Breiðamerkurjökull: the glacier that feeds Jökulsárlón

If you are visiting Iceland and want to know more about glacier lagoons, and glaciers we recommend that you check out the variety of tours we offer. All our tours are operated in Vatnajökull National Park in southeast Iceland, we have the best check in and restroom facilities in the area. We strive to offer personal, educational and fun tours away from the crowds. So, if you want to avoid overcrowded places, we would be happy to welcome you on one of our adventure tours!

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.

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.

Glaciers in Iceland have been retreating in Iceland for the last decades. This is a result of global warming which has had a huge effect on the glacier rivers that flow from the glaciers. As the glaciers are getting smaller there is less ice to melt causing glacier rivers to decrease in volume as time goes by.

Iceland is known for its clean air, good drinking water, geothermal pools, welcoming residents and lastly but not least breathtaking landscapes. The country’s iconic spots, such as glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches, attract thousands of visitors every year especially in the south of Iceland. With the increasing number of tourists, managing parking at these nature attractions can be confusing. Here’s an overview of what you can expect when parking at some of Iceland’s most visited natural wonders, including fees and free parking spots on the Ring Road.

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.

Vatnajökull is the largest of Iceland’s trio of national parks. Centred on one of Europe’s largest glaciers, it attracts outdoor enthusiasts and sightseers keen to get an eyeful of one of the country’s most impressive natural landforms. Drive along the country’s south coast on the ring road and it looms large beside you, ever present.

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.

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.

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.

It can be hard to find accommodation in southeast Iceland during the months of June, July, and August. Scrolling through guesthouses and hotels with no luck can take its toll. You may start thinking about buying a tent and finding the next camping area or sleeping in your rental car. If that is not your style maybe it is time to think outside the box when it comes to finding a place to stay. That’s it! How does overnighting in a boat next to a glacier and icebergs sound?  Some might think, now why did I not think of this sooner? Maybe because the only possible place on earth to experience this unique stay is on Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Fjallsárlón or Fjallsarlon is a natural glacial lagoon located in Southeast Iceland within Vatnajökull National Park. The lagoon started to form about 70 years ago when Fjallsjökull glacier started to retreat. In earlier times, as the glacier expanded the glacier carved into the landscape pushing hills and land aside making a gap of 100 meters below sea level. Naturally when the glacier started to melt away Fjallsarlon, a magnificent glacier lagoon slowly materialized right in front of the glacier tongue. Fjallsarlon is now the 4th deepest lagoon or lake in Iceland.

Höfn is a popular base for travellers looping the ring road, offering a wider range of facilities, accommodation, and eateries than other, smaller settlements along this part of the southeast coast. Don’t pass by without sampling a little of what it has to offer: here are the top ten things to do in Höfn and its surroundings.

Not far from Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon you will find a cape called Ingólfshöfði (photo above). It is named after the first settler of Iceland Ingólfur Arnarson. Ingólfur arrived on his ship to Iceland and his first landing spot was in Ingólfshöfði in 874 AD where he spent his first winter in Iceland. Ingólfur made his settlement in the end in Reykjavík, which is now the capital of Iceland, but his first landing spot carries his name.

When you think of Iceland, one of the most striking images that likely comes to mind are its stunning glaciers. Among them, Vatnajökull reigns supreme as Iceland’s largest, with numerous glacier outlets crawling from its core.