Vatnajökull: Ice Cave & Glacier Walk from Jökulsárlón

Summary

Blue ice caves glacier walk super jeep ride from Jokulsarlon small group

You’ll ride out from Jökulsárlón by Super Jeep with a small group, crampons strapped on tight for a guided day trip into Vatnajökull’s wildest corners. Step into crystal-blue ice caves (they’re colder and quieter than you’d guess), walk along the glacier wall itself, and get stories from locals who know every crack in the ice. It’s not polished or easy — but it sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to see what’s under all that white?” That’s what Jón, our guide, asked as we huddled by the Super Jeep at Jökulsárlón. He had this way of grinning sideways, like he knew something we didn’t. I was still fumbling with my crampons (honestly, trickier than they look), and someone in our group was already laughing about their borrowed rain pants. The wind felt like it could peel your cheeks off, but somehow that just made everything sharper — even the sound of our boots crunching on old snow as we set off.

The drive up to Vatnajökull felt a bit like being inside a washing machine — bumpy, loud, everyone bouncing around and trying not to spill their coffee. Jón pointed out where the glacier used to reach just ten years ago. You could hear a kind of quiet in his voice then, even over the engine. When we finally stopped and stepped out, there was this weird silence — no birds, just wind and the low hum of ice shifting somewhere deep below us.

I didn’t expect the inside of an ice cave to smell so clean. Cold air stung my nose and every breath tasted faintly metallic — or maybe that was just nerves. The walls were blue in a way I can’t really describe; not sky blue, not sea blue — almost glowing when you shined your headlamp on them. Jón tapped one spot and told us it might be thousands of years old. Someone tried to take a selfie and slipped (don’t worry, she laughed). I touched the wall and it was smoother than glass but wet enough to leave my glove damp for ages after.

Walking along the edge of the glacier wall made me feel tiny — in a good way. There’s something about seeing all that ancient ice stacked up right in front of you that gets under your skin a little bit. On the way back down, I realized my hands were freezing but I barely noticed until then; too busy looking everywhere at once. Still think about that blue light sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ice cave and glacier exploration

• Meet at 10:00 AM
• Depart at 10:30 AM
• Super jeep ride offroad 30 minutes
• Explore deep blue ice caves
• Walk on the glacier
• Stand on glacier edge viewpoint

Top questions

How long is the ice cave & glacier tour from Jökulsárlón?

The tour includes a 30-minute Super Jeep ride each way plus time exploring the ice cave and walking on Vatnajökull glacier; plan for several hours total.

Is equipment provided for walking on Vatnajökull?

Crampons, helmets, and safety harnesses are included for all participants.

What should I wear for an ice cave tour in Iceland?

You need warm, breathable waterproof clothing and hiking boots that cover your ankles; rentals are available at the meeting point if needed.

Can children join this Vatnajökull ice cave tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for children younger than 15 or those with feet smaller than EU size 35 (22.5 cm).

What happens if I’m not properly dressed for the glacier?

You may be required to rent gear onsite or could be denied participation for safety reasons; refunds aren’t given if unprepared.

How many people are in each group?

The usual group size is 8 people; larger groups will have an extra guide added.

Does this day trip operate in bad weather?

The tour runs in all weather conditions except extreme cases; dress accordingly as it can be cold, windy, or rainy on the glacier.

What’s included

Your day covers pickup at Jökulsárlón meeting point before heading out by Super Jeep with your local guide. Crampons, helmets, and safety harnesses are provided for safe glacier walking and exploring inside Vatnajökull’s blue ice caves—plus optional rental of rain jackets or hiking boots if you need them before setting off across the ice.