Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Levi ice floating sounds strange in the best way. You step into cold, open arctic water wearing an arctic rescue suit, then look up at the stars while you float almost motionless. It is the kind of Lapland night where the calm feels physical.

Two things I really like about this experience are the weightless floating itself and the chance to see the Northern Lights from the water, with the sky and reflections in the same view. One drawback to plan for: seeing the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed, since it depends on clouds and conditions that night.

Key things to know before you go

• A flotation suit does the heavy lifting, so you do not need swimming skills
• Your best view is upward, you float and watch the sky, not through glass
• About a 1-hour drive each way from Levi to the floating location
• Hot drinks and warm-up time after the water, with a very cozy night vibe
• Large groups can split, so you might float in a smaller subgroup
• Northern Lights are a bonus, not a promise, and you may get extra chances on the return drive

Ice Floating in Levi: What the experience actually feels like

This tour is built around one simple idea, free-floating in arctic water while you stay warm and buoyant. The arctic rescue suit is the difference between guessing how brave you are and actually relaxing enough to enjoy the moment. Once you are suited up and shown what to do, you step in and float with very little effort.

What surprised me is how fast your mind changes once you stop fighting the cold. In the suit, the water feels like part of the landscape of the night, not an enemy. You can focus on small details, the sound of your breath, the stillness around you, and the starry sky overhead.

The most memorable visual is the combination of sky and water. If the Northern Lights show up, you get them not just above you, but also reflected on the surface. If they do not, you still get a rare kind of darkness that makes the stars look sharper than you expect in a city. Some nights have a light dusting of snow, and the sparkly look can feel almost unreal.

Meeting Safartica Levi Office and the 1-hour drive out

You meet at the Safartica Levi Office in the city center. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before the activity starts, because missing the meeting time and point means you miss the safari and it is not refundable.

After you check in, you are on the clock for a 3-hour total tour window, and there is a key reality inside that number: you have about a 1-hour drive one way to the floating location. That travel time is part of the experience, since Lapland nights can be crisp and dark enough that getting away from town matters for the sky watching.

If you are staying in central Levi, you will usually just pick Safartica as your meeting point. You should also check the email from Safartica for your exact meeting time. That one email can save you from a stressful scramble in the dark.

The arctic rescue suit and your safety briefing (no swimming needed)

This is not a swim lesson tour, and you should not treat it like one. You will be instructed before stepping into the water, and the suit is designed to keep you on the surface. That means you can take part even if you are not confident in open water.

The practical goal of the briefing is to help you do three things smoothly: get in, get comfortable, and stay calm while you float. The staff will tell you what to expect in the cold water and how to handle your body position so you can look up at the sky instead of tensing up.

What to wear matters, because the suit helps but it does not mean you can show up in a T-shirt. Dress for warmth first, then let the suit add the cold-water protection. If you tend to run cold in your hands or feet, bring extra warmth where it counts. One helpful tip I picked up from experience reports is to consider adding hand and foot warmers under your layers, since those spots can feel the cold most quickly.

Floating under a starry sky: your Northern Lights odds

The core moment happens once you are in the water. You float freely, take in the silence and the pure night air, and look up at the stars. Think of it as a guided pause in the middle of winter. You are not doing a fast activity. You are slowing down on purpose.

Your Northern Lights viewing is built into this same setting. The lights, if they appear, can show above you and also reflect in the water. That is a big part of why this tour stands out. Most Northern Lights tours put you on land, looking across a field of darkness. Here, your vantage point includes the water surface.

Now the honest part. Even with careful planning, Northern Lights are still weather-dependent. Clouds can roll in, and the sky might stay dark and empty that night. You should book with the mindset that seeing aurora is a bonus, and the floating is the main event. When people skip the lights, they often still leave happy because the experience of floating in still arctic water is its own reward.

Warm-up time, hot drinks, and the fire-side atmosphere

The cold-water part is only half the story. What makes this feel good is that you get a proper warm-up afterward, with hot drinks included. You will likely spend time in a warm, cozy break area, and on some nights there is a fire and a relaxed hangout vibe.

In multiple accounts, the hot drinks and the setting right after the water are what turn nerves into satisfaction. People feel the contrast quickly. You are in freezing water, then you are back in warmth with something comforting in your hands. It makes the experience feel safe and cared for rather than like a stunt.

Some nights include sweet extras alongside the drinks, like hot chocolate and marshmallows. Even if it is simple, the routine matters. You get time to thaw out, warm your face and fingers, and then check the sky again. That reset is part of why this tour works for both first-timers and repeat Lapland visitors.

Group size, timing, and why you should plan for flexibility

This tour is designed for winter conditions, not perfect control. That means you should expect a schedule that moves with the night. The total duration is about 3 hours, including the drive. There is not much buffer time for long detours.

Group size can also affect how the experience feels. In one experience log, a group of about 23 was split into smaller groups for the floating. So if you show up with a full roster, you might not float with everyone at once. That is normal and usually keeps things running safely and smoothly.

For photography, the tour can work in your favor. Some nights include extra chances to catch the Northern Lights on the way back, with stops that allow you to get out and take photos again. That is not something you should count on every time, but it is a sensible strategy, since you are already out there and the lights can shift fast.

What to bring for a comfy, not miserable, night

Bring warmth, and do it in layers you can adjust. The tour specifically says to bring warm clothing, and that is the main instruction you should follow.

Here is what I recommend in practical terms:

• Base layers that you can keep on, even under the suit
• Warm mid-layer (fleece or similar)
• Windproof outer layer, since Lapland air can cut quickly
• Gloves and warm socks, because cold hands and cold feet make everything feel longer
• A hat that covers your ears

One more small idea if you run cold easily: extra hand and foot warmth. It is not required information from the tour itself, but it is a tip that shows up in real-world experience because it helps people feel steady in the water.

You should also be ready for outdoor time and late-night darkness. If you are traveling with kids, consider that late timing can make it harder for young children to stay comfortable. The tour is also not suitable for people under 120 cm.

Price and value: is $155 worth it?

At $155 per person for a 3-hour tour, this is not a budget activity. But it is not just paying for a view either.

You are paying for:

• The arctic rescue suit (big part of the value, and you cannot replicate that easily)
• Guide support in English
• Floating time in a controlled, safe setup where you do not need swimming skills
• Hot drinks to warm up after
• The logistics of a winter night, including about a 1-hour drive each way from Levi

If your goal is only to see the Northern Lights, you can sometimes find cheaper options. But if your goal is a memorable experience that combines cold-water calm with a sky full of stars, this tour is one of the more unusual ways to do it. Even when aurora is missing due to clouds, many people still feel it is worth it because floating in freezing arctic water is not something you can easily DIY safely.

So the best way to judge the price is simple: if you want the floating to be the main event, you are likely to feel the value. If you are only chasing aurora, you might feel disappointed on a cloudy night, even if the floating is great.

Who this tour suits best, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you:

• Want something different from typical Northern Lights bus tours
• Like quiet, low-pressure activities
• Are curious about trying ice floating even if you are not athletic
• Appreciate winter beauty and calm, not thrill-chasing

It also has clear limits. It is not suitable for people under 120 cm, and the experience requires at least two adults to take place. So if you are traveling as a solo adult, you will need to check whether dates meet that requirement through the operator.

If you are bringing young children, plan for extra patience. The activity includes outdoor time, and it is timed for evening sky conditions. That means cold exposure and late hours are part of the package, even though the suit helps for the water.

Should you book Levi ice floating and Northern Lights?

If you are deciding right now, I would book if two ideas match your style: you want weightless floating in arctic water, and you are happy to treat the Northern Lights as a possible bonus. This tour shines when you stop thinking of it as a spectacle and start thinking of it as calm, guided winter time.

Skip it or reconsider if you need guaranteed aurora visibility. Clouds happen. Conditions change. You cannot force the sky. Also, if you cannot handle being outside late in cold weather, then even with hot drinks, the overall night timing might wear you down.

If you do book, come dressed for cold, follow the safety instructions, and let yourself do the simplest thing well: float, look up, and enjoy the silence.

FAQ

How long is the Levi ice floating and Northern Lights tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where do I meet for the tour in Levi?

You meet at the Safartica Levi Office in the city center. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before the activity starts.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included. If you are staying in the city, you should select Safartica Levi as your meeting point.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes an arctic rescue suit, floating, hot drinks, and an English live guide.

Do I need swimming skills?

No. You will receive instructions before stepping into the water, and the suit is designed to keep you on the surface.

About how far do you drive to the floating location?

There is about a 1-hour drive from Levi to the floating location (one way).

Can I guarantee seeing the Northern Lights?

No. Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon, and the evening safaris are designed to give you a chance, not a guarantee.

What should I bring and is it suitable for kids?

Bring warm clothing. It is not suitable for people under 120 cm, and you should consider outdoor time and late timing if bringing young children.