Ultimate Guide to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Discover Iceland’s Ice Jewel

For many overseas tourists to Iceland, a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – and nearby Diamond Beach – is a bucket list item and rightly so. In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes this wonderful place unique and how to get the most out of your time there. We’ll compare our guided tours with self-drive trips, discuss activities and seasonal highlights and offer photography tips that will help you take frame-worthy images as a souvenir of your visit.

Impressive Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is an iceberg-strewn lake in the south east of Iceland. It has formed where the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier has retreated, enabling meltwater to collect. The chunks of ice that you see floating in the lagoon are a reminder that calving is an ongoing process. As such, they vary considerably in size, shape and even colour, reflecting that they are at different stages in their life cycle.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the largest and deepest of its kind in the country. It’s estimated that the water can be as much as 285 metres deep in parts of the lake. That said, it’s by no means the only one in Iceland; glacial retreat has led to the formation of a number of these glittering lakes including the smaller (but no less beautiful) Fjallsárlón.

However, there’s something else that makes Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon a standout and that’s the channel that links it to the ocean. Icebergs are often seen floating along this narrow waterway and it’s the reason why Atlantic breakers are then able to wash them back onshore at Breiðamerkursandur, better known to foreign visitors by its popular nickname, Diamond Beach.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is located in the south east of Iceland adjacent to the coast. It’s about a five hour drive from Reykjavik and around half an hour more from Keflavik Airport. By most standards, that’s a considerable distance; the fact that so many people come here is an indication of just how awesome the place is.

Starting at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the lake is conveniently located right beside Iceland’s famous ring road. Pull off Route 1 and there’s a sizeable car park beside which there are a number of food outlets and check in points for boat trips where you can don your overalls if heading out onto the water in a Zodiac.

It’s a very short stroll across to the shore of the lake, so you’ll get a view of the lagoon, its icebergs and the glacier pretty much immediately. You’ll see a path alongside the lagoon that runs under the road bridge; this leads to Diamond Beach and it’s only a short walk. You can also choose to drive to a dedicated parking lot for Diamond Beach if you prefer.

Fjallsárlón, a smaller lagoon – though impressive in its own right – is located about 10 minutes’ drive west of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Another rarely visited lagoon is Breiðárlón, reached on foot via a splendid walking path or by mountain track. It’s possible to do a longer distance hike on a trail that connects all three.

Guided tours and self-drive trips to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon both have their advantages. It’s possible to make this the focus of a long day trip. In summer the abundant daylight helps, though even in winter, if you’re happy to drive in the dark it’s still doable. With stellar scenery along the way, it won’t feel like an arduous journey.

Nevertheless, spending ten hours behind the wheel in a single day can be tiring, especially if there’s no one to share the driving. In addition, there are almost endless possibilities for stops along the way, from must-sees such as Reynisfjara Beach and waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to overlooked gems like Múlagljúfur Canyon. Some independent travellers therefore prefer to make this a stop on a ring road itinerary rather than an out and back trip.

However, there’s an easier way: our 14 hour long excursion runs from spring through to autumn and is a convenient option for those based in the capital and on a tight schedule. You can relax in a comfortable seat and enjoy the beauty of the passing landscapes, arriving refreshed and ready to explore.

You’ll enjoy South Iceland’s incredible scenery, traversing Eldhraun’s moss lava fields and gazing up at Hvannadalshnjúkur, the country’s highest peak. Once there, see if you can spot seals in the lagoon, take a boat trip on the water to get a closer look at the icebergs and stroll down to Diamond Beach to watch the waves crash over the chunks of ice on this dazzling stretch of black sand.

How long you spend at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon depends a lot on what your sightseeing goals are. If you’re on a short visit to Iceland, don’t rule the place out. It’s absolutely possible to experience this place fleetingly; you’ll only need a few moments to grab a few hurried selfies from the shore of the lagoon.

Boat trips are similarly easy to slot in. An amphibious boat tour takes on average 35 minutes, while a Zodiac is a little longer at around 1 hour 15 minutes. For the latter, be sure to factor in time to get changed into your warm overalls before and after the sojourn on the water.

But that’s missing the point: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a magical place that deserves considerably more attention. It’s one of the undisputed highlights of Iceland and to do it justice, you’ll want to spend enough time there to drink in the views and participate in an activity or two.

• Boat trips

If you only do one thing, make it a Jökulsárlón boat tour. We offer this as standard on our tour from Reykjavik and with good reason. Getting out onto the water gives you a different perspective on the landscape and a greater appreciation for the scale and majesty of the glacier that rises behind it. Seals often swim right up to the boats or haul out onto the ice to rest, so this is another plus.

At Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon you can choose between an amphibious vehicle and a Zodiac boat. Each has their own pros and cons; amphibious boats are more comfortable and easier to board if you have restricted mobility, while the Zodiacs are faster and more agile, getting you further from the shore. You’ll also find Zodiacs at Fjallsárlón, a fun activity on one of our other glacier lagoon tours.

• Glacier hikes

Combining a boat trip with a glacier hike gives you the opportunity to understand first-hand the links between the various parts of this interconnected landscape. In the company of an experienced guide, you can explore the features of this remarkable landscape. Up close, there’s clear evidence of the glacier’s past from the moraine it carries and the ice that streaks it.

Glaciers are dynamic environments and as such access should only be with a local expert. You’ll receive a full safety briefing and don a helmet, crampons to pull over your hiking boots for that all-important grip and perhaps an ice axe too. Once up on the glacier, you’ll be able to peer down deep crevasses, trek beside icy ridges and take in the striking view over the lagoon and surrounding coastline.

The presence of icebergs enhances the visitor experience at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon so it’s little wonder that those who come here often ask about the likelihood of seeing them. It’s possible to see icebergs on the lagoon and washed up on Diamond Beach throughout the year, so whether you’re here in February or August it makes no difference.

However, no two days are the same. Icebergs don’t calve from Breiðamerkurjökull according to a strict timetable. Likewise the temperature variations and wind speeds that help determine the rate of melting also aren’t consistent. Tidal patterns will also have an impact: at high tide the waves reach further up the beach, while at low tide, icebergs that may have been partially or fully submerged are uncovered.

The sizes, shapes and appearance of the icebergs and thus the lagoon as a whole are constantly in flux. It’s mesmerising. Every visit is different, even if you come on two consecutive days. This plays a major part in why so many travellers are captivated by the scene and return over and over again.

Travellers often ask when’s the best time to see Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, but in truth there’s no obvious answer to that question. No matter what time of year you come here, it’s an extraordinary place. A visit to Jökulsárlón in summer means you get the chance to hop aboard a boat for a trip out on the water; in winter, the soft light casts a warm glow on the ice of the glacier and the icebergs washed up on Diamond Beach.

Nevertheless, there are some seasonal variations that it’s worth staying abreast of, particularly when it comes to available activities. For example, ice caves aren’t a year-round activity and visits should never be attempted unless in the company of an expert guide. Meltwater caused by higher temperatures from spring through to autumn makes these subglacial caverns unstable. Once the mercury plummets, the ice hardens again and once thorough safety checks have been carried out, guided tours can recommence for the winter season.

The weather can also vary considerably according to the time of year. In winter, it pays to take a guided tour as the roads can become icy and you’ll benefit from the experience of a driver who’s used to coping with such conditions. Even in summer, however, the weather can be unpredictable; if it’s raining when you arrive there’s a good chance the clouds will have blown over by the time you depart.

The breathtaking beauty of Jökulsárlón makes it a popular component of any South Coast glacier tour, but it’s also a popular spot for photographers. The area offers endless possibilities for shutterbugs to be creative, whether at Diamond Beach or the glacier lagoon itself.

Even on a Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach day trip, there’s ample time to get some great shots. Here are a few tips for achieving shots with impact:

• Follow the rule of thirds

Imagine a grid of nine rectangles over the screen of your phone; now aim to put your main subject where two of them overlap. That’s what photographers mean when they refer to the rule of thirds. The icebergs found at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach are ideal for this.

• Book a glacier lagoon tour to mix up the view

The panorama of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with a magnificent tongue of ice in the background is impressive from the lake shore, but you’ll get an entirely different shot from the vantage point of a boat trip, particularly from a Zodiac which sits low to the water. In addition, why not take a short walk along the path to achieve an alternative image?

• Be mindful of light conditions

Whether you’ve chosen a guided tour of Jökulsárlón or plan to visit on your own, the weather and light are going to impact your photography. Light tends to be softer at the beginning and end of the day, and the lack of harsh shadows will translate to a better image. Sunrise and sunlight enhance shots of the lagoon and the icebergs on Diamond Beach; timings are a lot more sociable in winter.

• Keep a close eye on the weather forecast

Iceland’s changeable weather can actually be a bonus for photographers, who’ll delight in an unexpected snowfall to contrast with the black sand or dramatic and moody storm clouds brewing above the glacier. It’ll prove sunshine isn’t the be all and end all where photos are concerned. Note too that wind can make it hard to keep the camera steady, particularly in exposed spots, so bring a sturdy tripod and shutter release.

• Book a Northern Lights tour

If you’re visiting Iceland between August and April, consider returning to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon after dark if the forecast suggests clear skies and strong solar activity. This is a fabulous place to capture the Northern Lights and the shots you can achieve are likely to garner a strong reaction if posted on social media or framed and hung on your wall.

Our Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon tour is a convenient and stress-free way to incorporate this magical part of Iceland into your vacation plans. Ensconced in your comfortable seat, travellers of all ages will relish the incredible views in between memorable stops. With the option to add – or not – a boat trip, why not take a look at our website and get your booking locked in?