Jökulsárlón Zodiac Boat Ride & Glacier Hike

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is located at the tip of Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of the vast Vatnajokull glacier. As the glacier retreats, meltwater fills up the depression it leaves behind. In a process known as “calving,” huge chunks of ice break off the glacier, and the lake fills up with these floating icebergs.

Jökulsárlón is an extraordinary sight. What makes it unique is that Jökulsárlón is connected to the ocean, making it a perfect habitat for seals. The water is also salty and bluer than other glacier lagoons.

Your certified guide will meet you in the parking lot and drive you to the dock. As soon as you arrive, you’ll be given a floatation suit/life vest. We’ll then launch the Zodiac boats and start our exciting hour-long ride. As we set sail, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the glacier with Vatnajökull towering over us on the horizon. 

Within no time, the Zodiac boat will carry us into the heart of the lagoon. You’ll explore this dreamy, iceberg-dotted wonderland filled with glistening chunks of ice that come in all shapes and sizes. Visitors to Jökulsárlón are always amazed by the colors of the icebergs, which light up when the sun hits them. Some icebergs are sapphire blue, while others are crystal-clear, making for some truly remarkable photos.

Zodiac boats are the perfect way to explore Jökulsárlón as their maneuverability means that we can get amazingly close to the icebergs. If you examine the icebergs closely, you’ll see some gray streaks running through them as a memorial to the many volcanic eruptions Iceland has experienced.

Jökulsárlón is also renowned for its incredible wildlife, and our guides will happily point out the friendly family of seals residing in the glacier lagoon. Look up, and you’ll see Arctic terns doing spectacular acrobatics high above our heads, while you may also get the chance to see giant seagulls and Arctic skuas.

Skaftafell National Park is a green oasis surrounded by spectacular glacier tongues. Your qualified glacier guide will meet you at the Booking Center. We’ll drive to the foothills of Falljökull glacier, which will be the starting point for your adventure. 

From here, we’ll continue on foot. So, once we gear up with crampons and helmets, we’ll start to walk up to the ice! This hike is a thrilling journey across a wondrous glacial landscape that will provide memories that will last a lifetime. You can expect one of the best panoramas in the world, dotted with mountain peaks, other glaciers, and dramatic volcanoes.

Glaciers are constantly moving and generate a remarkable landscape of winding crevasses, deep moulins, dramatic ice sculptures, and ancient icefalls. Look up and see Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s tallest peak, towering above the remarkable scene. We guarantee that you’ll take some great photos and leave a profound sense of awe at just how majestic nature can be!

Your expert guide will point out the fascinating patterns that have been cut into the landscape by the glacier. They’ll also tell you about how glaciers form and warn you about some of the bleak predictions for their future.

This highly-popular trip is called the Glacier Grand Slam for a good reason. It’s a brilliant combination of the most thrilling adventures a glacier can offer: a glacier hike and a scenic boat ride across a glacial lagoon. This epic tour will undoubtedly tick a few boxes on your bucket list! Join us!

The meeting point depends on which option is chosen during the booking process. If you have chosen the zodiac boat ride at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon as a first activity, you will need to meet your guide at the Jökulsárlón parking lot no later than 9:45 AM. If you have chosen the glacier hike on Falljökull glacier first, you will need to meet your guide at the base camp in Skaftafell National Park no later than 8:45 AM.

Duration: Boat ride: 1 hour and 50 minutes (75 min spent on the lagoon); Glacier hike: approximately 4 hours.

Shoe Size: Please note that if your shoe size is smaller than 35 EU, our guides will not be able to fit crampons into your shoes for glacier activities.

Children aged 14 and above must be accompanied by an adult throughout both the transfer and the tour. Safety and supervision are essential when planning the tour for young participants.

These are two separate tours and if one of the tours gets cancelled, the other will still be available for you to join.