Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour
Cruise among towering icebergs on Iceland's most famous glacial lagoon. The amphibian boat tour brings you face to face with blue and white ice calved from the retreating Breidamerkurjokull glacier.
Jokulsarlon is the place where Iceland's ice meets the sea. This vast glacial lagoon, filled with icebergs calved from the retreating Breidamerkurjokull glacier, is one of the most photographed locations in the country — and one of the few places on earth where you can float among icebergs that are over a thousand years old.
The Amphibian Boat Experience
The tour begins on dry land. You board the amphibian boat in the parking area, and the vehicle drives across the gravel shore before plunging into the lagoon with a satisfying splash. Within moments, you are afloat among icebergs that range from the size of a car to the size of a house.
The lagoon itself is strikingly deep — up to 248 metres in places, making it the deepest lake in Iceland. The water is a milky blue-grey, filled with glacial sediment, and the icebergs floating on its surface display an extraordinary range of colours and textures. Some are brilliant white, freshly calved from the glacier face. Others have aged and compressed into deep blue. A few are streaked with black volcanic ash, recording eruptions that happened centuries ago.
What You See
The guide steers the boat carefully among the bergs, pointing out seals lounging on the ice, Arctic terns diving for fish, and the glacier face in the distance where new icebergs are being born. At some point during the tour, the guide uses a net to fish a chunk of glacial ice from the water and passes it around the boat. You can hold it, photograph it, and taste it — remarkably pure water that fell as snow over a millennium ago.
The icebergs rotate and shift as they melt, occasionally calving smaller pieces that splash into the lagoon. The glacier behind them has retreated dramatically over the past century, and the lagoon has grown correspondingly larger. The guide explains this process with a mix of scientific knowledge and genuine concern — climate change is not an abstract concept here but a visible, measurable reality.
Diamond Beach
After the boat tour, walk across the Ring Road to Diamond Beach. Here, icebergs that have floated out of the lagoon through its narrow channel to the sea are washed back onto a beach of jet-black volcanic sand. The contrast — glittering translucent ice against pitch-black sand — is extraordinary and makes for some of the most iconic photographs in Iceland.
Allow at least 30 minutes to walk the beach. The ice formations change constantly with the tides, so every visit is different. Early morning and late evening light are particularly spectacular for photography.
Practical Tips
The 40-minute amphibian boat tour is short, sweet, and reasonably priced — making it one of the best-value activities on Iceland's south coast. If you want a more intimate experience, the zodiac boat option carries fewer passengers and gets closer to the ice, but costs more and has a higher minimum age.
Jokulsarlon is approximately 5 hours from Reykjavik by car, so most visitors arrive as part of a multi-day road trip. The lagoon is a must-stop on any Ring Road itinerary, and the boat tour transforms a beautiful viewpoint into an immersive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of boat is used on the lagoon tour?
- The standard tour uses an amphibian boat — a large vehicle that drives on land and then transitions into the water. It carries approximately 35 passengers. A zodiac (rigid inflatable boat) option is also available at a higher price, offering a more intimate experience with smaller groups and closer access to the icebergs.
- Do I need to book in advance?
- During peak summer months (July and August), advance booking is strongly recommended as tours sell out. In May, June, September, and October, walk-ups are often possible. Arrive early in the day for the best chance of availability and the calmest water conditions.
- When does the boat tour season run?
- The amphibian boat tours typically operate from May through October, depending on ice and weather conditions. The lagoon is accessible year-round by car, but boat tours require open water and sufficient daylight. Winter visitors can still walk along the lagoon shore and visit nearby Diamond Beach.
- Can I visit Diamond Beach on the same trip?
- Yes, Diamond Beach is directly across the Ring Road from the lagoon, just a two-minute walk from the parking area. Icebergs that wash out of the lagoon through its narrow channel are deposited on the black sand beach, where they glitter like enormous diamonds. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to explore.
- How close do you get to the icebergs?
- The boat navigates carefully among the icebergs, passing within a few metres of some. The guide may use a net to pull a small piece of glacial ice from the water for passengers to hold and taste. The ice is approximately 1,000 years old and is some of the purest water you will ever encounter.
- Is the lagoon tour suitable for young children?
- Yes, children of all ages are welcome on the amphibian boat. Life jackets are provided. The boat is stable and the ride is smooth, making it comfortable even for very young children. The short 40-minute duration also works well for families with limited attention spans.
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