Northern Lights Ice Floating from Levi — An Evening on a Frozen Lake Under the Arctic Sky
What makes this different
- Floating on your back after dark, looking straight up at a star-filled Arctic sky — 150 km above the Arctic Circle
- On a clear night with active conditions, the Northern Lights appear both overhead and reflected in the water surface around you
- A secluded lake far from town lights: the sky here is darker and clearer than anywhere near Levi centre
- High-quality Arctic rescue suit keeps you completely dry and warm in 0°C water — no cold water shock, no diving
- No prior experience needed — the suit holds you on the surface throughout; guests simply relax and look up
The experience
The transfer from Levi takes approximately one hour. As the car leaves the town lights behind, the sky above opens up. The lake you arrive at is quiet, surrounded by snow-covered spruce forest, with no artificial light in any direction.
The guide fits each guest with a thermal Arctic rescue suit — a high-quality, watertight, fully insulating garment designed for cold-water environments. Guests wear their own clothing underneath. The suit holds you on the surface throughout; nothing else is required.
Step into the lake and lean back. The water takes your weight. For approximately 20 minutes, you float in complete silence: the sky directly above you, the treeline around you, the ice shelf a few metres away. On a clear night, stars are visible from horizon to horizon.
The Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon — solar activity and cloud cover determine whether they appear. This program is designed specifically to put guests in the best possible position to see them: an open sky, no light pollution, and the unusual perspective of lying flat on the water facing directly upward. When they come, the aurora appears twice — above you in the sky and below you in the water at the same time.
After the float, the group warms up with hot drinks at the lakeside before the return transfer to Levi.
Who this program suits
- Guests who want to see the Northern Lights in the most unusual position possible
- Anyone looking for a genuinely quiet outdoor experience that requires no training, skill or fitness level
- Small groups only — a maximum of 8 guests in the water at any one time
Responsibility waiver
Scandinavian Travel Group is not responsible for changes, disruptions or unavailability affecting this program for whatever reason. The experience is weather-permitting and may be rescheduled for safety. Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed. No refund is due for circumstances beyond our control. Missed meeting time results in a missed safari with no refund.
What's included
- Return transfer from Levi (approximately 1 hour each way to the lakeside location)
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout
- Use of a high-insulation Arctic rescue suit (keeps guests fully dry and warm in 0°C water)
- Winter outerwear if needed
- Floating session of approximately 20 minutes after dark
- Hot drink served after the floating session
- Full safety briefing and instructions before entering the water
Not included
- Meals
- Northern Lights sightings cannot be guaranteed
Important remarks
F.A.Q.
- Do I need to know how to swim?
No swimming ability is required. The Arctic rescue suit is fully watertight and buoyant — it keeps guests supported on the surface from the moment they enter the water. You float; you do not swim.
- Will I get cold?
The suit is designed specifically for 0°C water. It is both insulating and waterproof, keeping guests completely dry throughout the session. Wear comfortable clothing underneath — no specialist thermal outerwear is needed under the suit. The guide will advise on site if anything extra is helpful on a particular evening.
- Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?
No — Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon governed by solar activity and atmospheric conditions, and their appearance can never be promised. This program is structured to give the best possible chance of a sighting: a secluded lake far from any light source, a wide unobstructed sky, and the unusual vantage point of floating flat on the water looking directly upward. When they do appear, the aurora shows twice — once in the sky above and once reflected in the lake below. The guide monitors conditions throughout the evening. On nights when no aurora arrives, the star field alone over a Finnish lake 150 km above the Arctic Circle is a sight in itself.
- How long is the actual floating session?
Approximately 20 minutes in the water after dark. The complete program runs to 3.5 hours from pickup to return, which includes around one hour of transfer each way, suit fitting, a full safety briefing, the floating session itself, and hot drinks at the lakeside before heading back.
- What is the minimum age for this program?
The minimum height is 120 cm, which is a suit-sizing requirement. The provider permits participation from age 8; we recommend age 12 as a practical minimum. Children take part under the full responsibility of the accompanying adult.
- What happens if conditions are unsuitable on the day?
The program is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled if conditions are unsafe for the activity. The guide assesses conditions on the day and makes the final call.
- Where do we meet, and how does the transfer work?
Meeting point and time are confirmed at booking. Arrival at the confirmed meeting point before the stated time is required — a missed meeting time means a missed program with no refund. Return transfers are included for accommodations within 10 km of the safari office.
Important remarks:
Minimum height: 120 cm (suit sizing requirement).
Minimum age recommended: 12 years.
Maximum group size in water: 8 clients at a time for safety.
No swimming skills required: The rescue suit keeps guests fully supported and dry on the surface.
Not recommended for: people with severe cold sensitivity or certain heart conditions.
Weather-permitting: The experience may be rescheduled for safety reasons.
Transfer: Approximately 1 hour each way from Levi. Return transfer included within 10 km of the safari office. Meeting time and point confirmed at booking.
Missed meeting time: Missed meeting time and point results in a missed safari with no refund.
Thermal outdoor clothes: Not needed under the floating suit. Guests may wear their own comfortable clothing underneath.
Northern Lights: Cannot be guaranteed. The program is designed to maximise conditions for aurora viewing — secluded lake, minimal light pollution, open sky. Sightings depend on solar activity and clear skies.
Recommendation
- Wear warm, comfortable base layers under your own clothing — these go under the floating suit.
- No heavy outdoor gear needed under the suit.
- The guide will fit the suit on site.
Cancellation Policy
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 21 days or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 10% if booking is cancelled 365 days or less before the event