Jökulsárlón is one of the most visited parts of South Iceland and a popular stop with tourists circumnavigating the country. This magnificent place is located close to Hotel Jökulsárlón, making us the perfect base for your Jökulsárlón adventures. Let’s find out more about this very special place – this guide covers everything you need to know about Jökulsárlón.
What is Jökulsárlón and how has it been created?
Jökulsárlón is a wonderful glacial lagoon backed by the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which is an outlet glacier of the much larger Vatnajökull. In the ablation zone at the bottom of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, there are warmer temperatures than at the top. This causes the glacier to melt a little.
In addition, as the glacier moves downhill under gravity, the tongue of ice flexes and splits. At the glacier’s snout, where it meets the water of the lagoon, icebergs calve and float on the water. This lagoon is connected to the open sea by a small channel and as a consequence it contains salt water.
The icebergs float out into the ocean along this channel and are washed back onto the shore at Breiðamerkursandur (Diamond Beach) where they eventually dissolve into the sand. The combination of glacier, lagoon and iceberg-strewn beach is an unusual one, which goes some way to explaining why Jökulsárlón holds such fascination with travellers.
What kinds of activities can you do at Jökulsárlón?
One of the greatest things about a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the variety of activities you can do there. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare in your itinerary, you can pull in to the car park and simply view the icebergs and the lagoon from the shore. With a little longer, you can take a stroll along the black sand of Diamond Beach and watch the waves break for a while.
But though that’s better than nothing, it doesn’t really do the lagoon justice. Jökulsárlón is the kind of place that the longer you stay, the more you get out of it. Many travellers are compelled to see it more than once – sometimes even during the same trip – so staying close by, such as at Hotel Jökulsárlón, is a real advantage. The appearance of the icebergs and lagoon changes with the light and is particularly pretty at sunrise.
On the glacier itself, you can book guided ice hikes and also visit one of Iceland’s dazzling ice caves. Boat trips head out onto the water and as the lagoon is quite large, you’ll get a lot closer to the edge of the glacier if you book a place on such a tour. There are three main types of boat trip to choose from:
- Amphibian boat
These sizeable vehicles are able to drive overland but also float, so they’re ideally suited to this place. It’s a popular choice with families travelling with young children or the less mobile as it’s easy to board and stable once it’s out on the water. It’s also a cost-effective option as it’s considerably cheaper than other boat trips and the half-hour excursion represents excellent value for money.
- Zodiac boat
Rigid inflatable boats are much smaller but that means you’ll be much closer to the water. They can travel relatively fast across the lagoon and tours are longer, so you’ll be able to spend more time near the end of the glacier. Seeing the icebergs close up from a Zodiac is a memorable experience, particularly if inquisitive seals haul out onto the ice or swim around the boat.
- Kayak
It’s also possible to take a guided kayak trip out onto Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You’ll paddle out onto the lagoon and slip silently through the water as you wind in and out of the icebergs that litter the water. As you don’t need an engine, this feels like the most natural way of getting out onto the lagoon. Sit on top kayaks are very stable, so no previous experience is necessary.
Do you need any specialist gear for your visit?
In short, no, though you’ll need to make sure you are wearing warm and waterproof clothes if the weather dictates. When you sign up for a boat trip of any kind, the tour operator will provide you with the gear that you need, such as floatation suits and lifejackets. Basically, all you need to do is turn up, though remember to allow a little extra time to suit up and prepare for your adventure.
How long should you spend there?
This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on what you plan to do. That said, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon has a bewitching quality, as has Diamond Beach, and you’ll probably end up staying there longer than you planned, particularly if the weather is sunny or you decide to have something to eat.
Amphibian boat trips typically last about 35 minutes or so, making a full hour enough to take a short stroll as well. Zodiac and kayak tours last a bit longer. It’s easy to spend an hour or more on the beach admiring the icebergs, and you may be tempted to return once or twice to catch the sunrise and the sunset.
Another reason to spend more time at Jökulsárlón is to try to spot the Northern Lights here. From late August to the middle of April, so long as there are clear skies, you have a chance of seeing the aurora borealis reflected in the lagoon. The icebergs provide the perfect foreground prop, so if you’re keen on photography you’ll be excited at the prospect of returning after dark in the hope of a spectacularly colourful celestial display.
What about food provision?
If you’ve rented a car, then you might pack a picnic to eat while you stand and admire the glacier, icebergs and lagoon. But if you’re not quite that organised, then it’s good to know that food trucks selling fish and chips or langoustine-filled rolls park up in the car park most days. There’s also a café here, and of course if you’re a guest of Hotel Jökulsárlón, our spacious, light-filled restaurant makes a great spot for breakfast or dinner.
How to get there
Getting to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon couldn’t be simpler. Iceland’s ring road, Route 1, passes right beside the lagoon. This is a tarmac road and it’s well-maintained. Even in winter, the road rarely shuts because of bad weather. If you are planning a road trip during the colder months, keep a close eye on the weather forecasts and road conditions. The lagoon is usually accessible year-round, though many of the activities here are seasonal.
Coming from Reykjavik it’s a drive of about five hours, but there are plenty of amazing sights to stop off at along the way, so you shouldn’t plan to hurry. You’ll know you’re almost at your destination as you cross the single lane bridge right before the turn off to the lagoon. There’s ample parking. You can walk over to Diamond Beach from the main car park at Jökulsárlón; there’s a path that leads under the road beside the channel. Alternatively, you can move your car and park closer to the beach.
Hotel Jökulsárlón is just fifteen minutes further east, making us a convenient base for multiple visits to the glacier. We’d love to welcome you and hear all about your Jökulsárlón visit.