Fjallsarlon vs Jokulsarlon – Iceland Glacier Lagoons

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In recent years, Iceland has become a popular destination for travelers all year round. This is a big change from the time Iceland was mostly visited in July and August. The Southeast of Iceland boasts of natural attractions such as Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Skaftafell National Park, Diamond beach, Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Mulagljufur canyon.

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.

If you’ve been looking into a trip to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, you’ll have most likely come across neighbouring lagoon Jökulsárlón. They’re both spectacular glacial lagoons and popular with international tourists as well as locals. Located just a fifteen-minute drive from each other, it’s advisable to visit both. Let’s find out more about the larger of the two, Jökulsárlón here with our ultimate guide.

Often you will see zodiac boat tours advertised and you might wonder what kind of boat a zodiac is. Zodiac is the name of the French manufacturer that made and still makes these inflatable boats under the name Zodiac. As zodiac boats have dominated the market in Iceland in the past, people often refer to any type of inflatable boat tours as a Zodiac boat tour. Other strong types of inflatable boats of exist like the DSB boats from Germany (Deutsche Schlauchboot).

When visiting Iceland, it is hard to choose what to do, which sights are worth your time and which tours and activities to book. Iceland has so much to offer, and we understand that your time here is valuable. We have listened to our guests’ comments and wishes and have developed a perfect tour that combines a boat tour, glacier hike and super jeep ride, The Ultimate Glacier Adventure Trio! Do you want to save time in rushing from one tour operator to another and driving long distances to your next location for yet another check in? If the answer is yes, the Ultimate Glacier Adventure Trio could be your perfect choice as we offer the whole package from Fjallsarlon base camp.

If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, chances are you’ve heard of Diamond Beach. It’s become one of the most popular destinations in the country, and with good reason. But if you’re not exactly sure of what, where and how, why not look at our brief guide? Here’s everything you need to know about Diamond Beach in Iceland.

Icebergs are large chunks of ice that break off glaciers. They come in all shapes and sizes and more than one color. At Fjallsarlon iceberg lagoon and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon in Southeast Iceland you will see them floating around during spring, summer, and autumn.

Unlock the Wonders of Iceland: Check out the following Must-Do sights and activities connected to volcanic actions and glaciers for Unforgettable Experiences around Iceland.
Nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is situated on the tectonic plates of North America and Europe, earning it the nickname “the land of ice and fire.”

Nothing that people can build, not even if they are the world’s greatest architects, comes close to the majestic beauty of nature. That’s especially true of Iceland’s breathtaking ice caves. A guided tour to one of these extraordinary subterranean caverns is guaranteed to leave you wide-eyed and open-mouthed. But before you book your Fjallsárlón excursion to visit a natural ice cave in Iceland, it’s a good idea to read this guide as we explain what they are, how they’re formed and where you can find them.

There is so much to see and do in Iceland! It can be hard to pick which nature attractions to stop at or which boat tours to book with limited time travelling in the country. You could spend weeks or even months travelling and always find some new destinations to explore or tours to book. There are several sightseeing boat tours in Iceland that could change an already good holiday to an unforgettable holiday, read on for more information!