South-East Iceland · Vatnajökull · Route 1
Iceland's deepest lake, a glacier lagoon of blue and white icebergs below Vatnajökull, about 370 km east of Reykjavík. Glide between the icebergs by amphibian boat, Zodiac or kayak, then walk to the ice on Diamond Beach.
Tours on the lagoon
In the centre, the most-booked day from Reykjavík, with the boat as an option. On the left, a kayak among the icebergs; on the right, a Zodiac and a glacier hike on Fjallsárlón. Every card opens a full tour page.
Paddle the lagoon
★ 4.71.5 hoursFree cancellationA guided paddle on Jökulsárlón itself in sit-on-top kayaks, between the icebergs and, often, the seals. Suit and gear provided; you must be able to swim.
Most booked
★ 4.714 hoursFree cancellationThe long day from Reykjavík to the iceberg lagoon and Diamond Beach, with the waterfalls on the way. Add the boat ride on the lagoon when you book, in season.
Zodiac + hike
★ 4.84 hoursFree cancellationA Zodiac ride across the quieter Fjallsárlón lagoon to the glacier, then a guided hike on the ice with crampons, and the boat back.
Boat included
★ 4.714 hours
40-min boat option
★ 4.614 to 15 hours
Two days
★ 4.92 days
Float with the ice
★ 5.01.5 hours
Winter
★ 4.53 hours
Small group
★ 4.814 hours
Cruise passengers
★ 4.67 hoursCompare
Two questions sort most of it: are you coming from Reykjavík or already in the south-east, and how do you want to get onto the water? After that it is age, the season and how long a day you want.
| Tour | Starts from | On the water | Best for | Length | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach Day Tour | Reykjavík, bus or hotel pickup | Boat ride as an option in season | The lagoon and Diamond Beach in a day, no car needed | 14 hours | $213 | Book |
| Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Kayaking | Ice Guide, Jökulsárlón | Paddling among the icebergs | Paddling among the icebergs, strong swimmers from 14 | 1.5 hours | $154 | Book |
| Fjallsárlón Zodiac Boat & Glacier Hike | Fjallsárlón, 10 minutes west | Zodiac across Fjallsárlón, then a hike | A quiet lagoon, a Zodiac and the glacier itself, from 14 | 4 hours | $235 | Book |
| Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride & Diamond Beach | Hotel pickup in Reykjavík | 30-minute boat ride included | The boat ticket already in the price, with pickup | 14 hours | $294 | Book |
| Jökulsárlón Day Trip with Boat Option | Reykjavík bus stops | 40-minute boat as an option | Waterfalls on the way, the boat if you add it | 14 to 15 hours | $236 | Book |
| 2-Day South Coast with Icebergs & Glaciers | Pickup in Reykjavík | Amphibian boat as an option | Less driving per day, a night in the south | 2 days | $599 | Book |
| Fjallsárlón Ice Floating Tour | Fjallsárlón Iceberg Boat Tours | Floating in a suit among the ice | Floating in a thermal suit, swimmers only | 1.5 hours | $129 | Book |
| Original Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón | Jökulsárlón main car park | No boat: an ice cave by 4x4 | The winter plan when the boats are off | 3 hours | $169 | Book |
| Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgljúfur Small Group | Reykjavík hotels and bus stops | Amphibian boat at extra cost | A minibus of up to 19 and the canyon on the way | 14 hours | $229 | Book |
| Djúpivogur Shore Excursion to the Lagoon | Djúpivogur cruise terminal | Lagoon and beach from the shore | Timed to the ship in Djúpivogur | 7 hours | $259 | Book |
Every booking here cancels free up to 24 hours before. The lagoon's own amphibian boat costs 7,100 ISK for adults in 2026, bought from the operator at the lagoon; parking is 1,110 ISK per car.
Before you book
Jökulsárlón formed in the 1930s, when Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, began to pull back from the sea. The glacier still calves icebergs into it, and the lagoon keeps growing: at up to 284 m it is Iceland's deepest lake. A short river carries the ice under the Route 1 bridge to the sea, and the pieces wash up on the black sand of Diamond Beach.
Seeing it is free; the national park charges for parking. The boats belong to the lagoon's own operator and run from May to about mid-November. On GetYourGuide the water comes with a day trip, a kayak or a Zodiac on Fjallsárlón next door.
The lagoon's greatest depth, which makes Jökulsárlón the deepest lake in Iceland.
No ticket for the lagoon or the beach; parking is 1,110 ISK per car in 2026.
Amphibian for all ages, 30 to 40 minutes; Zodiac from age 10, about 1 hour 15.
Amphibian May to mid-November, Zodiac May to October; ice caves in winter.
About 370 km, 4.5 to 5 hours each way: a long day or a night in the south.
Your visit
The order most visitors follow, by car or on a tour, once they reach the lagoon.
The main car park sits by the shore and the café; the plate camera starts the parking fee.
On arrivalAmphibian boat, Zodiac or kayak among the icebergs, life jackets on; seals often show up.
30 to 90 minutesWalk about 500 m under the bridge to the ice on black sand. Stay back from the waves.
30 to 60 minutesTen minutes west: a smaller lagoon right below the glacier, with free parking.
An hour or morePlan your trip
From Reykjavík, by car, staying nearby or travelling with children: one tab each.
Where it is
Route 1 runs right past the lagoon and crosses its river by bridge; Diamond Beach lies on the other side.
The main car park, the café and the boat operator's ticket office sit on the lagoon shore. The kayak and ice cave tours meet here too. Fjallsárlón's boats leave from their own reception, 10 km west, and the day tours from Reykjavík bring you here by bus.
Around your trip
When to go, what guests wish they had known, what is nearby and the fine print.
South-East Iceland
Icebergs on the lagoon, ice on the beach, ten minutes apart on foot.
Check availabilityGuest reviews
★★★★★Our tour was fantastic. Our driver Tomic made the day seemless and our guide Eva was good fun! Her energy and good vibes definitely contributed to today’s experience. The sites were amazing, with diamond beach being the highlight!
★★★★★Great trip! Kayaking around massive icebergs in a beautiful lagoon was an amazing experience. Highly recommend this adventure.
★★★★★This was a huge highlight of our trip. I’m glad we chose the morning hike because weather could have affected the afternoon hikes. You are the only small group on this glacier which you do not get with the other hikes in the area !
★★★★★The day spent with Hoskuldur flew by in an instant. The stops are spectacular, and even though it's a long day, it's absolutely worth the time spent. The view of the lagoon from the amphibious boat is also highly recommended!
★★★★★It probably didn’t hurt that we had the best weather for our kayak trip but the glaciers were stunningly beautiful. The guides were so much fun and made the trip even better.
★★★★★My trip was phenomenal! I really appreciate the driver do a long drive through this scene road and come back at the same day! Cause yeah it's far! But very very worth it!!!! You don't even feel the time passing cause is fully of stops and views!
★★★★★It was an amazing experience to see the ice floating in the lagoon and on the beach, excellent tour and guide, thank you!
★★★★★This was an amazing activity and Amelia was an amazing guide. She clearly loves her job and sharing all of her knowledge about and love for Iceland. The blue colors in the cave walls made spectacular photographs.
★★★★★The tour was perfectly organized. Our guide David not only took us to the planned locations, he also arranged some additional stops at other great places. The route, timing and also the hotel were optimal
One more glacier
About 45 minutes west, Skaftafell's guides take you up onto Falljökull with crampons.
A guided hike on Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, from the Skaftafell base camp: crampons, axe, helmet and harness included, about an hour west of the lagoon. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
CramponsBlue iceAge 8+
The guide
A free lagoon, a boat operator at the shore and a beach of ice across the road. Here is how to read the tours.
Jökulsárlón did not exist a century ago. It appeared in the 1930s as Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, pulled back from the coast, and it has grown ever since. Today it reaches 284 m deep, the deepest lake in Iceland. Icebergs break off the glacier front, drift for months and slip out through a short river to the sea.
The name says it plainly: jökull is glacier, á is river and lón is lagoon. Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019, looks after the area, and its rangers are on site every day of the year.
The boats on Jökulsárlón are run by the lagoon's own operator from the ticket office on the shore. The amphibian drives down a ramp into the water and spends 30 to 40 minutes among the icebergs, for any age, 7,100 ISK for adults in 2026. The Zodiac takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, from age 10, goes closer to the glacier when it is safe and costs 16,600 ISK.
Those tickets are sold at the lagoon and on the operator's own site, not on GetYourGuide. The tours here bring the water another way: a day tour with the boat ride included, the most-booked day tour with the boat as an option, or a kayak on the lagoon itself.
Ten kilometres west, Fjallsárlón sits right at the foot of the Fjallsjökull glacier. It is smaller and quieter, the parking is free, and its Zodiacs run from April to November. The Zodiac and glacier hike crosses it and puts you on the ice itself.
The amphibian runs from May to about mid-November, the Zodiac from May to the end of October, weather and ice permitting. In winter the boats stop and the ice caves in Breiðamerkurjökull open, roughly October to March or April, always with a guide. Diamond Beach is worth the walk in every season; keep well back from the waves.
Guides
In-depth guides to the questions people ask most before booking. See all guides.
Jökulsárlón boat toursAmphibian, Zodiac or kayak: seasons, 2026 prices and how to get a seat
Amphibian vs ZodiacThe two lagoon boats side by side: time, closeness, ages and price
Jökulsárlón vs FjallsárlónTwo glacier lagoons ten minutes apart: which suits you, or how to do both
From ReykjavíkThe 370 km drive, day trip or two days, which tours carry the boat ride, and the waterfalls on the way.Diamond BeachThe walk from the lagoon, why the ice washes up, how to stay safe in the surf, seals and the light.Jökulsárlón in winterWhen the boats stop, the ice caves from the car park, northern lights, daylight and the winter drive.From the blog
This year's boat season, the ice cave winter and Diamond Beach safety. All posts.
FAQ
Straight answers to what people ask most about the boats, the lagoon and getting there.
Yes, the lagoon and Diamond Beach are free to walk. You pay the national park parking fee, 1,110 ISK for a car in 2026, through the Parka app or a machine, valid until midnight. The boats cost extra; Fjallsárlón has free parking.
The lagoon's own operator charges 7,100 ISK for adults on the amphibian boat and 16,600 ISK on the Zodiac in 2026, with child fares. On GetYourGuide the boat comes with a day trip from Reykjavík, from about $213 with the boat as an option. See the boat tours guide.
The amphibian is 30 to 40 minutes, suits all ages and is the one most people take. The Zodiac lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes, from age 10, and goes closer to the glacier when it is safe. More in amphibian vs Zodiac.
Per the operator's 2026 schedule, amphibian tours run from May to about mid-November and Zodiac tours from May to the end of October, weather and ice permitting. In winter the lagoon is still worth the trip, and ice caves take over.
Jökulsárlón is bigger and deeper, with two boat types and Diamond Beach across the road. Fjallsárlón, 10 km west, is smaller and quieter, with Zodiac tours, free parking and the glacier face closer. Compare them in Jökulsárlón vs Fjallsárlón.
Yes, if you have the time: blue and white icebergs from Breiðamerkurjökull, often seals, and ice on the black sand of Diamond Beach. It is far from Reykjavík, so many visitors take a long day tour or stay a night in the south.
About 370 km east on Route 1, 4.5 to 5 hours without stops. Day tours take about 14 hours. Details in Jökulsárlón from Reykjavík.
Allow at least 2 hours for the lagoon and Diamond Beach, and half a day with a Zodiac tour. The amphibian boat itself takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Yes. Diamond Beach is about 500 m away, across Route 1; a path runs under the bridge over the Jökulsá river. Stay well back from the waves and never climb on the ice. See Diamond Beach.
No. Ice cave tours meet at the Jökulsárlón car park and drive by 4x4 to caves in Breiðamerkurjökull, the glacier above the lagoon, in winter only, roughly October to March or April, always with a guide.
"Glacier river lagoon": jökull means glacier, á is river (the Jökulsá that drains it) and lón is lagoon.
No. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal bathing lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Keflavík Airport. Jökulsárlón is a glacier lagoon of floating icebergs in the south-east, about 370 km from Reykjavík.
Ready to book
Free cancellation on every booking on this site.
More: the day tour with the boat included · the Fjallsárlón Zodiac and hike · an ice cave in winter
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