900, layering in extras such as enhanced towel or robe options and sometimes priority access that make the visit feel more like a polished resort stay than a casual local bath.
The boldest move is Earth Exclusive, a private tier that has been listed at roughly ISK 52,000 and effectively turns the lagoon into your own geothermal retreat for a defined slot. For multi generational trips or premium family celebrations, that price can make sense, especially when compared with the cost of reserving a private hot tub suite at a high end ryokan in Japan. The structure echoes how the Blue Lagoon evolved from a simple geothermal pool into a tiered destination, with standard entry for day trippers and elevated packages for those who want the lagoon and the background services almost to themselves.
For travelers who know Japanese hot spring towns like Kusatsu, the logic will feel familiar: you choose between a straightforward soak and a more layered stay with curated amenities. That same decision now applies when you book time at Earth Lagoon Mývatn, whether you are pairing the visit with a night at a local guesthouse or routing it into a longer geothermal itinerary that includes properties such as the refined ryokan experience at Kai Kusatsu by Hoshino Resorts. In both cases, the water remains the star, but the pricing tiers quietly shape how private, how long and how tailored your time in that water will be.
Practicalities for premium families: how to plan your soak at Earth Lagoon
For families used to the ritual of Japanese onsen, the logistics at Earth Lagoon feel reassuringly familiar. You arrive at Jarðbaðshólar, check in at reception, receive your wristband and head to the gender separated changing rooms, where showers are mandatory before entering the lagoon. The etiquette is less formal than at a traditional ryokan, but the respect for water and for shared space remains central to the experience.
Opening hours vary by season, so it is wise to check the latest information from the operator before you travel, especially while the facility expansion is ongoing. Earth Lagoon Mývatn is currently undergoing renovation and service enhancement, with reopening publicly signalled for early 2026 and the operator confirming in planning documents submitted to the National Planning Agency that “the natural geothermal water source and its temperature range will remain unchanged.” That means you can plan future itineraries around a soak in geothermal water that feels familiar in temperature yet refreshed in setting.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended, particularly if you are targeting Earth Signature or Earth Exclusive tiers or traveling during school holidays in north Iceland. To secure a slot, use the official Earth Lagoon booking engine or contact the operator directly by email or phone, then align your reservation with seasonal opening hours published on the same channels. Whether you arrive from the capital or from Akureyri, you can reach the baths by rental car along the Ring Road, by regional bus services that stop near Lake Mývatn or by organized tours that include transport and admission, with each option offering different levels of flexibility for families.
From UNESCO recognition to global hot spring circuits: why Myvatn matters
Iceland’s bathing culture was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023, a milestone that elevates every hot spring in the country, from the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík to the more northerly Earth Lagoon at Mývatn. For travelers who already map their journeys around Japanese onsen towns, this recognition confirms that geothermal bathing in Iceland is not a novelty, but a living tradition shaped by community habits and the surrounding nature. Earth Lagoon sits squarely within that tradition, even as its tiered pricing and polished facilities speak to a new generation of international guests.
The expansion at Jarðbaðshólar Mývatn aims to increase annual visitors from roughly 150,000 before renovation to a projected 200,000 once the new lagoon layout and amenities are fully open, according to figures shared in local tourism briefings and planning submissions. That growth target reflects rising interest in wellness oriented travel, but also a desire to preserve the character of the Mývatn landscape by concentrating bathing infrastructure in a single, well managed site. By using sustainable materials and modern construction techniques, the operator is trying to balance the need for more changing rooms, hot tub corners and food outlets with the obligation to keep the Lake Mývatn ecosystem and the wider Mývatn area intact.
For premium families building a global hot spring circuit that might include Japanese ryokan, Icelandic lagoons and perhaps Korean jjimjilbang, the rebranded Earth Lagoon at Mývatn offers a compelling northern anchor. The complex is located in the heart of the north geothermal zone, with steam baths, open air pools and geothermal water that feels both familiar and distinctly Icelandic. As you book your next trip, think of Earth Lagoon not just as another stop, but as a case study in how hot spring destinations worldwide are reimagining the simple act of stepping into hot water under an open sky.
FAQ
When will Earth Lagoon Mývatn reopen to visitors ?
Earth Lagoon Mývatn is currently scheduled to reopen in early 2026 after a comprehensive facility expansion and modernization program. Construction is ongoing at Jarðbaðshólar, with the operator focusing on new amenities, upgraded changing rooms and enhanced services for families. Travelers planning a visit should check official channels for precise opening hours as the reopening date approaches, as timelines for large geothermal projects can shift.
Has the geothermal water at Earth Lagoon changed with the renovation ?
The geothermal water feeding the redesigned lagoon at Mývatn remains the same mineral rich source that defined the former Mývatn Nature Baths. Temperatures are maintained between 36 and 40 °C, which suits long soaks for adults and older children. What changes is the surrounding lagoon design, steam baths and facilities, not the character of the water itself.
How does Earth Lagoon compare with the Blue Lagoon for families ?
Both Earth Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon use geothermal water and a tiered pricing model, but they sit in very different landscapes. Blue Lagoon is closer to Reykjavík and the airport, while Earth Lagoon is in north Iceland near Lake Mývatn, with a more volcanic, less built up background. Families seeking quieter surroundings and easier access to nature may prefer the Mývatn setting, especially when combining it with road trips around the surrounding area.
Is advance booking necessary for Earth Lagoon Mývatn ?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for Earth Signature and Earth Exclusive tiers or during peak travel periods. The projected increase in annual visitors after reopening means walk in availability may be limited, especially at popular opening hours. Booking ahead also allows you to align your visit with other activities around Lake Mývatn and north Iceland.
Can a visit to Earth Lagoon fit into a Japanese hot spring focused itinerary ?
Many premium travelers now design itineraries that combine Japanese onsen towns with Icelandic geothermal lagoons. Earth Lagoon Mývatn works well as a northern counterpart to Japanese ryokan stays, offering open air baths, steam rising over black lava and a strong connection to local bathing culture. With thoughtful planning, you can book both styles of hot spring experience in a single extended journey, using each to deepen your understanding of how different cultures treat the same elemental mix of earth, water and steam.