Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
A lagoon of drifting blue icebergs calved from a glacier tongue - Iceland's most magical scene, beside a beach strewn with ice diamonds.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
At Jokulsarlon a glacier tongue of the vast Vatnajokull ice cap calves icebergs into a deep lagoon, where they drift in shades of white and electric blue toward the sea. Across the road, the black sand Diamond Beach glitters with grounded chunks of ice. It is perhaps the most magical single scene in Iceland, reached on the south coast ring road.
What you actually see
- The drifting icebergs - the blue and white bergs floating across the lagoon.
- Diamond Beach - the black sand strewn with glittering chunks of ice.
- Boat tours - the amphibian and zodiac trips among the icebergs.
- Seals - the seals that haul out and swim among the ice.
When to go
Year-round; summer for boat tours and long light, winter for the ice caves in the glacier and fewer crowds. The scene is spectacular in any season.
Honest expectations
It is a long drive from Reykjavik, five hours each way, so it usually needs an overnight on the south coast. The ice caves are winter-only and need a guided tour. It has become very popular, so it is busier than it once was.
Nearby
The Vatnajokull glacier and Skaftafell are along the same coast; Hofn is the nearest town.
What to pack for Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
