Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

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.

The landscape

• 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.

Good to know

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.

Key facts