My First Time Seeing Fjallsárlón: A Glacial Wonderland

Vatnajökull’s immense size means it has many outlet glaciers radiating out from its edge like fingers. One of these is Fjallsjökull glacier, which is above us here at Fjallsárlón, while another is Svínafellsjökull glacier located close by. We’d suggest you make time for both as you travel along Iceland’s scenic south coast, so here’s what to see and do at Svínafellsjökull.

When thinking of housing in Iceland, one might think that in the past Icelanders used to live in igloos made from snow. The fact is that this is not the case, Icelanders never lived in snow igloos. In the much colder neighboring country Greenland housing was however mostly made of snow. The names “Greenland” and “Iceland” might seem contradictory given the contrasting climates of the two countries. Greenland has always been much icier and colder than Iceland. The reason for the conflicting names dates to when the Norse explorer Eric the Red discovered both countries. He wanted to attract settlers to the icy country, naming it Greenland and deter settlers from coming to Iceland with its milder climate and fertile lands.

If you’ve come to Iceland in the hope of experiencing its majestic glaciers, then the south east of the country is where you should set your sights. This corner of Iceland is not only where you’ll find Vatnajökull, a vast ice cap that shrouds an area covering a sizeable proportion of the country’s total area, but also its numerous outlet glaciers. These are the ideal place to have some ice-based adventures – let’s find out more with our roundup of some of the top glacier tours you can take in south east Iceland.

Exploring Vatnajökull’s natural ice caves is a bucket list experience for many travelers visiting Iceland. These caves are formed every winter by melting glacier water and reshaped by seasonal changes. Ice caves can have vibrant blue walls and interesting ice formations. However, accessing these wonders requires preparation, proper gear, and understanding Iceland’s sometimes unforgiving environment and every changing weather. This guide covers the essential tips for having a safe and enjoyable ice cave tour in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland, along with a bonus suggestion to visit nearby Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon located in the National Park.

Iceland is often referred to as the Land of Fire and Ice but no visit to the country would be complete without water. There are some great boat tours that you can book to get out on some of the most scenic lakes, lagoons, rivers and coastal waterways. You’ll often be treated to the bonus of some wildlife sightings too such as seals or birdlife. If you are looking for a hidden gem you should visit Fjallsárlón lagoon during your next trip. Here are some of the boat tours South Iceland can offer.

Iceland is known for extreme weather at least some of the time and the surroundings of Vatnajökull Glacier. The southeast of Iceland has somewhat uniqueness in weather compared to other parts of the country. It is in fact warmer and rainier than any other parts of the country.

If you’ve been planning an ice cave tour, then it’s likely that you’ve been looking at pictures of these dazzling landforms online. If you have, one thing that will have struck you is how blue the ice often is. This might seem odd – after all, glacier ice starts as compacted snow and snow’s white, right? In this article, we’ll look at the science behind Vatnajökull’s blue ice and see what happens to make it so.

Vatnajökull covers a sizeable proportion of Iceland’s land area. This enormous ice field takes up about 8% of the country, the largest glacier in Iceland by a considerable margin. In total, Icelandic glaciers contain 3500 km3 of ice, and the Vatnajökull glacier is responsible for 3000 km3 of that. Its vast scale is plain to see.

Öræfajökull (Oraefajokull glacier) volcano above Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is by far the biggest volcano in Iceland by volume around 300km3. Located in Vatnajokull National Park in the Southeast of Iceland you will find impressive sights surrounding the volcano giant. At the top of the mountain the crater is around 14km2 filled with ice. Crawling down from the brim there are eight glacier tongues that extend from the glacier, one of them being our Fjallsjökull Glacier.

If you’ve been researching a visit to Fjallsárlón, then you might be interested to learn that it’s not the only glacier lagoon in Iceland. That should come as no surprise as Vatnajökull glacier is vast, after all. Let’s take a brief look at some of the more notable glacier lagoons that you might choose to visit. Most lagoons can be easily reached on foot. But be mindful of your safety at all times; going with a guide is advisable for longer hikes or tours. Two out of these lagoons offer boat tours, which you may consider booking for a more adventurous, educational and fun experience. Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon offers small boat experience away from the crowds and Jokulsarlon lagoon offers amphibian boat tours and zodiac boat tours. You can also join a kayak tours on both lagoons.

Iceland couldn’t have been better named: it is a land where you’ll often see ice, even if you visit in summer. An estimated 11% of the country is covered in the white stuff, so it’s hard to miss, especially if you’re travelling through the south of the country. That’s where you’ll find Vatnajökull glacier, the subject of this article. You’ll get a great view of it from Route 1, Iceland’s ring road, as you drive to and from Fjallsárlón lagoon. But trust us, you’ll want to get out of the car and take a closer look.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland are the famous glacier lagoons, Fjallsarlon and Jokulsarlon. The lagoons are located only 10-minutes’ drive apart and are in rural area in the southeast of Iceland. Being in the middle of nowhere there are not many restaurants in the area.

Glaciers are not the most inviting home or habitat for animals, therefore Iceland in general does not boost of the most flourishing wildlife in the world. Over the centuries wildlife and animals have adapted and evolved to survive in these harsh conditions.

Iceland’s glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, is one of the most popular sights in the country. Most travellers will find themselves there at some point – or wish they had been able to visit. But did you know it’s not the only glacier lagoon in this part of the country? A short drive away, Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon is still one of the south coast’s hidden gems, yet it shares many characteristics with its more famous neighbour. Let’s take a look at both places and find out why you need to include them both in your itinerary….

Vatnajökull National Park – Unesco Heritage Site:
This week we would like to share with you some information about Vatnajokull National Park, why you should explore the area and the main highlights. This beautiful area possesses endless natural wonders of different landscapes.