Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík built its reputation on more than just the oceanfront infinity-edge pool. The seven-step ritual that follows the soak, called Skjól, is what turns a nice swim into a full sensory reset. Skipping steps or doing them out of order won’t ruin the experience, but following the intended sequence makes a real difference in how your body responds to the heat, cold, and steam.
Here’s how the ritual is designed to work, step by step, so you can get the most out of your visit.
Step 1: Start in the Lagoon
Begin by easing into the geothermal lagoon itself, which stays around 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Spend at least 15 to 20 minutes here before moving to the next step. This initial soak raises your core body temperature and loosens muscles, setting up your body for the temperature contrasts that follow.
Swim toward the infinity edge facing the North Atlantic if the weather allows. The view is part of the warm-up, not just a photo opportunity.
Step 2: Take the Cold Plunge
After the lagoon, walk to the cold plunge pool, where the water sits at roughly 41 degrees Fahrenheit. This part catches most first-timers off guard, but the shock is intentional. Cold exposure right after heat triggers blood vessels to constrict quickly, which is believed to support circulation and reduce inflammation.
Aim for 10 to 15 seconds if it’s your first time. You can work up to 30 seconds or more on repeat visits once your body adjusts to the sensation.
Step 3: Warm Up in the Sauna
From the cold plunge, head into the sauna, which overlooks the ocean through a wall of glass. Temperatures here run around 176 to 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Sit for 10 to 15 minutes, letting the dry heat counteract the cold plunge and open up your pores ahead of the next steps.
The ocean view sauna is one of the more memorable parts of the whole sequence, especially at sunset or during the winter months when the sky darkens early.
Step 4: Cool Down with the Cold Mist
Next comes a cold fog mist, delivered through an outdoor shower-like structure. It’s a gentler version of the cold plunge, a light layer of cold air and moisture rather than full submersion. This step exists to bring your body temperature down gradually after the sauna without the intensity of another cold pool.
Stand under the mist for about a minute. It’s brief, but it resets your skin and prepares you for the scrub that follows.
Step 5: Apply the Sky Body Scrub
This step is where the ritual becomes tactile. You’ll apply a Sky Body Scrub made with crowberries, a fruit native to Iceland, along with sea salt to exfoliate the skin. Rub it on generously and let it sit for a few minutes while you move into the steam room.
This is one of the most talked-about parts of the whole sequence, and it’s a big reason the Sky Lagoon ritual has built such a loyal following among visitors who return to Reykjavík specifically for it. The scrub leaves skin noticeably softer once rinsed off, and the crowberry scent lingers pleasantly for the rest of the day.
Step 6: Relax in the Steam Room
With the scrub still on your skin, step into the steam room. The humidity here helps the scrub work into your skin more effectively while you breathe in warm, moist air. Spend 10 minutes or so here, letting the steam do its work.
This step also gives your body one more round of heat exposure before the final cool-down, continuing the pattern of contrast that defines the entire ritual.
Step 7: Rinse Off in the Shower
The final step is a quick rinse under a beach shower positioned to overlook the ocean. Wash away the remaining scrub and step back toward the main lagoon if you’d like to soak a bit longer before getting dressed. Many visitors treat this last shower as optional, but it’s worth doing before returning to the water so the salt and berry residue doesn’t cloud the lagoon.
Tips for Making the Most of the Ritual
Plan for at least 90 minutes to two hours total if you want to move through all seven steps without rushing. Arrive with minimal jewelry, since the cold plunge and mist stations aren’t the place for metal accessories. If you have sensitive skin, test the body scrub on a small patch first, since the exfoliating salt can feel intense for some people.
The order matters because each step sets up the next one physiologically, heat opens things up, cold tightens them back down, and the scrub and steam work best when your skin is already primed from the earlier stages. Doing the steps out of sequence won’t cause harm, but following the intended order is what makes the ritual feel like a complete experience rather than a random series of hot and cold pools.
