Jökulsárlón – Glacier lagoon

Jökulsárlón, the glacier lagoon with floating icebergs towards the ocean.

Jökulsárlón on Breiðamerkursandur is Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon and by far the biggest. It is also the deepest lake or lagoon in Iceland, measured 285 meters deep. The last few decades the lagoon has been increasing due to warmer temperatures and declining ice. Since the lagoon started to form in the early 1930s, it has grown to 25 square kilometers and is still growing every year.

Huge icebergs break off the glacier steel and float down to the outlet and all the way into the Atlantic ocean. Some of these icebergs break into smaller pieces and wash up on the black sand beach and that is why the beach is called the “Diamond beach”. Small ice chunks lying on both sides of the outlet.

Beside various types of seabirds, land birds, seals, there are many species of fish in the lagoon. Capelin, herring, salmon, and many others that attract seals  and seabirds. Outside in the ocean you might spot whales or killer whales as they know that some of that fish wander in and out of the lagoon.

Jökulsárlón has been part of Vatnajökull national park since 2017.

Several companies offer boat tours on the lagoon, both on zodiacs and so called amphibian boats, both a boat and a truck. In the area are also a cafeteria, fast food booths and restrooms.

 

 

Location.

On the South Coast on road no 1, between Skaftafell (57 km / 35,6 mi) and Höfn (79 km / 49,5 mi)

 

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