Jokulsarlon Ice Cave Tours
Winter tours into blue ice on Vatnajökull, from departure point to equipment
Ice caves form from meltwater channels. They are full of water in summer and become accessible once the water flow drops in autumn and winter. Glacier Adventure offers either a shorter, easy ice cave tour or a combined glacier hike and ice cave experience.
- About 25 minutesModified 4x4 drive from Jökulsárlón to the drop-off point
- 1.4 to 5.5 kmWalk to the glacier after the drop-off
- Up to 12 per guideLocal Guide public winter tours, group size
- 12 kmGlacier Adventure base camp, east of the lagoon
Where winter tours depart
In winter, ice cave tours leave from the lagoon parking lot at Jökulsárlón. The same departure point is given for ice cave tours that run in the winter months more generally.
Glacier Adventure uses a different meeting point. Its tours gather at Hali, close to its base camp east of Jökulsárlón.
The ice cave season
Vatnajökull ice caves are accessible from November and usually through March, depending on the weather.
The Crystal Ice Cave is a seasonal cave that forms in winter. It can be visited from November until April.
How ice caves form
Ice caves start as meltwater channels. They are full of water in summer and become accessible once the water flow drops in autumn and winter.
The blue colour of the ice results from snow being compressed into ice.
Icelandic ice caves change every winter. Guides scout for new caves each year that are large and safe enough to enter.
The Crystal Ice Cave
The Crystal Ice Cave of Vatnajökull is located in the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull.
The name Crystal Ice Cave has been used for several different caves over the years rather than one permanent location.
From the lagoon to the glacier
Some tours use a modified 4x4 for the drive from Jökulsárlón to a drop-off point near the glacier edge. The drive takes about 25 minutes.
After the 4x4 drop-off, the walk to the glacier on uneven terrain is between 1.4 and 5.5 km.
Local Guide of Vatnajökull transfers visitors to the glacier by 4x4 jeep, which shortens the walk.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Modified 4x4 drive from Jökulsárlón to the drop-off point near the glacier edge | About 25 minutes |
| Walk to the glacier on uneven terrain after the drop-off | 1.4 to 5.5 km |
| Maximum group size on Local Guide public winter ice cave tours | 12 participants per guide |
| Glacier Adventure base camp, east of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon | 12 km |
| Glacier Journey base in Höfn, east of Jökulsárlón | About 79 km |
Tour operators and formats
Glacier Journey
Glacier Journey operates all year round. It offers ice cave tours alongside super jeep and snowmobile tours. The company is based in Höfn, about 79 km east of Jökulsárlón.
Glacier Adventure
Glacier Adventure's base camp is 12 km east of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. It offers either a shorter, easy ice cave tour or a combined glacier hike and ice cave experience.
Local Guide of Vatnajökull
Local Guide's public winter ice cave tours have a maximum of 12 participants per guide.
Combination tours
Combo ice cave tours are available that include glacier hikes, super jeep tours and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Safety and equipment
Ice caves should only be visited with professional glacier guides and the right equipment.
Before entering an ice cave with a tour operator, visitors are given a safety helmet and crampons.
Conditions inside the caves
Warm, windy and rainy spells in winter can flood the caves and make them dangerous and impassable.
Entry into a particular ice cave cannot be guaranteed on a Jökulsárlón-area tour. If no stable ice cave has formed, the tour visits a blue ice feature such as a tunnel or canyon instead.
Busy periods
Ice caves near Jökulsárlón can be crowded, and Christmas and Easter are particularly popular times to visit.
Tours on the lagoon itself
Several different companies run lagoon tours on Jökulsárlón in boats or kayaks. Commercial boat tours on the lagoon began in 1985.
Book an ice cave tour
Tours near Jökulsárlón
Jokulsarlon ice cave questions
Where do ice cave tours leave from in winter?
In winter, ice cave tours leave from the lagoon parking lot at Jökulsárlón. Glacier Adventure meets its groups at Hali, near its base camp east of Jökulsárlón.
When are the ice caves accessible?
Vatnajökull ice caves are accessible from November and usually through March, depending on the weather. The Crystal Ice Cave is a seasonal cave that forms in winter and can be visited from November until April.
How far is the walk to the glacier?
After the 4x4 drop-off, the walk to the glacier on uneven terrain is between 1.4 and 5.5 km. The modified 4x4 drive from Jökulsárlón to the drop-off point takes about 25 minutes.
What equipment is provided before entering a cave?
Visitors on a tour with an operator are given a safety helmet and crampons before entering an ice cave.
Is entry into a specific ice cave guaranteed?
No. Entry into a particular ice cave cannot be guaranteed on a Jökulsárlón-area tour. If no stable cave has formed, the tour visits a blue ice feature such as a tunnel or canyon instead.
Why can a cave become impassable?
Warm, windy and rainy spells in winter can flood the caves and make them dangerous and impassable.
How large are the groups on Local Guide tours?
Local Guide's public winter ice cave tours have a maximum of 12 participants per guide.
Is the Crystal Ice Cave always in the same place?
No. The name Crystal Ice Cave has been used for several different caves over the years rather than one permanent location. The cave of that name on Vatnajökull is located in the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull.
Sources
- Ice-Caves in Vatnajökull | Visit Vatnajökull
- Winter Adventure | Visit South Iceland
- Ice Cave Tour in Iceland | Vatnajökull Glacier
- Jökulsárlón
- Jökulsárlón – Wikipedia
- Ice Climbing and Glacier Walk | Visit South Iceland
- Ice Caves in South Iceland | Visit South Iceland
- Glacier Journey | Visit South Iceland
- Ice-Cave Exploration - Going inside a glacier | Visit Iceland