Reykjavik - Iceland

Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón, which translates to "glacial river lagoon" in Icelandic, is a large glacial lake in the Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. The glacial lake started forming in the 1930's due to the fact that large chunks of ice had melted off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which dates back over 1,000 years, creating a lake full of different sized glaciers. Since the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is receding from the edge of the ocean at such a quick rate, Jökulsárlón has steadily grown in size over the years. The lake is the deepest lake in Iceland, at around 932 feet deep and covers an area of about 7 square miles. Jökulsárlón is considered one of the natural wonders of Iceland and is a huge tourist attraction today. You can get up close and personal to the glaciers by taking a boat tour in the lake, or even step into the crystal ice caves and explore its ice caves on a hike! See what its like being on the inside of a glacier and admire its natural beauty. Located across from Jökulsárlón is Diamond Beach, which is a stretch of volcanic black sand that is also worth a visit during your time at the glacier lagoon. The beach got its name from the small pieces of glaciers that wash up along the shore creating a diamond like appearance from its glisten in the sun. If you love wildlife, you're in luck because it's one of the best places in Iceland to see orcas from the shore as well as seals since many live on Diamond Beach. Jökulsárlón is about a 5-6 hour drive from Reykjavík and definitely something you must see when visiting Iceland. Book in advance a private tour or join a small group tour that will bring you to see some of the most breathtaking sites in Iceland!