A Guide to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Iceland

 

Read our travel guide on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) in Iceland, including tips on what to see and do, when to go, where to stay, and how to get there. We also share with you whether Jokulsarlon is worth visiting and details on how to visit nearby Fjallsarlon Lagoon and Diamond Beach.


As you probably know, Iceland has an epic nickname. It is often called the Land of Ice and Fire.

During your trip, regardless of whether you travel Ring Road clockwise or counterclockwise, you've already probably seen many volcanoes, the source of the fire.

Today it's time to explore the element of ice. And we couldn't wish for a better place than Jökulsárlón in Vatnajökull National Park.

The scenic drive between Vik i Myrdal and Höfn in Southeast Iceland offers one of those experiences that you will never forget.

It features an endless list of fantastic stops such as Fjadrargljufur Canyon or Skaftafell National Park.

But the true highlight of almost every single Iceland itinerary is something else.

It's the iconic Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

This Iceland's deepest glacial lake, located in the biggest national park in the country, Vatnajökull National Park, is an unparalleled natural wonder.

Jokulsarlon is a strikingly blue lagoon featuring huge chunks of icebergs drifting into the Atlantic Ocean, with a short stopover on a so-called Diamond Beach.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is a well-known location for keen photographers and adventurous travelers who want to get to the icebergs as close as possible.

In general, it is a must-see attraction for anyone who loves nature at its very best.

This travel guide includes everything you should know about visiting Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

You will also learn more about the famous Diamond Beach just across the road and less-traveled Fjallsarlon Lagoon.

These three natural sights should be on your itinerary when traveling the southern stretch of the Ring Road.


Things to Know Before You Go

Nowadays, travelers to Iceland cannot imagine their trip without taking photos of the smaller yet cute Fjallsarlon Lagoon, exploring Jokulsarlon Lagoon both from the shore or on a boat trip, or watching how the ice slowly migrates to the ocean and then back to the black sand beach.

History

Therefore, it is hard to imagine that Jokulsarlon Lagoon has only recently celebrated its 100th birthday.

Around 1920, Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of the Vatnajökull Glacier, started to melt and created this lagoon.

Many other glacier lagoons in the area have a very similar origin story.

When standing on the shore of Jokulsarlon Glacier, it is not easy to forget that climate change is a threat that the entire planet has to deal with.

Name

To be honest, Jokulsarlon was one of the few names we were able to pronounce and remember even after we returned home, as some other Icelandic names were real tongue twisters.

We are looking at you, Seljalandsfoss and Namafjall Hverir.

One of the main reasons why we could not wait to visit this place, together with the epic photos you can see everywhere, was that we did not have to refer to it as that lagoon with icebergs or that waterfall you can walk behind.

Jokulsarlon literally means glacier's river lagoon. Well, locals could not have given the lagoon a more fitting name.

How Much Time Do I Need

It's not easy to answer this question. Every traveler has a different itinerary and preferences, so it's highly individual.

If this is just a quick photo stop, then 15 minutes for Jokulsarlon and additional 15 minutes for Diamon Beach should be enough. You probably can skip Fjallsarlon entirely if time is pressing.

We spent about three hours at Jokulsarlon, including the Diamond Beach and Fjallsarlon Lagoon.

We didn't take any of the tours, although we spent quite some time walking along the beach.

Keep in mind that the boat tours take between thirty minutes to one hour, and the glacier tours usually four to six hours.

Camping

Remember that there is no campsite at Jokulsarlon, and wild camping is not allowed in Iceland.

As we traveled by car, we spent the night before visiting Jokulsarlon in Skaftafell Campsite and the night after at the Djupivogur Campsite.

Here, you can read our guide on camping in Iceland to learn more.


What to See and Do

It is pretty obvious what is the main attraction here and what are the best things to see and do at Jokulsarlon.

It's the massive glacier, deep-blue lagoon, wildlife, and floating icebergs.

Wildlife, weather, and floating icebergs are random, so be prepared that your experience might be completely different from ours.


Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

When you plan your trip to Iceland, it is hard, if not impossible, to avoid seeing those incredible, almost otherwordly sunset or sunrise photos of the Jokulsarlon Lagoon.

Same as it is challenging to avoid photos of floating icebergs, it is also almost impossible to avoid the rain during your holiday, as the weather in Iceland can be very unpredictable.

South Coast is one of the rainiest places in the country, and we had a firsthand experience with this fact.

Fortunately, we had seen a four-hour-long rainless gap on the forecast weather radar for the next day, so we got up at 5 AM and enjoyed both lagoons and the beach without getting drenched to the bone.

Still, even though we were in Iceland in the summer, the weather did not exactly cooperate when we arrived at Jokulsarlon.

Despite the weather forecast, it was a drizzly morning accompanied by fog and clouds, and we have to admit that the weather conditions were far from ideal.

To be completely honest, Jokulsarlon Lagoon was one of two places in Iceland that did not live up to our expectations.

One of those places was the super famous Kirkjufellsfoss, and the other one was Jokulsarlon.

It's not that these places are not worth a trip. It's just the massive hype can be a burden at times.

As the tours were not running this early in the morning, the only thing we could do was explore the area on foot.

So we walked along the lagoon's shore, watched the slowly floating icebergs, and enjoyed the area's serenity from the well-maintained trail.

While it was delightful to enjoy Jokulsarlon without crowds, we arrived here after the iceberg show was over.

As it was the turn of June and July, there were not many icebergs floating on the water surface near the shores.

We could only see more of them at the tongue of the glacier far in the distance. And we barely saw the glacier as the low clouds were rolling over the lake.

For sure, we do sound too negative right now, as it's partly our fault.

We haven't read much about Jokulsarlon before the trip, which turned out to be probably the source of our disappointment, together with the bad weather.


Is Jokulsarlon Worth Visiting?

Still, due to its accessibility, Jokulsarlon was worth visiting, and it is rightfully among the top things to see and do in Iceland.

Our personal experience was not as mind-blowing as we had expected from the pictures or witnessed ourselves in places such as Patagonia's Perito Moreno Glacier or Grey Glacier.

On the other hand, the advantage of visiting Iceland in the summer is that it's the bird's nesting season.

Some of those icebergs we could see floating nearby were packed with birds, which was quite an unusual sight.

When we talk about wildlife, except for the birds, it is possible to spot seals swimming in the cold waters or sleeping on the beach.

Watching the remaining icebergs leaving the lagoon and heading toward the ocean's open waters through a narrow channel and under the bridge was fun too.

And the nearby Fjallsarlon and Diamond Beach make this experience even better.

So the only advice we can give you is to lower your expectations to have a better trip.

It seems that every Jokulsarlon experience is fairly random, and many factors affect it.


Jokulsarlon Tours

If you are looking for a closer encounter with the icebergs and the glacier, you should consider taking a tour.

The Glacier Lagoon tour operator has an office at the Jokulsarlon parking lot.

Amphibian Boat Tour and Zodiac Tour

You can choose between Amphibian Boat Tour and Zodiac Tour at Jokulsarlon.

The price for Jokulsarlong tours ranges between 5900 and 10500 ISK. While the Zodiac Tour is more expensive, it allows you to get closer to the icebergs.

It is also possible to book both Zodiac and Amphibian boat trips in advance.

It is good to know that the tours don't run year-round but only in the peak season when the weather is more stable.

The Amphibian Boat Tours runs from 1st July to 31st August. The Zodiac Tour can be reserved from June till the end of September.

Crystal Blue Ice Cave Tour

Jokulsarlon is also a starting point for the Crystal Blue Ice Cave Tour, but this activity is available only between October and March.


Diamond Beach

It's a known fact that Iceland is home to some of the most beautiful black sand beaches in the world.

The most famous one is Reynisfjara Beach featuring the stunning basalt columns and sea stacks.

Among other ones is, for example, the beach at Solheimasandur Plane Wreck.

Did you know there is one more world-renowned black sand beach just a few hundred meters from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?

Breidarmerkursandur, more commonly known as Diamond Beach, is absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth your time.

It is just across the road from the Jokulsarlon parking lot, so it is only up to you whether you get there on foot or drive there by car.

If you want to stay active, follow the trail that connects the lagoon with the beach.

It leads under the bridge, so you do not have to cross the road, even though the traffic is not heavy here.

Diamond Beach has two parking lots, one on each side of the bridge.

It is only up to you which side of Diamond Beach you decide to explore. We recommend exploring both of them if you have time.

Where did Diamond Beach get its name?

It is basically a name made up by tourists who compared large gleaming and melting ice flanks sitting on black sand to diamonds.

Crystal clear icebergs sitting on the black beach create a wonderful contrast.

That's why Diamond Beach is a paradise for enthusiast photographers and is often considered one of the best photo spots in Iceland.

The best thing about visiting Diamond Beach?

You must find your own diamond! 

It is only up to you how long you decide to spend on the beach and how far you want to walk, as it all depends on your itinerary and the current weather.



Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Only a short drive from Jokulsarlon Lagoon lies a smaller but also less crowded Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

The outlet glacier is Fjallsjökull, but like the Jokulsarlon, it originates from Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Europe.

Fjallsarlon also offers boat trips like its more famous neighbor, or you can explore this area on foot. The trail is well-maintained and clearly visible.

As we visited this site early in the morning, the office was still closed.

However, we could enjoy the quiet atmosphere without crowds, where only the large parking lot provided a hint that this place expects more visitors later in the day.

Even though this glacier lagoon cannot compete with Jokulsarlon in terms of size or popularity, it is equally beautiful when the conditions are perfect.

Moreover, it's easily accessible, so you should really consider including it in your itinerary.


Entrance Fee

There is no entrance fee to Jokulsarlon Lagoon, which makes it so appealing to everyone who travels around Iceland on a budget.

Diamond Beach and Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon are also free to visit.

You can also join a tour which is obviously not free.


When is the Best Time to Visit Jokulsarlon

You can visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon year-round and any time of the day if you plan to observe the lagoon from the shore.

Summer

The summer season can be really busy here. The peak season at Jokulsarlon is approximately between June and August.

This period is regarded to be the best time to visit Iceland in general.

To avoid crowds, we recommend you arrive either early in the morning before tour buses start to fill up the parking lot or later in the evening once they're gone.

Most travelers visit Iceland in the summer, and you will enjoy the lagoon during this period as well.

Although, we think it is not the same experience as in the off-season.

Even though the area is quite cold and windy regardless of the season, the summer months are more suitable for exploring the lagoon on a boat.

Off-Season

In our opinion, the best time to visit Jolkulsarlon is from the late autumn till the early months of spring, let's say from November to April.

During the spring, the lagoon will be at its best as the glacier will be melting, and icebergs will be huge and plentiful.

However, no boat tours are available during this period.


What to Pack

Are you wondering what to pack for Jokulsarlon? It's not very difficult this time.

Unless you take a tour, you will be only a short walk from the parking. Therefore, wear clothing according to the current weather.

We have experienced that the weather near glaciers is cold and windy, so we believe the down jacket and windbreaker come in handy regardless of the season.

On a rainy day, wear a rain jacket or rain poncho instead.

If the weather changes rapidly, you can always retreat quickly to your car and add a layer or two if necessary.

However, this is an entirely different story when taking a boat tour. For the boat tour, we recommend you dress warm and in layers.

You do not need hiking boots as the trail is well-maintained, regular hiking shoes are fine.

Consider wearing gloves and a beanie, as the wind in Iceland is really unforgiving.

Do not forget your camera, travel tripod, ND filter, and circular polarizer filter for long exposure photos of Diamond Beach.


Travel Insurance

We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.

Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.

SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.

Travel smarter and safer!


How to Get to Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Jokulsarlon is located just off Ring Road, and it is really impossible to miss this attraction.

Jokulsarlon is 380 kilometers east of Reykjavik. However, it took us more than two days to get here as there were so many places to see on the South Coast.

Egilsstadir is 330 kilometers northeast of Jokulsarlon, but it takes another full day to get there if you want to get the most out of East Fjords.

Car

The best way to visit natural attractions in the area, such as Jokulsarlon, Fjallsarlon, and Diamond Beach, is by car or campervan.

You can rent a car directly here or read our guide on renting a campervan in Iceland here.

We rented a 2WD campervan, and it was undoubtedly an excellent choice, as it gave us much-needed freedom and flexibility.

Jokulsarlon parking lot really could not be closer to Road 1, so your only task is not to miss the turnoff.

Fjallsarlon is approximately 11 kilometers before Jokulsarlon (when driving the Ring Road counterclockwise), and the parking is less than a kilometer from the main road.

Simply turn left from Road 1 onto Fjallsarlon Road to get there.

Parking

Parking at Jokulsarlon is free.

While it might be tempting, remember that overnight parking is not allowed at Jokulsarlon.

Public Transport

When traveling by public transport, bus 51 departs from Reykjavik and connects some of the popular places in south Iceland, such as Selfoss, Skogar, Skaftafell, and Jokulsarlon.

Therefore, it is possible to get to Jokulsarlon by bus if you travel on a budget or simply decide to explore the country without a car.

The only disadvantage is that you will lose flexibility and miss quite a few stops along the way.

Tours

Jokulsarlon is so famous that many travel agencies organize the Jokulsarlon Tour from Reykjavik.

This tour includes the lagoon, an optional boat trip, and a few more stops along the way, such as Seljalandsfoss or Hvolsvollur.

Be prepared that it will be a long day, and you will spend most of the time on the road.


Best Hotels Near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The drive between Jokulsarlon and Höfn, which is a traditional place to spend a night along the Ring Road, is dotted with hotels and guesthouses.

The problem is not insufficient supply but the great demand, especially during the summer months.

If you want to take advantage of seeing both sunset and sunrise, we recommend you make your reservation as soon as you can in one of the nearby hotels.

Otherwise, your best bet is to stay in Höfn, where you find plenty of accommodations.

We've handpicked the three best hotels near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon for every type of traveler.

Budget | Guesthouse Nypugardar - This wonderful farm in the glacier country provides its guests with a unique atmosphere for a very reasonable price.

Mid-range | Vagnsstadir Hostel - Modern and comfortable hotel is reasonably priced. It is twenty minutes from the lagoon, so the location is perfect for those of you planning a photo trip.

Luxury | Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon - If luxury accommodation is what you are looking for, you might want to stay overnight in this hotel. It is a hotel chain, so if you like the experience, this might be your sanctuary for your whole Iceland trip.


Travel Resources

Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.

Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.

We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.

Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.

Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.

Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.


Pin It!