Levi: Arctic Ice Floating Adventure

This is Finland’s strangest spa day. In Levi, you put on a specially designed waterproof suit, step into icy water, and float among quiet Arctic forests. I like the sheer oddness of it, and I like that you do not need swimming skills to take part. The suit keeps you on the surface while you relax and watch the winter world around you.

I also like the friendly, careful guiding. Guides such as Mattais have helped make the trip easy for nervous first-timers and children, while guides at the floating site give clear instructions in the water. The main drawback is the travel time: the floating location is about 45 minutes from Levi each way, so the three-hour activity includes a fair amount of transport.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• The suit does the hard work: You stay warm, dry, and afloat without knowing how to swim.
• Expect 90 minutes of transport: The venue is about 45 minutes from Levi in each direction.
• Fire-heated drinks are part of the mood: Coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire after the floating session.
• The setting is quiet and natural: This is less about thrills and more about floating peacefully in Arctic air.
• Bring thin gloves: Thick ski gloves can make it difficult to get your hands into the dry suit.
• Two adults are required: The activity needs at least two adults to operate.

What the Arctic Ice Float Actually Feels Like

The main attraction is simple: you float in open water surrounded by winter scenery while wearing a full protective suit. It sounds like an endurance test, but the experience is meant to be calm rather than extreme.

Your suit is designed to keep water out and your body on the surface. You receive instructions before entering the water, and swimming ability is not required. That makes this a good choice if the idea of cold water sounds appealing but the thought of actually swimming in it does not.

The peaceful quality is the real point. You are not racing, jumping from platforms, or trying to master a difficult skill. Once you are supported by the suit, you can let your body relax and take in the stillness around you.

That quiet can be surprisingly powerful. Levi is known for outdoor activity, but this outing gives you a slower way to experience Lapland. You hear less, move less, and notice more. The cold air, pale winter light, and forest setting do much of the work.

Leaving Levi for the Floating Site

You meet at the Safartica office in central Levi 10 minutes before the activity begins. If you are staying within 10 kilometers, pickup may be available, but you need to contact the company at least 48 hours ahead of time.

The transfer to the floating venue takes about 45 minutes each way. That is the first practical detail to weigh. The activity is advertised as three hours, but the time at the water is only part of that period. You should allow extra time around the tour if you have dinner plans, a Northern Lights outing, or another fixed booking afterward.

The drive is not a bad thing if you view it as part of the outing. You leave the town center and head toward a quieter natural setting, which is exactly what makes the float appealing. Still, I would not book this as a quick one-hour activity between other plans.

The central office is easy to use as your meeting place if you are staying in Levi itself. If you are lodging farther away, check the pickup details early. The stated pickup range is within 10 kilometers of the office, and advance notice is required.

Getting Into the Arctic Water

At the venue, the guide explains how the suit works and how to enter the water safely. This briefing matters because the suit feels different from normal winter clothing. It is built for buoyancy and protection, not for walking around town.

One useful tip is to bring thin gloves. Thick ski gloves may be too bulky to fit into the dry suit, and bare hands can cool quickly. Thin gloves or hand warmers are sensible additions, especially if your hands are usually the first part of you to feel cold.

You should expect a little awkwardness while getting dressed. That is normal. The suit is not a sleek fashion item, and moving in it may feel clumsy at first. The guide is there to help you get ready and to explain the safest way to step into the water.

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. Children below that height cannot take part. The activity also requires at least two adults for the departure to go ahead, so solo bookings are not the best fit unless another adult is joining.

Why No Swimming Skills Are Needed

The suit keeps you on the surface, which removes the biggest worry for many people. You still receive full instructions before entering the water, and the guide helps you understand how to position yourself and relax.

That said, no swimming skills does not mean no need to listen. Follow the instructions carefully, take your time entering the water, and tell the guide if you feel uneasy. The experience works best when you let the suit support you instead of fighting against it.

This setup also helps families. An eight-year-old participant was initially nervous but gained confidence with help from the guides and ended up enjoying the float. That does not mean every child will react the same way, but it shows why calm supervision matters.

For adults who are unsure about cold-water activities, the float offers a gentler introduction. You are not expected to plunge in and start swimming. You simply enter with guidance and allow the suit to keep you up.

The Quiet Part: Floating Among the Forests

Once you are in the water, the pace changes. You float, breathe the cold air, and look toward the surrounding forest. The attraction is not a long list of sights. It is the feeling of being away from the noise of Levi.

This is where the activity earns its price for many people. A snowmobile trip or husky ride gives you movement and excitement. Ice floating gives you stillness. If you want a memorable contrast to active winter excursions, this makes sense.

The setting is also well suited to photographs. The guides have taken pictures for participants, and one group even enjoyed a small photo session. You should still confirm how photographs are handled on your departure, since the practical details are not stated as a formal inclusion.

Do not expect a sightseeing tour with several stops. The floating location is the destination, and the experience depends on how much you enjoy simply being there. If you become restless when nothing is happening, you may find the float too slow. If you like quiet outdoor moments, this is the part you will remember.

Coffee, Tea, and a Fire Afterward

After the water, hot coffee or tea is prepared over an open fire. This is a small detail, but it gives the outing a satisfying finish. After spending time in a cold setting, a warm drink tastes better, especially when it is made outdoors rather than handed to you from a machine.

Food is not included as a formal part of the activity. However, the experience has also included marshmallows and cookies afterward on some departures. Treat those extras as a pleasant possibility, not as something to count on when planning a meal.

The fire also creates a natural place to slow down before returning to Levi. You can warm up, talk with the guide, and take in the forest setting without rushing straight back to the vehicle.

The guides receive especially strong praise for their care and attitude. Mattais has helped people shape the rest of their time in Levi by suggesting other Safartica activities, while a guide at the venue provided patient instructions and support in the water. That personal attention is valuable here because the activity is unusual and some people will feel uncertain at first.

Is $147 a Fair Price?

At $147 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on what you want from your Lapland visit.

You are paying for more than time in the water. The price includes winter clothing, the protective floating suit, an English-speaking guide, hot drinks, and transport to a remote floating location. The care involved in fitting the equipment and supervising first-time participants also matters.

The 45-minute transfer each way affects the calculation. You are using much of an afternoon or evening, not just stopping by a nearby pool. For someone who wants a rare Arctic experience with a strong sense of place, the cost can be reasonable. For someone mainly seeking an inexpensive way to warm up or see snow, it is harder to justify.

I would compare it with the price of other guided Levi outings. This experience offers less action but more quiet, and its unusual nature gives it a special place in a winter schedule. It is best viewed as a memorable specialty activity rather than a standard sightseeing tour.

The high satisfaction rating, 4.9 from 19 ratings, fits the kind of experience this is: carefully managed, unusual, and easy to enjoy once you get past the initial nerves. The value is strongest when you appreciate good guiding and a distinctive setting.

What to Wear and Bring

Winter clothing is included, but you should still think about your hands and personal comfort. Bring thin gloves because thick ski gloves may not fit inside the dry suit. Hand warmers are also useful since hands can cool faster than the rest of the body.

You do not need swimming gear, and the suit is waterproof. One participant specifically noted that getting wet was not a concern. Still, you should follow the instructions about clothing and suit use rather than assuming ordinary layers are enough.

Wear practical footwear for the meeting point and transfer. The provided winter clothing is intended to keep you protected, but the available information does not specify every clothing item or changing facility. If you have special clothing needs, ask Safartica before the activity.

The most important thing to bring is patience. Getting into the suit takes preparation, and the first few minutes may feel unfamiliar. Once you are set up, the activity becomes much simpler.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend this to adults and families who want something different from the usual Lapland program. It suits you if you like quiet nature, gentle adventure, and experiences that give you a good story to tell afterward.

It is also a strong option for anyone who is nervous around water but curious about trying something new. The suit keeps you afloat, the guide gives instructions, and swimming ability is not required.

Families should check the 120-centimeter height rule before booking. Children who meet the height requirement may enjoy it, but adults should consider each child’s comfort with a strange suit, cold air, and entering open water.

You may want to skip it if you dislike slow activities, feel uncomfortable with changing into specialized clothing, or have a tightly packed schedule. The transfer time is real, and the main reward comes from relaxing rather than collecting lots of sights or action.

Booking Details That Matter

The activity lasts three hours and operates with an English-speaking guide. You meet at the Safartica office in Levi 10 minutes before departure.

Pickup may be available within a 10-kilometer radius of the office, but you must contact Safartica at least 48 hours in advance. If you are staying in central Levi, choosing the Safartica office as your meeting place is the simplest option.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans depend on weather or other bookings.

Because at least two adults are required, confirm that the departure has the needed adult participation. The minimum height is 120 centimeters, and anyone shorter than that cannot float.

Should You Book the Levi Arctic Ice Floating Adventure?

Book it if you want a calm, unusual way to experience Lapland and you are happy to give much of your day to a single activity. The protective suit removes the fear of sinking or getting soaked, while the guides provide the reassurance that makes this strange idea work.

I especially recommend it for first-timers, families with children tall enough to participate, and couples looking for something quieter than a snowmobile ride. Bring thin gloves, leave room in your schedule for the 90-minute round-trip transfer, and do not expect a full meal afterward.

Skip it if you want nonstop action or a short activity near central Levi. For the right person, though, floating silently in icy water with a hot drink waiting by the fire is exactly the kind of odd, peaceful memory that makes a Lapland trip feel personal.

FAQ

Where does the Levi Arctic Ice Floating Adventure meet?

The main meeting place is the Safartica office in central Levi. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity starts.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts three hours. Transfer time from Levi to the floating venue is about 45 minutes each way.

Is pickup available from my accommodation?

Pickup is available within a 10-kilometer radius of the Safartica office. You must contact the company at least 48 hours in advance if you need pickup.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No. You receive instructions before entering the water, and the specially designed suit keeps you on the surface.

What is the minimum height?

The minimum height is 120 centimeters, or about 3 feet 9 inches. People below that height cannot take part.

What does the price include?

The price includes winter clothing, ice floating with an English-speaking English-speaking guide, and hot drinks.

Is food included?

Food is not included. Coffee or tea is provided, and marshmallows or cookies may also be offered after the float, but they are not listed as a formal food inclusion.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.