Fjallsarlon

Fjallsarlon lies at the snout of Fjallsjokull, an outlet of Vatnajokull coming off Oraefajokull, and the difference from its famous neighbour ten kilometres east is proportion: the lagoon is much smaller, so the glacier front stands close and fills the view rather than sitting on the horizon. Icebergs calve into it and drift in a confined space. It drains by a short river to the sea, and because that outlet is small, the ice does not wash out to a beach the way it does at Jokulsarlon. Zodiac trips run in summer to the ice front. The place is quieter than Jokulsarlon but no longer empty.

The landscape

• A close glacier front - the ice fills the view rather than sitting distant.
• Icebergs in a small basin - calved ice drifting in confined water.
• A short outlet river - no diamond beach equivalent here.
• Zodiac trips in summer - out to the ice face.

When to go

May to September for boats; the viewpoint is open all year. Two to three hours.

Before you go

Boat trips depend on ice and wind and cancel often. The shore is loose gravel and the water is close to freezing. Facilities are a car park, a small cafe and toilets in season. Ice conditions vary hugely - some days the lagoon is nearly empty of bergs.

Nearby

Jokulsarlon is ten kilometres east; Mulagljufur is west.

Key facts