Our pick
From Jökulsárlón
A blue ice cave on Vatnajökull
For most trips: a better rating than the most reviewed tour, on more reviews than the two top-rated ones.
The Vatnajökull ice caves
Natural caves of deep blue ice on the edge of Europe's largest glacier, reached from the Jökulsárlón lagoon.
- From
- €144
- Duration
- 3 to 6 h
- Best season
- Nov to Mar, Some tours October to April
- Tours compared
- 4
Which Vatnajökull ice cave tour should you book?
Four tours leave from Jökulsárlón lagoon.
They differ in the time you spend on the ice, the minimum age and how far you walk.
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Most reviewed
From Jökulsárlón
Guided cave visit from the lagoon
For the most tried option: more reviews than any other tour here, by super jeep.
With children
From Jökulsárlón
A blue cave with children
For families: children can join from age 5, the lowest minimum age of all the tours we compare.
For keen walkers
From Jökulsárlón
A long walk to a remote cave
For a longer day on the ice, with a walk to a more remote cave.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick for a first blue caveA blue ice cave on VatnajökullIce ExplorersKeep in mind: Not for anyone under 135 cm tall, and the operator advises against it with heart problems or during pregnancy. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Jökulsárlón, at the lagoon café | 7 years | €174 | See dates: A blue ice cave on Vatnajökull | |
Most reviewed at VatnajökullGuided cave visit from the lagoonGuide to IcelandKeep in mind: Its rating is the lowest of the four, across a large number of reviews. What's includedIncluded
Bring
| 3 h | Jökulsárlón | 8 years | €147 | See dates: Guided cave visit from the lagoon | |
For familiesA blue cave with childrenIce Walkers ToursKeep in mind: It has far fewer reviews than the others, so its rating rests on less. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h 30 | Jökulsárlón | 5 years | €144 | See dates: A blue cave with children | |
For keen walkersA long walk to a remote caveIce Walkers ToursKeep in mind: The highest price of the four. The operator excludes low fitness and back, heart or breathing problems. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 6 h | Jökulsárlón, main car park | 12 years | €250 | See dates: A long walk to a remote cave |
What is the Crystal Ice Cave, Vatnajökull's blue ice cave?
Vatnajökull's ice caves form in the outlet glaciers on its edge.
The most visited is the Crystal Ice Cave, in Breiðamerkurjökull, named for the clearness of its ice.
Most of these caves begin as channels of water through or under the glacier. They are full of water in summer, then the autumn cold freezes them. Very dense ice gives them their deep blue.
No two winters show the same caves. Each autumn guides go looking for new ones large and safe enough to enter, so yours will differ from older photos. The best-known cave also gets busy, as many operators use it.
Where are the Vatnajökull ice caves, and how do you get there?
On the south-east coast, about 380 km and 5 hours from Reykjavik.
Tours meet at the Jökulsárlón lagoon, inside Vatnajökull National Park.
- ReykjavikWhere most trips begin
- VíkAbout 180 km, 2.5 hours
- SkaftafellFurther east, on the way
- JökulsárlónAbout 380 km, 5 hours
From Jökulsárlón
4 tours
Tours leave from the lagoon, whose car park gets busy, so allow time. They last 3 to 6 h, from €144.
The tours from the lagoonFrom Skaftafell
Falljökull
Ice cave and glacier walk in Skaftafell adds a glacier walk to the cave, from €140.
The Skaftafell ice caveFrom Reykjavik
Sleep near the lagoon
Five hours each way is a lot for one day, so rent a car and sleep near the lagoon. Short on time? Katla is about half as far.
Ice cave tours from Reykjavik
When can you visit the Vatnajökull ice caves?
The manager of the national park names November to March as the best months.
Tours can also run in October and April, and from May to September the caves are full of water. For a summer trip, go to Katla.
November to March
Steady cold makes the ice stronger. This is the season to plan around.
- The ice
- At its most stable
- Booking
- Early for January and February
- Main risk
- A warm spell can flood a cave
October and April
The ice is at its least stable in October, and April ranks below midwinter. Check each tour's dates before you plan around them.
- The ice
- Less stable
- Booking
- Check each tour's dates
- Main risk
- Your tour may not run
Who can go on a Vatnajökull ice cave tour?
You need no glacier experience, but minimum ages and limits differ from one tour to the next.
Children
From age 5 on the family tour, and older on the others. Each card shows its own minimum.
Fitness
Most tours need only a short walk. The long tour lasts 6 h, and its operator excludes low fitness.
Health
Bumpy roads lead some operators to advise against these tours during pregnancy. Several also list heart problems or reduced mobility.
What to wear
A warm first layer, waterproof jacket and trousers, boots with high ankles, a hat and gloves. Helmet and crampons come with the tour.
How does a Vatnajökull ice cave tour work?
Most tours from the lagoon last about 3 h.
The long walk to a remote cave takes 6 h.
Meet at the lagoon
Find the meeting point your tour names at Jökulsárlón. The car park gets busy, so come early.
Ride to the glacier
A jeep or super jeep takes you to the edge of the ice. Expect bumps once you leave the main road.
Gear up and walk
Crampons, a helmet and often a harness are fitted on site. On most tours a short, easy walk then leads to the entrance.
Step into the blue
Your guide has checked the cave and picks the route on the day. Stay behind them: walls and ceilings can fall without warning.
Is there an ice cave in Skaftafell?
Yes. Near Skaftafell, tours go onto the Falljökull glacier and add a guided glacier walk to the cave.
We compare one: Ice cave and glacier walk in Skaftafell, 4 h, from €140.
The cave now visited is open to the sky, which suits people who dislike closed spaces. Skaftafell is on the road from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón, so it fits the same trip.
What to settle before you book a Vatnajökull tour
These caves are far from Reykjavik and depend on the cold.
Plan for both.
A night nearby
Sleep close to the lagoon, so your tour does not hang on a 5-hour drive that morning. The icebergs of Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are right there.
A spare day
Warm, wet spells can close the caves, and operators cancel for safety. Guide to Iceland counts about 2.8% of Crystal Ice Cave departures called off in normal conditions.
An early booking
January and February dates can sell out weeks ahead. All four tours are free to cancel up to 24 hours before they start.
Is there an ice cave in Vatnajökull?
Yes. Natural caves form each year in its outlet glaciers, and guided tours reach them in the cold months.
Which is better, Vatnajökull or Katla?
Vatnajökull for the deepest blue, in the cold months. Katla for any month and a shorter drive from Reykjavik.
See the full comparisonIs the Crystal Ice Cave worth it?
Yes, if you are in Iceland in the cold months and can sleep near the lagoon. It is the most visited natural cave of Vatnajökull, named for the clearness of its ice, and it can get crowded.
Can you go to the Crystal Ice Cave without a tour?
No. Never enter these caves without a glacier guide and safety gear.
Can you see the Crystal Ice Cave from Reykjavik?
Not comfortably in one day: Jökulsárlón is about 380 km and 5 hours each way. Rent a car and sleep near the lagoon, or go to Katla, about half as far.
Ice cave tours from ReykjavikHow much does a Vatnajökull ice cave tour cost?
From €144 among the tours we compare. The long walk to a remote cave costs €250.
Do you need tickets for the Crystal Ice Cave?
You book a tour rather than a ticket, because you should never enter without a glacier guide. Every tour we compare here includes the guide and the safety gear. Parking at the lagoon costs extra.
How long does a tour take?
About 3 h on most tours from the lagoon, and 6 h on the long walk. Allow for the road too: Jökulsárlón is about 5 hours from Reykjavik.
How long do you spend inside the Crystal Ice Cave?
About 30 to 45 minutes on one 3-hour tour, and about 30 minutes with another operator.
How big is the Crystal Ice Cave?
It has no fixed size: the caves change every year, and guides choose the safest one. One operator's listing gives a corridor usually 30 to 70 m long (98 to 230 ft).
Can you visit in summer?
The natural caves are full of water then. For a summer trip, Katla runs every month.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Operators cancel or move tours for safety, and warm, wet spells can flood a cave. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before the start.
Where to start?
Pick your tour by the age of your group and the walk you want, then book a night near the lagoon.
