Jokulsarlon, Iceland
The landscape is total of broken icebergs, streaked bluish in addition to black, floating alongside the tide, occasionally breaking apart inward a mighty crash. This is Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon inward Iceland.
Jokulsarlon iceberg lagoon is Iceland’s deepest in addition to most spectacular glacial lake, dearest past times tourists, photographers, adventurers – fifty-fifty world-famous Hollywood super-spies.
If you lot visited this frozen landscape a hundred years ago, all you lot would receive got seen was ice. But then, the public started to oestrus up… thank you lot global warming!
Because of this growth inward the world’s climate starting around 1920, the icebound border of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier started to melt. The Icelandic discussion Jökulsárlón really agency “glacier’s river lagoon”.
Jokulsarlon lagoon forms usage of Vatnajökull National Park, in addition to has larn i of Iceland’s most pop attractions.
Icebergs At Jokulsarlon
In less than a century, this vast frozen landscape collapsed into a mess of shattered H2O ice & liquid that nosotros encounter forthwith — Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
A river presently formed, in addition to institute its way to the sea, pulling broken icebergs into the North Atlantic in addition to sculpting unearthly shapes along its black-sand banks.
Every year, this fledgling glacier lagoon is made larger equally icebergs interruption off Vatnajökull glacier, float around inward the lagoon, in addition to eventually drift out to sea inward the summertime months.
Jokulsarlon doubled inward size betwixt 1975 in addition to 1998. It forthwith covers vii foursquare miles – in addition to is growing every year.
Iceland At Its Most Beautiful
Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is a photographer’s paradise. I was inward sky during my see inward November. First in addition to most obviously, the H2O ice is jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Compressed glacial H2O ice oft turns glassy in addition to a deep, luminous blue, in addition to that’s best seen when the icebergs interruption in addition to flip over.
You’ll encounter enough of broken bluish icebergs at Jökulsárlón – in addition to the contrast against the white backdrop of the distant glacier in addition to the dark sand of the lagoon’s beach is genuinely other-worldly.
You may fifty-fifty encounter seals too. Thanks to that pocket-size river leading to the ocean, the lagoon is filled alongside fish, in addition to seals regularly get together at the river rima oris to feed, along alongside huge numbers of seabirds.
Glacier Lagoon Boat Trips
A tour companionship called Glacier Lagoon has been running boat rides at Jokulsarlon for nearly xxx years, ever since the world’s most famous super-spy James Bond himself made an appearance.
In the opening scenes of Roger Moore’s A View To H5N1 Kill (1985), the iceberg lagoon was used equally a stand-in for Northern Siberia – in addition to when intelligence got out, tourists started arriving, equally did boat tour services.
There are 2 types of tours to select from. There is an amphibious boat ride (ISK 5500 / $55 USD) for a relaxing tour circular the biggest icebergs, accompanied past times guided commentary.
For the to a greater extent than adventurous, larn fitted alongside a flotation adapt in addition to lifejacket in addition to accept a Zodiac (ISK 9500 / $95 USD) for much closer views of the ice, including correct nether the glacier’s border if conditions permit.
When To Visit The Lagoon
Jokulsarlon’s boat tours alone run betwixt May in addition to October, in addition to exterior of those months, Icelandic conditions tin larn trigger-happy – although bad conditions tin hitting at whatever time, thence it’s wise to ever live prepared for white-out conditions.
The best months for goodness conditions (and clear-sky photography) at the lagoon are July in addition to August – but September/October tin live a improve fourth dimension to see Republic of Iceland because the tourist flavor has ended, prices are lower in addition to at that topographic point volition live less people around.
You’ll also receive got a improve run a jeopardy of seeing Iceland’s incredible northern lights!
Getting To Jokulsarlon
The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is difficult to immature adult woman off the side of Iceland’s famous Ring Road (Route 1) – but it requires some planning to function out here. Rather than endeavour to cram it into a unmarried day, you lot should really computer programme for 2 days.
Rental Car
Discover Car Hire searches all the large auto rental companies in addition to finds the best price. This is belike the easiest way to rent a auto inward Iceland.
You tin also rent a campervan similar I did, in addition to salve coin on accommodation past times sleeping inward it patch driving across Republic of Iceland on your own – it helps to receive got your ain transportation because the lagoon is pretty far away.
UPDATE: Since writing this post, Republic of Iceland implemented novel laws inward 2015 that trammel where you lot tin pass the dark inward a campervan. You tin no longer describe over in addition to pass the dark anywhere. You must rest at designated campgrounds.
The drive takes virtually iv hours from Reykjavík, provided you lot don’t halt along the way (which is almost impossible inward Iceland, there’s tons to see!).
By Bus
Strætó Bus: Route 51 from Mjódd motorbus lastly (Reykjavík) to Jökulsárlón. It’s a vi threescore minutes trip that starts at 1pm – in addition to the adjacent motorbus dorsum is commonly at 12:55pm the adjacent day.
If you lot see Jokulsarlon past times bus, you lot won’t live returning the same 24-hour interval – in addition to since accommodation at the lagoon is non-existent (see later), you’d receive got to live pretty adventurous to pick this option.
Hitchhiking
Another adventurous option, but hitchhiking inward Republic of Iceland is pretty mutual in addition to safe. How long it volition accept you lot to hitchhike hither from Reykjavík simply depends on your hitchhiking skills, luck, in addition to how many stops you lot make.
Glacier Lagoon Tours
If you’re the type of soul who prefers joining a tour, at that topographic point are group tours that see Jokulsarlon, some of which start inward Reykjavik.
Where To Stay Near Jokulsarlon
I spent the dark camped out at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon parking lot inward a campervan (which is no longer allowed). There are no hotels, hostels or guesthouses at the lagoon itself. Höfn is the closest large town, virtually an threescore minutes away.
If you’re wondering where to rest inward Iceland close Jokulsarlon, hither are my recommendations:
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target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Vagnsstaðir Hostel
This is the closest hostel to Jokulsarlon, virtually thirteen miles to the northeast.
Check prices & availability:
Booking.com / TripAdvisor.com
Höfn Hostel
Environmentally friendly hostel alongside sea views, located 1 threescore minutes away inward the hamlet of Höfn.
Check prices & availability:
Booking.com / TripAdvisor.com
Hali Country Hotel
Just 15-minute drive from the lagoon, offering double, triple rooms in addition to apartments summation a restaurant.
Check prices & availability:
Booking.com / TripAdvisor.com
Hotel Höfn
Located inward Höfn virtually an threescore minutes away, this hotel offers modern rooms alongside glacier & sea views.
Check prices & availability:
Booking.com / TripAdvisor.com
Jökulsárlón Travel Tips & Advice
- Iceland inward the summertime tin live surprisingly warm, but icebergs at Jokulsarlon lagoon laissez passer on off waves of mutual frigidity air you lot tin experience on your face. Take a lid in addition to a warm gloves, fifty-fifty if it looks sunny.
- Watch out for the fiercely territorial skua seabirds that alive inward the expanse – if you lot larn closed to their nests, they’ll dive at you lot noisily until you lot dorsum off!
- Sunrise is the best fourth dimension to photograph the glacier lagoon icebergs, non alone because of cracking lighting conditions, but also because at that topographic point are less tourists. Sunset is also good, but to a greater extent than crowded than sunrise.
- During the tourist season, there’s a pocket-size café that serves a express amount of snacks. But that’s virtually it.
- Iceland’s incredible crystal H2O ice caves are non far away from Jokulsarlon, thence if you lot hap to live visiting inward the winter, I highly recommend exploring them alongside a guide!
No trip to Republic of Iceland is consummate without a halt at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, equally you lot tin see, there’s a goodness argue why it’s i of Iceland’s most pop natural attractions! ★
Watch Video: Adventures In Iceland
(Click to scout Iceland Adventures alongside LifeProof on YouTube)
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist you lot origin packing for your trip. Pick upwards a go backpack, photographic telly camera gear, in addition to other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Find inexpensive flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to notice deals on airlines. Also brand certain to read how I notice the cheapest flights.
Rent H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a cracking site for comparison auto prices to notice the best deal. Also read my tips for driving inward Iceland.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read to a greater extent than virtually how I majority inexpensive hotels online.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than virtually why you lot should ever bear go insurance.
Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland
Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People
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READ MORE FROM ICELAND
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road
How To Find Iceland’s Famous Plane Crash
Epic Republic of Iceland Photography Locations
Useful Tips For Driving In Iceland
Have whatever questions virtually Jokulsarlon Lagoon inward Iceland? What virtually other suggestions? Drop me a message inward the comments below!
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