Kayaking in Jokulsarlon is truly an experience you don’t want to miss and if it is not in your bucket list yet, I suggest you add it and come check it off with us! The owner of the company started the Glacier Walk in 2011, he was one of the first ones organizing these tours on Breiðamerkurjökull. Breiðamerkurjökull is an outlet glacier of the larger glacier of Vatnajökull and a piedmont glacier in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. Breiðamerkurjökull is the glacial tongue that extends from southern Vatnajökull and into the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón, creating the icebergs that define this beautiful landmark. It is a good tip to visit the most crowded locations with fewer tourists. If you are wondering where you have seen this place before, it could be in many different famous movies such as James Bond, A View to a kill (1985), James Bond, Die another day (2002) or also Lara Croft, Tomb Raider (2001). It is recommended to bring appropriate clothing such as warm clothes, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and good shoes even if the sun is shining and you are visiting during summer. It was later bridged making the area passable. Refer to our Privacy Policy for details. Breiðamerkurjökull carved into the land and formed a hollow which filled up with melted water, creating the lagoon. What is Breiðamerkurjökull? To reach Jokulsarlon, you can join a tour to the South Coast from Reykjavík and make the most out of your trip to Iceland. During the excursion you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of the lagoon at which gradually grows as the ice breaks of the glacier. It’s about 380 km or 5 hours from Reykjavik to the glacier lagoon. Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is a big outlet glacier from the south side of Vatnajökull glacier that crawls down to the Breiðamerkursandur black sand area between Skaftafell in the west and Höfn in Hornafjörður town in the east. Glacier Adventure is a small family-run company. I joined the Breiðamerkurjökull Ice Cave tour with Glacier Mice, a small business that you can only book via bigger marketplaces such as Guide to Iceland. This tour is only available from June to September. In fact, the glacier tongue is receding very fast, letting many ice chunks fall from it. We drive in our super jeep from Glacier lagoon Jökuldárlón to the steel of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, but there is where the caves form with the interaction of water, ice and temperature changes during spring- and summertime. To many, it is simply known as the ice lagoon since action scenes in James Bond Die Another Day and such movies made this dramatic and surreal landscape famous. Jokulsarlon is about 370 kilometers (230 miles) east from Reykjavík. So if you go to Jokulsarlon during the wintertime you would benefit from smaller crowds and lower prices on everything. It is offered all year with a minimum age of 14 years. If it's raining a lot then the ice caves are filled with water, but if it's cold then there is less melting water coming out from underneath the glacier that makes it possible to go inside. You can also combine a glacier hike with another popular activity, like kayaking in Jokusarlon or horse riding. Two large nunataks, Mavabyggdir and Esjufjoll, create middle moraines as well as other smaller ones. Indeed, the glacier got thinner and melt gradually. Today big hills can be seen (terminal moraine) where the glacier used to be at that time, just north of the main road. Rugged glacier tongues, giant icebergs, glacier-carved canyons, jagged mountain ranges, Iceland’s highest peak, and its deepest lake await exploration. Yes, it is! Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is Iceland’s deepest lake, with a max depth of 248 meters. This area can be explored in one day, and the best way to live this moment to its fullest is to join a boat tour. This amazing combo glacier tour allows you to visit natural ice cave and go on a hovercraft on the Glacier lagoon. . However, beware of the Arctic terns as they are very protective of their eggs and use to dive-bomb the visitors who are going too close to them. All rights reserved. Since Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon, it can get really chilly. Our guide takes you on an unforgettable journey on Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s biggest outlet glacier. This is a tour for those who wish to enjoy outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air and experience the unspoiled natural beauty of Iceland at its best. I joined the Skaftafell glacier hike tour in November 2019 when I went to visit this part in the southern area of Iceland. In 1998 the size of the glacier lagoon was estimated to be around 8 square kilometers, in 2004 it was estimated to be around 15 square kilometers and it has grown quite a lot since then. Our company revolves around Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. If the tour is cancelled by Glacier Journey for some reason, i.e. Ice Cave Tour - Visit Vatnajökull A trip to the ice caves gives you an everlasting memory of your visit to our amazing Vatnajökull National Park. This website uses cookies to provide full user experience. Your best bet, though, is to book a room at a hotel in Hof or Geirland. There are so many things to see in the Southern part of the country. During the boat tour, you will have the opportunity to taste the ice, which is one of the purest you will find in your life. Glacier Adventure is a small family-run company. It is responsible for the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, and the crystal ice caves that qualified guides take tours to every winter. It is located in the South-Eastern part of Iceland, on the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, in Austur Skaftafellssýsla county. The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is located at Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of the magnificent Vatnajökull Glacier which lies beyond it. Right beside the glacier lagoon lies the Diamond Beach, approximately one kilometer away from Jokulsarlon, on the other side of the main road. As you descend the ice field via Breiðamerkurjökull glacier on the last day, you will witness the stunning beauty of the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The boats are stable, it is really safe for everyone, even for those without any previous kayaking experience. A glacier hike is the best way to get to know this magnificent natural pheno Read more menon while at the same time enjoy the surroundings and majestic mountain views. They love to swim between the icebergs or lie on them for a nice sunbath, they can also be seen in the waters of the. As long as you do not attempt to step on the ice or swim in the lagoon or in the sea. Wheelchair users can view the lagoon but many activities on and around the glacier are not suitable for people with limited mobility. The hike is determined by the location of the ice cave that we use that year so every year can be quite different. https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/jokulsarlon-glacier-lagoon-tours The water is extremely cold all year round… cold enough to cause hypothermia in just a few minutes. Between waterfalls, glaciers and black sand beaches, you will certainly feel like you have landed in another world. But only via an organized glacier tour, accompanied by an experienced local glacier guide. Inside Europe's largest glacier the interaction of light and ice is unique and the experience of being inside the glacier is so breathtaking that no word can describe it. You can hop on a, Tours visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The glacier we visited is called Breiðamerkurjökull one of Vatnajökull´s biggest outlet glacier. Then, they will float and reach the sea via Jokulsa river, melting slowly and being washed up on the shore of Diamond Beach. The water and its icebergs originate at the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier an outlet glacier from Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull. Walking and getting around might be a little bit difficult for small children and people with reduced mobility. You will be able to touch the glaciers and discover places which cannot be seen any other way. There are loads of activities to enjoy in and near Jokulsarlon. 2 day tour to explore the world’s rarest natural phenomenon: a blue ice cave under Vatnajökull – Europe’s largest glacier.Visit all attractions that make Iceland the best travel destination: black sand beaches, waterfalls, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the mighty northern lights. There is a lot of glacier ice breaking off from the glacier margin and it falls directly into the glacier lagoon, then it floats out into the lagoon where it melts or it floats out to the sea. Ice Cave Tours available during the winter, Boat tours on the Glacier Lagoon available. From Jökulsárlón runs the Jökulsá river, the shortest river in Iceland. Join one of our Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon tours for an otherworldly and unforgettable experience. but before the glacier was increasing and it destroyed some of the farms there. The real name of this black sand beach is Breiðamerkurssand, but it is known as the Diamond Beach because there are countless ice chunks glistening in the sun. Get top travel stories & special offers to your inbox. The ride to the glacier takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the snow layer. The black volcanic sand of the beach contrasts with the white or blue icebergs and makes this place one of the most photogenic in all Iceland. It is possible to see some small icebergs down by the coastline called diamonds beach because of the blue glittering glacier ice. However, you will not be able to join a boat tour as they run only during summer. Jokulsarlon is on the southeastern border of the Vatnajökull National Park. The company has its own meeting point, only 12km east of the Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon on of Iceland's most popular attractions. Located on the South Coast, It's hidden in Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, which also feeds the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The surface of the ground is somewhat rocky and uneven around the lagoon and it can be slippery in winter. You will not have to walk far to enter the ice cave, but once there you can enjoy the gorgeous blue ice. Around the year 1935, Jokulsarlon began to form because a glacier called Breiðamerkurjökull had retreated back from the edge of the Atlantic ocean. After the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon formed it cut off the Ring Road and people couldn’t reach the southeast without going a full North circle. The meeting point is in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where all the necessary equipment will be provided. Accommodation near Jokulsarlon is pretty sparse, but you can book a countryside hotel near Vatnajokull. What could be more magical than a boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, navigating between massive icebergs and playful seals? Surprisingly, the cold does not prevent animals to choose Jokulsarlon as their home. The glacial landscapes of Iceland host a great variety of wildlife. The specific cave we went to is part of Breiðamerkurjökull, which is an outlet glacier of the larger Vatnajökull glacier within Vatnajökull National Park. Our main goal is to make your trip a memorable tour when your grandchildren ask what the best adventure was in your life, you will tell stories about what you experienced in Iceland included our tour. Many seabirds such as the Arctic Terns, Seagulls, and the Great Skuas are present around the glacier lagoon. The most popular and unique locations on the South Coast of Iceland. Most of the bergs are huge blocks when they fall from the glacier into the lagoon. Another option is to join a zodiac raft tour to experience a unique adventure, where most of the tourists will never go. Glacier Tours From Reykjavik. Like many places in Iceland, during the summer months, the main tourist attractions are crowded. All of our tours are operated on and in the glacier. Our guides were amazing. Those who purchase a kayaking tour receive safety equipment, life vests, and drysuits. Come and explore the wonder of Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the stunning outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. How to get to an Iceland ice cave The first thing to know, if you haven’t had any experience hiking glaciers, climbing, or similar activity, you will not be able to get into ice caves on your own. These glacier walks all take place on Sólheimajökull as it is the only glacier that is close enough to Reykjavík for a day trip. I recommend bringing your own hiking boots and dressing warmly. I also joined an Ice Cave tour in Breiðamerkurjökull.. A super jeep tour to the edge of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that is the home of the ice caves in our amazing Vatnajökull National Park. There are loads of activities to enjoy in and near Jokulsarlon. Seals and fish live in the water and rich wildlife flies above including the Arctic Tern and the Great Skua. Prior to 2008, Vatnajökull was simply the name of the glacier, and this cave was part of Skaftafell National Park, which is why many people still refer to it as the Skaftafell ice cave. The walk in the 2019/20 winter was mainly on flat rocky ground, though with some uneven surfaces. Glacier Wonders with Arctic Adventures. It’s right off the Ring Road on your drive from Reykjavik. Now the front of the glacier is around 6 kilometers away from the coastline. From the year 900, there was a farm with habitats right where the lagoon sits. We will meet you at the meeting location, before heading on Super Jeep transfer to the base of the glacier and then up to the ice cave. Glacier Walk on Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s biggest outlet glacier. If you want to get to know the glacier this is the tour for you. As Jokulsarlon has tides, seals, as well as some fishes, join the glacier lagoon when the water runs into it. Unfortunately, I have only these two pictures from this tour because the group arrived a bit late and half of the tour was done during sunset. The glacial lake is getting bigger every year and it is now about 18 km². 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