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

99 Jokulsarlon Tours

3 Day Winter Self Drive Tour | Jokulsarlon & Vatnajokull Glacier Ice Cave

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

Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon

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

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

Epic 13 Day Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Snaefellsnes & the Westfjords

10 Day Slow-Paced Summer Self-Drive | Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle & South Coast

Fantastic 2 Day Self Drive Trip to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Ice Caving

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

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

10 Day Summer Self-Drive in Iceland | Explore the Best Ring Road Attractions in Depth

6 Day Budget Self Drive Tour of Iceland with the Golden Circle & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

5 Day Budget Summer Self Drive Tour | Golden Circle, South Coast & Glacier Lagoon

4 Day Summer Self Drive | Golden Circle & South Coast From Reykjavik

5 Day Winter Adventure | Guided South Coast Tour and Golden Circle Self-Drive

6 Day Summer Self-Drive | Hidden Gems under the Midnight Sun

14 Day Budget Self Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Myvatn & the Westfjords

3 Day Tour of South Coast, Golden Circle and Jokulsarlon

11 Day Summer Self Drive Tour | Explore the Ring Road of Iceland In-Depth

Ultimate 8 Day Self Drive Tour of Iceland’s Game of Thrones Shooting Locations

South Coast Tour | Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Vik & Waterfall

Outstanding 14 Hour South Coast Bus Tour to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Amphibian Boat Ride

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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