Join 8,000+ Iceland travel fans and unlock the reader discounts
Get Iceland advice straight from a local, once a week. Subscribe and unlock discount codes from 50+ hand-picked Icelandic companies.
- ✓Instant access to the reader discount codes
- ✓Savings on tours, hot springs, car and camper rentals
- ✓Tips and ideas for planning your Iceland trip
Free, once a week. Unsubscribe any time.
It could be argued that geothermally heated water is the best thing about Iceland. It gives us wonderful spas, hot tubs, and swimming pools. One great option for bathing and relaxing are the Geosea baths in Húsavík town. Geosea is an essential part of the wonderful Diamond Circle route in North East Iceland. The best way to experience the Diamond Circle is to rent a car, and if you do, you might be helped in your travel planning with the Diamond Circle road trip plan.
Save 10% on your admission ticket to Geosea with the Stuck in Iceland discount code
Subscribe to my newsletter to receive a discount code for Geosea, which will give you 10% off the admission price.
Free road trip plans with maps
Day-by-day plans for the four drives most people take, each on an interactive map with where to sleep, fuel stops, waterfalls and reader discounts along the way. Built for a relaxed pace, not a race.
See all road trip plansMap of hot springs, spas and pools
Every lagoon, wild hot spring and town pool in Iceland on one map. Find warm water near you, and see which spas give my readers a discount.
- 57 places to soak
- % Reader discounts

Geosea baths in Húsavík have a salty twist
The baths have a little twist. The water there is a highly mineral-rich mix of seawater and geothermal water. This is extracted from two boreholes in the vicinity of the baths. The locals have been bathing in the salty water for many years to relax and relieve skin ailments such as psoriasis. But now you don’t have to settle for an old barrel. You can float in style in the salty water or sit with your cold beer if that is your thing. The water stays clean all the time since it is replenished constantly. Overflowing water from the baths runs its course to the sea.
A first-class view
The baths are perched on a hill at the edge of the sea. From there, you have an excellent view of the bay of Skjálfandi and the snow-covered Kinnarfjöll mountain range. Perhaps you might be lucky enough to spot a whale or two at the baths; after all, Skjálfandi Bay is probably one of the best areas in Iceland to see whales. If you are going whale watching in Húsavík, remember that if you subscribe to my free newsletter, you will receive a 10% discount with Northsailing. The potential to enjoy the northern lights and starlit skies when soaking in the Geosea baths in winter should be enough to include Geoesa in your itinerary if you are traveling in autumn or winter. The light pollution in this location is minimal, essential for an uninterrupted view of the northern lights.
As hot as you like it
I love that the baths have different temperatures, so everybody should find the right level of heat. I liked the warmest part of the baths, but that is just me. Sitting in the hot water looking out over the sea and to the mountains was relaxing. But discovering yet again that I can’t float to save my life, even in highly salty water, was a bit frustrating! But visit Geosea in Húsavík and see if you have better luck floating than I did.
How to get to the Geosea Baths in Húsavík town
From Akureyri, drive on Highway 1 and then turn to road no. 85. You can take the tunnel under Vaðlaheiði mountain. I recommend doing this in winter and not attempting the Víkurskarð pass. In summer, however, it is a pleasant drive.
Jón Heiðar Ragnheiðarson — Reykjavík-based Iceland Travel Editor since 2012
Related posts
Iceland travel advice from someone who actually lives here
I'm Jón, a native Icelander who has called Reykjavík home for over 30 years. Since 2012, I've been running this magazine the way a knowledgeable local friend would — giving you the honest advice, the real discounts from 50+ partners in the Icelandic travel industry, and 200+ expert interviews you won't find anywhere else. This is Iceland from the inside.
Save on camper van rental
A camper saves on hotels in summer, but you sleep at campsites. Wild camping in a camper is not allowed.
- Go CampersSave 5% with this link
- Happy CampersSave 5% with this link
- KonvinSave 10%, sign up for the code
Codes marked "sign up" come by email when you join the free newsletter.
See the camper van dealsSave on car rental
Reader discounts from four Icelandic car rental companies. Read the insurance terms before you book.
- Go Car RentalSave 5% with this link
- Lava Car RentalSave 5% with this link
- EuropcarCode
STUCK10saves 10% - KonvinSave 10%, sign up for the code