Levi: Ice Floating and Northern Lights Tour

Floating in Lapland feels like stopping time. On Safartica Levi’s 3-hour ice floating and Northern Lights tour, you slip into open arctic water in an insulated rescue suit and float while the sky does its thing above you. I love the calm, free-form floating in cold, dark silence, and I love how the suit makes the experience practical even if you are not a swimmer. One big consideration: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, since clouds and weather call the shots.

Here is the tradeoff. You are paying for a real shot at the aurora plus the rare feeling of watching stars from the water, but you still need to be ready to enjoy a perfectly great night even if the lights do not show.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Float freely in open arctic water while staying on the surface in a rescue suit
• Stargazing from the lake with the possibility of aurora above and reflected on the water
• Arctic rescue suit comfort designed to keep you warm in cold water
• Hot drinks and warm-up time after you float, so you do not just endure the cold
• English guide + clear instructions before you step in, with no swimming skills required
• Levi logistics that matter: a main meeting point at Safartica Levi office, plus about a 1-hour drive to the floating location one way

Entering the Arctic Lake in Levi, Finland (and What That Means)

Levi is built for winter adventures, but ice floating is a different kind of thrill. Instead of rushing, you slow down. The idea is simple: you float in cold open water and let the night fill your senses.

You are not strapped into a gimmick or herded through fast photo moments. The goal is to feel weightless and calm. That calm is the real star of the show, even on nights when the sky is only offering stars and not aurora.

Also, because the activity is designed around safety in the water, you do not need to know how to swim. You get instructed before stepping in, and the rescue suit helps you stay on the surface.

The Rescue Suit: Why This Tour Works for Beginners

This is one of the best things about Safartica’s approach. The arctic rescue suit is the equalizer. It lets you focus on the experience instead of panic about staying afloat.

You will want warm clothing on top of whatever the suit requires, because you will be outside in winter air. But once you are suited up and in the water, the suit does the heavy lifting for you. The result is that the experience feels doable, even for people who are nervous about cold water.

A useful extra tip from the vibe of past groups: if you run cold easily, consider adding foot and hand warmers under your setup. That is not a requirement listed by the tour, but it is smart practical advice. Your comfort can make the difference between tolerating the cold and actually enjoying the stillness.

Floating Time: Stars, Silence, and the Aurora Chance

The floating section is where this tour earns its name. You float freely in open arctic water, and you get time to look up at the starry sky. On a clear night, the night feels huge. On quiet water, it feels even bigger.

If the Northern Lights appear, you may also catch them in the water’s reflection. That detail is not guaranteed, but it is exactly the kind of “this is why I’m here” moment you remember later.

One thing to keep your expectations grounded: the aurora is unpredictable. Clouds can hide it, and sometimes the sky just refuses. That is not a failure of the tour, it is the nature of the phenomenon. The guides plan the evening safari for maximum chance, but they cannot force the sky to cooperate.

The Night’s Flow: Drive Out, Suit Up, Float, Then Warm Up

Your night starts with meeting up in Levi at the Safartica office in the city center. The tour notes that you should check your exact meeting time in the email you receive. Arrive about 10 minutes early at the main meeting place, because missed meeting time and point means you can miss the safari, with no refund.

From there, expect the trip to the floating location to be about a 1-hour drive one way. That matters because you are not just going out for a quick activity. It is a full winter night experience, and the timing is part of the rhythm.

At the location, you get instructed before stepping into the water. Then you float, and you will be looking around a lot, because the point is not motion. It is stillness, breath, stars, and the pause you rarely get at home.

After floating, you warm up. Past groups describe cozy cabins, refreshments, hot chocolate, and marshmallows around a fire setup. Expect hot drinks as part of the experience, and plan for the comfort after the cold water.

Northern Lights Strategy: How to Make the Waiting Part Worth It

When it comes to aurora hunting, you cannot outsmart weather. You can only prepare yourself to wait well. This tour gives you a genuine window of opportunity in the evening.

What you can control is your attitude and your readiness. Wear warm clothing, bring layers, and be patient when the sky looks ordinary. Sometimes the lights show up late. Other times it is just stars. Either way, the act of floating under the night sky can be its own win.

A smart detail from how groups have experienced the return drive: when the sky changes, the guides may spot the lights and make photo opportunities with quick stops. Some groups even report being able to re-enter the outdoor viewing moments more than once. That is exactly what you want, because it increases your chances without turning the night into a frantic sprint.

Price and Value: Is $155 Reasonable for This 3-Hour Tour?

At $155 per person for a 3-hour experience, this is not a budget activity. But you are also not paying for a quick lesson in a warm pool.

You are paying for several things bundled together: a professional English guide, pickup from a central meeting point, a rescue suit designed for arctic water, hot drinks, and access to an arctic floating setup that takes time to reach. The tour also runs as a structured night safari, which usually means the provider is doing more than just showing you where to go.

When I judge value for experiences like this, I look at what you are spared. You are spared buying and transporting cold-water gear yourself, and you are spared figuring out safety and instructions on your own. For many people, that convenience plus the unique setting is exactly why the price feels fair.

One more angle: the experience is concentrated. Three hours is long enough to get a real sense of the night, but short enough that you are not stuck all evening if conditions are poor.

Group Size Reality: What to Expect with Larger Parties

Group dynamics can shape how relaxed the night feels. One past group noted that the group size was quite large, around 23 people, and they split into two groups for the float.

That is not necessarily a problem. In fact, splitting helps you get through instructions without chaos and can keep waiting time more orderly. Still, if you are the type who prefers quiet and one-on-one attention, it is good to know that larger parties happen and you may float in a separate group.

Practical Tips That Will Save Your Night

Here are the practical things that help you enjoy the tour, not just survive it.

Wear warm clothing, because you will be outside before and after the water.

If you get cold easily, consider extra warmth for your hands and feet under your clothing.

Plan to arrive on time. Check the email for your exact meeting time, and aim to be there 10 minutes early at Safartica office.

If you are coming with kids, consider outdoor waiting and late timing. The tour itself flags that timing matters with young children.

You also want to know one safety detail: each traveler is instructed before stepping into the water. No swimming skills are required. That is a big deal if you are nervous.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want something unusual, calm, and genuinely winter. It is especially good for couples and small groups who like silence and night skies.

It is also good for beginners, since the rescue suit does the flotation part and instruction is included.

You should think twice if any of these apply:

• You are under 3 ft 9 in (120 cm), since the tour is not suitable below that height
• You need a guaranteed Northern Lights show. The lights are unpredictable, so you cannot book it expecting a guaranteed win

The tour also notes that at least 2 adults are required for it to run. If you are booking solo, you may need to coordinate with someone else.

Should You Book Levi Ice Floating with Safartica?

If your dream version of Lapland includes quiet, weightless floating and starry sky moments, I think you should book. The experience is built around comfort in cold water, clear guidance, and that rare stillness you only get at night in winter.

If Northern Lights are your only goal, you should still consider booking only if you are okay with the reality that aurora cannot be promised. In that case, treat the Lights as a bonus and the floating plus stargazing as the main event.

And one more honest thought: this is one of those tours that works best when you stop chasing outcomes and start savoring the moment. If you can do that, the cold water night can become one of your favorite Arctic memories.

FAQ

What is included in the Levi ice floating and Northern Lights tour?

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

How long is the tour?

The duration is 3 hours. You can check availability for starting times.

Where do I meet, and is pickup included?

Pickup is included. The main meeting place is Safartica’s Levi office in the city center, and you should arrive about 10 minutes before the activity starts. Also check the meeting time in the email sent by Safartica, since missing the correct time and point can mean you miss the safari.

Do I need swimming skills?

No. You will receive instructions before stepping into the water, and the suit will help you stay on the surface.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The tour is designed to give you a chance to observe them, but the Northern Lights are a natural and unpredictable phenomenon.

What should I bring, and is there a height limit?

Bring warm clothing. The activity is not suitable for people under 3 ft 9 in (120 cm).

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.