How to visit Jökulsárlón and diamond beach
Iceland has glaciers, volcanos and thundering waterfalls, it has lava beaches and Northern Lights, green canyons and some pretty impressive geysers. But the coolest place in Iceland has got to be the luminous-blue icebergs at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach.
I’m telling you: TOTAL highlight of my trip to Iceland.
Imagine 1000-year old icebergs and a black volcanic beach covered in glistening, translucent blocks of ice in different shapes and sizes, much like diamonds. Visiting this magical iceberg lagoon and black beach was my favourite experience in Iceland!
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JOKULSARLON GLACIER LAGOON
I went to the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, SUPER excited to see my first iceberg. I mean, huge blocks of floating ice in the sea – wow, amirite!?
As soon as I arrived, I was hit with unspoiled nature – it’s nothing short of surreal and amazingly beautiful.
The icebergs at Jökulsárlón come crashing down into the water from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which is part of Vatnajökull National Park. There are only three national parks in Iceland, all very different from each other, and Vatnajökull is characterised by glaciers and lava landscape.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is getting larger each year, and although it looks like it’s been around for an ice age or two, it’s actually only 80 years old. That makes Jökulsárlón special, because it grows and looks different every time you visit it.
Each visit is unique.
Jökulsárlón is not very wide, but it’s the deepest lake in Iceland with a maximum depth of 260 meters. It’s also a popular film location and has already featured in a slew of blockbuster films including Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins.
We came from Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Vik where we had spent the night. The drive took a good two hours, and in that timeframe we drove through snowstorms (in plural), a rain shower, sunshine and fog. That’s one of the things I love about Iceland; it’s so raw and unpredictable.
When we got to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon around 11 am, the sun had just risen but was hiding behind a rainy and cloudy sky.
I didn’t care.
I jumped out of the car, into my rainwear and skated towards the icebergs on the slippery, wet snow. And guys – they did not disappoint.
There were icebergs everywhere! In the water, on the shore and along the shoreline.
WILDLIFE AT JöKULSáRLóN GLACIER LAGOON
Icebergs are not the only noteworthy sight at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Aside from birds like big seagulls and the occasional Eider duck, you can see seals swimming in the lagoon, relaxing on the blocks of ice or resting on the shoreline. I spotted one just when we arrived, but I was fumbling too long with my camera.
✶ Facepalm ✶
BOAT TOURS AT JöKULSáRLóN
It’s a pretty walk from the parking lot along the shoreline, and there’s also a hill you can climb to get a good panoramic view from the top.
If you’d like to see more of the lagoon, you can do a boat tour and check out more icebergs and seals. I didn’t go, but I bet it’s fun to sail between the icebergs and get close to the glacier!
There are two boat tours at Jökulsárlón:
The Amphibian boat tours, which is done in a large boat and takes 30–40 minutes. During the excursion you sail among the huge icebergs.
The Zodiac boat tours, which is a smaller boat (max 10 people) so you get closer to the icebergs than on the amphibian.
Before you get on the boat, they suit you up in flotation suits and a life jacket.
THE üBER COOL DIAMOND BEACH
As the icebergs slowly melt and drift towards the Atlantic sea, they end up on the volcanic beach right next to Jökulsárlón. This black beach is called Diamond Beach because these thousands of years old icebergs glisten in the sun like diamonds.
Many of the icebergs have a bright blue colour, while others are transparent, white or black. They’re polished by the ocean and wash ashore again, but some of them are still in the water.
My favorites were the blue ones and the small transparent ice diamonds.
My photos here were taken in heavy rain in January, but it sure didn’t spoil the fun. I just had to be more careful with my camera so it didn’t get wet. My advice is to go here even if it’s raining, snowing or storming – you’ll be glad you did.
TIPS FOR JOKULSARLON AND DIAMOND BEACH
When to visit – Jökulsárlón is most crowded at mid-day, but nearly everyone stays within 100 meters of the parking lot so it’s easy to escape the crowds. You can visit all year round.
How to get there – It’s easy to get from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón – a 5 hour drive non stop on road 1. If you’re not driving, one-day tours from Reykjavik can take you there.
How much time to spend – Between 2-4 hours.
Photo tips – Try to get there by sunrise or sunset for colorful photos – plus, the ice diamonds at Diamond Beach are glistening more in the light at those times. Also, look for reflections in the water.
What to wear – Since the weather in Iceland is oh-so unpredictable, you should always bring rainwear (a rain poncho would do, too). And dress in layers.
Are Jökulsárlón and Diamond beach gorgeous or what?
More posts from Iceland
- What to wear in Iceland (packing list for all seasons)
- Iceland Waterfalls: 10 Best Waterfalls in Iceland
- 6 magical Iceland adventure tours you must try
- Jökulsárlón: Cross icebergs and diamond beach off your bucket list in Iceland
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a must-see in Iceland
- 2 days in South Iceland: Road trip itinerary with the best sights
- How to drive The Golden Circle in Iceland
- How to plan an Iceland road trip in winter
- Feeling at home at Puffin Hotel Vik, Iceland
- What to wear in Iceland (packing list for all seasons)
- 10 important tips for visiting The Blue Lagoon Iceland
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Based upon your recommendations we visit Jökulsárlón last month and we were so glad we did. What a beautiful place! However, our weather was 40 mph winds and driving rain so we didn’t stay as long as you did. Love your blog!
Thank you, Marvin, that’s so great to hear! What a shame about the weather, but that’s typical Iceland 😉
How beautiful! I’m dying to visit Iceland – hopefully soon!
Jokulsarlon is reason alone to visit Iceland. Go, go go 😀
Hi
Excellent Photography Thank you for sharing .I miss that place in my life. I love your photography
What a nice comment. Thanks so much, Jessy!
Hi! We will be traveling to Iceland in April and were disappointed to learn that boat tours do not operate here until May. Clearly you think it’s still worth going, even if we can’t get out on the water in a zodiac/amphibian tour? Thanks!
Yes, absolutely! Jokulsarlon is incredible and you can spend hours there easily. You can walk along the lagoon itself and climb a little hill to get a great view. On the other side of the main road you’ll find the Diamond Beach which is just as fascinating with lots of floating icebergs. Close by, there’s a similar iceberg lagoon that not many people know about. It’s called Fjallsárlón, and I found this tour company for you that provide boat tours from April 1st: https://fjallsarlon.is/booking/ You should be able to book a tour through them.
Have an amazing trip!
Hi Miriam – I’ve enjoyed reading all your a Iceland posts in preparation for my trip there, thank you!
Can I ask what camera/lens you used in your posts? The photos are so beautiful and vivid.
I’m glad to hear that, Jen! You can see my camera gear here: https://adventurousmiriam.com/travel-gear/ and I use Snapseed and/or Lightroom when editing.
Wow! Just another amazing reason to go to Iceland. Your pictures are so striking; it almost feels like I am there!
Thanks, Gavin. That’s really nice of you! 🙂
Your posts are so helpful! I’ll be in Iceland in April (the first week) and could not find any April boat tours until I read your posts :). Thanks so much! I also wanted to do a tour in Skaftafell (ice cave preferably) but it doesn’t seem like any tours operate in April anymore. Do you have any advice for visiting Skaftafell ?
I’m glad to hear that, Roxana! Though the boat tour I mentioned in the comments are for Fjallsárlón, a nearby lagoon – just FIY. I’m not sure there are still boat tours at Jokulsarlon in April.
If you’re heading to Skaftafell, I recommend visitng Svartifoss. It’s a really cool waterfall, not too huge, but it’s very unique!
First of all I want to say great blog! Thank you for sharing this, I have always wanted to see this place, and I am planning to visit Iceland this July, I have already bought my ticket and pre arranged my stays. I am so excited, I would appreciate if you have any advise for a person like me who is visiting this place alone.
Hi Tom,
I’m glad you found this helpful!
How do you plan to visit Jokulsarlon – on a day trip or are you staying nearby? Basically, there are two ways to visit: either on an organised day trip with a tour operator or by yourself by car. Both ways are great for solo travelers, but I would always (if it’s possible) recommend driving yourself, because it gives you much more freedom and time. And trust me, this is place you want to spend at least 2-3 hours.
Whaou, the blue color is very amazing. I haven’t go in the north destination but when i see your pictures it’s so beautiful. My next destination maybe for to see boreal aurora 😉
That sounds like a GREAT idea 🙂 As a Scandinavian I highly recommend visiting the North, it’s incredibly beautiful and unique.
Wow that is some seriously beautiful photography you’ve captured there. Truly impressed!!! I’m a children’s photographer and that is my day job and I’m not entirely sure I could capture such beauty. Congratulations!!!
I’m hoping to visit Iceland in November and your blog post has completely inspired me!!!
Aaw, thank you so much for the kind words, Lisa! It’s pretty much impossible to take a bad photo in Iceland, it’s that beautiful 😉 I hope you get to visit in November, it’s one of the most stunning places on earth.
Wow! Just another amazing reason to go to Iceland. Your pictures are so striking; it almost feels like I am there!
Thanks so much!
You visit some pretty unique places. I see many travel blogs and they always go to the same places in Thailand, Bali, Australia. But you’re going to Iceland, Bosnia and so many cool places.
Thanks, Nathan. What a nice comment! Stay tuned because I have many more unique places coming up 😉
Great blog, simple uncluttered information…….very helpful for persons like me who are trying to plan their own itinerary.
I’m glad you found it helpful, Arun! Have a great trip to Iceland.
Beautiful! What time of year were you there? I’m leaving next week!
Hi Lori, we went in January. Have a wonderful trip.