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Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (Iceland) – Tips + Photos

Last updated on December 26, 2022 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Want to make the most of your time at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon in Iceland?
It is such an incredible location: glacier, lagoon, seals, icebergs, Diamond Beach...
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, map and photos.

Note: if you are traveling in Winter, check out my other article about Jokulsarlon in Winter

Travel Guide Iceland : Plan your visit to Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Table of Contents
Why visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Iceland?
Planning tips & Map - Jökulsárlón, Iceland
Best time to visit Jokulsarlon Lagoon
6 best things do at Jokulsarlon (Diamond Beach, Boat tours...)
Photographing the Icebergs and the Iceland lagoon
Jokulsarlon in Winter
Movies and other fun facts

This article contains affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Iceland?

Jokulsarlon is considered one of the top natural wonders of Iceland!
It is a large lake at the foot of a glacier where icebergs float towards the sea.
Glacier, mountains, floating icebergs and a black sand beach nearby... this is  wonderful place not to be missed!

Jokulsarlan Lagoon with sunny weather photo 2

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon in Iceland

How was Jokulsarlon formed? Geology and Geography

The Jokulsarlon Lagoon has been created since the mid 1930s by the melting ice from the glacier Breidamerkurjokull. Today the Glacier Lake covers roughly 18km2 (just under 7mi2) which is 4 times bigger than in 1970!
And the Jokulsa River formed, forcing the installation of a bridge to drive over it. 

This is Iceland's deepest lake (248m deep) and it is protected under the Vatnajokull National Park.

The best part is that icebergs frequently detach from the glacier and float on the lake. And some of them head towards the channel that links the glacier lagoon to the sea. Because from Jokulsarlon runs the Jokulsa River, the shortest river in Iceland.

Jokulsa River under the Bridge by Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsa River under the Bridge by Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon


About the name + How do you pronounce Jokulsarlon

Jokull means Glacier, sar means river and lon means lagoon. So it it the Glacier River Lagoon.
Its other name is Breidamerkurlón (le laoon of Breidamerkurjökull).

For the pronunciation, it is something like: Yoekuhl-sarl-ow (like in the word cow) - you can here it on this website

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning tips & Map - Jökulsárlón, Iceland

Where is Jokulsarlon? Map and location

  • It is located on the South Coast of Iceland (see my article about the Region).
  • Between Vik and Höfn
  • Right on the Ring Road
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate the lagoon:
Map Jokulsarlon in Iceland

Map Jokulsarlon in Iceland

Need to rent a car in Iceland?

directly see the best deals on my favorite platform

How to rent a car in Iceland 2

or see my 36 practical tips to choose the best car to rent for the roads in Iceland (Summer or Winter) and find the best deals

+ read more

How long to visit Jokulsarlon

Combined with Diamond Beach, you should plan half a day. And if you can stay nearby, you will be able to see it at sunset and and sunrise!

You can easily stop and just watch it for 10min and get back in the car.
However, I do recommend staying for longer to

  • Walk along the shore
  • Listen to the icebergs falling
  • Watch the icebergs moving
  • Try spotting seals

Plus you can book an Amphibian Boat Tour, a Zodiac Boat Tour or a Kayak Tour in Summer to complete your visit (or an ice cave tour in Winter).

Jokulsarlon lagoon - iceberg reflections

How to get to to Jokulsarlon - self-drive

  • Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon = 5h drive on Road 1
  • Vik to Jokulsarlon = 2h30 drive
  • Höfn to Jokulsarlon = 1h10 drive
  • In Summer, the drive is very easy - read my article about driving in Iceland
  • You cannot miss it from Road 1 as you spot the icebergs from the bridge, parking is on the North of the bridge for the lagoon, South for the beach

This location is included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning info) in both my travel guide eBooks that help you easily plan your Iceland road trip:

Plan your dream road trip around Iceland!

Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 8 easy-to-plan maps
  • 100+ pre-selected locations
  • Useful planning tips
  • 130+ large photos 
  • GPS coordinates direct to carparks

LEARN MORE

Ring road Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 2 easy-to-plan maps
  • 30 stops, 10 detours
  • Useful planning tips 
  • 70+ large photos 
  • GPS coordinates direct to carparks

LEARN MORE

Day Trip and Tours from Reykjavik

If you don't want to drive (especially in Winter), you can book organized tours to Jokulsarlon.

  • DAY TRIP - The day will be very long, with most of the time on the road but you won't get bored as the scenery is amazing and constantly changing. Plus the tour will stop at the amazing Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls - Check out program and price
  • Multi-days South Coast Tour - And to get to SEE MORE and spend less time on the road you can book a 2-day trip along the South Coast. You will get to see so much, it is amazing! Some of the best landscapes in Iceland! - Check out Summer program and price

Visit Tips

  • Best time to visit in the next section of this article
  • Amenities: café, toilets, food trucks
  • The view is right there. No walking required
  • You can walk further along the lagoon or up the small hill to get a panoramic view
  • I recommend having binoculars with you. Even though the iceberg come close, it is nice to be able to see all of them and see the details of the glacier tongue - check out my practical guide to finding your best travel binoculars.
  • And Check out my complete article on what to wear and pack for Iceland to stay warm and comfortable

Safety Info

  • Do not go swimming in the lagoon
  • Do not climb on top of icebergs (they can tip over)
  • The current is really strong and the lake deep!
Shore of Jokulsarlon Lake

Shore of Jokulsarlon Lake

Where to stay near Jokulsarlon 

Close to Jokulsarlon:

  • There are no accommodations at Jokulsarlon itself
  • You can find a few hotels or guesthouses in the area, and these will allow you to get there for sunset, sunrise or the northern lights faster - See options
  • I stayed at the Hotel Smurlabjorg, 30 min drive East of Jokulsarlon. It was clean and practical - Check out photos and availability

Otherwise, you can choose to stop at the small towns of Vik (if you are driving back to Reykjavik after) or Höfn (if you are continuing towards the East fjords after) on your road trip, where you will have more choices 

  • see the best rated accommodations in Vik and
  • the best rated accommodations in Höfn

Where to stay in Iceland?

Iceland Accommodations

See my selection of all the best areas to stay to enjoy the beautiful regions of Iceland...
+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

Best time to visit Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Best months or seasons

There is no best time of the year to see the lagoon. It is always amazing and the water is always flowing. It is actually a lot similar in views except that the mountains are all white.
Know that in Summer, it is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland so it gets crowded. Visit early morning or late afternoon for a more peaceful experience.

Jokulsarlon lagoon by all weather 1

Jokulsarlon in Summer:

  • Pros: Boat tours available, easy access, longer day (and midnight sun in June)
  • Cons: Crowded, no ice caves

Jokulsarlon in Winter:

  • Pros: less crowded, departure to ice caves, more chances for the Northern lights
  • Cons: roads can be more difficult, no boat tours

Best time of the day to visit Jokulsarlon

Like most places, Jokulsarlon is even more magical at sunset as the colors change.
The shore is on the East side of the lake, so you are facing West:

  • if you want the sun behind the glacier, then visit at sunset
  • if you want the sun behind you hitting the iceberg, visit at sunrise
Yellow sunset Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Sunset at Jokulsarlon

Pink sunset Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Sunrise at Jokulsarlon

Northern lights at Jokulsarlon

The Northern Lights occur all year round, but are visible only when it's dark.
The best period to see them is from September until mid-April. You  need clear nights and high activity for chances at seeing them well.
It is possible to see them at the lagoon. It all depends on Nature. You can never be sure beforehand where you might be able to see them.

Don't be stopped by the weather!

Wondering what the Jokulsarlon weather is? DON'T!!! The place is amazing whatever the weather. And anyway, it changes every hour.
Even with wind, rain or fog, the Jokulsarlon Lagoon delivers. The place looks mystical as if creatures would just come out from under the icebergs.
Here are examples to show you how great it is all the time:

Sunny day at Jokulsarlon

Sunny day at Jokulsarlon

Foggy day at Jokulsarlon

Foggy day at Jokulsarlon


6 best things do at Jokulsarlon (Diamond Beach, Boat tours...)

#1 - Simply watch & listen

Of course, the main activity is to walk by the lake shore and simply watch.
Spend some time listening to the ice and you might hear a very loud noise when an iceberg separates from the glacier.

Be sure to wait and watch the changes. When the tide is high, icebergs are blocked in the Glacier lagoon Iceland. As the tides get lower, it is very impressive to see all those huge chunks of ice move quite fast towards the sea and sometimes break down. These icebergs float out to sea, and some of them get caught in the waves and wash up on the black sand of the nearby Jokulsarlon Beach. 

Jokulsarlon lake Iceland
Glacier lagoon Iceland Jokulsarlon

#2 - Use Binoculars! Details of icebergs and wildlife

Compared to the other glacial lagoon Fjallsarlon, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is bigger and more active.
The variety of icebergs is great: blue, white or black (because of volcanic eruptions).
I recommend bringing binoculars to admire the textures and details in the icebergs (Check out my Guide to selecting the right binoculars for you).

Details icebergs at Jokulsarlon Iceland

Plus there is abundant wildlide. With the tide, fish arrive and thus birds as well. You may be able to spot seals and birds (skuas, seagulls...) enjoying the area (especially in Summer). Sometimes you can spot a seal bobbing out of the water. They do enjoy the current. Careful, the skuas can get agressive if you get close to their nest and their eggs.
I saw seals but I don't have any pictures.

Details icebergs at Jokulsarlon Iceland 2
Icebergs at Jokulsarlon lagoon photo 2

#3 - Walk to Jokulsarlon Beach (Diamond Beach)

From the shore of the lagoon, you can walk along the Jokulsa River to reach the black sand beach.
Here you may find icebergs just waiting for you. 
No there are no real diamonds there (sorry), but some icebergs get pushed back to shore and shine like diamonds on the black sand. 

Discover many pictures in my article dedicated to the Diamond Beach but here is one to give you an idea: 

Jokulsarlon Beach Diamond Iceland

Jokulsarlon Beach (Diamond Beach)

#4 - Join a Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour

In Summer and Shoulder Seasons, you can also get to see the glacier and icebergs even closer.
Boat tours are available and last under 1h.
Be careful, they get booked fast, so don't wait until you are in Iceland.
There are 2 main options of motorized boat tours:

  • The fun amphibian boat tour where you start on land and enter the water - Book your seat  
  • The more traditional Zodiac tour for some speed sensations - Book your seat
Iceland Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon boat tour

Jokulsarlon amphibian boat tour

#5 - Kayaking on Jokulsarlon

And if you want to get even closer to nature, you can choose a guided Kayak tour to get closer to the icebergs and the glacier. It is one of the most impressive experiences to have in Jokulsarlon.
Book your kayak experience.

Kayaking at Jokulsarlon canva

Kayaks at Jokulsarlon

#6 - Ice Cave in Winter

Sorry, I know Ice caves are high on most people lists. But they are not accessible in Winter as the ice is melting.
Normally they can be accesses from mid-october to March. But it depends on the weather conditions.
See the section about Jokulsarlon in Winter.

Can you walk on a glacier at Jokulsarlon?

There are no glacier hiking tours at Jokulsarlon.
Your best option is the Skaftafell National Park only 45min drive West - Reserve your spot


Photographing the Icebergs and the Iceland lagoon

You never know the quantity and size of icebergs you will see floating in the lagoon. Sometimes if you are lucky, a big chunk detaches from the glacier and drifts in front of you. You will never be alone, but the good news is that there is enough space on the shore for everyone to set up their camera.

Photographing Jokulsarlon 2

Photography Tips

  • Lenses - you will want wide angle to capture the multitude of icebergs as well as zooms to be able to capture the details in the ice
  • Tripod - As you wait for the icebergs to float, move around and find the perfect alignement, it is easier to have your camera on a tripod. But you can capture to movement of the water
  • Best time - as I said earlier, it is always a great shot - sunrise, sunset and northern lights are all possible
Photographing Jokulsarlon

It is really an amazing place to photograph

Don't hesitate to stay nearby so that you can come back with different lights and weather conditions
I recommend having a powerful zoom to play with the icebergs. They are all different in shape and color. It is like looking for shapes in the clouds.

Don't forget warm clothes! Check out my Iceland Packing guide for tips.

Icebergs at Jokulsarlon lagoon photo 1
Icebergs at Jokulsarlon lagoon photo 4

I could have stayed hours admiring them. Some are pure white, some have black stripes and some are intense blue. See below, I even spotted the Titanic!

Icebergs at Jokulsarlon lagoon photo 3

Jokulsarlon in Winter

The experiences of the lagoon and the beach are quite similar in Winter and in Summer. It is just that the mountains are whiter and there might be more ice.
See my article about the Winter experience.

The main differences during the Winter months (November to March) are:

  • the boat tour is not possible
  • that the tours depart from the carpark to visit natural ice caves in the glacier. An unforgettable experience to book early to make sure you have a spot - check out my article to choose your ice cave tour.
Jokulsarlon in Winter

Jokulsarlon in Winter

Jokulsarlon ice cave

Jokulsarlon ice cave


Movies and other fun facts

Webcam

To build your anticipation, you also check out the Jokulsarlon Lagoon webcam !

Movies, TV shows, music videos

Jokulsarlon has been featured in movies and music videos such as :

  • Justin Bieber’s music video for the song “I’ll Show You”
  • The movie Tomb Raider
  • The stunning movie with Ben Stiller The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (when he is supposed to be in the Himalayas)
  • The James Bond films Die Another Day and and A View to a Kill

But it was not, as some think

  • in Interstellar or Batman Begins (which were filmed at another glacier)
  • in Game of Thrones 

Want to see other highlights nearby? 

  • Diamond beach with icebergs on black sand - read article
  • Fjallsarlon Glacial Lagoon, lesser know but as impressive - read article
  • The Svartifoss waterfall and its basalt columns - read article
  • The impressive waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss (read article) and Skogafoss (read article)
  • The "feather canyon" of Fjadrargljufur - read article
  • Or read my complete article about South Iceland

Want to see more of the best Iceland has to offer?

  • Tips to plan your Iceland road trip - read article
  • Tips to rent a car in Iceland - read article
  • Tips to drive around Iceland - read article
  • Itinerary suggestions - read article
  • 45 Most beautiful landscapes in Iceland in pictures - read article
  • The best stops on the Ring Road - read article
  • The best locations off the beaten path around Iceland - read article
  • 21 Most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - read article
  • Top 5 places to see around Myvatn - read article
  • 5 best Lava Fields in Iceland - read article
  • The 10 best lava caves in Iceland - read article
  • The 5 most beautiful black sand beaches in Iceland - read article
  • The Golden Circle - read article
  • The Snaefellsnes peninsula - read article

Planning a trip to Iceland?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

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  • 8 maps to plan your itinerary easily
  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

LEARN MORE

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