Reviewed · AURORA CHASES IN LEVI

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

4.6 · 59 reviews 3 hours From $155 Operated by Safartica · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Book on GetYourGuide →

Ice floating at night is a kind of magic. In Levi, Lapland, Safartica helps you slip into an arctic rescue suit and float freely in open, cold water while you look up at the starry sky and (if conditions cooperate) the northern lights above and reflected on the surface. I really like the pure silence and the weightless calm, but you should know the lights are never guaranteed since the sky can be cloudy.

This is a 3-hour experience with an English guide, hot drinks, and a cozy break built into the evening. The one thing to plan for is real winter time outside, so you will want proper warm layers and a bit of patience for the long drive to the floating spot.

Key Highlights at a Glance

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - Key Highlights at a Glance

  • Open arctic water floating in a purpose-made rescue setup, no experience needed
  • Northern lights chance plus a sky full of stars, with reflections on the water when you get lucky
  • Rescue suit warmth and buoyancy, with coaching before you step in
  • Hot drinks and a cozy warm-up, including time by the fire
  • Silence factor in Lapland, the kind that makes your head feel clear

Ice Floating in Levi, Lapland: Why This Feels Special

Levi is already a night-magic kind of place, but ice floating adds a twist. You are not just watching the aurora from a bus window or a busy viewpoint. You are inside the scene, drifting in open arctic water, looking straight up at the darkness and the stars.

I like that the experience centers on the floating first. Even when the northern lights do not show, the night itself has a wow factor. The water, the cold air, and that hush you get when you are quietly suspended make the whole evening feel slower and more personal than most tours.

The rescue suit changes the vibe in a big way. You get the arctic-water experience without needing confidence in the water. That lets you focus on the moment, not on staying afloat or panicking.

Meeting Safartica in Levi, and What the 1-Hour Drive Changes

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - Meeting Safartica in Levi, and What the 1-Hour Drive Changes
You meet at the Safartica Levi office in the city center. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early, because your meeting time is confirmed by email and missed timing can mean you lose the safari with no refund.

Then comes the part that many people underestimate, the drive. There is about a 1-hour drive one way to the floating location from Levi. That means you should treat this as an evening outing, not a quick add-on. Once you are in the car, you are committing to the full winter schedule, including stops for photos if conditions are right.

Group size can also affect the feel. For example, when the group is large, it can split into smaller groups for the floating part. That usually keeps things smoother and gives you a better chance to hear instructions clearly.

Rescue Suits, Safety Briefing, and Floating With No Swim Skills

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - Rescue Suits, Safety Briefing, and Floating With No Swim Skills
This is one of the most user-friendly “cold-water” activities I have seen in Lapland, because the setup is built around you staying on the surface. Each person gets instructions before stepping into the water, and you do not need swimming skills.

The rescue suit matters for two reasons. First, it is designed to keep you afloat and stable while you are drifting. Second, it helps with warmth, so you can actually enjoy the floating instead of rushing to get out.

Two important practical notes:

  • The activity requires at least two adults to operate.
  • It is not suitable for people under 3 ft 9 in (120 cm).

If you are bringing kids, remember that the experience includes outdoor time and late evening timing. Cold exposure adds up fast when you are standing around waiting, so plan layers and bring a flexible attitude.

The Floating Session: Weightless Calm in Open Arctic Water

When you finally reach the floating spot, the experience shifts from “tour mode” to quiet wonder. You put on your arctic rescue suit, follow the guide’s instructions, and then you float freely in open arctic water.

What you will notice first is how still it feels. In many northern lights tours, you are moving, walking, adjusting clothing, and juggling camera straps. Here, once you are in the water, you can slow everything down. The calm is part of the attraction, and it is what makes the experience memorable even when the lights are faint or absent.

Cold water is part of the deal, even with a suit. You should expect that you will feel chilly, especially once you settle and your body starts adjusting. It helps to dress smart under the suit with warm layers, and it is a good idea to consider extra warmth for hands and feet.

One small tip that comes up often: adding extra heat for your extremities can make a noticeable difference. If you tolerate cold easily, you might be fine with what you have. If you do not, plan ahead with warmers.

Hot Drinks, Cozy Cabin Time, and Warming Up the Right Way

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - Hot Drinks, Cozy Cabin Time, and Warming Up the Right Way
Your evening does not end with cold water. You get hot drinks and a warm-up break that helps you reset. The pacing here is key. You do not just freeze, then stand around hoping the next stop will be magical.

There is typically time in a cabin area with refreshments, and it is common to warm up by a fire. You might get comforting drinks like hot chocolate, and there is often a sweet, cozy vibe that makes everyone relax again after the water.

This warm break also matters because it keeps the experience enjoyable for different body types. Some people can handle cold better than others, but a planned warm-up makes it possible for more travelers to enjoy the full evening without cutting the experience short.

Northern Lights Reality Check: Chance, Timing, and Reflections

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - Northern Lights Reality Check: Chance, Timing, and Reflections
Now for the big expectation: seeing the northern lights.

The truth is simple. The lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon, and this tour is designed to give you a good chance. That means you should go in with two goals:

  1. Enjoy the floating and starry sky, no matter what.
  2. Stay open to the aurora, if it appears.

When conditions are good, you can get a magical effect. The northern lights can show above you and also reflect on the water’s surface, which is exactly the kind of visual that makes people remember this for years.

When conditions are not great, you can still have a strong night. Clouds can block the lights, but you still get the night sky atmosphere and the unique stillness of floating at arctic temperatures.

Another practical point: if you see the aurora, the guides may take time for photos and may adjust the stops to let you get a better look. That flexibility helps, especially when the lights move in and out.

Price and Value for a 3-Hour Arctic Experience

At $155 per person, this is not a bargain. But it also is not just “a viewpoint and a bus ride.”

You are paying for a package that includes:

  • the rescue suit setup
  • guided floating time
  • hot drinks
  • an English guide
  • the long evening drive to reach the best area for floating

You are also paying for comfort and safety. That suit changes the whole nature of the experience, because it allows you to participate without advanced water skills. In winter tourism, the difference between a decent outing and a truly enjoyable one is often the equipment and the support.

If you are the type of traveler who cares about doing something unusual, calm, and sensory-based, the value can make sense. If you are mostly chasing a guaranteed aurora sighting, you might feel disappointed. This tour is best for people who love the process, not only the outcome.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a strong fit if you:

  • want a calmer, more intimate winter experience than standard aurora viewing
  • like nature at night and enjoy quiet moments
  • want the northern lights experience with a meaningful activity attached
  • appreciate guided safety and clear instructions
  • do not want to deal with complicated swimming or water confidence

You might skip it if you:

  • strongly need a guaranteed northern lights show
  • struggle with cold and cannot layer properly
  • need a kid-friendly schedule with minimal outdoor waiting time
  • fall under the 120 cm height limit

For families, it can work if you plan carefully and keep expectations realistic about time outdoors. For small kids who get cold quickly, the late timing can be tough.

My Booking Advice: How to Make the Most of Your Evening

Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour - My Booking Advice: How to Make the Most of Your Evening
If you want the best results, focus on what you can control.

Dress in warm layers and give yourself room to move. The suit helps, but you will still feel winter conditions. Aim to cover your core, and do not forget the small body parts that get cold first, hands and feet.

Be punctual. The meeting spot is the Safartica office in Levi city center, and the email you get matters. If you miss your meeting time or location, you risk losing the safari without refund.

Finally, adjust your mindset. Treat the northern lights as a bonus. The core value is what you do while waiting in the quiet night, drifting weightless in the arctic water and watching the sky unfold overhead.

Should You Book Levi Ice Floating With Safartica?

If your dream is an arctic night you can feel in your bones, yes, I think you should book it. The ice floating part is distinctive, calm, and approachable because of the suit and instructions. Even in cloudy skies, the starry atmosphere and the silence in the water can still deliver a real “I will never forget this” memory.

If your priority is a guaranteed northern lights sighting, consider other aurora-focused options. This one gives you a strong chance, but it does not promise the lights. Go for the floating experience, and you will likely come away happy, even when the aurora plays hard to predict.

FAQ

How long is the Levi Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour?

The duration is 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour in Levi?

You meet at the Safartica Levi office in the city center. You should arrive about 10 minutes before the activity starts.

Is there pickup included?

Pickup is listed as included in the sense that the meeting point is at the Safartica office in Levi city center. If you are staying in the city, you should select Safartica Levi as the meeting point.

What is included in the price?

It includes an arctic rescue suit, floating, hot drinks, and an English guide.

Do I need swimming skills to float?

No. You are instructed before stepping into the water, and the suit is designed to keep you on the surface, so swimming skills are not required.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing for winter conditions outdoors.

Can I guarantee seeing the Northern Lights?

No. The northern lights are unpredictable, and the tour is designed to give you a chance to observe them.

Is the tour suitable for children?

It is not suitable for people under 3 ft 9 in (120 cm). The tour also includes outdoor stay and late timing, which can be a consideration for young children.

Fresh tracks out of Levi Sirkka

More like this

Aurora Chases in Levi, compared.

The full Aurora Chases in Levi list →
Snowmobile Northern Lights Hunting Trip
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 610 reviews· from $187

Snowmobile Northern Lights Hunting Trip

Read our review →
Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 542 reviews· from $211

Northern Lights Tour with Guaranteed Sightings

Read our review →
Northern Lights Tour and Stargazing by Telescope
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 183 reviews· from $128

Northern Lights Tour and Stargazing by Telescope

Read our review →
Northern Lights Tour by Minivan
★★★★★★★★★★4.3· 181 reviews· from $116

Northern Lights Tour by Minivan

Read our review →
Best & Original Northern Lights Hunting & photography
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 147 reviews· from $145

Best & Original Northern Lights Hunting & photography

Read our review →
Northern Lights in Peace and Privacy – by Private Lake
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 131 reviews· from $175

Northern Lights in Peace and Privacy – by Private Lake

Read our review →
Northern Lights Campfire
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 127 reviews· from $108

Northern Lights Campfire

Read our review →
Northern Lights Hunting Photo Tour
★★★★★★★★★★3.9· 120 reviews· from $140

Northern Lights Hunting Photo Tour

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

From the Arctic Circle down to the Baltic

Aurora nights, husky yards, icebreakers and archipelago ferries — and the best of each.