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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Boat Tour

Travel Farther Across the Lagoon for Closer Views of the Ice

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About tour

On the Zodiac, you get closer to the glacier than the larger lagoon boats can. It's small and quick, so it reaches the iceberg clusters and glacier fronts that bigger vessels keep their distance from.

You'll spend an hour out on Jökulsárlón, weaving between towering icebergs, some streaked with blue and dark bands of volcanic ash, toward the glacier wall where the ice breaks away. Seals often rest on the floating ice, and in summer, Arctic terns and skuas work the water around you. This tour suits photographers, anyone seeking proximity to glaciers and a bit of speed, and travelers who prefer a smaller group.

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

Highlights

Cruise Jökulsárlón for 1 hour
Ride a small, agile Zodiac boat
Reach the glacier front up close
Weave between giant floating icebergs
Watch for seals on the drifting ice
Walk to Diamond Beach nearby

Included

75-minute Zodiac boat ride
All necessary safety equipment
A guided tour with a licensed guide

What to bring

Warm layers
Waterproof, windproof outer layer
Headwear
Gloves
Scarf
Sturdy shoes

Tour Snapshot

Availability Apr - Oct

Duration ~2 hours

Departs From Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Minimum age 8 years

Ratio 1:12 Guide to client ratio

Meet on Location Yes

Pickup No

From

140

Per

Adult

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

From

140

Per Adult

Book Now

Itinerary

You'll meet your guide at the Jökulsárlón parking lot by the blue pickup truck at least 30 minutes before your departure time, then take a short shuttle to the dock. There you'll pull on a flotation suit or life vest before boarding.

Out on the water, you'll spend a full 75 minutes weaving between the icebergs toward Breiðamerkurjökull, the outlet glacier that feeds the lagoon. Look closely at the ice: the blue tones and dark gray veins come from ash settled into the glacier during past volcanic eruptions. Seals often rest on the floes, and in summer you're likely to see Arctic terns, freshly arrived from their migration, alongside skuas nesting along the water's edge. Keep your camera within reach for the reflections off the still water.

Before you leave, take the short walk to Diamond Beach, officially Breiðamerkursandur. Chunks of ice that calve from the glacier drift down the lagoon and wash up here, resting against the black sand. Want a fuller day on the ice? The Lagoon and Glacier Hike Tour combo pairs this Zodiac ride with a guided glacier hike on Falljökull.

Please note

The boat tour lasts 75 minutes, and the total duration is around 2 hours

Check-in time: It’s important to check in at the Ice Lagoon truck 10 minutes before the time shown on your ticket. If you arrive early, it's always best to complete check-in right away to avoid lines at our check-in point.

NO AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATE?

Fully booked for your date? The Jökulsárlón Zodiac Boat Tour with Daily Departures covers the same stretch of the lagoon and often has separate availability worth checking.

Difference Between Amphibian and Zodiac Boats

Deciding between the two boats? Here's how they compare.

Criteria	Amphibian	Zodiac
Time on the water	30 minutes	75 minutes
Minimum age	None, all ages welcome	8 years and up
Price from	7,100 ISK	16,900 ISK
Group size	Larger	Small group
Glacier proximity	Open-lagoon views	Reaches the glacier front
Pace	Relaxed	Faster

Jökulsárlón sits on Iceland's South Coast, near several stops worth adding to your day. Diamond Beach is a short walk from the lagoon, where ice washes up on the black sand. Skaftafell offers glacier hikes and the Svartifoss waterfall trail. Many visitors fit the lagoon into a longer South Coast tour from Reykjavík.

FAQ

What does meet on location entail?

Meet on location means traveling to the location of the tour yourself and then meeting our tour guides rather than being picked up and taken to the location.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PICK-UP FOR A TOUR WITH ARCTIC ADVENTURES?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick-up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

DO YOU OFFER ANY FAMILY-FRIENDLY TOURS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favorite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain the storage of carbon in the soil.