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Looking for a One Day Glacier Adventure Itinerary? If you’re prepared to drive along Iceland’s magnificent south coast as far as Fjallsárlón – and why wouldn’t you? – you’ll want to make the most of your time once you get there. The good news is that Fjallsárlón is far more than just a lagoon, with a number of activities that you can enjoy. Let’s share with you our suggestions for a complete day plan from sunrise to sunset. We’ll assume for the purposes of this article that your visit will be in summer, but you can make this work in spring or autumn as well because there’ll be ample daylight.
We’d suggest that you plan to arrive after breakfast so that you can enjoy this intimate lagoon in the soft light that typically characterises the earlier part of the day. In summer, boat trips begin at 8.30am and depart on the hour until 6.30pm, so there’s plenty of flexibility if you prefer to switch this slot up for one later in the afternoon.
Taking a boat trip is a good way to get a feel for the scale of the lake and the backdrop of mountains and, of course, its majestic glacier. You’ll need to allow about 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time to suit up and get ready, before strolling to the boat dock. You’ll spend about 45 minutes out on the lake.
If you’re happy to devote a little more time out of your day to a boat trip, then why not consider upgrading to a deluxe version? You’ll have the boat to yourselves as you sail out to a private island in a secluded part of the lake. Once there, you’ll sip champagne and enjoy a bite to eat as you take in the spectacular surroundings. It’s the perfect excuse to take things at a more leisurely pace.
Regardless of which boat trip you’ve chosen, once you’ve disembarked, take time out to enjoy a coffee, snack or meal at Fjallsárlón’s restaurant. At Frost, you’ll enjoy casual dining where you can be yourself as you take in the extraordinary view out over the lagoon and its surroundings.
One of the big advantages of eating here is that we welcome walk-in guests, so you don’t have to clock watch or worry about missing your reservation. Instead, you can sit down when you’re ready and also come and go as you please in between the activities you’ve chosen.
Perhaps now is the time to make the most of Fjallsárlón’s convenient location with a side trip to Diamond Beach. It takes less than ten minutes to drive to this south coast landmark, known for the glittering icebergs that wash up onshore. Originally, the ice formed part of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier; like Fjallsjökull this is one of Vatnajökull’s many outlet glaciers.
Iceland has many standout black sand beaches, of course, but the presence of ice here year-round makes this unmissable. You can stay for a few minutes or a couple of hours, whatever your schedule can accommodate, and of course as it’s so close to Fjallsárlón there’s nothing to prevent you coming back later to see it in different light.
Impressive though Diamond Beach undoubtedly is, nothing compares to the experience of hiking on the surface of a glacier. In the afternoon of your visit, we’d recommend that you book a place on one of our guided hikes. There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on how much time you’d like to spend on your feet.
You should allow around three to four hours for our standard glacier hike. We’ll transport you by 4×4 to the starting point of the hike where our guides will lead you through one of the most breathtaking landscapes in this part of Iceland. Along the way you’ll be able to look down over Fjallsárlón and also take in the remarkable panorama of mountains and ice.
You’ll spend at least an hour up on the glacier giving you plenty of time to appreciate your striking surroundings. If you prefer, there’s also an option to switch things round and do your glacier hike in the morning, saving the boat trip for the afternoon. It really comes down to personal preference.
If you prefer not to arrange your time at Fjallsárlón as two separate standalone activities, you can combine a boat tour and glacier hike as one package. Our Glacier Hike and Iceberg Boat Tour combines the two tours into one seamless experience. Giving you the chance to fully appreciate the delights of Fjallsárlón and its hinterland.
You can leave your car in our free car park and enjoy refreshments at Frost in between. In all we’d suggest you allow a minimum of six hours. Times vary depending on the day you choose, but you can rely on there being one or two departures a day throughout the summer and into September.
No matter how you decide to spend your time at Fjallsárlón, we’re confident you’ll have a great time. That said, take a tip from us and stay all day. The longer you spend on or overlooking the glacier, the more you’ll notice the details of the scene rather than simply the bigger picture.
Self-Drive vs Guided Glacier Tours in South East Iceland. South East Iceland is one of those surreal places with towering glaciers, black sand beaches, iceberg-filled lagoons, winding mountain roads, and waterfalls around nearly every corner. Believe it or not, it’s the kind of destination that makes you want to stop the car every five minutes.… Continue reading Self-Drive vs Guided Glacier Tours in South East Iceland
FjallsárlónEver wondered what’s the difference between glacier hiking and regular hiking? If you have already laced up your boots for a hike through Iceland’s spectacular landscapes, you might think you know what to expect. Let us paint you a picture: winding trails, dramatic peaks, and the occasional sheep or two are all part of this… Continue reading Glacier Hiking vs Regular Hiking – What is the Difference?
FjallsárlónHere are some great tips for photographing glaciers in Iceland. If you are planning a trip to South East Iceland, chances are your camera or smartphone is at the top of your packing list. After all, the glaciers around Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon are among the most spectacular photographic subjects in the world.
Fjallsárlón
