The Beautiful Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Iceland

Iceland is a land filled with exciting places and geological marvels. Glaciers cover a tenth of the country and they can be seen almost wherever you go. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the main runoff from the largest glacier in Europe, and it is a sight to be seen. In this article, we deep-dive into the icy waters of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to tell you all there is to know about this magical place.

An Introduction to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Have you ever seen an iceberg in real life? If you visit Iceland and travel to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, that is exactly what you will be seeing. This glacial runoff lagoon has a beautiful deep-blue color that looks like it was taken straight out of a movie, and it is full of floating icebergs in different shapes and sizes.

These large chunks of ice are made up of clear glacial ice that varies between deep blue and snow white. The reason for the deep blue color is that the ice is incredibly dense due to the long process of being packed hard under the overwhelming weight of the glacier. Many icebergs also have pitch-black stripes that are left as memories from the many volcanic eruptions in Iceland. 

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is Iceland’s deepest lake. With a staggering 285 meters in depth, this glacial lagoon can even compete with some of the fjords in Iceland. The depth comes from how the glacial tongue slowly carved out the hard volcanic rock underneath it.

It’s the same process that made the characteristic even slopes you can see on many of Iceland’s mountains. During the Ice Age, the massive glaciers would grind down the mountains, often leaving smooth mountainsides under the former glaciers, and sharp, jagged sides where the glacier couldn’t reach.

The History of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

When glaciers in Iceland melt, they often produce large runoffs into rivers and streams. Other times, it creates small lakes in the nearest canyon, valley, or the hole left behind as the glacier retreats. Unfortunately, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the result of the retreat from the Breiðamerkurjökull outlet glacier that once almost reached the North Atlantic Ocean.

Only 90 years ago, the glacier completely covered the area that the lake occupies now. The reason why Ring Road 1 is bent like it is next to the lagoon is because it was initially adapted to the shape of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The glacier started retreating in 1934, and by 1975, the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon had reached the size of 8 square kilometers.

Since then, in only 50 years, the Breiðamerkurjökull has retreated so much that Jokulsarlon has increased by a factor of four, reaching over 30 square kilometers in size. Now, what used to be a glacial runoff lake has become the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon which is fully connected to the North Atlantic Ocean.

What to see at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Ice is the name of the game here at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and there are two main attractions here: the lagoon and the beach.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

When you arrive, the first thing you’ll notice is how populated the lagoon is with the many icebergs bobbing freely in the water. These are pretty to look at from afar, but there is also an option for you to get up close and personal with these ancient ice chunks.

You can either go on an Amphibian boat tour or the Zodiac boat tour. The Amphibian tours are held roughly 40 times per day in the summer in Iceland, while the Zodiac boat operates almost all year round. Both offer informational tours about the lagoon, but the Zodiac boat tours will take you close to the icebergs and the glacier.

If you’re lucky, you might be one of the lucky few to get close enough for the guide to break off a piece of the ice from an iceberg so you can feel (and taste) a piece of ice that’s several thousand years old!

The Diamond Beach

The second thing you’ll notice is how some of those icebergs managed to get stranded on the pitch-black sand beach surrounding the lagoon.

Even though the lagoon itself is still the main attraction, Diamond Beach, as it has been named, is increasing in popularity. The reason is that you will need to join a tour on the lagoon to experience the icebergs in the water, while you will only have to take a walk to get close to them on the beach.

With that said, the main safety precaution on Diamond Beach is that you never, ever, climb them or push any piece of ice that looks loose. The calming blue color might fool you into thinking that they are harmless, but the truth is that they are still very dense, heavy, and slippery. This means that you can easily slip and hurt yourself, and getting one on your foot or leg is similar to being rolled on by a boulder.

The Fauna in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

As you might have expected, very little will grow in and around the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. When something is permanently soaked in ice-cold water, any flora is rarely happy to take root. The fauna, on the other hand, is perfectly adapted to an arctic climate.

The tide brings in an abundance of fish in the lagoon, making it a perfect place for some seabirds and seals to get a tasty meal. The Arctic Tern comes here each summer to nest, but you must leave their nests in peace unless you want to be furiously dive-bombed by angry bird parents. Seals stay throughout the year and enjoy cruising the lagoon and resting on both the beach and the floating icebergs.

Where is Jokulsarlón Glacier Lagoon?

You find this massive lagoon in the southern part of Iceland, right at the foot of the gigantic Vatnajökull Glacier. As previously mentioned, it is practically right on top (or underneath) Ring Road 1, making it a natural stop on any route in the area.

How to Get to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Due to popularity, you have three options to choose from if you want to visit: Self-drive, guided tour, or via public transport.

Drive Yourself

Finding Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon yourself is as easy as can be. From Reykjavik, get on Ring Road 1 heading east for about five hours until you reach the lagoon. Since this trip is almost 385 kilometers long, we suggest making it a part of an Iceland south coast trip where you make it a two- or three-day trip.

Join a Guided Tour

Tours to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon will mostly go from either Reykjavik or Höfn. From Höfn, they are almost always day tours since the town is so close to the lagoon. The tours from Reykjavik will either be a day tour (departing early in the morning) or a multi-day tour, which often includes many stops along the way.

Taking the Bus

If you really like the bus, you can make the 11-hour trip straight from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, or you can drive to Höfn and take a shorter bus ride from there. The 11-hour bus ride will have two stops, one in Hvolsvöllur and one in Vik i Mýrdal.

When is the Best Time to Visit Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?

You can visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon any time of the year, but we recommend doing it in the summer. Since the lagoon is right next to the ocean, the winter will bring an immense amount of wind and precipitation. That won’t be very enjoyable at all.

The only upside of going in the winter is the chance to catch Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon under the Northern Lights in Iceland. Getting a good picture of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, with Vatnajökull Glacier in the background, and the Northern Lights dancing in the sky can be worth it if you’re passionate about photography.

The summer, on the other hand, will not only bring better weather and longer days but also a more vibrant animal life. Diamond Beach will be more pleasant to explore, and there are more tours to choose from at the lagoon.

Where to Stay Near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The distance from Reykjavik is incentive enough to look for accommodation when you visit the Glacier Lagoon in Iceland. Below is a variety of stays available:

• Skaftafell Campground – complete with electrical outlets, WC, showers, washer and dryers, and sewage dump for your camper.

• Svinafell Campground – more down-to-earth than Skaftafell without electricity, but with WC, shower, and indoor cooking and eating facilities.

• Hali Country Hotel – a budget-friendly hotel option for the one who wants to sleep indoors in a hotel.

• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – the pricy option, complete with a gym, restaurant, bar, and daily housekeeping.

• Skyrhúsid Hostel – for the one who wants a budget option to a hotel and doesn’t mind shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

• Guesthouse Gerði – the more upscaled guesthouse that offers breakfast, dinner, and en-suite bathrooms.

Plan Your Trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

When you visit Iceland, seeing this glacial marvel is a must if you’re traveling along the south coast. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is a gem in the middle of the road, and you will not regret visiting it. All you have to do is rent a campervan in Reykjavik and hit the road!