What to Bring to the Sky Lagoon (and What to Leave Behind)

The good news about packing for the Sky Lagoon is how little you actually need. The oceanfront geothermal lagoon sits on the Kársnes headland in Kópavogur, only about ten to fifteen minutes from central Reykjavík, and the entry pass is built to carry most of the load for you. Before you start stuffing a beach bag, it helps to know what’s already covered.

What’s provided — so don’t pack it

Every Sky Lagoon pass includes three things people often try to bring themselves: a towel, the Sky Body Scrub (used in the fifth step of the ritual), and the full 7-step Skjól ritual itself. There is no need to pack a towel — one is waiting for you. Showers on site are stocked with body wash, shampoo and conditioner too.

The one thing that is not included is anything from the bar. A drink at the in-water bar or the on-site café is an extra cost, so if a post-soak refreshment matters to you, bring a card.

What you actually need to bring

The short answer is a swimsuit. Swimwear is required — the Sky Lagoon is not clothing-optional — and while you can rent a suit on site for a fee, bringing your own is simpler and cheaper. That’s the one genuine must-pack item. If you forget everything else on this page, you’ll still have a complete visit with a swimsuit and your booking confirmation.

The small things that make it better

A few optional extras lift the experience from good to seamless:

• A hair tie. Long hair is best tied up. The Sky Lagoon’s geothermal water is gentler on hair than the Blue Lagoon’s mineral-heavy silica water, but tying it back — and using the conditioner that’s already provided in the showers — keeps it from drying out.
• Flip-flops or sandals. Entirely optional. The walkways are heated, so most people are comfortable barefoot, but some prefer the reassurance of sandals between the changing room and the water.
• A waterproof phone case. If you want photos of the infinity edge meeting the North Atlantic, a waterproof pouch lets you carry your phone safely into the water. Otherwise, leave the phone in your locker.

Glasses-wearers have nothing to worry about — you can keep them on in the lagoon with no issue.

Shower before you enter

This catches first-time visitors off guard: Icelandic bathing custom requires a thorough shower, without a swimsuit, before you enter the water. It’s a public-health norm at every pool and lagoon in the country, and the on-site showers are set up for exactly this. Build a few minutes into your arrival for it.

Saman vs Sér: where you’ll change

Your pass also decides your changing experience. The standard Saman pass uses shared changing rooms and showers — everything you need, in a communal space. The Sér pass upgrades you to a private changing room with its own shower and Sky’s signature botanical products. The lagoon, the ritual and the view are identical between them; you’re only choosing privacy. If shared facilities give you pause, Sér is the easy fix.

What not to bother bringing

Skip the towel (provided), skip soap and shampoo (provided), and skip anything valuable you don’t want to lock away — lockers are available, but the lighter you travel, the easier the whole visit. The Sky Lagoon admits guests aged 12 and up, so this isn’t a packing list for small children. Leave professional cameras at home as well; they aren’t permitted.

Pack a swimsuit, tie up your hair, decide on the phone case, and you’re ready. Read more about the 7-step ritual and opening hours & best time to plan your slot, then check availability for your dates.