Krossneslaug
About Krossneslaug
Krossneslaug is a geothermal swimming pool on a pebble beach at the far end of the Strandir coast, and from the water there is nothing between you and the open sea. It sits a few minutes' drive past the village of Norðurfjörður in Árneshreppur, in the northeast of the Westfjords.
Unlike many pools in the Westfjords, Krossneslaug is heated by natural hot springs, which are rare in this old part of Iceland. The 12.5-meter pool and a hot tub sit just above the shoreline. On calm days, watch for seals and seabirds, and now and then a whale offshore.
The pool dates to 1954, the year painted on its changing house. Work to rebuild the facilities began in spring 2021, and the site now has showers, changing rooms and staff on duty. According to the pool's website it is open 07:00–23:00, adults pay 1,000 ISK, and children swim free.
Getting here is a commitment. Krossneslaug is about 340 km from Reykjavík, close to six hours of driving, and the last 100 km from Hólmavík up Route 643 along the coast take about two and a half hours. The website lists no season, so check umferdin.is for road conditions before you head north, especially outside summer.
Plan on an hour or two in the water, and pair the trip with a stop at Djúpavík and a night in Norðurfjörður. Evening swims here in early summer, with the sun still above the sea, are hard to beat.
Good to know
Where is Krossneslaug?
Krossneslaug is on the shore at Krossnes, a few minutes' drive past Norðurfjörður in Árneshreppur on the Strandir coast of the Westfjords. It is about 100 km north of Hólmavík on Route 643.
How much does Krossneslaug cost?
The pool's website lists adult entry at 1,000 ISK, and children swim free.
What are Krossneslaug opening hours?
The official website lists opening hours of 07:00 to 23:00. It does not state a season, so check road conditions and the website before making the long drive.
Is Krossneslaug a hot spring?
Krossneslaug is a 12.5-meter swimming pool with a hot tub, heated by water from natural hot springs beside the beach. It is not a natural pool, but the water comes straight from the ground.
How do you get to Krossneslaug?
Drive to Hólmavík, then follow Route 643 north along the coast for about 100 km, roughly two and a half hours, to Norðurfjörður and on to Krossnes. From Reykjavík the whole trip is about 340 km.
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