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

93 Jokulsarlon Tours

6 Day Self Drive Holiday in Iceland with the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Scenic 5 Day Self Drive Tour of Iceland with Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

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

Epic 14 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & the Westfjords

Unforgettable 7 Day Guided Minibus Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland

Unforgettable 7 Day Self Drive Tour of West & South Iceland with the Golden Circle

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

Extraordinary 7 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland

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

3 in 1 Summer Tours Discount | Snaefellsnes, Jokulsarlon & Golden Circle

Stunning 9 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Stunning 14 Hour Tour from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Boat Ride

Extraordinary 12 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with National Parks

Epic 7 Day Summer Vacation Package with the Inside the Volcano Tour & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

3 in 1 Bundle Discount | Golden Circle & The Secret Lagoon, Snaefellsnes & Jokulsarlon

2 in 1 Bundle Discount Tours | Ice Cave, South Coast and Snaefellsnes

3 Day Northern Lights Winter Self Drive Tour of Iceland to Ice Cave & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Scenic 12 Hour Ice Cave Tour of Vatnajokull with Flights from Reykjavik

Immersive 8 Day Summer Self Drive Tour of Iceland’s West & South Coasts with Waterfalls & Glaciers

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

Unforgettable 11 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & the East Fjords

Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon

Stunning 6 Day Summer Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland

Stunning 2 Week Summer Road Trip in Iceland with Waterfalls, Glaciers & the Golden Circle

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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