Kayaking Tour on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Top Attractions:

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Vatnajökull Glacier National Park

Overview

What better way to experience the majesty of nature than kayaking across the calm, deep waters of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon?

Drift between icebergs of all shapes and sizes and enjoy the view of glaciated peaks that rise high on the horizon. Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, stands like a giant ice dome above you. This is the moment you realize how magical nature truly is and this experience doesn’t compare to anything else.

Favored among Hollywood movie creators, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon makes a perfect picture. Join our kayaking day tour and spend the day like you’re in a James Bond movie on the deepest lake in Iceland!

Tour Snapshot

Duration

1 hour 30 minutes

Level

Easy

Availability

may - september

Starting point

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

End point

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Languages

English

Trip style

One-day tours

Minimum age

All ages

What to expect

On Tour

Kayak and paddles
Licensed kayaking guide
All necessary equipment (drysuit, safety vest, shoes, and gloves)

Transportation

Meet on location
Meet your guide in the Jökulsárlón car park. Look out for the box van which is clearly marked “IceGuide” and you’ll find the guide.
Jökulsárlon is located just off the Ring Road, 230 mi (370km) from Reykjavík. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive to the lagoon in good weather conditions.
Pick-up & drop-off in Reykjavik

Accommodation & Meals

Meals
Accommodation

Itinerary

1 hour 30 minutes

Tour Itinerary Overview

Sit-on-top kayaks are a great way to safely explore the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. You’ll paddle across blue waters and get up close and personal with icebergs fresh off the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. These icebergs feature every imaginable hue of blue due to ice compression. Some icebergs also display gray shadows slicing through the — layers of ash that look like beautiful scars left by ancient volcanic eruptions.

The water runs from the ice lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean and washes the blue natural ice sculptures onto a unique black sand beach. Bright blue ice dramatically contrasts with the black Diamond Beach, creating scenery you won’t see anywhere else.

If you’re lucky, you may spot some seals who frequent the area, playing between the crystal icebergs.

Our kayaking tours are suitable for both beginner and experienced paddlers. For this tour, we use sit-on-top kayaks that are safe and easy to navigate. You’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who knows the lagoon like the back of their hand. The guide will tell you about the history, nature, and wildlife in the area. They’ll also make sure that you’re comfortable paddling your kayak and that you remain safe at all times.

About Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Jokulsarlon is the deepest lake in Iceland with a maximum depth of 814 feet (248m) and it covers an area of nearly 7mi² (18km²). Jökulsárlón borders Vatnajökull National Park, the second largest national park in Europe, which shelters some of the most visited sights in Iceland. One such sight being Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Vatnajökull is also visible while kayaking on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Even if you’ve never been to Jokulsarlon before, you might still recognize the area. It’s been featured in a few famous Hollywood movies. The glacier lagoon is a favorite of James Bond movie creators, who chose the area to film the well-known A View to a Kill in 1985, and Die Another Day in 2002.

Practical information

Please note: Young people (14-16 years old) must share a double kayak with an adult.

Although unlikely, your clothes may get wet, so it’s a good idea to bring a change of clothes.

Packing List

Get ready for your trip, here are some items, you should not forget

What to bring (Required)

Warm clothes
A change of clothing

We're here to answer your questions

Warm outdoor clothing is well recommended, for example, a fleece or wool sweater and pants. It is also a good idea to bring a change of clothing and swimwear.

There is no prior kayaking experience required for the tours as our professional guides will teach all the technique on location.

All of our kayaking tours are listed at a level easy or moderate so most people should be able to do the tour. Just bear in mind that the activity is an outdoor nature activity so some physical strength is needed.

Top of the line plastic sea kayaks is used on all of our kayaking tours.

Our kayaks are very stable and easy to use.

Of course, they can tip over, although they are very stable and it happens rarley. If they tip over the guide has the necessary equipment and ability to quickly tip them over again.

Do not worry if your kayak tip over as all participants get life jackets and neoprene suits so they will stay warm even if they fall in.

Yes, all of our kayaking tours are operated by experienced and certified professional 4-star BCU sea kayak guides.

We recommend a waterproof camera when going on a kayaking tour. However, we do not recommend you to take too much with you on the kayaking tour as there is really no need for it.

You don’t need to be able ‘’swim’’ while kayaking, although we recommend that you can. People that can’t swim tend to panic when they are in the water. You must be comfortable with floating in the water.

Still not convinced?

Customer Care

For Iceland, Scandinavia & Baltic tour

Open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM GMT

Address

Köllunarklettsvegur 2

104 Reykjavík

+354 562 7000

BOOK YOUR TOUR

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