About This Experience

Jökulsárlón is the kind of place that silences people. We pulled into the car park, walked to the edge of the lagoon, and just stood there watching house-sized icebergs drift past in slow motion. Some were electric blue, some had black volcanic ash streaked through them, and a few had seals lounging on top like they owned the place.

The icebergs calve from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue — an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap — and float through the lagoon toward the sea. Some get caught in the narrow channel under the bridge, where the current tumbles them toward the ocean. The ones that wash up on the black-sand beach on the other side become Diamond Beach: chunks of crystal-clear ice scattered across dark volcanic sand, glittering in whatever light is available.

We visited twice — once at midday and once at sunset — and both were completely different experiences. The midday visit gave us the deepest blues in the ice. The sunset visit turned everything gold and pink. If you can, do both.

What to Expect

Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach sit on opposite sides of the bridge where Route 1 crosses the Jökulsá river. The glacier lagoon is on the inland side, with a large car park and viewing area. Diamond Beach is on the ocean side, with its own smaller car park.

At the lagoon, you can walk along the shore and watch the icebergs up close. Boat tours run in summer — zodiac boats get you closest to the ice, while amphibian boats are larger and more stable. The zodiac tour is worth the premium if you're up for it.

Diamond Beach is a short walk from its car park. The ice chunks range from fist-sized crystals to pieces as big as a sofa, and they change every day as waves deposit new ones and melt others. The beach is unguarded and the waves can be strong — the same sneaker-wave caution from Reynisfjara applies here.

Practical Tips

• Visit both — they're a 2-minute drive apart (or a 10-minute walk across the bridge)
• The lagoon is most photogenic in morning light when the ice catches blue tones
• Diamond Beach is best at sunset when the ice glows golden
• Zodiac boat tours (summer only) get you closest to the icebergs — book in advance
• Seals are frequently spotted in the lagoon, especially near the channel
• Don't climb on the ice at Diamond Beach — it's slippery, unstable, and waves can sweep it (and you) out
• Free parking on both sides; a small café operates seasonally at the lagoon car park
• Allow at least 2 hours to properly see both sites
• The drive from Höfn takes about an hour west on Route 1
• Winter visits have shorter daylight but often more dramatic ice formations