For a taste of some of Iceland’s most stunning scenery, look no further than the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The deep blue waters of this impressive lake are studded with gem-like icebergs and teeming with wildlife.
Here, at the foot of Europe’s largest ice cap, you’ll see ever-changing scenery, see (and hear) a glacier, and even get the chance to see the seals, orca whales, and birds who call this majestic landscape home. Visiting Jökulsarlon is all about being enveloped in nature and makes for an incredible adventure.
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Visiting the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
What is the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?
Translating to “Glacial River Lagoon,” Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is an enormous glacial lake. It’s situated at the end of the Breiðamerkurjökull, which is found in the south of Vatnajökull National Park. Making up a whopping 14% of Iceland’s territory, the national park is Europe’s second largest.
The lake itself actually formed when the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier began to recede from its position jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and has been growing ever since as the glacier continues to melt. Today the lake, which covers an area of 18 square kilometers, is dotted with icebergs. At over 284 meters deep, it’s also the deepest lake in Iceland.
Today people flock to this natural wonder to watch icebergs float serenely in an otherworldly landscape and to get up close to the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier itself. It’s a particularly beautiful spot as the lake also has incredible views out across the ice cap – a vast mass of ice that juts over 900 meters into the sky.
However, as stark as this landscape may be, it is filled with life. Here fish drift in shoals with the tide into the lagoon, which also draws in seals, who come to catch the fish in the winter months. Sea birds, such as Arctic terns, flock here in their thousands, while the summer months bring nesting birds to the shores of the lake. It all makes for a natural landscape that is as fascinating as it is beautiful.
Where is Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?
Situated around five hours by car from Reykjavik, the vast glacier lagoon can be found in the southern portion of the Vatnajökull National Park. Specifically, it’s located along Route 1, between the fishing town of Hofn and the Skaftafell wilderness area (itself part of Vatnajökull National Park).
How to get to the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
There are a number of different ways to reach Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Many travelers choose to self-drive from the capital. Renting a car in Reykjavik is fairly straightforward; the city is no stranger to visitors, and there are a number of different international rental car companies to choose from.
I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars, where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
The route from the city is around 380 kilometers, which takes between five and six hours to drive. However, the time spent driving will take in a whole lot of potential stops along the way, with dramatic scenery around every corner. Waterfalls such as Skogafoss and the dramatic Eyjafjallajokull volcano are worthwhile additions to your itinerary if you can spare an extra day on your trip to Jökulsarlon.
You might also like: The best waterfalls to visit in Iceland.
Alternatively, many travelers also opt to join guided tours. These usually include transportation to and from Reykjavik, as well as accommodation and tour guides, all of which means you won’t have to worry about a thing. They range from large group tours to smaller, intimate tours or even one-on-one personal tours.
If you want to join a guided tour from Reykjavik, I recommend the following:
From Reykjavik: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Trip
or if you are interested in a 2-day trip
From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave
Where to stay near Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Hali Country Hotel: One of the best places to stay near the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Hali Country Hotel, is situated around 12 kilometers from its shores. This accommodation option boasts amazing views of the surrounding landscape and features a range of room choices, from clean, spacious doubles to whole cottages.
The family-run property also features an on-site restaurant, so you don’t have to travel far to enjoy an evening meal; breakfast is also served up each morning.
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Foss Hotel Glacier Lagoon: Billing itself as luxury accommodation, this stylish hotel features a selection of modern rooms and social spaces to unwind in after a day of exploration. The perfect place to take a break for a night, the hotel features an onsite restaurant and bar. The northern lights from here are particularly amazing – especially if you opt for a room with a balcony and its very own outdoor hot tub.
Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to see and do at Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Diamond beach
The striking (and aptly named) diamond beach is a remarkable black sand beach on the shores of the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Known in Icelandic as Breiðamerkursandur, the beach gets its name from the thick crystalline shards of ice that wash up on the volcanic sands; once part of the glacier, these chunks of ice look like diamonds on the dark beach.
These hulking shapes of ice appear in dazzling shades, from bright blue to dark black. Usually, the older the ice, the bluer it will be, as there are fewer air pockets in it, whereas the black color is the reflection of the black sands of the beach. It’s the perfect place to stop for a while and snap some atmospheric travel shots, but it can also be a great vantage point for wildlife spotting. Seals can be seen playing here, while orca whales sometimes pass by, too.
See the glacier up close on a Zodiac boat tour.
If you’ve made your way to the lagoon, exploring the water itself is a must. While there are several different boat tours you can join, one of the best options is the Zodiac boat tour. Taking around one hour, these small dinghies take equally small groups of visitors as close to the glacier as possible.
This bucket list adventure sees you geared up with safety equipment and life jackets before heading out onto the water. It feels like a real adventure, and getting so close to such a huge, not to mention an ancient chunk of ice, is a privilege. It’s not just a visual experience: once you’re up close to the glacier, you’ll actually be able to hear it creaking and cracking. The guides are super knowledgeable, helping to enhance the experience with plenty of facts and information.
Join an amphibian boat tour.
One of the most popular tours on the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the amphibian boat tour. Not as small as the Zodiac boats, these amphibian boats lead from the frozen land and out into the icy water of the lagoon for a tour of around 40 minutes.
Though you don’t get as close to the glacier as with a Zodiac tour, the experience with an amphibian boat is less nerve-wracking (for some), as well as more affordable. As you explore this natural wonder, the no-less knowledgeable guides will tell you about the history of the glacier and the impact of global warming. Seeing seals playing in the lagoon is a bonus of this tour.
Explore ice caves
Adventurous travelers shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the magical ice caves naturally formed inside the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier itself. This frozen landscape is ever-changing, and entry to the caves can quite literally be a once-in-a-lifetime experience; the particular ice cave you visit will vary depending on the time of year, or it may not even exist after your visit.
Getting to the Breiðamerkurjökull ice cave is an adventure in itself. You’ll get the chance to walk through the glacier valley, on the glacier itself, to reach the cave. Along the way, you’ll stop off at glacial formations and see an array of colorful ice, from green to black, all while your guide explains the importance of protecting glaciers as well as the culture of the area. The tour usually lasts around two and a half hours.
You might like: From Jökulsárlón: Crystal Ice Cave Day Tour.