Of all of the other-worldly locations in Iceland, the Jokülsárlón Glacier Lagoon is likely one of the strangest. After touring two hours from Vík by way of among the most barren landscapes we had noticed within the South of Iceland, we arrived at Jokülsárlón for our glacier lagoon tour.
Like discovering an oasis within the desert, the lagoon seems alongside the street after mile upon mile of bleak darkish volcanic rock and ash. Suddenly you end up aspect by aspect with a lagoon that stretches again so far as you possibly can see. My expectation was that from the shore we’d see a couple of ghostly-white icebergs floating within the distance.
To my shock, there have been many icebergs so shut it felt like you possibly can virtually attain out and contact them from the shore. And these weren’t lifeless-looking, Hollywood-style icebergs. They have been vastly totally different in form, dimension, and colour. A go to to the Iceland glacier lagoon is likely one of the distinctive issues to do in Iceland.
Note: My tour was hosted by Jokulsarlon, all opinions are my very own. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee.
Some guests drive out simply to see Diamond Beach, the black sand seaside that glitters with small chunks of ice, like diamonds on a velvet background.
Luckily, we had booked ourselves on a zodiac boat tour with Jokülsárlón, so I knew we have been going to have an opportunity to stand up near not simply the icebergs, however the glacier itself. But first, we needed to gear up.
Going right into a zodiac boat, I wasn’t fairly certain how moist and chilly we have been going to get and precisely what gear we’d want. Luckily it wasn’t a priority as they offer you a floatation swimsuit that makes you are feeling like a sumo wrestler. As lengthy as you’ve gotten a heat layer beneath, a hat, and at the least a pair of skinny gloves, you’ll be tremendous — no want for extra bulk or waterproofing. You would possibly get a bit spray from the wake however no water will get into the boat, regardless that it does experience low sufficient to the touch the water.
Jokülsárlón additionally provides amphibian (or duck) boat excursions which can be bigger teams, can settle for youthful kids, and are inexpensive. However, these principally go out and in of the icebergs and don’t stand up near the glacier. We wished the total expertise so selected the zodiac boat — which will get you near the glacier but in addition actually provides you a way of the vastness of the lagoon.
After a few dozen of us have been equipped in our flotation fits, we headed out into the lagoon. Once once more, I used to be so shocked to see the good variations between the icebergs. Some have been white, some have been icy blue, others have been zebra-striped, and others had sections of clear ice. The icebergs are at all times altering and transferring, with some breaking apart and others forming, creating a unique expertise day-to-day.
On our means out into the lagoon, our information crammed us in on the formation and ecology of the glacier lagoon. I used to be shocked to study that the lagoon itself has solely been round because the Nineteen Thirties, because the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier beats a swift retreat from the ocean, leaving a lagoon that’s as much as 250 meters deep in its wake. The lagoon will get bigger yearly as international warming quickly melts the glaciers.
In addition to the variations in colour, we discovered the configurations and dimensions of the icebergs to be as wholly distinctive as one snowflake to a different. Some had that typical iceberg form the place you simply know there may be much more lurking beneath the water. Others have been towering giants, whereas some have been as pock-marked as Swiss cheese.
To add to the magical feeling that we had occurred upon a spot from one other planet, we visited late within the day and the sky was slate grey, with a little bit of mist within the air. The lack of solar added a spooky issue that was particularly obvious as we approached the glacier. If you’ve gotten ever learn the Game of Thrones books or seen the HBO collection, the glacier edge resembles “The Wall” that separates the North from the land past. I couldn’t assist however count on to see the white walkers scaling its heights.
Even within the zodiac boat you continue to can’t get too near the glacier, as you by no means know when one would possibly calve and ship mountains of ice plunging into the lagoon and all the things round it. While that definitely can be a sight to see, I’m really relieved that we weren’t there to see extra results of world warming — though I do admit feeling responsible and unsure about taking a tour that was undoubtedly contributing it its results. Sometimes looking for that steadiness between defending our earth and desirous to see the pure wonders of our world is a troublesome name.
It is very easy to see why Hollywood has been drawn to the glacier lagoon in Iceland as a film set for films like A View to a Kill, Batman Begins, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. In the James Bond movie Die Another Day, they really froze the lagoon in order that Pierce Brosnan, as James Bond, may drive his automobile onto the ice.
The glacier lagoon in Iceland ought to be on everybody’s bucket listing. Whether or not you’re taking the zodiac boat tour is as much as you. It was cool to see the glacier itself, however in case you are visiting different glaciers and are extra within the icebergs, the amphibian boat tour might be all you want — or simply take a stroll alongside the coast to view them from the land.
If you possibly can’t get there anytime quickly, check out what a glacier lagoon tour with Jokülsárlón is absolutely like:
Frequently Asked Questions in regards to the Iceland Glacier Lagoon
What is the Glacier Lagoon?
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is the deepest lake in Iceland. It is shaped by the melting of the glaciers of the Vatnajökull National Park. It has quadrupled in dimension during the last 50 years and lately, the speed of progress is rising.
Where is the Iceland Glacier Lagoon?
There are two glacier lagoons in Southeast Iceland. Jökulsárlón is the bigger and extra well-known glacier lagoon, and Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is situated close by. Jökulsárlón is roughly a five-hour drive from Reykjavik between the cities of Vík í Mýrdal and Höfn. The Glacier Lagoon is usually included in a tour of the South Coast.
Where is Diamond Beach?
Diamond Beach, well-known for the black sand that glitters with chunks of ice that wash up on shore, is situated proper throughout Route 1 from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
What are you able to do on the Iceland Glacier Lagoon?
Many guests spend time strolling alongside the shoreline to absorb the view of the icebergs within the lagoon. However, you too can take an amphibian boat tour (also called a duck boat tour) or a Zodiac boat tour that’s smaller and takes you a lot nearer to the glacier face. It can be potential to affix an ice cave tour in close by Vatnajökull Glacier.
Can you swim within the Glacier Lagoon?
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is the deepest lake in Iceland at 200 meters deep. It will not be beneficial to swim within the lagoon, even in a moist swimsuit.
How lengthy do you want on the Glacier Lagoon?
Plan to spend about two to a few hours if in case you have booked a ship tour. Because it’s laborious to guage precisely how lengthy it’ll take you to get there, remember to go away additional time in your itinerary to reach early and spend time stretching your legs and having fun with the views.
Is the Glacier Lagoon price it?
If you possibly can work it into your itinerary, it’s completely well worth the drive out to the Glacier Lagoon. I can’t consider one other place on this planet with such distinctive and spectacular views. I’d recommend spending a day driving alongside the South Coast, stopping at among the sight. Then keep two nights close to Jökulsárlón and on the second day you possibly can take a ship tour, go to Diamond Beach, and possibly additionally slot in both a glacier hike or ice cave tour.
For extra concepts on what to do in South Iceland, try my five-day pattern itinerary and these Iceland journey suggestions.