My Epic Experience Ice Floating in Rovaniemi, Finland: Honest Tour Review

If you’re planning a trip to Rovaniemi, you’ve probably stumbled across photos of people bobbing around in bright red suits that make them look like human lobsters, and you’re asking yourself:

Is ice floating actually safe, or am I going to turn into Jack from Titanic?

And is it worth the cost when there are so many other activities in Lapland?

I’ll be honest—ice floating wasn’t even on my radar. My travel buddy wanted to book the icebreaker cruise, but when I saw the $500+ per person price tag, every budget-conscious bone in my body screamed “NO!”

That’s when I discovered you could do ice floating separately for a fraction of the cost, AND do it at night with the chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Win-win.

But here’s what I didn’t expect: ice floating in Rovaniemi became one of the absolute highlights of my entire Finnish Lapland trip.

In this honest review, I’m sharing every detail about ice floating in Rovaniemi—the good, the awkward, and the “why am I doing this?” moments—so you can decide if this unique Arctic experience deserves a spot on your Rovaniemi itinerary.

Plus, I’ll give you all the practical details like actual costs, how and where to book, and what to know before you do!

What is Ice Floating?

Ice floating is exactly what it says it is: you get to float in a frozen lake surrounded by ice.

But don’t worry, you won’t turn into Jack; you’ll be suited up in a dry survival suit that’ll keep you warm (enough) and safe from the freezing waters.

It differs from polar plunges in that experience is more for the health benefits, while ice floating is more about lying back and taking it all in.

My Honest Experience

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t initially keen on the ice floating in Rovaniemi experience.

I really only came upon it as my travel buddy had proposed the Rovaniemi: Icebreaker Cruise with Lunch and Ice Floating experience.

While it sounded intriguing, every budget-friendly bone in my body revolted at the over $500 price tag per person!

So I went looking for alternatives and discovered you can do ice floating separately and also while at night, so we had the chance to see the Northern Lights (which was the whole reason we were on this trip!)

I found the Ice Floating in Lapland With Northern Lights experience by NordicUnique Travels, which was far more affordable, at just under $100 per person (it was $94.99 when we went), and we booked in advance.

So, no, I wasn’t immediately drawn to ice floating, but it became one of the highlights of my trip!

The Ice Floating Experience: Step by Step

Driving to the Frozen Lake

I can’t recall if we were picked up or if we just walked over to their business because our hotel, Scandic Rovaniemi City, is so dead center in the city that several times during our Rovaniemi itinerary, we just had to turn the corner, and there was the main hub of many tour companies.

But their website does say that pickup is included, so if you’re not staying so central, you’ll be able to be swooped up before departing for the frozen lake.

Our tour guides, I wish I could recall their names, but I know they were two guys not from Finland, I think one was from Argentina, but they were lovely!

They had such wonderful personalities and joked around which made the entire tour enjoyable and light hearted.

Our group came in two vans, and aside from the guides, there were 16 of us. Not too many, but enough to make it feel like a fun, full group.

Upon arrival, we received a safety briefing that outlined how to stay safe in the water. Mostly, I recall it boiling down to not splashing around or getting your face wet since that’s the only exposed area not covered by the suit.

Getting Ready to Look like a Lobster

Now comes for the challenging and odd part of the evening.

We were taken to a room full of those dry survival suits that are so bright red that you look like a lobster, and were each assisted with picking a suit based on height.

Don’t worry, they did not make it awkward by asking anyone’s weight; it was more about seeing if it was tall enough for you to fit in, as they came in various lengths. If I remember correctly, I was a Medium—I’m 5’8″ for reference.

We were then told to strip down to our base layers. I had on my Merino Wool Base Layer, which you can find in my Lapland What to Wear guide, and a pair of socks (only one).

Why only one? Well, the whole reason they want you to strip down and not bundle up is that if there is a leak in the suit and you’re rolling 3 layers deep in clothing, it’s gonna take a while for you to notice and by then it maybe a problem.

So instead, through one layer of sock, for instance, you’ll feel the wet pretty quickly. One woman on our trip actually felt it ASAP, even before we got in the water, so they had her change suits.

The only other awkward note I’ll say is, you get changed in a large room with everyone else. No, you aren’t getting naked so it’s no big deal but at first we were all a little ‘huh?’

You then store your belongings in that room and waddle down to the lake.

Steeping Into the Ice

Upon arriving on the dock, which isn’t far away at all, the guides explain how to step down the ladder into the lake.

If you’ve ever used any ladder, it’s exactly the same; just make sure to go down with your back toward the lake.

It’s also not very deep where you are in the lake, so don’t worry about being dropped into a frozen abyss. I was about waist-high, maybe a little less.

The Floating Experience

Once you’re in, the suit will shrink wrap around you like any wet suit, so even if it’s a bit bulky before you head out, it won’t be once you’re wet.

The suit also helps to keep you afloat, honestly, so well that once you lie back and float, it is a bit difficult to get back standing.

However, I found that turning my arms into kind of propellers helped me get up. I found this method sometimes did get me a drop or two of water on my face, but it was so minor that it did nothing. Instead, you can get a helping hand from one of the group members.

It was 29°C, which is -20.2°F, but surprisingly, the water was warmer the guides told us.

I wasn’t cold at all, till maybe the end, a small bit, but not nearly as much as I should have felt at that temperature. Mostly, it just felt so fascinating to be wrapped in this suit, floating by ice.

We handed the guides our phones before stepping in, and while they took photos, I wouldn’t say you should expect anything spectacular, as it’s dark out and they’re mostly doing you a favor.

I’m sure my jokes about Jack not leaving me were something the guides could have lived without, but I had a hell of a time (the guides were very patient with me)!

I actually thought I saw the Milky Way above us, but it turned out to be an Aurora. If you want the whole scoop on why I was confused, check my Northern Lights guide to Rovaniemi.

You’re allowed to float as long as you want. I was one of the first in and one of the last out. I’d estimate we were in there for maybe 30 minutes, but they say you can stay in as long as you like, and some people certainly didn’t stay as long as I did.

Food and Drink Afterward

After you step back out of the lake, you change into your regular clothes and head inside the building for some hot drinks and gingerbread.

Since I was one of the last out, I didn’t get to spend too much time in here, but it was warm and there were plenty of places to sit and relax.

Seeing the Aurora Borealis

My travel buddy and I then went and took photos of the Auroras, which show up FAR better on camera with the three-second exposure.

We were actually shocked to see them, as the Aurora app’s forecast hadn’t looked great!

But this location is excellent for aurora viewing as it’s away from city lights, aka light pollution.

In all honesty, even if we didn’t see them, the experience was enjoyable.

After a bit, we loaded back into the van and headed back toward Rovaniemi.

What to Know Before You Book

Aside from what I’ve mentioned above, I will note that this activity isn’t best for wheelchair users, as you need to be able to walk into the lake.

It also isn’t suitable for people under 4 ft 3 in (130 cm), as you need to be at least that tall to fit into the suit.

Otherwise, you don’t have to be super physically fit, just able to get into the suit and get up and down the ladder. You don’t even have to be an expert swimmer, as you’re not really swimming, just floating and standing.

How to Book Ice Floating in Rovaniemi

I’m linking the exact experience we were on with NordicUnique Travels.

We booked with GetYourGuide at the time, but it is currently cheaper on Viator.

There are also day options, should you want to do that instead, though they you won’t have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.

Either way, I highly recommend booking in advance, as our tour was fully booked! And this experience is becoming increasingly popular.

Final Thoughts on Ice Floating in Rovaniemi

Whether or not you see the Northern Lights during this experience, it is truly well worth it as something unique to do during your trip to Rovaniemi.

I’d go again in a heartbeat, just to do something so different, and I would recommend it to anyone physically capable of doing so.

It’s one of my many reasons Rovaniemi is worth visiting!

Header image from NordicUnique Travels

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• Arctic Cuisine Dining Guide: Best Lapland Finland Restaurants
• Is Rovaniemi Worth Visiting? 19 of the Best Reasons to Visit in Winter
• My Epic Experience Ice Floating in Rovaniemi: An Honest Review
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