Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Floating in a dark Arctic lake while ice forms around you is the kind of strange, peaceful experience you remember long after the holiday. Safartica takes you from Levi to a remote floating spot, where a special rescue suit keeps you on the surface and lets you look up at the stars without feeling the cold water directly.

I like the stillness of the lake and the chance to see the Northern Lights from the water, with their reflection below you. I also like the practical setup: transport, suit, English instruction, and hot drinks are all included.

The main drawback is the long transfer. The floating location is about one hour from Levi each way, so a three-hour tour includes a lot of travel for a relatively short time at the lake. The cold, late timing, and possible group size also matter.

Key points to know before booking

• The rescue suit keeps you afloat: You do not need swimming skills, and each person receives instructions before entering the water.
• The lake is about one hour from Levi: The drive takes up a large part of this three-hour evening outing.
• The Northern Lights are not guaranteed: Clouds can hide them, though the starry sky and quiet setting still make the float worthwhile.
• Hot chocolate, warm drinks, firelight, and marshmallows help afterward: The cozy cabin area is an important part of the experience.
• Large groups can affect the pace: One group of 23 had to split into two floating groups.
• Bring warm clothes and consider hand and foot warmers: The suit protects your body, but your hands and feet may still feel cold.

What the ice floating experience is really like

The basic idea sounds simple: put on a rescue suit, step into an Arctic lake, and float. In practice, the oddness of the setting is what makes this special. You are lying on cold water while ice forms around you, yet the suit keeps you on the surface. Above you is a dark sky, often filled with stars. If the Northern Lights appear, you may see them both overhead and in the water.

You receive instructions before entering the lake. No swimming skills are required because the suit is designed to keep you afloat. That makes this less of a water-sports activity and more of a slow, quiet encounter with the night.

The pace is deliberately calm. You are not racing across the lake or trying to master a skill. You simply lie back, breathe, and let the silence do much of the work. That makes the experience a good fit if you want something different from the usual snowmobile ride or husky outing.

The cold still matters. One person found the water chilly, which should not surprise you. The suit provides the main protection, but it does not turn the lake into a warm bath. Put on your warmest clothing for the time before and after the float, and consider bringing disposable warmers for your hands and feet.

The one-hour ride from Levi

The evening begins at the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts, and you need to check your exact meeting time in the email from the operator. The meeting point matters: missing the appointed time or place means missing the safari, with no refund.

From Levi, expect roughly one hour in the vehicle to reach the floating location. The same journey takes about one hour on the way back. This is worth considering when you look at the $155 price and the three-hour duration.

The transfer does have a practical benefit. The floating site is away from the center of Levi, where there is a better chance of finding quiet, dark surroundings. You are not standing beside resort lights or road traffic. The remote setting helps make the water feel peaceful and the sky easier to watch.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. This is not three hours of floating. The total time includes transportation, preparation, instructions, changing into the rescue suit, and warming up afterward. If you want a long period in the water, ask about the expected floating time before booking.

Getting into the Arctic water

At the site, the staff explain how to use the suit and what to do before you step into the lake. This preparation is important for first-time participants. The gear may look unusual, but the purpose is clear: it provides buoyancy and helps protect you in the cold water.

The most awkward part may be getting ready rather than floating. You need to dress carefully, follow the instructions, and accept that the suit can feel bulky. Once you are in the water, the strange part is over. You can lean back and allow the suit to support you.

The experience is suitable for people who do not swim, but there is a minimum height requirement. Children and adults must be at least 120 centimeters tall, or about 3 feet 9 inches. At least two adults are also required for the activity to run.

Families should think about more than the height rule. The outing takes place outdoors at night, and the return can be late. Young children may find the cold, changing process, and long transfer tiring even if they meet the minimum height.

Stars, silence, and the Northern Lights

The best part of the outing is the view from the water. When you float on your back, your normal viewpoint disappears. You are not looking across a lake from the shore. You are looking straight up, with the water moving gently below your ears and the sky filling your view.

The Northern Lights are a possibility, not a promise. They depend on cloud cover and natural activity, neither of which Safartica can control. You may get a clear aurora display, a quick sighting during the drive, or no aurora at all.

That uncertainty is easier to accept if you value the float itself. A clear night with stars can be beautiful even without green lights overhead. One evening brought clouds that hid the aurora, yet the quiet floating experience still felt worthwhile. On another outing, the lights appeared during the return drive, and the group stopped more than once to take photographs.

This is a useful reminder not to judge the tour only by the aurora forecast. If your only goal is to photograph the Northern Lights, a dedicated aurora chase may give you more flexibility. If you want a memorable Arctic activity with the aurora as a bonus, this tour makes more sense.

The water can add another layer to the view. When snow falls while you are floating, it may look like glitter against the dark sky. If the Northern Lights appear, the possibility of seeing them reflected on the water gives you a view that is hard to copy from land.

Warming up by the fire

After the float, the warm-up period is not an afterthought. You return to a cozy area with lights, fire pits, a cabin, and hot drinks. Hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire are especially welcome after time in the water.

I like this part because it gives the evening a proper ending. You have time to get out of the suit, regain feeling in your fingers and toes, and talk about what you just did. The combination of cold water and warm fire creates a clear contrast, and the simple refreshments fit the setting better than a rushed return to the vehicle.

Do not treat the included drinks as a substitute for proper clothing. Bring warm layers for the entire evening. The suit is supplied, but your personal clothing still determines how comfortable you are before entering the lake and after leaving it.

The staff are also part of the experience here. They give instructions, help with the suit, and guide the group through the process. The strongest praise has gone to the friendly, caring way the team handles first-time participants. That matters when you are about to step into a freezing lake in the dark.

Group size and the pace of the evening

Group size may change how personal the experience feels. A group of 23 people had to split into two groups for the actual floating. That is not necessarily a problem, but it can mean waiting, staggered instructions, and less of the private silence you may imagine from the description.

A large group can also make the changing process slower. If you are looking for a quiet couple’s activity, ask Safartica about the expected group size on your date. The setting itself is peaceful, but the departure area and preparation period may feel more social when the vehicle is full.

The guides appear to keep the mood friendly and organized. That helps balance the practical parts of the evening. You are not left to work out the suit alone, and the staff can help people who feel nervous about entering the water.

The actual float is the part that benefits most from a calm group. Once you are spread out on the lake, noise tends to fade. Even if the evening begins with a larger party, the water can restore the sense of quiet you came for.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price includes transport from Levi, the Arctic rescue suit, floating, an English-speaking guide, and hot drinks. You are also paying for staff, safety instructions, equipment handling, and access to a prepared location away from the resort.

The one-hour journey in each direction affects the value. If you count only time at the lake, the cost may feel high. If you see it as a complete evening outing with transportation and a rare Arctic activity, the price is easier to justify.

I would compare it with your overall Lapland budget. If you already plan to book several expensive excursions, this may be the one to choose only if the idea of floating in icy water genuinely appeals to you. It offers something different from a standard snow activity, but it is not the best choice for someone who mainly wants a long aurora-watching session.

The hot drinks and fire area add comfort, but they do not change the basic calculation. The value rests on the unusual floating experience and the remote night setting. The aurora should be treated as an extra benefit.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, older children who handle cold outdoor activities well, and anyone who wants a quiet experience rather than a fast one. It is also a good choice for people who do not swim, since the suit keeps you on the surface and the guide explains the process.

You should be comfortable with several things:

• A long drive from Levi
• Cold conditions and a late outdoor activity
• Changing into special equipment
• The chance of sharing the site with a sizable group
• The fact that the Northern Lights may not appear

Photography is possible, especially during aurora stops on the way back, but the floating position may not be ideal for handling a camera. You should focus first on staying comfortable and following the guide’s instructions.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold water, need a short activity close to the center of Levi, or want a guaranteed view of the aurora. It is also not suitable for anyone under 120 centimeters.

Booking and practical details

The meeting point is the Safartica office in central Levi if you are staying in town. Pickup is included, but you should confirm the details in your email rather than relying on a general schedule. Arriving 10 minutes early gives you time to find the office and avoid a rushed start.

The tour is conducted in English. The duration is three hours, though the floating location is about one hour away from Levi. At least two adults are needed for the activity to take place.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option can help if your plans are still changing. It does not remove the need to check the meeting instructions carefully.

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers are a smart extra, based on the conditions described during the activity. Also think about the timing if you are bringing children, since the outing involves a long transfer, cold air, and time outdoors at night.

Should you book the Levi ice floating tour?

Book it if the thought of lying in Arctic water beneath a starry sky sounds more exciting than frightening. The rescue suit makes the activity accessible even without swimming skills, and the combination of floating, firelight, hot drinks, and a possible aurora creates a memorable evening.

Skip it if the Northern Lights are your only goal, since they cannot be guaranteed. Also skip it if the one-hour drive each way feels like too much for a short period in the water.

For the right person, the value is not just in seeing the aurora. It is in the silence, the strange feeling of floating while ice forms nearby, and the warm return to the cabin afterward. At $155, it is a special-occasion activity, not a casual filler. I would choose it for the unusual Arctic setting and treat the Northern Lights as a fortunate bonus.

FAQ

How long is the Levi ice floating tour?

The activity lasts three hours. The floating location is about one hour from Levi each way, so the total time includes transportation, preparation, floating, and warming up.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $155 per person.

Is transportation from Levi included?

Yes. Pickup is included, and the main meeting place is the Safartica office in central Levi for people staying in the city.

Do I need to know how to swim?

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

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the Arctic rescue suit, the floating activity, hot drinks, and an English-speaking guide.

Can I be sure I will see the Northern Lights?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Clouds or low aurora activity may prevent a sighting.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing. Hand and foot warmers may also help you stay comfortable in the cold.

Are there age or height requirements?

People under 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches, cannot take part. At least two adults are required for the activity to operate, and the late outdoor timing should be considered when bringing young children.