Best Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Tours in Iceland — Biggest Selection & Lowest Prices Guaranteed

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon tours let you see the lagoon’s floating icebergs by amphibian boat, zodiac boat, or kayak, while ice cave tours explore nearby Vatnajokull Glacier. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon sits on the Ring Road in Southeast Iceland, at the edge of Vatnajokull National Park.

Icebergs break off Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, and drift across the lagoon toward the sea. Jokulsarlon was among the top 14 experiences tourism professionals most often recommended in a 2026 survey of Iceland's top experiences.

Jokulsarlon boat tours run from May to November, while ice cave tours from the glacier lagoon operate from October to April. Day tours from Reykjavik and multi-day tours that include Jokulsarlon run all year round.

Best Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours

Boat tours are the most popular way to see the icebergs on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon up close. You can choose from amphibian boat, kayak, and zodiac boat tours, depending on how close and active you want the experience to be.

1. The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour: This 40-minute boat tour sails between the icebergs. It runs from May to November and is the most affordable Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon boat tour.
2. Zodiac Boat Tour on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: This tour takes you among the drifting icebergs and seals. It runs from May to November and has a minimum age of 8 years, so it suits families with younger children.
3. Zodiac Boat Tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: This shorter 75-minute tour takes small groups close to the icebergs on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It runs from May to November, includes a flotation suit, and has a minimum age of 10 years.
4. Kayaking in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: This guided kayak tour lets you paddle at water level between the icebergs. It runs from May to September, includes a dry suit, and has a minimum age of 14 years.

Best Ice Cave Tours from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Ice cave tours from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon take you by super jeep to natural blue ice caves in Vatnajokull Glacier. Ice caves are only safe to visit in the colder months, so these tours run from October to April.

1. The Crystal Blue Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajokull Glacier: This 3-hour ice cave tour starts at the Jokulsarlon parking area and includes a 30-minute super jeep ride to the glacier. It includes a helmet and crampons and has a minimum age of 8 years.
2. 6-Hour Ice Caving & Glacier Hiking in Vatnajokull from Jokulsarlon: This tour combines a super jeep ride, a 1.5-hour glacier hike, and a visit to a blue ice cave. It has a minimum age of 14 years and suits travelers in good hiking condition.

Our analysis of 31 years of weather data found that February is the safest month to visit ice caves in Iceland. Ice cave tours are popular in February, so book early if your dates are fixed.

Best Jokulsarlon Tours from Reykjavik

Day tours from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon last 14 to 15 hours and stop at waterfalls, black sand beaches, and Diamond Beach on the way. These tours suit travelers who want to see the glacier lagoon without renting a car.

1. The Glacier Lagoon & South Coast Day Tour from Reykjavik: This year-round day tour visits Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Vik, and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
2. South Coast Day Trip from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Boat Ride: This summer day trip includes an amphibian boat ride on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and runs from May to October.
3. South Coast Waterfalls & Glacier Lagoon Day Trip from Reykjavik: This year-round day trip stops at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall, Vik, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Beach.

Best Multi-Day Tours to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Multi-day tours give you more time at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and avoid a 10-hour round trip in one day. Guided multi-day tours spread the journey over several days and include transportation, accommodation, a guide, and a planned route.

1. 2-Day South Coast Trip with Ice Caving and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: This short winter tour combines South Coast waterfalls, glacier lagoon, and black sand beaches with an ice cave visit.
2. 3-Day Northern Lights and Ice Cave Trip with Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: This winter tour adds the Golden Circle and nightly chances to see the northern lights.
3. 4-Day Northern Lights Winter Tour with the Golden Circle, Ice Caving & Snaefellsnes Peninsula: This tour explores the Golden Circle, the South Coast, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and an ice cave in Vatnajokull Glacier with a day tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
4. 6-Day Ring Road Tour with Glacier Hike, Ice Caving, and Whale Watching: This small group tour circles Iceland and stops at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on the way.

Best Self-Drive Tours to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Self-drive tours to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon include a rental car, accommodation, and a planned route with recommended stops. Self-drive tours suit travelers who want to explore Iceland at their own pace and book everything in one place.

1. 1-Week Summer Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland & Golden Circle: This 8-day road trip circles Iceland and reaches Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It runs from April to October, so you can add an amphibian or zodiac boat tour on the lagoon.

2. One-Week Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour of South & West Iceland with Ice Caving: This winter tour includes an ice cave tour in Vatnajokull National Park near Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It runs from October to April and also covers the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

3. 14-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland & the Westfjords: This 14-day self-drive tour circles Iceland on the Ring Road, stops at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on day 4, and adds the remote Westfjords. The tour runs from May to October.

Best Time to Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Our study of the best time to visit Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach found the most floating ice in February and March. April offers a good balance of ice, longer daylight, and milder weather.

Boat tours on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon run from May to November, and kayaking runs from May to September. Winter is the only season for ice cave tours and the best season to see the northern lights over the glacier lagoon.

Weather can call off boat and kayak tours on the lagoon. In Guide to Iceland’s tour cancellations study, boat tours were called off on 2.5% of bookings in July, compared with 13.0% in September. Kayaking tours had their highest call-off rate in September, at 23.3%.

How to Get to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is about 236 miles (380 kilometers) east of Reykjavik, or about 5 hours by car on the Ring Road. The lagoon is reachable in a regular two-wheel-drive car, but a 4x4 is safer in winter.

Most boat tours and ice cave tours start at the Jokulsarlon parking area, so you need to rent a car or book a multi-day tour. Many travelers book one of the hotels near Jokulsarlon or stay in Hofn Town, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east.

How to Choose a Jokulsarlon Tour

Choose the amphibian boat tour for the most affordable and family-friendly way onto the glacier lagoon. Choose a zodiac boat tour or kayaking for a closer and more active experience between the icebergs.

A day tour from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon suits travelers with only one day and no rental car. Day tours from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon last 14 to 15 hours, including the drive along the South Coast.

A multi-day tour to Jokulsarlon suits travelers who want more time for Diamond Beach, ice caves, and South Coast waterfalls. Multi-day tours from Reykjavik also avoid the 10-hour round trip in a single day.