20-04-2023
Planning to visit the beautiful Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon during your time in Iceland? Good choice! One of the most popular attractions in Iceland, the natural wonder that is Jokulsarlon is sure to take your breath away.
Let us help you out with our comprehensive guide to all you need to know about visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. We'll also provide top travel tips and unmissable highlights.
Formed of glacial meltwater, Jokulsarlon is a massive glacier lake at the bottom of Vatnajokull Glacier. It exists due to the melting of the glacier, which caused the lake to form and icebergs to bob along the surface.
To help clear up any confusion, keep in mind that iceberg lagoon, glacier lagoon and glacial lake are all words for the same thing. A glacier lagoon is actually a type of lake; all glacier lagoons are lakes, but not all lakes are glacier lagoons!
Want to wow your travel buddies with some fantastic facts about Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon? We’ve got you covered!
The lagoon is located right in the Southeast region of Iceland. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon sits just to the south of the massive Vatnajokull Glacier. This beautiful lake is situated at the southern edge of the expansive Vatnajokull National Park. It is inside this park where you can find the glacier.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is around five hours by car from Reykjavík. The lagoon is 380 kilometers from Iceland’s capital. That means Jokulsarlon is best visited as part of your road trip around Iceland or as part of a two or three day excursion from Reykjavík.
You can rent a car in Reykjavík, then head to Jokulsarlon for an amazing experience among this breathtaking natural scenery. You can choose to either stay over at a nearby lagoon hotel or head to one of the nearby villages for the night. Check out some top recommendations for places to stay below.
Good news! Jokulsarlon is actually really easy to reach by road, as it’s directly on the main Ring Road in Iceland: Route 1. You can simply follow this road around until you reach the car park next to the lagoon – it couldn’t be easier!
The trip to Jokulsarlon from Reykjavík is one of the most beautiful and scenic drives in Iceland. On this part of your Iceland Ring Road tour, you’ll pass several amazing waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. You'll get to see the striking Reynisfjara black beach and the picturesque village of Vik. Likewise, Skaftafell Nature Reserve and even Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
If you plan to stay over near this beautiful lake, you can take your pick of Jokulsarlon hotels. From guesthouses to villas and hostels, there’s a wide range of accommodation available in the Jokulsarlon area to suit any budget.
Consider staying in Hofn, a fishing town located about an hour drive up the Ring Road from popular attractions. Among those, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Skaftafell Nature Reserve. There, you'll find a variety of accommodation options such as hotels, cottages, cabins and hostels.
If you're driving back to Reykjavík, you can take a 2.5-hour drive along the Ring Road to the west. Stay in the coastal town of Vik, which offers a range of accommodations.
Alternatively, there are other towns along the way, such as Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It is 1.5 hours from Jokulsarlon, these towns offer guest accommodations as well.
Discover the best things to see and do at Jokulsarlon, one of Iceland's most incredible iceberg lagoons, with our unmissable guide!!
One of the most amazing things you can do at this beautiful glacier pond in Iceland is take a boat tour to soak in the beauty of the lake up close. Glide along the water, past icebergs and bobbing seals, while you marvel at your incredible surroundings.
There are different options for Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon boat tours, depending on how long you’d like to spend on the water.
Take your pick of amazing Jokulsarlon ice cave tours to walk inside one or several of Vatnajokull’s ice caves for yourself. These tours are generally available throughout the winter season from September to April. Striking blue canyons and expansive ice caves await!
You can choose from a range of tours, some of which include Jokulsarlon glacier hikes or Jeep tours to explore the glacier surface. Many of these tours will take you inside the awesome ice caves. Ice caving tours at Jokulsarlon usually last two to three hours as a minimum. Still, you can even spend all day exploring these enchanting cave structures if you desire.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking on a glacier by booking a guided Jokulsarlon glacier hike. Walking on the mighty Vatnajokull Glacier will make for an unforgettable day on your Iceland vacation.
Most guided Vatnajokull Glacier walks take you from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to the glacier itself. There you begin your tour of this stunning ice formation. Learn all about the ancient glacier as you soak in the stunning views and take some unbelievable photos.
Want to traverse the waters of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon yourself? A Jokulsarlon kayaking adventure could be the perfect thing for you! Enjoy amazing views as you paddle among the icebergs on this beautiful, freezing lake on an hour-long Jokulsarlon kayaking tour.
Jokulsarlon kayaking tours are a great way to experience the lagoon during the summer months. They are generally available from May through to September.
When you’re visiting Iceland in winter, you have an amazing chance to see the spectacular Northern Lights dancing in the sky. And, if you’re lucky, this might coincide with your trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Watching these dazzling lights above the majestic iceberg lagoon is a memory you won’t soon forget!
You can check the Iceland Northern Lights forecast from the Icelandic Met Office to see what the likelihood is of spotting the aurorae each day – exciting!
If you’re questioning what to see at Jokulsarlon, the awe-inspiring Diamond Beach has to go on your must-see list. This amazing black sand beach is just over the road from Jokulsarlon and is so-called due to the many icebergs lying on its shore.
Glistening in the sunlight like diamonds, the icebergs at Diamond Beach stand out in stark contrast to the black sand. Certainly, an amazing location for keen photographers and nature lovers alike. Your trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon isn’t complete until you’ve visited the amazing Diamond Beach.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is home to wildlife, including seals and many species of bird. You’re likely to be able to spot Arctic terns and skuas at Jokulsarlon, with many puffin nesting areas nearby, too.
In the winter, seals can be spotted around the mouth of this lake, where they go to catch fish. Seals are often spotted lounging around on the icebergs – cute! You may also see whales, specifically humpback whales, as they are often found in this area of Southwestern Iceland.
Bring along your binoculars for some prime-location bird watching. Stand back in awe as the birds circle in the sky, attracted to Jokulsarlon’s mega fish stocks.
Held during August each year, the annual fireworks show at Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon is truly a magical spectacle to behold. The gorgeous lights dance and reflect on the water, creating a beautiful spectrum of colors to enjoy.
You can probably see all of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in a couple of hours. However, you’ll need to schedule more than two to three hours if you want to fully enjoy some of the amazing activities you can do at Jokulsarlon.
Some ice cave and boat tours take a couple of hours by themselves. Or you can go for a more extensive all-day guided exploration of Jokulsarlon, meaning you’ll need to allow more time for your trip.
We’d say a day is enough time to visit Jokulsarlon (including Diamond Beach) and the nearby Skaftafell Nature Reserve. You’ll just have to make sure the timings work out well with any guided tours you’d like to take at Jokulsarlon.
Excited about your trip to Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon? We bet you are! Make sure you’re prepared with our list of top travel tips for your time at Jokulsarlon to help you make the most of this unique adventure.
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When it comes to Jokulsarlon, there’s no time to waste. Due to rising global temperatures, the glacier is melting and the lagoon as we know it is expected to transform into a large fjord in the near future.
Right now, the lake is ever-changing and rapidly expanding. If you’d really love to see Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, we recommend planning your trip sooner rather than later.
The icebergs are calling! Prepare yourself for an amazing adventure at this incredible iceberg lagoon in Iceland by finding your flights and ideal Iceland accommodation, ready for your dream vacation.
Make things simple for yourself by reserving your rental car at Keflavik Airport: Iceland’s main international airport in Reykjavík. From there, you can head onto the Ring Road and enjoy the drive of a lifetime among Iceland’s incredible natural scenery. Adventure awaits!