Blue Ice Glacier Hike

Ice caves in Iceland and beyond are one of the most incredible sights nature can offer us. They are scattered across the planet but Iceland, thanks to its abundance of glaciers, is blessed with many of them.

If you’re planning to do a road trip in Iceland, it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself driving through the scenic south region. In that case, you’ll want to spend some time on Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull – or its outlet glaciers – and experience at least one glacier lagoon. Fjallsárlón is a great choice if so, a tranquil lagoon with a striking backdrop of glacial ice. Let’s take a look at what it’s like to go there at different times of the year and what you should expect.

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….

During winter months Fjallsarlon freezes over with a thick ice sheet covering the lagoon all the way from the coast to the glacier. This enables us to place the Igloo Boats closer than ever to Fjallsjokull’s glacier wall. 

Múlagljúfur Canyon is situated just a few miles from Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon and we’d recommend you visit while you’re in the area. Here’s some background to this wonderful canyon as well as practical information to help you get the most of your time there.

Vatnajökull National Park is the largest of Iceland’s three national parks. It encompasses around 12% of the country’s total area and about a quarter of its central highland region. The area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019 and is effectively funded and well-managed by the Icelandic government in the form of the Vatnajökull National Park agency (Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður) which is also responsible for risk management.

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.

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.

In Iceland we have many glaciers, hence the name “Iceland”. The largest glacier in Europe is Vatnajokull Glacier that spreads out to South and Southeast Iceland covering about 8% of Iceland’s landmass. A few decades ago, glacier lagoons started forming at the foot of the glaciers. The most famous ones are Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Breiðárlón Glacier lagoon. Fjallsárlón is a relatively young lagoon, it started forming after 1950 and has been growing ever since. The formation of Fjallsarlon presented local friends with an opportunity to start a tour operator company in this marvelous spot of nature. At Fjallsárlón ice lagoon you will find our GLACIER BOAT TOUR COMPANY. We have been operating zodiac boat tours since 2013. In the beginning we only had a trailer that we were operating tours from with no real facilities in place.

Fjallsárlón or Fjallsarlon is actually a very young natural phenomenon and does not have a long history in terms of being a lagoon. Here is a short history lesson on this area and facts about Fjallsarlon.

When Iceland settlement started in 874 it was said that the land was all grown with trees between the ocean and the mountains. The glaciers in Iceland were at the time also much smaller than they are today. During the first centuries after Iceland’s settlement there were 3 big farms in the area of Breiðamerkursandur the area where you now have Fjallsarlon and Jokulsarlon. Neither lagoon existed. But in the area was a big forest called Breiðamörk (Breidamork). It means broad forest.
The farm on the east side of this area was called Fell, on the west side the farm was called Fjall, and in the middle was the third farm with same name as the forest and called Breiðamörk.

What is the difference between Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón Lagoons

I am often asked what the difference is between Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón. In this article you will find information about both ice lagoons. Both glacier lagoons are in Southeast Iceland with approximately 10 minutes’ drive between them.

Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier, making it a dream destination for photographers eager to capture the raw, ethereal beauty of Iceland’s glaciers. Known for its vast expanse of glistening ice and sweeping landscapes, Vatnajökull is a world-class location for capturing one-of-a-kind photos.

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.

Ice cave tours in Iceland have become increasingly popular among tourists and adventurers, lured by the stunning natural ethereal blue light that filters through the glacial ice into the caves. However, as with any natural wonder, the question of safety is paramount. Understanding the safety of ice caves in Iceland requires considering various factors, including the nature of the caves, environmental conditions, and the importance of guided tours. So, the short answer to that question is YES ice cave tours are safe. Saying that the key to a safe experience lies in preparation, respect for the natural environment, and awareness of the inherent dangers. Please read on for more information about ice cave safety.

The company Fjallsarlon Iceberg Boat Tours was founded in 2013, offering iceberg lagoon boat tours from the back of a trailer. Since then, a lot has changed. In 2017 we opened a new tour reception for boat tours, and at Frost restaurant, we were able to welcome hungry travelers. We can proudly say that our service center next to a glacier lagoon is the best facility any activity company in the area offers. We believe that the overall experience when going on any tour should be good from the moment you park your car and until you leave again.