Ice floating is one of Lapland's most surreal experiences: zipped into a thick thermal survival suit, you slip into a hole cut in a frozen lake and float completely weightless — warm, dry and staring up at the stars or the aurora. Guides keep you safe the whole time, and a hot sauna or campfire usually follows. For something even bigger, an Arctic icebreaker cruise takes you crunching through pack ice on the Gulf of Bothnia, with a chance to float in the open sea. Both are calm, safe and suitable for non-swimmers.
What ice floating feels like
Ice floating is one of Lapland’s most surreal and surprisingly relaxing experiences. Zipped into a thick, dry thermal survival suit, you slip into a hole cut in a frozen lake and float effortlessly on your back — warm, completely dry, and weightless — gazing up at the Arctic sky. The suit seals out the water, so you never actually feel the cold; most people are amazed how cosy it is. Guides stay with you the whole time, and a sauna or campfire usually follows to round off the experience.
Daytime, aurora and icebreaker options
- Daytime float — enjoy the frozen-sea scenery and a lower price. See the icebreaker cruise & ice floating experience.
- Aurora float — for a similar cold-water Arctic thrill, see the Icebreaker Arktis cruise with ice floating and pair it with a Northern Lights hunt after dark.
- Sauna float — alternate between the icy lake and a hot Finnish sauna, the classic hot-and-cold ritual.
- Sampo icebreaker cruise — for something bigger, sail from Kemi on a genuine Arctic icebreaker, crunching through pack ice, with a chance to float in the frozen open sea. See the Sampo icebreaker cruise.
Is it safe? Do you need to swim?
Ice floating is very safe and suitable for non-swimmers — the buoyant suit keeps you on the surface effortlessly, the water is shallow at the edge, and trained guides brief you fully and stay beside you. Prices typically start around €100–€140 for a lake float, with the full-day icebreaker cruise a premium experience at around €300+. The best ice conditions are January to April.
Browse our ice floating and icebreaker tours below.
