Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is a stunning attraction that is always a favourite of visitors and locals. The lagoon is made up of a mixture of fresh water and sea water and iconic for the giant icebergs that dominate the landscape. Standing at up to 30-metres tall, the icebergs are cast in contrasting milky whites and fantastic electric icy blues.

Breiðamerkurjökull glacier crawls forward with intimidating force and weight, collecting in its margins glacial deposits of black sand and gravel which make striking patterns on the ice and subsequent icebergs. As the glacier retreats, it continuously creates icebergs of over 1000-years old ice that are often patterned by ash from historical eruptions. No two iceberg are the same, and you could spend hours finding fascinating shapes with no end to photographic opportunities. However silly this sounds, please do not try to stand on the icebergs as it is extremely dangerous.

The lake started taking form around 1935 when the glacier began to recede due to warming temperatures and is now the deepest in Iceland at 248 m (814 ft). Over the last 15-years, the lake is said to have doubled in size, and it is predicted that as the glacier continues to recede, it will leave a dramatic fjord behind. Sadly, warming global temperatures and the shrinking of glaciers are especially visible and Iceland, providing only further impetus to catch these icy wonders while we can.

Jökulsárlón is conveniently located on the Highway 1 road between Skaftafell nature reserve and the picturesque town of Höfn. If you are driving the ring-road around Iceland, this is a stop you do not want to miss and a destination you will want to include if you are planning a visit to the South Coast. Many tour operators offer guided trips to the lagoon if you are not driving yourself, most often combined with other exciting attractions such as the waterfalls of South Iceland. If departing from Reykjavík in the winter, do consider how much you time you have, because although a fantastic destination for the northern lights, you may not want to drive all the way back to the capital in icy conditions in the dark.

You can enjoy this wonder of Iceland from the shore or if you would like to get up close and personal with these ancient icy giants you can take a zodiac boat or amphibious boat tour guided by an expert. Around the corner is the legendary Diamond Beach where the icebergs sometimes wash up, glistening in the light in stark contrast to the black sandy beach they upon which they rest.

The golden hours of sunset and sunrise are exceptional times to witness this ethereal lake, especially if you are passionate about photography. Whatever time you visit, you can spend hours mesmerised by the luminous ice, and you could return several times and always be guaranteed a unique scene.

Jökulsárlón is appropriate for any age and budget and is a guaranteed unforgettable experience leaving you in no doubt of why it is called the Crown Jewel of Iceland.

Jökulsárlón has been used as a Hollywood location for such movies as James Bond films A View to Kill and Die Another Day as well as Lara Croft Tomb Raider and has featured in popular US television show, The Amazing Race. It is easy to understand why as the serene procession of ice is hypnotising and the plentiful wildlife of seals and birds only adds to the wonder.

Jokulsarlon Tours

85 Jokulsarlon Tours

Guided 2 Day Small Group Tour of Iceland’s South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Guided 3 Hour Super Jeep Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajokull with Transfer from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon

Magical 4 Day Northern Lights Winter Photography Tour of Iceland with Ice Caving & Waterfalls

14 Hour Jeep Tour of the South Coast, Jokulsarlon & Diamond Beach with Transfer from Reykjavik

2 Day Northern Lights Hunt & Blue Ice Caving of the South Coast with Glacier Hiking & Jokulsarlon

Game of Thrones Discount Bundle | Glacier Hike & Ice Cave or Boat Ride on Jokulsarlon

14 Day Photography Workshop | Ring Road in the Winter with Ice Cave

6 Hour Super Jeep Glacier Hiking & Ice Caving Tour in Vatnajokull with Transfer from Jokulsarlon

Scenic 10 Day Photography Workshop Tour of the Icelandic Highlands & South Coast

10 Day Summer Photography Workshop on the Ring Road of Iceland with Vatnajokull & Myvatn

Affordable 2 Day Northern Lights Winter Tour of Iceland’s Blue Ice Cave & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Private Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Tour with Diamond Beach, Black Sand Beaches & More in a Mercedes

11 Day Photography Tour | All Around Iceland in Winter

Exciting 9 Day Autumn Photography Workshop in Iceland with Waterfalls & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

8 Day Summer Photography Workshop in Iceland with the Diamond Beach & Golden Circle

Stunning 10 Day Northern Lights Winter Photography Workshop in Iceland with Ice Caving

11 Day Autumn in Iceland Photography Workshop with Waterfalls & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

3 Day Photography Workshop in Iceland's Vatnajokull National Park with Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Challenging 6 Hour Small Group Ice Caving Tour of Vatnajokull with Transfer from Jokulsarlon

6 Day Midnight Sun Summer Self Drive Tour of Iceland’s Hidden Gems & Black Sand Beaches

3 Day Summer Self Drive Tour | Golden Circle & South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

5 Day Northern Lights Winter Self Drive Tour with the Golden Circle & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

14 Hour Ice Caving & Northern Lights Tour to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Transfer from Reykjavik

Self Drive Tours

Vacation Packages

Nature Tours

Adventure Tours

Cheap Bus Tours

Tours by Attractions

Top things to do in Iceland

Find the Northern lights

Explore an Ice cave

Go on a Road trip

Do the Golden circle

Visit Reykjavik

Bathe in the Blue lagoon

See the Glacier lagoon

Discover the South coast