Why Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Should Be on Your Iceland Bucket List
Looking for that one Icelandic spot that hits you right in the “wow”? Look no further.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is the place – the crown jewel of South Iceland and probably one of the most surreal landscapes you’ll ever see.
Picture this: giant chunks of glacial ice casually floating in a tranquil blue lagoon, seals popping up to say hi, and the mighty Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier, looming in the background like a frosty bodyguard.
It’s peaceful, powerful, and wildly photogenic: Your camera won’t know what hit it.
Ready to feel small (in a good way)? Buckle up, we’re taking you straight into one of the most iconic natural wonders in Iceland.
What is Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?
Let’s break it down. Jökulsárlón literally means “glacial river lagoon” in Icelandic.
It’s a lake that sits at the foot of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which is one of the outlet tongues of Vatnajökull. Over the years, as the glacier has retreated (thanks, climate change), the lagoon has grown – and now it’s one of the deepest lakes in Iceland.
The lagoon connects directly to the sea via the Jökulsá River, which means the icebergs you see floating around are slowly making their way out to sea like cool little cruise ships.
It’s not just a sightseeing spot: It’s a live, moving glacier show.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon gets its icy soul straight from Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier tongue fed by the massive Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest ice cap and the king of cold.
And this place isn’t just for staring at from a distance.
It’s a launchpad for all kinds of ice-powered adventures, like glacier hiking and exploring ice caves that look like frozen alien cathedrals. (Bring a guide, though – it’s beautiful but also, you know, made of actual glacier.)
So, what made this lagoon world-famous? The icebergs.
Enormous, glowing blocks of ancient ice just floating around like they own the place. At sunrise or sunset, they light up with shades of blue, pink, and gold that honestly make you question reality.
Oh, and fun fact: this isn’t just any lake.
It’s the deepest lake in Iceland, plunging down 284 meters (932 feet). That’s over three times taller than the tallest building in Reykjavík. And while you can’t see that from the surface, you’ll feel it in your soul.
The lagoon spans around 18 square kilometers (7 square miles)... and yep, it’s still growing.
As the glacier continues to melt (sad trombone noise), the lagoon gets bigger every year. Iceland’s natural wonders: stunning, but also silently screaming about climate change.
What to do at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?
Take a boat ride between icebergs and seals
Let’s be honest: Staring at icebergs from the shore is cool, but gliding right next to them? That’s next level. And the best part? You can totally do that here.
Only one company runs boat tours on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and they know what they’re doing. You’ll hop aboard for about an hour of epic scenery, with giant blocks of ancient ice drifting around you, and curious seals popping up like the true locals they are.
You’ve got two tour types to choose from:
🛳️ Amphibian boat tour (the chill option)
This one's perfect if you want a relaxed ride with a side of glacial facts.
The boat drives into the water straight from land, and floats gently between the icebergs. Great for families, photos, and people who enjoy staying (mostly) dry.
Adults (13+): 6,900 ISK (~$50 / €46)
Children (6–12): 3,500 ISK
Kids (0–5): Free
🗓️ Available May to October
🚤 Zodiac tour (for the iceberg chasers)
Want to get closer, faster, and feel like you’re in a glacier action movie? Go for the Zodiac boat tour. Smaller, faster boats = more adrenaline and better photo ops.
Adults (13+): 15,700 ISK (~$115 / €105)
Children (10–12): 7,900 ISK
🗓️ Available June to September
Both tours offer unforgettable views of the glacier lagoon in South Iceland, with commentary, floating giants of ice, and hopefully a seal or two striking a pose for your Insta story.
Pro tip: book in advance, especially in summer. This place gets more popular than Jon Snow at Castle Black.
🛶 Kayak tours: Glide like a glacier ninja
Looking for something a little more hands-on? Swap the boat for a paddle and hop on a kayak tour at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
These 90-minute tours let you glide silently across the water, weaving between icebergs like a stealthy seal with a GoPro.
It’s the most peaceful (and low-key badass) way to explore the lagoon. No engine sounds, no crowds – just you, the ice, and the occasional curious seal checking you out like, “hey, you don’t look local.”
No experience needed, just a sense of adventure and maybe a few upper body muscles.
🧊 Ice cave tours: Explore the glacier’s secret rooms
If you thought the lagoon was cool (pun intended), wait until you crawl inside a real Icelandic ice cave.
These natural wonders are hidden inside the Vatnajökull glacier, and they look like something out of a sci-fi movie – walls of shimmering blue ice, twisted tunnels, and silence that hits different.
Several local companies run ice cave tours that start right at the Jökulsárlón parking lot (yes, you can park your campervan there like a pro).
They’ll gear you up, drive you close to the glacier edge, and lead you inside one of the most surreal places you'll ever step into.
Tours usually run from mid-October to March, depending on conditions – because, well, the caves literally melt in summer.
Don’t skip Diamond Beach, nature's icy catwalk
Just across the road from Jökulsárlón, you’ll find one of Iceland’s most mind-blowing contrasts: Diamond Beach.
Imagine jet-black sand scattered with glittering chunks of ice that have drifted from the lagoon out to sea, only to be thrown back onto shore like nature’s version of “ta-daa!”.
The result? A surreal landscape where it looks like a bunch of diamonds crash-landed on a lava field. Perfect for dramatic photos, icy toes, and wondering if Elsa’s been here.
Trust us: If you’re visiting the glacier lagoon, you can’t skip Diamond Beach. It’s literally right there, and it’s as photogenic as it gets.
When’s the best time to visit jokulsarlon?
Good news: Jökulsárlón is epic year-round.
But depending on what you’re hoping to see (seals, birds, northern lights, your own breath in the air…), here’s how the seasons stack up:
❄️ Winter (October–March)
Better chance to spot seals hunting at the lagoon’s mouth
Fewer tourists, more moody vibes
Ice cave tours are in full swing
Also: it’s cold. Like, very cold.
🌞 Summer (June–August)
Home to countless migrating birds, including puffins nearby
Midnight sun = more daylight to explore
Boat & kayak tours available
The weather? Let’s call it “less freezing”
So... it really depends on your adventure style. Want Arctic stillness and seal-stalking? Go in winter. Prefer puffins and boat rides? Summer’s your jam.
Also, if you had planned to enjoy one or two activities, here's what you can (or can't!) do depending on the season:
| Activity | Winter | Summer |
| Boat tours |  |  |
| Kayak tours | | |
| Ice cave tours | | |
| Diamond Beach visit | | |
| Enjoy northern lights | | |
⚠️ What you shouldn't do at the lagoon
Look, we get it – Jökulsárlón is incredibly tempting. The ice is shiny, the water is hypnotic, and your inner adventurer is screaming “do it for the ‘Gram!”.
But here’s a quick list of things you absolutely should not do, unless you want your road trip to end with a very awkward rescue.
🚫 Don't swim in the lagoon
Yes, someone actually tried it. No, it didn’t go well.
The water in the lagoon is basically liquid glacier – hypothermia kicks in within minutes. It’s not a wild spa day, it’s a glacial death trap.
So unless you’re part polar bear, stay dry.
🚫 Don't step on the ice
We know, we know: That iceberg at the edge does look like the perfect photo-op.
But icebergs can flip without warning, sending you straight into the icy abyss.
They’re also ridiculously slippery (think banana peel but colder and deadlier).
Admire the ice from a safe distance, and let your drone do the risky business.
How was Jokulsarlon formed?
Here’s a fun (and slightly alarming) fact: Jökulsárlón didn’t even exist a century ago.
Scientists say the lagoon began forming around 1935, when temperatures started rising fast during the early 20th century.
As the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier started retreating, meltwater pooled at its base, and voilà: Iceland’s most famous glacial lake was born.
Since then, the lagoon has only kept growing, thanks to ongoing climate change.
Beautiful? Absolutely. A tiny bit terrifying? Yep.
It’s now about four times larger than it was in the 1970s – and scientists predict that eventually, it may evolve into a full-blown fjord, not just a lake.
So yeah, it’s still growing. Fast. Like your van’s laundry pile on day five of a road trip.
The Icebergs at Jokulsarlon
Now let’s talk about the real stars of the show: the icebergs.
These chunky, shimmering giants break off from the glacier as it creeps across the land, then float across the lagoon like frosty cruise ships headed for Diamond Beach.
They come in all shapes and sizes: Some are small enough to hug (don’t), others are the size of tiny houses (again, don’t). And their colors? Absolutely wild.
🤍 White icebergs
These bubbly-looking ones are packed with trapped air.
Because of that, light can’t really pass through, so they look white, sometimes with a faint bluish glow. Think snowball on steroids.
💙 Blue icebergs
These are the showstoppers.
Formed under insane pressure, blue icebergs are super compact, with all the air squeezed out, which lets light pass straight through.
Result? That deep, glowing blue that makes you go “wow” and then “wait, is that even real?”.
🖤 Black icebergs
Not evil, just volcanic. The black streaks and smudges are actually ash from past eruptions, trapped between layers of ice over time.
When part of the glacier calves off, that ash comes out for its big reveal, like the world’s coldest time capsule.
Wildlife at Jokulsarlon: Seals, birds and snack attacks
Sure, Jökulsárlón might feel like a frozen alien planet to us humans. But to Iceland’s wildlife, it’s home sweet (and chilly) home.
The most famous residents? Seals, of course.
You’ll often spot them fishing, diving, or just straight-up vibing on an iceberg like it’s a personal spa.
They love to hang out near the mouth of the lagoon, especially at high tide, when the fish roll in like a buffet on ice.
Photo: Stephen_AU - Seals at Jökulsárlón - Flickr - No changes were made
The local menu? Mostly herring, trout, and salmon (aka fine Icelandic dining for the fluffiest predators in the area).
The lagoon offers them a pretty sweet deal: endless food, and a safe space far from orca patrol on the south coast. Basically, it’s the five-star seal resort of Iceland.
But it’s not just about seals: Birds are big fans of Jökulsárlón too. You might spot great skuas and the ever-dramatic arctic terns.
And a word of warning: terns do not mess around. Get too close to their nests and they’ll divebomb you like tiny, feathered jets. Respect the turf. Or risk the wrath.
How to get to Jokulsarlon 🗺️
No GPS wizardry required: Jökulsárlón is super easy to find.
Just hop on Route 1 (the Ring Road), head southeast from Reykjavík, and cruise for about 5 hours. That’s it.
No turnoffs, no secret fjord passages: Just classic Icelandic views the whole way.
The lagoon is located between Vík and Höfn, and it’s impossible to miss. Massive parking lot, epic glacier vibes, and probably a few vans already parked with people drinking instant coffee in beanies.
Here’s a map to help you out, but really, just follow the icebergs.
Rent your campervan and make the most of your Iceland adventure
If you're dreaming of cruising between icebergs and volcanoes, chasing seals or northern lights, then you need the perfect ride, and that's where we come in.
KuKu Campers gives you the freedom to explore Iceland on your terms, with a massive fleet of quirky, comfy, and fully equipped campervans to choose from.
We offer unlimited mileage, free additional drivers, and a mountain of add-ons and extras you can rent to make your trip even better – think Wi-Fi, camping chairs, and yes, even pillows.
Our customer service is available every day from 8am to 6pm, and we've got your back with a nationwide network of trusted mechanics, so wherever you break down (or break into song), we’re never far.
Whether you’re a glacier lover, puffin chaser or lava field wanderer, renting a campervan with KuKu means less stress, more freedom, and maximum Iceland.