A Day Trip To The Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon In Iceland

One of my favorite adventures in Iceland was going to the Glacier Lagoon! We used the Gray Line Tour Bus when we went, and it is about five hours away from the capital of Reykjavik to give you an idea of how long it takes to get there. This was one of the coolest (literally) things that we did in Iceland, and an excellent day trip to do as well.

The Glacial Lagoon

We went during the summer months, so I did not pack a lot of coats or jackets for this trip (although I am known to over pack) but for this excursion you will want to wear something warm. Initially, I was just going to wear a sweater, but my husband found this humorous and noted that we were going to visit glaciers and if our surroundings were that cold, we would most likely be as well. Although I always enjoy his humor, there is definitely truth in that statement, and I do not regret wearing wool socks, warm pants, and a thick coat over my sweater. If you catch my drift here, you will want to bundle up!

The Glacial Lagoon

As the tour bus drew closer to the lagoon, we noticed that the mountains surrounding the area were beginning to become very white with thick glaciers. It was a change from the warm sunlit days in Reykjavik, and it is amazing how much the climate can differ, depending on where you are going in Iceland.

Glaciers On The Mountains

As we approached the lagoon, we noticed that the waters had a soft turquoise hues to them, and really brought out colors in the icebergs. In the distance, across the waters, you can see the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The retreat of this glacier is how the formation of the lagoon has come to be, and the icebergs within it are estimated to be over a thousand years old.

The Glacial Lagoon

Safety is something that the people working in the glacial lagoon took very seriously, and when you enter you see several signs that tell you the dangers of not using caution in this area. You are urged not to step onto the ice and that there can be dangerous currents in the water as well. This makes sense because the water is connected to the ocean and is composed of the combination of fresh and sea water. On a more positive note, marine life is teeming in this environment, and seals are very present. My husband noted that he even saw one swimming between the icebergs which is so amazing! So if you are traveling to this location, that is something to look out for! If you have them, it may be nice to bring binoculars as well for these viewpoints.

Safety Signs At The Glacial Lagoon

There is a small beachy type area that guests can walk on by the waterline, and really take in the size and beauty of the lagoon. I also noticed in some spots that there were very large ice pieces that drifted to the land, and they were so pretty!

Ice On The Beach Area Of The Glacial Lagoon

When we made it over to the boat tour our tour guide was amazing and first took us through safety measures (everyone wore a life jacket) and reviewed how crucial it was to use precautions on the boat. She also told us amazing facts about the wildlife and environment as well. We found out that at the time we went, the water went to a depth of 248 meters (about 813 feet) deep, which actually makes it one of Iceland’s deepest lakes.

The Glacial Lagoon

In addition to the tour boats, there were smaller vessels going about the waters, and at one point, a small boat brought us over a small piece of ice from the lagoon, and those daring enough could even eat a small piece. It was a very fun and educational experience. The boat went fairly close to many of the icebergs, and provided some spectacular vantage perspectives.

The Glacial Lagoon

When the tour was done, we felt like we truly learnt so much about this area, glaciers, and more of its history as well. It is not too far from Reykjavik, and I think it is a great spot to travel to if you are in Iceland for a really unique day trip experience. Let me know in the comments if you have traveled to this location, and what you thought of it as well. I hope you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click that subscribe button!

My absolute favorite book that I have found about Iceland is appropriately also called “Iceland” and is written by Jenna Gottlieb. This book is so detailed with the landmarks in Iceland, and is such a great guide if you are looking to explore this magnificent country. It also reviews when the best times are to see the Northern Lights, the best wild-life watching spots, the best day hikes, and various weekend getaway spots, so make sure that you check it out!