Vatnajökull Ice Cave Tour: Hike to blue ice inside a glacier

The ice cave sits inside the glacier itself, not carved into the rock beside it.

A guided hike across Vatnajökull National Park leads to a blue ice cave carved into the Breidarmerkurjokull glacier. The tour runs once daily, timed to keep groups small and give more time to explore the ice formations. A live English-speaking guide leads the hike. Children from age 8 are welcome. The tour lasts 3 to 4 hours, including travel time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vatnajökull Glacier and Ice Cave

• Hike across wild landscapes
• Visit secret blue ice cave
• Explore ice formations and glacier

The experience

You arrive at Vatnajökull National Park and set out on foot across the glacier landscape with your guide. The hike takes you toward the Breidarmerkurjokull glacier, where the ice cave entrance opens into a world of blue ice formations. The single daily departure means smaller groups than you'd find on a crowded afternoon slot, so you have room to move through the cave and time to stand still and look.

Inside the cave, the ice walls glow blue where light passes through them. The formations shift with the seasons (what you see depends on when you go), and your guide explains how the glacier moves and shapes the space. The walk across the glacier terrain is steady but not technical. The operator notes the tour suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.

The remaining hours of the 3 to 4 hour total are travel time to and from the site. Coffee, tea and tomato soup are included.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• coffee and tea.
• tomato soup.
• all glacier access and ice cave entry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:30Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (8 to 15 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Fjallsarlon Iceberg Boat Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the commentary comfortably if that is your working language. The once-daily timing keeps the group intimate, which matters if you want to move through the ice cave at your own pace rather than shuffle through a crowd.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 15 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Breidarmerkurjokull glacier and why is the ice cave inside it blue?

Breidarmerkurjokull is a glacier within Vatnajökull National Park, Europe's largest ice cap. The ice appears blue because the dense, compressed ice absorbs red wavelengths of light and reflects blue back to your eye.

How much of the 3 to 4 hours is actual time in the ice cave?

The tour duration includes travel time to and from the glacier site. The remaining hours are spent hiking and exploring the ice cave itself, with your guide setting the pace so the group can take in the formations.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and leads the tour live, explaining the glacier and ice cave as you walk.

Why does this tour run only once a day?

The single daily departure is timed to keep group sizes small and give you more time to relax and explore the ice cave without the pressure of a crowded afternoon slot.