Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Iceland’s Natural Crown Jewel
Iceland, contrary to its name, only has 10% of its area covered in ice, but if you want to visit Iceland, one tourist attraction that should be on your list is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which refers to glacier river lagoon. It is located in the southeast, almost midway between the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Höfn, and it is a popular stop for tourists planning to drive along the South Coast or along the country’s famous Ring Road.
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Directions to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
You have two alternatives for getting to Jökulsárlón: drive yourself with a rental car or join a tour that brings you there. If you drive from Reykjavik, it will take you about 4-6 hours to reach there. The drive will be along the ring road, and the sites you will see along the way will be breathtaking, but it will take you longer to get there because there will be fantastic stops along the route. This depends on your itinerary, whether you are completing the full round of the golden circle or returning to Reykjavik. If you are returning to Reykjavik, at least two days travelling there and back is recommended, as well as accommodation.
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Accommodations at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
If you plan on staying in the area overnight, there are numerous options for lodging near the glacier lagoon. A typical stay is The Hotels and hostels around the lagoon, on the other hand, tend to fill up quickly. If you are not fortunate enough to acquire a place at one, the second choice is to stay in the adjacent town of Höfn (1 hour from Jökulsárlón). If you intend on traversing the ring road and want to end your day in a place with a lot of amenities, Höfn is a great place to be at peace.
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Natural Crown Jewel Geography
Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon, is filled with meltwater from an outlet glacier. Breiamerkurjökull is a tongue of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. The location of the Lagoon may indicate that it has been there since the beginning, yet these Glaciers began to form only after the 1930s and have fourfolded due to the rise in temperature since the 1970s. Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s many deep lakes, with a depth of over 248 metres. Another noticeable feature of this stunning natural masterpiece is the hue. Most of the image is white, but you can detect dyed electric blue in parts, as well as black streaks of ash in the glaciers from previous eruptions. The icebergs dance their way around the Lagoon before washing up on the local coastlines or drifting out to sea. Locals refer to this location as “the Diamond Beach” because the lagoon has black sand textures when icebergs crash onto the shores of Breiamerkursandur.
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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Wildlife
The Jökulsárlón is a haven for nesting seabirds and, without a doubt, a colony for seals, which swim casually among the icebergs and along the coastline, or you can observe them relaxing on the top of a floating iceberg. Nesting normally occurs throughout the summer season. Caution: Stay away from Arctic Terns (Birds) nesting, since they act furiously to protect their eggs. Puffins (another bird species) are a common sight in Iceland in general, but not in Jökulsárlón, where you can see them primarily during the summer season.
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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon’s Hollywood
Yes, you read that correctly. A large number of films have been shot in Iceland, with Jökulsárlón’s icy vistas attracting many filmmakers. Notable films shot at the icy lagoon include The James Bond flicks Die Another Day, Tomb Raider, and ‘A View to a Kill.’ Both ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘Interstellar’ were shot nearby at Svnafellsjökull glacier, inside Vatnajökull national park, for Nolan aficionados. Vatnajokull National Park was recently used as a filming location for ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.’ Several music videos, including Bon Iver’s Holocene, Justin Bieber’s I’ll Show You, and even Bollywood, have been shot at Jökulsárlón, including Gerua from the film Dilwale, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
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Activities to be done at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Boat cruises in Jökulsárlón are an unforgettable experience, and they are available from April to October on the Lagoon. The high season is in July and August, when up to 40 boat rides per day run on the lagoon. You have two choices: an amphibious boat tour that departs numerous times per day or a Zodiac boat excursion with a set schedule. Pre-booking is not required for Amphibian boat tours, however if there are more than 12 persons in your group, you must book in advance. Zodiac trips usually sell out quickly, so it’s best to book ahead of time because they only run from June to September.
Your fantasy trip to Iceland is here. If you’re looking for a quick escape, choose Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
