The Ultimate Guide to Ice Caves in Iceland

Everything You Need to Know About Iceland's Ice Caves

Iceland is home to multiple glaciers that shape the landscape with stunning natural features like towering icy cliffs, deep crevasses, glacier lagoons, and, of course, breathtaking glacier ice caves. Among these, the most sought-after ones to visit are the natural glacier ice caves, known for their beauty and deep blue tones.

Iceland’s famous blue glacier caves are typically accessible from mid-October through March, with most crystal ice cave tours starting in November. While the caves often showcase vibrant blue hues, they can also appear in shades of white or black, depending on the glacier’s composition and weather.

These ice caves are constantly changing, making each visit unique. Meltwater, wind, and temperature shifts can all alter the ice, creating new formations or even causing some structural changes. For this reason, visiting with a trained glacier guide is crucial, as they not only ensure safety but also share insights into the geology and history of these incredible formations.

In the summer, there are also several ice cave options to explore while visiting Iceland. These include the iconic Katla Ice Cave tour on the South Coast, the impressive man-made ice tunnels within Langjokull glacier, and the unique Lofthellir cave in the north. Each offers a distinct experience, showcasing Iceland's icy landscapes year-round.

Weather can greatly affect access to ice caves, so tours may be canceled if conditions aren’t safe. In these cases, most operators provide a full refund or offer you to reschedule for another day.

To improve your chances of not missing out on this amazing experience, try to book your ice cave tour early in your Iceland trip. This way, you’ll have more days available to reschedule if needed. Clear skies make the experience even more amazing, as sunlight enhances the colors of the ice for an unforgettable adventure in one of Iceland’s most spectacular locations.

• See also: The Weather and Temperature in Iceland

Where are Ice Caves located in Iceland?

Iceland is home to remarkable glacier ice caves scattered across different regions, each showcasing unique shapes, colors, and experiences. In the south, southeast, east, and even the country's north, these natural wonders provide a rare glimpse into the heart of glaciers, with icy blue walls, volcanic patterns, and awe-inspiring landscapes.

Among the most popular is the Western Ice Cave in Vatnajokull, located in the southeast. Known for its breathtaking crystal blue ice tones and intricate formations, it's truly the best ice-caving experience in Iceland this season.

Over in the north, Lofthellir is a lava cave filled with year-round ice formations that have been preserved in its dark, cold environment, offering a unique and striking experience.

The Katla ice cave, found near Vik on Iceland’s South Coast, is accessible year-round and is particularly famous for its black volcanic ice mixed with shades of blue. This cave lies in the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which covers one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, adding to its allure and dramatic atmosphere.

Closer to the Golden Circle route, the Langjokull glacier offers a distinct option with its man-made ice tunnels, allowing visitors to explore a glacier’s interior in any season. Accessible by a super truck, these tunnels provide a stable, accessible, and educational way to see the ice up close.

Each of these caves has its own character, but they all offer the chance to experience Iceland’s natural beauty and the incredible forces that shape its landscape. Whether you’re exploring the famous Crystal Ice Cave or venturing into the darker, ashy tones of Katla, these glacier ice caves highlight the diverse and captivating icy realms of Iceland.

Read on and discover what makes each one of these beautiful ice caves worth a visit during your Iceland trip.

The Western Ice Cave in Vatnajokull Glacier

For the winter of 2024 to 2025, the Western Ice Cave is a true natural wonder, thanks to its unique winding shape and incredible clear color. It features walls of crystal blue ice that create a labyrinth-like path, weaving back and forth, leading into a magnificent cave formation. It's perfect to snap some incredible photos!

The Western Ice Cave can only be visited with this ice cave tour in the Vatnajokull glacier. It's exclusive to Guide to Iceland, so you can be sure that you'll enjoy a quieter and more personal experience in the ice cave.

Reaching the Western Ice Cave is part of the adventure, as you will ride in a monster truck across the Vatnajokull glacier. It's sure to make your experience more thrilling and exciting.

The Western Ice Cave tour departs from the beautiful Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, and the whole experience takes around three hours in total. With only one tour operating to this incredible cave, make sure to book your visit well in advance to ensure availability.

The Western Ice Cave tour takes optimal conditions into account, so if the weather doesn't allow access, you'll get to visit the beautiful Eastern Ice Cave instead.

The Eastern Ice Cave is in a different area of the glacier that's easier to access from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. It's a huge ice formation that offers a stunning experience. Read on to learn more about it!

The Eastern Ice Cave in Vatnajokull Glacier

 One of the largest Vatnajokull glacier ice caves is the impressive Eastern Ice Cave. It’s located a little southeast of the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the starting point for most tours to ice caves in the Vatnajokull glacier.

This is where most of the major ice caves in Iceland have appeared since the winter of 2011. The Eastern Ice Cave is large enough to fit 70-100 people and is relatively easy to reach. 

It makes for an incredible alternative to the Western Ice Cave, as you'll be amazed at this ice formation inside the glacier! It's very large, and with the right conditions, you can see nice colors on the ice walls.

This means that you're sure to have a beautiful glacier experience, whether conditions allow for a visit to the Eastern Ice Cave or the incredibly blue Western Ice Cave.

Katla Ice Cave by Vik in South Iceland

One of Iceland's more recent ice cave discoveries lies within the Myrdalsjokull glacier, which covers Katla, one of the country's most active and dangerous volcanoes. As Iceland's fourth-largest glacier, Myrdalsjokull conceals several glacier caves that, while smaller and darker than those in Vatnajokull, offer unique beauty with volcanic ash patterns and icy textures in shades of black, white, and blue.

The caves feature short tunnels with varying colors, and visitors willing to crawl through narrow passages are rewarded with stunning sights. Unlike many other ice caves in Iceland, the Katla ice cave is accessible year-round, including summer. Plus, its proximity to Reykjavik makes it more reachable from the city, requiring only half the drive needed to arrive at Vatnajokull glacier.

Tours of Katla’s glacier cave began in the winter of 2016 and have been popular ever since. Visiting this unique ice cave on a Katla ice caving tour allows you to experience its raw beauty up close.

Inside, you’ll encounter striking black ice contrasted with patches of light blue, white snow, and even small waterfalls. On sunny days, these waterfalls can produce glistening rainbows, adding a touch of magic to the experience.

Langjokull Glacier Ice Tunnel in West Iceland

The ice tunnels in Langjokull glacier offer a one-of-a-kind experience, providing visitors with the rare opportunity to journey deep inside one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, which can be explored on multiple Langjokull tours. Unlike natural ice caves, which form seasonally, these man-made tunnels are carved directly into the glacier, creating a stable and accessible attraction year-round. Located in Iceland’s second-largest glacier, these tunnels are close to the Golden Circle route, making them convenient for visitors traveling from Reykjavik.

The Langjokull ice tunnels are an impressive network of passages and chambers, including a small chapel, where the dense blue ice creates an ethereal atmosphere. Guided tours through these tunnels reveal layers of ancient glacial ice, allowing guests to learn about the formation, structure, and environmental importance of glaciers. Equipped with custom-built super trucks for glacier travel, these tours ensure a safe and exciting journey.

If you’re traveling through Iceland in a rental vehicle, you can join the incredible Into the Glacier tour starting from the Husafell base camp. For those who prefer a fully guided experience with a convenient pick-up in Reykjavik, there’s also the option to join a guided Into the Glacier tour directly from Reykjavik.

Visitors to the Langjokull ice tunnels can expect a fascinating mix of education and adventure, with guides explaining the glacier’s history and the engineering marvel of constructing tunnels within a moving ice mass. Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, the Langjokull ice tunnels offer a unique, immersive way to experience Iceland’s glaciers up close, making it an unforgettable highlight for travelers.

Skaftafell Ice Cave in Vatnajokull National Park

The Skaftafell Ice Cave in Vatnajokull National Park is one of Iceland’s captivating natural wonders, located in the country’s largest national park and part of the expansive Vatnajokull glacier. This stunning ice cave, accessible only during the colder months, reveals mesmerizing blue ice formations shaped by centuries of glacial movement and meltwater.

The journey to the ice cave is an adventure in itself, often including a scenic hike through the Skaftafell National Park's rugged terrain, with views of snow-covered mountains and vast glacial landscapes. Inside the cave, visitors are treated to a world of shimmering blue ice walls, smooth curves, and intricate formations that change every season, making each visit unique.

Guided tours to the Skaftafell Ice Cave are essential, as the cave’s structure and accessibility depend on weather and glacier conditions. Join a small group tour to the Skaftafell Ice Cave to experience the mesmerizing beauty of this glacier up close.

Accessible from Iceland’s South Coast, the Skaftafell Ice Cave is an ideal stop for travelers looking to explore the raw beauty of Vatnajokull National Park and witness one of Iceland’s most extraordinary ice formations up close.

Lofthellir Ice Cave in the North of Iceland

Lofthellir Ice Cave, located in North Iceland near Lake Myvatn, is a unique lava cave filled with stunning natural ice formations that have been created over centuries. Unlike glacier caves, Lofthellir’s ice formations remain year-round due to the cold, stable environment within the lava tunnel.

The cave is accessible between May and March each year, making it an option for summer visitors. It is home to various icy stalactites, stalagmites, and other mesmerizing ice sculptures that create an almost otherworldly atmosphere inside.

Getting to Lofthellir is an adventure on its own, with a scenic journey across rough terrain, often requiring a specially equipped vehicle. Guided tours to the cave ensure safe access, as the entrance and interior can be challenging to navigate.

Once inside, visitors are rewarded with the sight of intricate ice formations, contrasting beautifully with the dark lava walls, creating an unforgettable experience that showcases Iceland’s unique volcanic and glacial landscapes.

The Lofthellir Ice Cave tour is ideal for travelers seeking a less common and adventurous cave experience beyond the typical glacier tours in the south. With its ancient ice sculptures and mysterious ambiance, Lofthellir offers a rare glimpse into the magical world of Iceland’s underground ice formations, making it a must-see for those exploring the north.

FAQs about Ice Caves in Iceland

This section answers common questions about Iceland’s ice caves, providing essential insights into these mesmerizing natural wonders. Here, you'll find details on the best times to visit, including whether summer exploration is possible.

Learn the distinctions between ice caves and glacier caves, discover what glaciers are, and understand why Iceland's glacier ice often displays brilliant shades of blue. For those eager to explore further, there's also information on a museum in Iceland featuring exhibits on ice caves and glaciers. These FAQs offer everything you need to prepare for an unforgettable journey into Iceland's extraordinary ice caves.

Can you visit ice caves during the summer in Iceland?

Photo from the Into the Glacier Ice Tunnel Tour in Langjokull from Base Camp. These man-made ice tunnels can be visited in summer.

The peak season for exploring ice caves in Iceland is winter, from mid-October to March, when colder temperatures make the ice more stable and safe for tours. During this time, natural ice caves, like the famous Crystal Ice Caves in Vatnajokull and the Skaftafell Ice Cave, reveal stunning blue formations that make for a breathtaking experience. These caves are only accessible in winter, as warmer temperatures in other seasons can compromise their stability.

However, some ice caves are accessible year-round, making summer visits possible. The Katla ice cave near Vik, Lofthellir ice cave in North Iceland, and the man-made ice tunnel in Langjokull glacier can all be explored in summer. Katla’s cave offers striking volcanic black ice with contrasting blue and white, Lofthellir showcases intricate ice formations within a lava cave, and Langjokull’s tunnel provides a stable, guided experience into a glacier interior at any time of year. For travelers visiting in summer, these caves offer a unique and memorable way to experience Iceland’s icy landscapes.

• Learn more about Glaciers in Iceland 

What's the Difference Between Ice Caves and Glacier Caves?

Photo from Excellent 2-Day West Coast Tour of Snaefellsnes Peninsula with Lava Caving in Vidgelmir

By definition, an ice cave is any natural cave with some amount of ice in it year-round; it does not need to be made entirely out of ice. However, a cave fully formed within a block of ice, such as a glacier, is a glacier cave. These two terms tend to get mixed together.

Glacier caves in Iceland generally have stunning blue color ice. You can also see blue in ice caves mixed with the colors of the cave itself, such as black, red, and even copper-colored.

Before you book an ice cave tour in Iceland, be sure to read the tour description and look at the accompanying pictures to know exactly what to expect. Most of Iceland’s ice cave tours include the glacier caves found inside the Vatnajokull glacier, such as this two-day northern lights and ice cave tour from Reykjavik, but not all.

Photo from Skaftafell Ice Cave Tour in a Small Group Including Glacier Equipment

Iceland has ice caves, such as the lava cave Lofthellir, which is filled year-round with magnificent ice sculptures and accessible during the summertime (from May to October). However, you can only enter natural glacier caves located in the southeast of Iceland at the height of winter.

Some caves have temporary ice sculptures, such as the lava cave Vidgelmir in West Iceland, which you can visit on this family-friendly Vidgelmir tour. Additionally, you can visit the man-made glacier ice tunnel in the Langjokull glacier year-round.

What is a Glacier?

Iceland is home to many glaciers, and the largest one, by far, is the Vatnajokull glacier in the southeast and east parts of the country.

Glaciers are made of very dense ice that doesn't melt away during summer. Parts of glaciers may melt, and the glacier may shrink in size or grow larger, but if the ice melts completely, the glacier ceases to exist. As it melts, the land beneath the glacier slowly appears.

Glaciers only exist on land. Ice blocks in the sea or water are called icebergs or ice sheets. Glacier lagoons are often found at the tip of a crawling glacier, like the famous Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Another characteristic of a glacier is that it's constantly moving, and its weight causes it to move and deform, creating crevasses (deep cracks in the ice), moulins (vertical shafts where meltwater flows), and seracs (tall, jagged blocks of ice). Additionally, rivers often run underneath or through glaciers, which shapes the ice.

It’s often said that the glaciers are crawling as they slowly move over their surrounding landscapes. During this movement, they constantly push sand and rocks from the ground, which causes their circumference to be covered in black dirt.

The glaciers and the glacier caves will change in appearance daily due to this constant movement. There's never a guarantee that you’ll see the same sight you’ve seen in a photograph as the glacier will have changed its shape.

Please note that glaciers and glacier caves are extremely dangerous. Never attempt to hike on a glacier or visit a glacier cave alone. You have to go with a guide who knows the area well.

The glaciers are full of cracks that the untrained eye may not detect, and people can easily fall dozens or even hundreds of feet (meters) into a glacier crevasse. The icy ceilings of a glacier cave may break and collapse if the temperature rises above 32 F (0 C), trapping people underneath a heavy mass of ice. Glacier caves become even more dangerous and unstable during and after rainfall.

Surprisingly, the road leading to the glacier caves poses the greatest threat. Before arriving at the caves, it’s necessary to drive on black gravel for the last 600-700 yards (550-650 meters). Although they appear to be solid ground, they’re actually on top of what's known as "dead ice" and are not as safe as normal roads.

Dead ice occurs when the glacier stops moving and just melts on the spot. Underneath this dead ice, there may be a river flowing, and if travelers don't proceed with care, their cars could fall straight through the dead ice.

Moreover, when hiking on a glacier or visiting a glacier cave, it's necessary to be equipped with the right gear, such as helmets, ice axes, and crampons. This is why you should only explore glacier caves in Iceland on tour with a trained guide.

Why Is the Glacier Ice Blue?

Photo from Adventurous 5-Hour Glacier Hike Tour in Skaftafell National Park

Glacier caves are famous for their vivid electric blue color. However, not all of them are blue.

The ice in a glacier is thicker and denser than regular ice, such as what’s in your freezer or the icicles outside your home. The ice is so thick, dense, and old that it absorbs all colors of the spectrum except the color blue, so that's the color we see.

Ice that’s entirely free of white air bubbles appears to be the most blue. Tiny air bubbles reflect and scatter visible light, so when no bubbles are in the way, the light can penetrate the ice further and lose more red color.

Light absorption is six times greater at the red end of the color spectrum than at the blue end. So, the deeper the light travels into the clear ice, the bluer it becomes.

However, the caves can also be white, turquoise, grey, brown, or black. Much like water, it has many different colors depending on daylight and depth, and glacial ice does, too.

Photo from Ice Cave Tour with Helicopter from Skaftafell

Some glacier caves have openings that are covered by snow or are constantly in the shade, so the sunlight doesn't reach the ice inside. In those situations, the ice will appear darker or even black. Fresh or newly frozen snow on the ice's surface will give the ice a white complexion, but the ice can also contain a lot of sand, gravel, and stones, giving the ice black patterns.

Glaciers turn up the ground when they crawl forward. Since many glaciers in Iceland are situated on top of volcanic craters, they can often contain a lot of black volcanic ash.

• See also: Iceland's Volcanoes: The Complete Guide

Are there any museums about Ice Caves in Iceland?

If you want to learn about glacier caves without leaving the city, the Wonders of Iceland Exhibition at the Perlan museum in Reykjavik offers an excellent introduction. Here, you can explore detailed exhibits and get a true sense of these natural wonders right in the heart of the city.

Wonders of Iceland include the Glacier and Ice Cave Exhibition, which is the first of its kind to be open to the public. It also includes a Northern Lights Exhibition and a Land, Coast, and Ocean Exhibition.

In the Glacier and Ice Cave Exhibition, you can visit the first indoor ice cave in the world, right in the center of Iceland's capital city - and it's accessible all year.

If you're looking for something more to do in Iceland's winter wonderland, then check out the Best Winter Activities in Iceland or book a winter vacation package.

Which ice caves in Iceland would you like to visit? Have you visited one before? Are there any cave experiences that you would recommend? Feel free to leave your thoughts and questions in the comment box below!