Still today, the glacier keeps melting, feeding the lagoon with icebergs that constantly calve off Breiðamerkurjökull. The most popular and unique locations on the South Coast of Iceland. We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Glacier Walk on Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s biggest outlet glacier. However, beware of the Arctic terns as they are very protective of their eggs and use to dive-bomb the visitors who are going too close to them. The hike is determined by the location of the ice cave that we use that year so every year can be quite different. After the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon formed it cut off the Ring Road and people couldn’t reach the southeast without going a full North circle. During this tour we try to make at least 2 stops which will allow you to see how different the glacier can be, from blue ice to green and even black ice. Our guides were amazing. See video from Vatnajökull Glacier … Come and explore the wonder of Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the stunning outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Ice Cave Tour - Visit Vatnajökull A trip to the ice caves gives you an everlasting memory of your visit to our amazing Vatnajökull National Park. Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon rings a bell to many people. What is Breiðamerkurjökull? Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is a big outlet glacier from the south side of Vatnajökull glacier that crawls down to the Breiðamerkursandur black sand area between Skaftafell in the west and Höfn in Hornafjörður town in the east. From Jökulsárlón runs the Jökulsá river, the shortest river in Iceland. In 1998 the size of the glacier lagoon was estimated to be around 8 square kilometers, in 2004 it was estimated to be around 15 square kilometers and it has grown quite a lot since then. It is also possible to go on a boat tours on the Glacier Lagoon from early spring until late in the fall it's the perfect way to see the icebergs and the amazing nature in or around the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. © Copyright 2020. During the boat tour, you will have the opportunity to taste the ice, which is one of the purest you will find in your life. The lagoon is accessible all year round, but boat tours are only in operation during the summertime and are dependant on the weather. The ride to the glacier takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the snow layer. They can be accessible during winter time, it depends though how the weather conditions are in the area, whether it's possible to go inside or not. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, which is an outlet glacier from Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in all Europe. Jökulsárlón translates to ‘glacier’s river lagoon’ in Icelandic. The glacier lagoon is for sure one of the most beautiful and dramatic spots in Iceland. You will be able to touch the glaciers and discover places which cannot be seen any other way. The water is extremely cold all year round… cold enough to cause hypothermia in just a few minutes. It is responsible for the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, and the crystal ice caves that qualified guides take tours to every winter. Breiðamerkurjökull. Many seabirds such as the Arctic Terns, Seagulls, and the Great Skuas are present around the glacier lagoon. If the ground is icy, place spikes or crampons on your shoes for safe walking. The glacier covers around 17 square kilometres and it has curved a big deep valley that goes down to around 300 metres below sea level. Please be informed the office will be closed on December 24th - 27th, 31st and 1st of January 2021 due to Holiday season. Located on the South Coast, It's hidden in Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, which also feeds the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The ride to the glacier takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the snow layer. Its ice-flow has a southerly direction from the main firn of icecap Vatnajokull and carves the landscape on its way. I also joined an Ice Cave tour in Breiðamerkurjökull.. The last Farm that the glacier did go over was in the year 1702 the farmer's name was Breiðamörk  and the glaciers has it name from the farm and is called Breiðamerkurjökull. The company has its own meeting point, only 12km east of the Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon on of Iceland's most popular attractions. A super jeep tour to the edge of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that is the home of the ice caves in our amazing Vatnajökull National Park. Get top travel stories & special offers to your inbox. It’s located between Hofn and Skaftafell. This is a tour for those who wish to enjoy outdoor activities in the fresh mountain air and experience the unspoiled natural beauty of Iceland at its best. These glacier walks all take place on Sólheimajökull as it is the only glacier that is close enough to Reykjavík for a day trip. Glacier Breidamerkurjokull counts among the largest glacier tongues of the country. Surprisingly, the cold does not prevent animals to choose Jokulsarlon as their home. In the beginning of the last century the front of the glacier was estimated to be around 300 meters away from the coastline. Jokulsarlon is on the southeastern border of the Vatnajökull National Park. It’s buried under the glacier during the years 1695 to 1709 but is now again popped up from under the glacier. Some icebergs are incredibly bright blue, others have gray streaks from the ash residue of anterior volcanic eruptions. This single day combination tour has it all, offering fun, excitement, exquisite natural beauty and incredible wildlife. All of our tours are operated on and in the glacier. Inside Europe's largest glacier the interaction of light and ice is unique and the experience of being inside the glacier is so breathtaking that no word can describe it. It is recommended to bring appropriate clothing such as warm clothes, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and good shoes even if the sun is shining and you are visiting during summer. Around the year 1935, Jokulsarlon began to form because a glacier called Breiðamerkurjökull had retreated back from the edge of the Atlantic ocean. This is the tour that we took and loved it. Seals and fish live in the water and rich wildlife flies above including the Arctic Tern and the Great Skua. Accommodation near Jokulsarlon is pretty sparse, but you can book a countryside hotel near Vatnajokull. Starting in Skaftafell, spend 3 hours on the largest glacier in Europe (this tour is 5 hours in total). but before the glacier was increasing and it destroyed some of the farms there. A kayak tour is also a great idea to admire the wonders of Jokulsarlon. Still, water covers the area and no one lives there. Departure time: 09:30 Duration: 5-6 hours Age Limit: 14-Year-Old Difficulty Level: Moderate Group Max: 8 Persons FULL DAY GLACIER … The glacial landscapes of Iceland host a great variety of wildlife. You can’t miss the glacier lagoon! Read our guide to learn more about Europe's most voluminous ice cap! This option is optimal for those who want to get closer to the glaciers as the zodiac will be able to reach farther in the lagoon than the amphibian boat. A challenging 1 to 1.5 hour hike on Breiðamerkurjökull, an absolutely stunning outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe´s largest glacier will really show you the best of this fascinating ice world. If it's raining a lot then the ice caves are filled with water, but if it's cold then there is less melting water coming out from underneath the glacier that makes it possible to go inside. The only way to go inside these ice caves is to join a guided tour. The glacial lake is getting bigger every year and it is now about 18 km². The young singer Justin Bieber also chose Jokulsarlon as the setting in his music video “I’ll show you“, and even took a dip into the lagoon (of course, this is not recommended at all, you should never try to get into the icy cold waters of Jokulsarlon). Rugged glacier tongues, giant icebergs, glacier-carved canyons, jagged mountain ranges, Iceland’s highest peak, and its deepest lake await exploration. In fact, the glacier tongue is receding very fast, letting many ice chunks fall from it. The company has its own meeting point, only 12km east of the Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon on of Iceland's most popular attractions. The owner of the company started the Glacier Walk in 2011, he was one of the first ones organizing these tours on Breiðamerkurjökull. All rights reserved. Many seabirds such as the Arctic Terns, Seagulls, and the Great Skuas are present around the glacier lagoon. While this extraordinary boat will be driven on land to take you into the lagoon, all you have to do is enjoying the view and look around for some seals. There are loads of activities to enjoy in and near Jokulsarlon. It is possible to see some small icebergs down by the coastline called diamonds beach because of the blue glittering glacier ice. The reason why there is such a rich birdlife in Jokulsarlon is that the fishes that are present in the lagoon make the perfect buffet for them. Or slide into a kayak for a more personal experience. Unfortunately, I have only these two pictures from this tour because the group arrived a bit late and half of the tour was done during sunset. Emerging as a tongue of the Vatnajökull, it ends in a small lagoon, known as Jökulsárlón. That is why no one would never get bored of the glacier lagoon. 2 day tour to explore the world’s rarest natural phenomenon: a blue ice cave under Vatnajökull – Europe’s largest glacier.Visit all attractions that make Iceland the best travel destination: black sand beaches, waterfalls, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the mighty northern lights. https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/jokulsarlon-glacier-lagoon-tours Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is Iceland’s deepest lake, with a max depth of 248 meters. The meeting point is Hali. Prior to 2008, Vatnajökull was simply the name of the glacier, and this cave was part of Skaftafell National Park, which is why many people still refer to it as the Skaftafell ice cave. This is a once in a lifetime experience that you will definitely never forget. Breiðamerkurjökull (“Breidamerkurjökull”) or “Breidó” to the locals, is a glacial tongue that flows down the mountains from Vatnajökull. There is a café with restrooms right beside the lagoon. Over time, it has gradually been breaking down. They love to swim between the icebergs or lie on them for a nice sunbath, they can also be seen in the waters of the. Ice climbing tour on Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s biggest outlet glacier. The reason why there is such a rich birdlife in Jokulsarlon is that the fishes that are present in the lagoon make the perfect buffet for them.Other bigger animals are also often spotted around Jokulsarlon: the seals of course! Wheelchair users can view the lagoon but many activities on and around the glacier are not suitable for people with limited mobility. The surface of the ground is somewhat rocky and uneven around the lagoon and it can be slippery in winter. We drive in our super jeep from Glacier lagoon to the steel of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, but there is where the caves form whith the interaction of water, ice and temperature changes during spring- and summertime. Stunning views of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier; Itinerary. The glacier hike on Breiðamerkurjökull, on our Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Ice Cave Discovery 2 Day Tour was a short walk in 2019/20. Kayaking in Jokulsarlon is truly an experience you don’t want to miss and if it is not in your bucket list yet, I suggest you add it and come check it off with us! Kayaking is the ideal way to navigate quietly on the lagoon, paddling smoothly and feeling part of nature in those calm and deep waters. Today big hills can be seen (terminal moraine) where the glacier used to be at that time, just north of the main road. It is very close to the Ring road and from the Icelandic capital, the drive is approximately 4.5 hours. Our guests often tell us the most memorable part of the experience is being able to see a array of different formations, colors and caves. In winter, there are fewer people coming to Iceland due to the few hours of daylight and the low temperatures. Our guide takes you on an unforgettable journey on Breiðamerkurjökull, one of Vatnajökull’s biggest outlet glacier. If you already went to Jokulsarlon one day, you can find it totally different when you go back because the landscape is always changing. Join one of our Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon tours for an otherworldly and unforgettable experience. It is possible to find some big ice caves in Breiðarmerkurjökull Glacier. You can hop on a, Tours visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. However, beware of the Arctic terns as they are very protective of their eggs and use to dive-bomb the visitors who are going too close to them. Another option is to join a zodiac raft tour to experience a unique adventure, where most of the tourists will never go. This area can be explored in one day, and the best way to live this moment to its fullest is to join a boat tour. Yes, it is! If the tour is cancelled by Glacier Journey for some reason, i.e. Since Jokulsarlon is a glacier lagoon, it can get really chilly. This amazing combo glacier tour allows you to visit natural ice cave and go on a hovercraft on the Glacier lagoon. As you descend the ice field via Breiðamerkurjökull glacier on the last day, you will witness the stunning beauty of the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Right beside the glacier lagoon lies the Diamond Beach, approximately one kilometer away from Jokulsarlon, on the other side of the main road. Stop: 30 minutes . It is offered all year with a minimum age of 14 years. Glacier Wonders with Arctic Adventures. Arctic Adventures. Glacier Adventure is a small family-run company. You can buy crampons at larger gas stations along the way or at sport equipment stores in Reykjavík. Our main goal is to make your trip a memorable tour when your grandchildren ask what the best adventure was in your life, you will tell stories about what you experienced in Iceland included our tour. A glacier hike is the best way to get to know this magnificent natural pheno Read more menon while at the same time enjoy the surroundings and majestic mountain views. If you are wondering where you have seen this place before, it could be in many different famous movies such as James Bond, A View to a kill (1985), James Bond, Die another day (2002) or also Lara Croft, Tomb Raider (2001). GLACIER ADVENTURE. There are day tours that include a glacier hike with pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík. The glacial landscapes of Iceland host a great variety of wildlife. Jokulsarlon is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Iceland, it is definitely the highlight of the South Coast. During the excursion you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of the lagoon at which gradually grows as the ice breaks of the glacier. It is located in the South-Eastern part of Iceland, on the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, in Austur Skaftafellssýsla county. The best choice would be to combine your tour of Iceland’s south coast with a glacier walk. Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is a big outlet glacier from the south side of Vatnajökull glacier that crawls down to the Breiðamerkursandur black sand area between Skaftafell in the west and Höfn in Hornafjörður town in the east. All of our tours are operated on and in the glacier. Explore Vatnajokull glacier tongues from Jokulsarlon. Many things have changed in the surroundings of the glacier since it started to retreat for about 100 years ago. Your best bet, though, is to book a room at a hotel in Hof or Geirland. 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