Update 04th April 2025: Another volcanic eruption on Reykjanes - the eleventh eruption since August 2021 started on April 01, 2025 in the morning southeast of Mount Þorbjörn. The lava flow has currently dried up, but increased seismic activity can still be felt. The Blue Lagoon and its access road are open again. There are currently no restrictions on air traffic. Please stay away from the area around the town of Grindavik and observe the closures. Up-to-date information on the volcanic eruption and road conditions can be found at safetravel.is.
Update 05th February 2025: There is currently an increased likelihood of an eruption in the area around the Sundhnuksgigar eruption site. Visitors are asked not to hike to the former eruption site, as the area is unsafe and an eruption could occur with little or no warning.
Update 05th February 2025: The Grindavík and Fagradalsfjall area has been declared a danger zone due to the possibility of a new outbreak. Please stay away from the area and observe the closures.
Update 15th December 2024: The main road to the Blue Lagoon has been reopened. It is therefore once again possible to drive directly to the lagoon by car. You can simply follow the signs on road 43 (Grindarvikurvegur).
The opening hours have also been adjusted to the regular times.
Update 09th December 2024: The Blue Lagoon is now open again. As the main road to the lagoon is still closed and the parking lot has to be rebuilt due to the lava damage, there is an alternative route to the lagoon.
All guests (regardless of whether they arrive by car or bus) must park in Grindavik and are then taken to the lagoon by shuttle.
The opening hours have also been adapted to the current situation. Please check for any changes before your visit.
Update 21st November 2024: The volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula has erupted again. The town of Grindavik and the surrounding region have been closed and are not accessible to visitors. There is currently no impact on air traffic.
The Blue Lagoon will be closed until Wednesday, December 04th.
Further information can be found on the website of the Icelandic government, Safetravel.is the Icelandic Met Office and Visit Reykjanes. Live broadcasts of the eruption can be viewed on mbl.is and ruv.is.
Update 06th September 2024: The volcanic eruption has been officially declared over for the time being. After two weeks of active eruption in the Sundhnúkagígar crater, no further activity has been observed since yesterday.
Access to the Blue Lagoon remains open and there is a viewing platform on the Grindavikurvegur road from which you can view the fresh lava.
Update 23rd August 2024: The volcano in Reykjanes erupted again last night at the Sundhnúksgígar crater. The Blue Lagoon has been closed again and some attractions such as the bridge between the continents, the Reykjanes lighthouse and the Gunnuhver geothermal area are currently inaccessible due to road closures.
The eruption site is not accessible to visitors, but can be seen from the main road 41 (Reykjanesbraut) (visitors are not allowed to stop the car on the main road). Other points where the eruption site can be seen are the old Patterson military base, Njarðvík Bay and the village of Ásbrú. The viewpoint at the Blue Lagoon is currently inaccessible due to the closure of road 43.
There is currently no impact on air traffic and any disruption is considered very unlikely.
We will of course inform you immediately if the situation changes. You will find our emergency number in your travel documents.
Update 22nd June 2024: There is currently no volcanic activity in the crater of the last eruption site. The eruption has ceased. Air traffic to and from Iceland is operating without any restrictions. The Blue Lagoon is open again.
Update May 29, 2024: Today at 2.45 pm there was another eruption of the volcano on Reykjanes. The eruption started near Sundhnúk, north of Grindavik. The Blue Lagoon was evacuated and temporarily closed. However, there are still no restrictions on air traffic to and from Iceland.
Update May 21, 2024: The eruption in the Sundhnúkagigr crater series has been extinct since May 9, 2024. However, magma continues to accumulate under one of the craters, indicating another possible eruption in the near future. Access to the eruption site is still closed and hiking in the area is prohibited. There are still no restrictions for travelers in Iceland.
Update Apr 11, 2024: The eruption has not stopped since Mar 16, 2024, so the lava is constantly finding its way to the earth's surface in two places. One of the craters has recently collapsed, allowing lava to flow northwards into uninhabited areas. There are still no volcano-related restrictions on air traffic to and from Iceland. The Blue Lagoon will reopen to visitors on Apr 11, 2024.
Update Mar 18, 2024: Another volcanic eruption occurred on Reykjanes near Grindavik on Mar 16, 2024 at 8:23pm local time. The approximately 2.1 mile long eruption fissure is located between the mountains Hagafell and Stóra Skógfell and is similar to the eruption on February 8 this year. The flow rate of the lava has now slowed down considerably, so it can be assumed that the eruption will soon come to an end. As with the previous volcanic eruptions, air traffic to and from Keflavik has not been affected. The Blue Lagoon has been evacuated and is closed until further notice.
Further information can be found on the website of the Icelandic government, Safetravel.is the Icelandic Met Office and Visit Reykjanes. A live stream showing the eruption site can be found at ruv.is.
Update Feb 20, 2024: The Blue Lagoon has been open again since 16th February 2024, including all restaurants, the café, the spa and the associated hotels. Access is via an alternative route, which can be found at www.bluelagoon.com/reopening.
Update Feb 08, 2024: This morning at around 06:00 local time, there was another eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The eruption area is roughly in the same location as the eruption of December 18, 2023. An approximately 3 km long fissure runs from Sundhnúk in the south to the eastern end of Stóra-Scógfell. The lava flows mainly to the west. Air traffic is currently unaffected, as with previous eruptions. The Blue Lagoon remains closed until further notice.
Update Jan 15, 2024:
On the morning of January 14th, there was another volcanic eruption near Grindavik. The region around the eruption is closed and hiking in the areas is prohibited. The Reykjanesbrautin (road 41 to and from the airport) is open but please only use it if you have to. There is currently no impact on air traffic and disruption is considered very unlikely.
We will of course inform you immediately if the situation changes. You will find our emergency number in your travel documents.
Update Jan 05, 2024:
From 06th Jan 2024 the Blue Lagoon will reopen, including the spa and most of the food and beverage facilities. The Silica Hotel and the Retreat Hotel will reopen on Tuesday, 09th January 2024.
Update: Dec 22, 2023:
No volcanic activity has been detected at the eruption fissure since December 21, meaning that no more lava is currently flowing. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, however, it is still too early to rule out further volcanic activity. The area and roads around the eruption are still closed.
Update: Dec 19, 2023:
On the evening of December 18, 2023, shortly after 10 p.m., the volcanic eruption in the southwestern region of Iceland began. Until further notice, all roads around the Grindavik area are closed and visitors are asked to stay away from the area. At this time, the eruption has minimal impact on air traffic and there are no changes to flight schedules. The Blue Lagoon will remain closed indefinitely for the time being due to the eruption.
Volcanic eruptions are common in Iceland. In the last three years, three eruptions have occurred on the Reykjanes peninsula, during which neither people were harmed nor air traffic was affected. The Icelandic authorities and population are prepared for such events and Iceland has one of the most effective volcano preparedness plans in the world. There is currently no official travel warning for Iceland. You are free to rebook or cancel your trip in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, even if your trip is not expected to be affected by the volcanic eruption.
We will of course inform you immediately if the situation changes. You will find our emergency number in your travel documents.
Further information can be found on the website of the Icelandic government, Safetravel.is the Icelandic Met Office and Visit Reykjanes. Live broadcasts of the eruption can be viewed on mbl.is and ruv.is.
Update: Dec 15, 2023:
The Blue Lagoon, the café, the lava restaurant and the Retreat Spa and Restaurant will resume operations from 17.12.2023 and will be open between 11:00 and 20:00. Please familiarize yourself with the travel guidelines for the first few days of opening, as only buses are currently permitted on the Grindavíkurvegur (the Blue Lagoon is not yet accessible by rental car). However, the Silica Hotel, the Retreat Hotel and the Moss Restaurant will remain closed until 21.12.2023 for the time being.
Update: Dec 11, 2023:
The Blue Lagoon will remain closed until December 14. Magma no longer seems to be flowing into the dike since the beginning of December and experts believe an eruption is less likely. The first stores in Grindavik have reopened.
Update: Dec 01, 2023: The situation around Grindavik has calmed down further. Work in the town has partially resumed during the day and repairs to the roads and pipelines have already begun. The Blue Lagoon will remain closed until December 7.
Update Nov 24, 2023:The danger level in Grindavik was downgraded yesterday, as an eruption is considered unlikely. The local airlines do not expect any restrictions on air traffic (see Icelandair statement). With the exception of the area around Grindavik, Iceland remains a safe destination.
Update Nov 16, 2023: Recent reports from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicate a rise in seismic activity in the region since October 24th, with signs suggesting a likely volcanic eruption near Grindavík and Blue Lagoon.
In response, local authorities have carried out a preventive evacuation of the area for maximum safety. Further, Iceland's National Police Commissioner has raised the Civil Protection Service Level to "Emergency" in the same area to ensure proactive measures are in place for public safety and protection.
This current situation affects a particular section of the Reykjanes peninsula alone, and the immediate vicinity spanning a few miles around it. Authorities have proactively implemented road closures in these regions to guarantee the safety and well-being of everyone in the vicinity.
As a precautionary measure, all tours in the Reykjanes Peninsula have been temporarily suspended. The rest of Iceland remains unaffected and continues to welcome travelers.
Iceland's location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge means that volcanic and seismic activities are a normal part of its geological character. Regular occurrences ranging from minor tremors to larger earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, such as the recent ones in the Reykjanes Peninsula, are closely monitored by experts. On average, eruptions occur in Iceland every three years with no human casualties for a few centuries.
We would also like to remind you that international media coverage can occasionally misinterpret events. Therefore, we encourage you to seek information from our local Icelandic channels, as they are the most reliable and accurate sources for current updates and information regarding the situation in Iceland. See the links below.
The Icelandic MET office: Information on the seismic activity and development of events
The Icelandic Road Administration: Information on road conditions and closures in the Reykjanes region
Safetravel: Updates on safety
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service: News coverage
Visit Reykjanes: More updates from the area
We will be happy to answer any further questions you may have so please do not hesitate to reach ocontact/contact.htmlut to us.
Update Nov 15, 2023: The Blue Lagoon is closing for one week amid rising concerns over the seismic activity in the area and measured accumulation of magma underground in the region. The popular tourist destination will remain closed until Nov. 30.
Nov 08, 2023: Due to increased seismic activity and the associated risk of a volcanic eruption, we are currently warning against travel to Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula and the surrounding area. The earthquakes were measured to the north and northwest of the town. The warning also applies to Mount Þorbjörn and the Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist destination. At the moment we do not recommend any trips to the geothermal bath.
In recent weeks there has been an increase in earthquakes in the area. Measurements have shown that a volcanic eruption could occur quickly and suddenly. However, it is currently unclear whether an eruption will occur. Restrictions around Keflavik Airport, which is also located on Reykjanes, are not expected at this time.
We strongly advise all visitors to Iceland to follow the developments on safetravel.is and to follow the recommendations. Further information is also available from the Icelandic Meteorological Office.