- Glacier area
- ~7,700 km²
- Hvannadalshnúkur
- 2,110 m
- Lagoon depth
- ~250 m
- Ice cave season
- Nov–Mar
About Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull covers about 8% of Iceland and is up to 900 m thick. Beneath it lie several active volcanoes, including Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga. The glacier is the core of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Dozens of outlet glaciers flow down from it; the ones on the south side, along Route 1 between Skaftafell and Höfn, are the most accessible.
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
Jökulsárlón is Iceland's deepest lake, formed as Breiðamerkurjökull retreated. Icebergs break off the glacier, drift through the lagoon and out under the Route 1 bridge to the sea, where many wash up on Diamond Beach. You can see it all for free from the shore, or take a 40-minute amphibian boat or a faster zodiac ride closer to the glacier.
Zodiac tours get closer to the glacier face; amphibian boats are calmer and suit families.
Book a lagoon boat tour ↗Ice caves
From about November to March, the meltwater channels under the glacier freeze into caves of blue ice. They change every year and are only safe to visit with a specialist guide, who decides each day which caves are accessible. Tours leave from Jökulsárlón in super-jeeps; book well ahead for December to February. In summer, some operators run tours to a "summer ice cave" in Katla instead. See our ice caves map.
Ice cave tours sell out weeks ahead in peak winter. Most include crampons and helmets.
Book an ice cave tour ↗Skaftafell
Skaftafell, 55 km west of Jökulsárlón, is the main hiking area of the park's south side. The 1.5 km walk to Svartifoss is the most popular; the longer loop via Sjónarnípa gives views over Skaftafellsjökull. Guided glacier hikes leave from the visitor centre year-round.
Where to stay
Accommodation along this stretch is scattered and expensive: farm hotels around Skaftafell and Hof, a few lodges near the lagoon, and the most choice in Höfn. Book months ahead for summer and ice-cave season.
Stay near the lagoon so you can see it at sunrise or sunset, when the tour buses have gone.
Hotels near Jökulsárlón ↗Plan your trip to Vatnajökull
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Glacier hikes
Guided glacier walks with crampons and ice axes from Skaftafell, year-round.
Glacier hikes ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Jökulsárlón from Reykjavík?
About 375 km, roughly 5 hours of driving each way on Route 1. A day trip is possible on a tour, but staying overnight nearby is much better.
Can you visit the ice caves in summer?
The natural ice caves under Vatnajökull are usually only safe from about November to March. In summer, tours visit an ice cave in Katla (Mýrdalsjökull) near Vík instead.
Is Jökulsárlón free?
Yes. Viewing the lagoon and Diamond Beach is free, though parking is paid. Boat tours cost extra.
Can you swim in Jökulsárlón?
No. The water is near freezing and icebergs can roll over without warning. Stay off the ice floes as well.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.