Glacier & Ice Cave Tours

Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull

Explore captivating ice caves on our Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull. Daily tours available from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

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Duration

3-4 hours

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Departure

Different times from 8:30 - 14:30 from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (next to Diamond Beach)

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Min ratio

1 people

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Availability

Daily from Oct 1st – Mar 31st (longer if conditions allow)

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Skill level

Easy (1/4)

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Price

From 23900 ISK

Regarding tour

Notice

The caves are not safe – but we still have a tour for you

Glaciers are alive — always moving, shifting, and reshaping themselves with the seasons. Following an unusually warm summer and heavy rainfall at the end of September, Vatnajökull has undergone significant changes. At the beginning of October, it is not possible to safely access the main ice caves. For this reason, we are currently offering the Blue Ice Glacier Tour as the best and safest way to experience natural blue ice on a half-day adventure.

Blue Ice Glacier Tour – the magic hasn’t gone anywhere!

But the magic of the blue ice hasn’t gone anywhere. On this tour, you’ll step directly onto the glacier with our experienced local guides to discover vivid blue ice formations as well as breathtaking views of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from a side few visitors ever get to see.

Your safety is our priority

Due to the constantly changing nature of the glacier, we work closely with the National Park to ensure that every tour explores the most beautiful and safest areas available at any given time. As a result, the experience can look very different from one week to the next. To give you a clear and honest expectation, all photos shown on this page are recent and taken by our own team.

Please note that in our booking system, the name “Ice Cave Tour” is still displayed; at this time, this refers to the approximately 4-hour Blue Ice Glacier Tour. Each autumn, our guides begin monitoring conditions closely as new ice caves start to form naturally within the glacier. Under normal winter conditions, several suitable caves may be accessible throughout the season, depending on weather and safety assessments.

Description

About the tour

An unforgettable Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull

Our Ice Cave Tour takes you to some of the most beautiful blue ice formations in Iceland, located on the west side of Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier. Depending on weather and glacier conditions, guests may explore one to three naturally formed blue-ice features, offering an authentic, ever-changing Iceland ice-cave experience. These formations are reached via a guided glacier walk led by trained, experienced glacier guides.

The full ice cave tour lasts around 3.5 hours, occasionally up to 4 hours, depending on conditions and group pace. Walking distances vary, and your guide will select the safest and most scenic route for the day. All required glacier equipment—microspikes or crampons—is provided, depending on the type of blue ice feature accessed during your departure.

The Vatnajökull glacier – a constantly changing glacier

Important: Iceland’s ice caves are natural, dynamic structures shaped by winter conditions. For safety and operational reasons, the cave location, glacier route, or overall tour setup may change at the last minute due to weather, ice movement, or guide assessment.

Vatnajökull glacier is constantly changing, and its conditions. Therefore, the experience may look very different from one week to the next. We monitor the changes daily to ensure you see the best blue ice formations of what Vatnajökull has to offer each day, with safety as our top priority.

Note: Ice Cave conditions may vary throughout the winter. Our expert guides ensure you’ll always experience the best and safest locations available. Due to the popularity of the Ice Cave, you can expect to share the cave with other groups.

The Ice Cave Journey and Experience

Getting There – An Adventure in Itself

Meet us at the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to experience your winter adventure in Vatnajökull National Park. Our modified 4×4 vehicles will transport you across rugged terrain through the remote glacial landscapes. The drive is an adventure in itself, and within 25 minutes, you will be dropped off as close as possible to the edge of Europe’s biggest glacier. From our 4x4s, we have a 10-15-minute walk on uneven terrain up to the glacier, and then a short glacier walk leads us to the best Ice Cave of the season.

Inside the Ice Cave

The main feature of your journey is a visit to an Ice Cave. Walk through a frozen corridor, observing the blue hues and textures of ancient ice. We will have enough time to explore this unique feature, take photos, and ask your guide all about glaciers while making memories that will last a lifetime. As the conditions on the glacier are constantly changing, we always choose the Ice Cave that is the safest, and it can change from day to day. Usually, our Ice Caves are between 30 and 70 meters long, and you can expect other groups in the same area.

On our tours, we have featured sites like the Sparkle Ice Cave, Blue Diamond Ice Cave, Sapphire Ice Cave, and the Crystal Ice Caves, just to name a few. While specific caves change annually due to natural processes, the awe-inspiring beauty remains constant.

You can be assured that we at Local Guide always choose the best and safest cave for you! Feel free to send us a message if you would like to learn more about the current conditions.

Who’s this tour for?

Suitable for most fitness levels, this tour provides a unique perspective on Iceland’s natural wonders and amazing views of the wild Icelandic glacial landscape. The minimum age is 10 years old, and you can expect some uneven terrain. All safety equipment is included on our tours.

Please note that while each group’s experience is unique, you will encounter other groups during your time in the Ice Cave. The tour length of around 3-3.5 hours in total allows you to experience a stunning blue cave on Vatnajökull and is perfect for those looking for an easy adventure while making the most of their time in Iceland.