What Is The Best Time Of The Year To Get There
Like many places in Iceland, during the summer months, the main tourist attractions are crowded. In winter, there are fewer people coming to Iceland due to the few hours of daylight and the low temperatures. So if you go to Jokulsarlon during the wintertime you would benefit from smaller crowds and lower prices on everything. However, you will not be able to join a boat tour as they run only during summer. Roads conditions can get really hard from October to April so it is better to visit with a guide.
During summer, you can take advantage of the midnight sun and the full 24 hours of daylight at the end of June to visit the glacier lagoon during the evening to meet fewer people. It is a good tip to visit the most crowded locations with fewer tourists.
Things To Know Before You Go
- The lagoon is accessible all year round, but boat tours are only in operation during the summertime and are dependant on the weather.
- Since Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon, it can get really chilly. It is recommended to bring appropriate clothing such as warm clothes, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and good shoes even if the sun is shining and you are visiting during summer. Always dress in layers so if you are too warm you can take one layer off and vice versa.
- There is a café with restrooms right beside the lagoon. There, you can have a hot drink and eat something in a warm place.
- Wheelchair users can view the lagoon but many activities on and around the glacier are not suitable for people with limited mobility.
- It is always better to book your boat tour in advance to be sure to have a seat left, mostly if you are traveling with a group of people or if you are visiting during high season.
- During the boat tour, you will have the opportunity to taste the ice, which is one of the purest you will find in your life.
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Summer & Winter Activities
In summer, warmer weather causes more ice to break down from the glacier, filling the lagoon with a huge quantity of gorgeous floating icebergs. If you want to see this stunning place in its full glory, we recommend visiting between April and October. Huge numbers of loud arctic terns also nest around the lagoon, so take care not to stumble onto a nesting ground!
For the most fun, come between June and September. During this time, you can go on boat tours on the glacier lagoon. Sail between the enormous icebergs and get up close to them. For adventurous souls, we recommend trying the kayaking tour, which is even more fun!
In winter, Jokulsarlon is quieter. There are no birds around and the boat tours don’t operate. Sometimes, if the weather is very cold, the so-called calving process of the glacier slows down. The lagoon might be covered by a thin ice shield for shorter periods, making it more difficult for icebergs to float.
On the plus side, there are fewer tourists this time of the year and the low winter sun paints this amazing place with surreal colors. Also, you have a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights! During wintertime, the Aurora Borealis might show up dancing over the lagoon, a sight that leaves no one untouched. This could be an unforgettable memory of a lifetime!
Cruise The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
You get a full hour cruising on the lagoon, exploring the majestic sights, and seeing the wildlife. You might glimpse seabirds or the odd seal. In summer, you will see migrating Arctic Terns, which fly half the circumference of the globe. We will also keep a lookout for giant seagulls and majestic Arctic Skuas that nest around the edge of the lake.
Cruising between these vast, amazingly shaped icebergs is a magical and dream-like experience, adored by photographers and sightseers alike. In the icebergs, you will see incredible, bright blue tones and gray streaks formed from the ash residue of volcanic eruptions. The icebergs’ mirror-like reflections in the water and the spellbinding glacial scenery are sure to keep your camera busy.
There may even come a time in the future when this disappears, making the lagoon part of an inlet. So, we recommend using your time to explore the area! Walk a short distance to the ocean to watch small icebergs floating out to sea – many people describe this as a mystical and hypnotic sight. The official name of this coal-black beach is Breiðamerkursandur. For some time, it has been better known as ‘The Diamond Beach,’ named in honor of the magnificent icebergs that shimmer like diamonds as they rest on the black volcanic sand.
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Glacier Hike And Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour
On this tour you get the chance to experience the inspiring nature in Vatnajökull national park. The tour starts with a boat ride on a magical glacier lagoon. You can choose between two glacier lagoons. In our booking widget, you can choose between the locations.
The famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is an extraordinary sight. Here you will see huge floating icebergs in the clear lagoon that at the end are drifting slowly into the connected sea.
The less well-known Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is a smaller lagoon with browner water , but still very beautiful and locally cherished. Both glacier boat tours are the same duration. The two lagoons are only a 10-minute drive apart. Once you get to the chosen lagoon you will be fitted with a flotation suit or life vest before jumping onboard the Zodiac boats. The Zodiac boats will carry you through the water full of shining icebergs in white and blue shades. Being up-close with the giant icebergs is a once in a lifetime experience.
After the glacier lagoon boat tour, you will have to travel by yourself to Skaftafell Nature Reserve . Skaftafell truly is a natural treasure with a unique combination of black sand, glaciers and volcanoes. We will hike to the glacier Falljökull where we will strap our crampons on and start the ascend up the magnificent glacier. On our glacier hike we will experience astonishing ice sculptures, crevasses, moulins and icefalls. This is a breathtaking and ever-changing landscape.
Sailing In Between The Icebergs
If you ever wished to sail between the Icebergs then, this tour is ideal for you. You will be taken directly to Icelands icy treasure for an invigorating and unique sailing experience amidst the ever-changing glacial landscape of the Glacier Lagoon. This boat tour is not about sightseeing, it is more about experiencing nature closely and what better than accompanying those gigantic icebergs it truly adds to your experience. Just feel the size of the icebergs closely. If you are fortunate enough, you will spot seals swimming in the lagoon or maybe sunbathing, relaxing on a floating iceberg. The South Coast & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon along with boat tour will take approximately 14 hours in total.
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Fun Facts About Jkulsrln Glacier Lagoon
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is Icelands deepest lake, with a max depth of 248 meters.
- The Lagoons area covers 18 sq km.
- Seals and fish live in the water and rich wildlife flies above including the Arctic Tern and the Great Skua.
- The water and its icebergs originate at the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier an outlet glacier from Europes largest glacier Vatnajökull.
- Jökulsárlón was also known as Breiðamerkurlón after the glacier it originates from.
- From Jökulsárlón runs the Jökulsá river, the shortest river in Iceland.
- In 1894 the area from the glacier to the ocean was only 256 meters and no glacier lagoon had formed.
- After the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon formed it cut off the Ring Road and people couldnt reach the southeast without going a full North circle. It was later bridged making the area passable.
- From the year 900, there was a farm with habitats right where the lagoon sits. Its buried under the glacier during the years 1695 to 1709 but is now again popped up from under the glacier. Still, water covers the area and no one lives there.
How To Get To To Jokulsarlon
- Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon = 5h drive on Road 1
- Vik to Jokulsarlon = 2h30 drive
- Höfn to Jokulsarlon = 1h10 drive
- In Summer, the drive is very easy – read my article about driving in Iceland
- You cannot miss it from Road 1 as you spot the icebergs from the bridge, parking is on the North of the bridge for the lagoon, South for the beach
This location is included in both my travel guide eBooks that help you easily plan your Iceland road trip:
Plan your dream road trip around Iceland!
- 8 easy-to-plan maps
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What People Are Saying About Jkulsrln
Overall rating
based on 1,432 reviews
A great day of excursions began with an over-punctual pick-up at the hotel. The stops along the way are well chosen and our tour guide Roman was cool and told us a lot about the country and its people. The glacier lagoon itself was absolutely amazing, I& #39 ve never seen anything like it. The other highlights of the south to visit were also scenically beautiful. Unfortunately, it rained quite a bit, but as we all know, there is no such thing as bad weather in Iceland, just the wrong clothes. All in all an incredibly well organized day trip with wonderful new impressions. Thumbs up!!!
Glacial lagoon is not something you will see everyday, well worth the long trip, the bergs were stunning and the diamond beach was lots of fun / best done with a small group and not a full bus considering the distance as this would have be very uncomfortable. Our driver was great and we stopped for some great Icelandic soup & bread on the return trip
It was a long day however the stops were often, arriving at the Glacier Lagoon was just mesmerising. bucket list trip for me. only issue of the day was one traveller who sat behind me answered constant work calls in Italian for the duration of the 15hr trip. our guide was Ian and he was very nice
Day Trip And Tours From Reykjavik
If you don’t want to drive , you can book organized tours to Jokulsarlon.
- DAY TRIP – The day will be very long, with most of the time on the road but you won’t get bored as the scenery is amazing and constantly changing. Plus the tour will stop at the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls – Check out program and price
- Multi-days South Coast Tour – And to get to SEE MORE and spend less time on the road you can book a 2-day trip along the South Coast. You will get to see so much, it is amazing! Some of the best landscapes in Iceland! – Check out Summer program and price
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Zodiac Boat Tour On Jkulsrln Glacier Lagoon
The Glacier Lagoon in Iceland is located by highway number one, about 370 km east of Reykjavík and it is told to be one of the greatest natural wonders in Iceland. Embark on an exciting boat trip on the Glacier Lagoon in a Zodiac Boat.
During the excursion, you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. On the boat you get to taste a 1000 year old ice and if you are lucky you might even see some seals swimming amongst the beautiful icebergs. The excursion takes 60 minutes and includes an English speaking guide who explains to you the geology and facts of the lagoon.
On the Zodiac you are able to cover large areas of the lagoon and get closer to the icebergs than on the amphibian boats. When possible the Zodiac goes almost all the way up to the glacier wall .
Available from May October
THE JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON is located at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoons main parking lot. at the Glacier Lagoon Café. We recommend being there at least 30 minutes before departure time. You will find the meeting point on Google Maps here
The Zodiac Boat Tour on the Glacier Lagoon is operated by our local friends at Glacier Lagoon If you need to contact them: Tel: +354 478-2222, www.icelagoon.is
Jkulsrln Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour In An Amphibian Boat
Go on a very special amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón, the famous glacier lagoon in Iceland. You will glide among impressive icebergs that have broken off of Breiðamerkurjökull which emerges out of Vatnajökull, Europes largest glacier.
The glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón is one of the most famous sightseeing highlights in Iceland. Do not miss your chance to go on a 30 to 40 minute boat tour on the lagoon. The tour takes place in a special amphibian boat that is able to drive on land and to float in water. You will come very close to the ice and you will glide among big icebergs that have broken off the glacier Vatnajökull. Lucky passengers can even spot seals in the lagoon. During the tour your guide tells you more about the history and also about famous films that were shot at the lagoon .
Boat tours start from 09:00 a.m. every day. When booking your boat tour you do not have to select a specific departure time. Your voucher is valid for whichever departure you choose to join. When you arrive at the glacial lagoon please go to the service center at the lagoon and ask for the next departure time. Please note that you might have to wait a bit for the next departure. Fortunately, there are many beautiful things to see while you are waiting for your boat.
This boat tour on the glacier lagoon is operated by one of our reliable partners.
Meeting point: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
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How Long To Visit Jokulsarlon
Combined with Diamond Beach, you should plan half a day. And if you can stay nearby, you will be able to see it at sunset and and sunrise!
You can easily stop and just watch it for 10min and get back in the car.However, I do recommend staying for longer to
- Walk along the shore
- Listen to the icebergs falling
- Watch the icebergs moving
- Try spotting seals
Plus you can book an Amphibian Boat Tour, a Zodiac Boat Tour or a Kayak Tour in Summer to complete your visit .
More Information For The Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour:
It’s no wonder the amphibian boat tour on the Jökulsárlón Lagoon is a number one seller! And several movies and TV shows agree: Batman Begins, Lara Croft, Die Another Day and the Amazing Race have all chosen to film at this gorgeous setting. The Jökulsárlón Lagoon hosts a mirage of fish and birds to scout out during the amphibian boat tour which will delight bird enthusiasts and fishermen. Arctic terns, arctic skuas and gannets can all be seen hunting herring, salmon, and trout and also nesting around the lake. The boat tour is ideal for families with children of all ages and there are multiple excursions each day, making it easy to arrange your schedule around some of the other mutiple possible tours in the area.
Dont stay on shore! Come and enjoy this trip with us.
Important note: The tours on the glacier lagoon take place under the complete and sole responsibility of the clients. ISLANDICA s.r.o. Will not be held responsible for any accidents that could occur during the activities associated with this trip, whether due to an action of the client or another force. The participants thereby accept this conditions when they sign up for the excursion. The client should understand that the activities on the lagoon come with inherent risks. Code JOK1, ID731
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Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours
Jökulsárlón is a natural wonder with huge iceblocks floating on the lagoon right by highway 1, the Ring Road! You can take a 30-40 minutes guided boat trip on the lagoon and sail among icebergs more than a thousand years old. A great opportunity for photographing! A small café with refreshments and souvenirs is by the lagoon. It is wonderful to relax on the veranda and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We are open from 15th May to 15th September. Skaftafell National Park is 60 km away, Höfn 80 km.
Where To Stay Near Jokulsarlon
Close to Jokulsarlon:
- There are no accommodations at Jokulsarlon itself
- You can find a few hotels or guesthouses in the area, and these will allow you to get there for sunset, sunrise or the northern lights faster – See options
- I stayed at the Hotel Smurlabjorg, 30 min drive East of Jokulsarlon. It was clean and practical – Check out photos and availability
Otherwise, you can choose to stop at the small towns of Vik or Höfn on your road trip, where you will have more choices
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