Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour, South Coast

4.4 (26 reviews)
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Anita
Anita H.
Jul 20, 2024
You never know what you might see! Our guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. According to her, she has the best job in the world!
J
Judy B.
Oct 13, 2023
Having a chance to be so close to the glacier and the icebergs was truly incredible - it gives a new perspective. The colors and magnificence... Read more
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Overview

Bordering Iceland's vast Vatnajökull National Park is the famed Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, known for its incredible scenery, floating icebergs, and wildlife. The lagoon connects to two of Iceland's other glaciers, Breiðamerkurjökull and Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap. Eventually, the lagoon's waters flow across the black-sand beach known as Diamond Beach and into the Atlantic Ocean. Nestled between the towns of Hof and Höfn, you can find the lagoon along Iceland's popular Ring Road.

Enjoy an exciting and picturesque boat trip on the lagoon, sailing among huge, electric-blue icebergs and reveling in the striking scenery of Jökulsárlón. You may even spot some local wildlife, including Arctic Terns, Skuas, and the hundreds of seals that feed on the lagoon's fish population. You'll also learn a bit about the lagoon's history, as it formed in the 20th century due to rising temperatures. Scientists believe Jökulsárlón will eventually expand into a larger, deeper fjord. 

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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Close to Glaciers

Many reviewers highlighted the incredible experience of being up close to the glaciers and icebergs, mentioning the stunning colors and the unique perspective it offers. (6 mentions)

J
“Having a chance to be so close to the glacier and the icebergs was truly incredible”  — Judy B.
P
“the boat was more comfortable and slower which allowed us to take in the beauty of the glaciers at a more leisurely pace”  — paul B.
Linda
“It was a great way to really get to see the glaciers at glacier lagoon”  — Linda B.
Friendly Guides

Several reviews praised the guides and captains for being knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging, enhancing the overall experience. (6 mentions)

J
“Our guide was great and offered wonderful information and happily answered our many questions”  — Judy B.
R
“excellent staff and a super guide”  — Robert K.
T
“Boat pilot was knowledgable, funny and engaging.”  — t jay f.
Seal Sightings

Many visitors were excited about seeing seals in their natural habitat, which added a special touch to the tour. (5 mentions)

Julie
“we were *this close* to the most adorable seals in the wild!”  — Julie H.
Erin
“We also saw several seals sunbathing on icebergs”  — Erin B.
Erica
“We got up close with an iceberg breaking up, and with seals!”  — Erica B.
Beautiful Lagoon

The lagoon itself was frequently mentioned as breathtaking and a highlight of the trip, with picturesque views and serene surroundings. (5 mentions)

Tim
“The glaciers floating in the lagoon were spectacular!”  — Tim H.
Julie
“The lagoon was gorgeous”  — Julie H.
Erin
“the lagoon is stunning”  — Erin B.

Traveler reviews

26 total ratings, 22 with reviews
4.4
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.8
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.6
Anita
Anita H.
Batavia, NY | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2024
You never know what you might see! Our guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. According to her, she has the best job in the world! Read more

You never know what you might see! Our guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. According to her, she has the best job in the world!

Tips for future travelers

Do it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
S
Stephen S.
Nicetown-Tioga, PA | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2024
Actually, we skipped this. We visited the lagoon and walked around but decided - mainly based on time - to not do the zodiac tour. The glacier is really cool and worth seeing. I don't know how much more the zodiac tour would have added. Read more

Actually, we skipped this. We visited the lagoon and walked around but decided - mainly based on time - to not do the zodiac tour. The glacier is really cool and worth seeing. I don't know how much more the zodiac tour would have added.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lois
Lois L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 02, 2024

Unfortunately, we couldn't do the Jokulsarlon glacier boat tour due to high winds. However, I would still recommend it to others because even walking along the water and seeing the ice was really cool. We had friends who also missed the boat ride because of the weather, but just being in that area was worth it.

J
Judy B.
Minnetonka, MN | Reviewed on Oct 13, 2023
Having a chance to be so close to the glacier and the icebergs was truly incredible - it gives a new perspective. The colors and magnificence were breathtaking. Our guide was great and offered wonderful information and happily answered our many questions. Read more

Having a chance to be so close to the glacier and the icebergs was truly incredible - it gives a new perspective. The colors and magnificence were breathtaking. Our guide was great and offered wonderful information and happily answered our many questions.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tim
Tim H.
Belmont, CA | Reviewed on Oct 08, 2023
The glaciers floating in the lagoon were spectacular! Especially some that had recently flipped to expose the deep blue ice that hadn’t been exposed to the air. Large stable zodiac with a great skipper took us right among the ice. Read more

The glaciers floating in the lagoon were spectacular! Especially some that had recently flipped to expose the deep blue ice that hadn’t been exposed to the air. Large stable zodiac with a great skipper took us right among the ice.

Tips for future travelers

They will give you a water survival suit to wear but be sure to have gloves and something for your face. When the boat is moving fast the air is quite cold.

Quality of Experience
Seeing the ice bergs up close was great
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very friendly, helpful and safety conscious
Transport
Julie
Julie H.
Elmhurst, NY | Reviewed on Oct 01, 2023
This was possibly the biggest highlight of the trip. The lagoon was gorgeous and we were *this close* to the most adorable seals in the wild! Read more

This was possibly the biggest highlight of the trip. The lagoon was gorgeous and we were *this close* to the most adorable seals in the wild!

Tips for future travelers

You will want to be able to take TONS of pictures - but also your hands *will* get cold. Have either touch-screen gloves, or go gloveless but have those pocket hand warmers.

Quality of Experience
Adorable wild seals! Magnificent glaciers! Amazing, blue icebergs!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our boat captain was hilarious and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned so much about wildlife, global warming, and ice formation.
Transport
We drove straight to the lagoon and it was super easy to find.
Karen
Karen W.
Okolona, KY | Reviewed on Sep 23, 2023
While the views are amazing, my biggest reason for 3 stars is they try to pack too many people on the boat. Literally sardines. But we were allowed to stand up and walk around once we got out there. Read more

While the views are amazing, my biggest reason for 3 stars is they try to pack too many people on the boat. Literally sardines. But we were allowed to stand up and walk around once we got out there.

Tips for future travelers

It's certainly worth doing. You're not going to get splashed. But it is what they describe a boat on wheels that drives into the water.

Quality of Experience
Lots of information from our guide
Quality of Experience
Lots of information from our guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I wish I could remember her name. But she was great.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I wish I could remember her name. But she was great.
Transport
Transport
M
marjorie r.
Panama | Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

We did not make it on time to enjoy this experience. I am sure it would have been amazing. We enjoyed the surroundings when we finally arrived. There were too many sites to enjoy that morning!

Jennifer
Jennifer R.
Hanover, PA | Reviewed on Aug 20, 2023
Our boat captain, Adam, was fantastic. He clearly loves his job and his country. This was my favorite experience of the whole trip. Read more

Our boat captain, Adam, was fantastic. He clearly loves his job and his country. This was my favorite experience of the whole trip.

Tips for future travelers

You don’t really need to dress that warmly because they give you a giant snowsuit to put on.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
P
paul B.
Tysons Corner, VA | Reviewed on Aug 11, 2023
We accidentally missed our Zodiac boat tour, but we managed to get on to one of the duck boat tours as an alternative. In hindsight, we thought this was probably a better choice anyway, since the boat was more comfortable and slower which allowed us to take in the beauty of the glaciers at a more leisurely pace. Read more

We accidentally missed our Zodiac boat tour, but we managed to get on to one of the duck boat tours as an alternative. In hindsight, we thought this was probably a better choice anyway, since the boat was more comfortable and slower which allowed us to take in the beauty of the glaciers at a more leisurely pace.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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Itineraries with Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour

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