Sea swimming is not for everyone and care should be taken since the cold water can easily shock. PIC karawho
A little known fact about Reykjavik Iceland is that this cold place actually has quite a nice sandy beach within its borders.
The Nautholsvik beach area is a bit off the beaten tourist track but this is the only place where you can dive into the freezing ocean for a while and in just a few steps shake of the chill with a dip into a warm and cozy hot tub.
Nautholsvik is located in the bay separating Reykjavik city from its next door neighbor Kopavogur town. Not too far from the Perlan viewing tower but quite a walk from downtown. Bus number 17 makes regular stops here from Hlemmur central station.
Apart from the ocean you´ll find quite a large man-made sandy beach with a built in small cove. In summertime this place is jam-packed with locals and the seawater in the cove is heated just enough to make it easy and fun for youngsters to fool around with little danger.
A few steps away is a long row of hot tubs with 40 degree hot thermal water and this is a favorite spot for all those swimmers daring the sea if only a moment. Indeed, this sea-swimming sport was almost unheard of just ten years ago but now you´ll likely find people diving in all months of the year.
But it gets better. A hundred meters from the makeshift changing rooms you´ll find a decent coffeehouse slash restaurant where you can sweat off the last of the chills over coffee or stronger drinks if you prefer.
The warm hot tub waiting a few steps from the sea. A wonderful experience. PIC eir@si
While sea swimming is a must-do in summertime most will find harder to find the will in deep winter. Naturally, as the temperature of the ocean is close to zero degrees Celsius. But this is the place to show off in Iceland if you are up for it. Nowhere else can you run straight into a nice hot water immediately after a dip in the ocean. That might just be enough to make a sea swimmer out of you. As a matter of fact, this activity has gotten so popular that some early mornings you can find hundreds wading into the cold water for a swim.
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