Why an Ice Cave Tour should be on everyone’s bucket list
Chances are you chose to visit Iceland in the wintertime because of Northern Lights. As beautiful as they are they can be quite unpredictable and there is another natural phenomenon you should not miss: ice caves.
Formed by the rivers running underneath our glaciers, most ice caves are only accessible in the wintertime. When the rivers change their paths and temperatures drop Local Guides head out scouting on the outlet glaciers of Iceland’s biggest glacier Vatnajökull. Ice caves come in all shapes and sizes. Some are big and have very blue ice, others are twisty and you can see layers of volcanic ash or trapped air bubbles in the crystal-clear ice.
When the caves are safe to explore, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a great meeting point to start off on the glacier. You will get all suited up with safety equipment and jump into a super jeep. These cars are modified with extra big tires getting you as close as possible to the glacier. The ride might be bumpy but for sure an experience on its own. You will get to travel through a landscape shaped by the glacier that is not easy to access otherwise. All tours with Local Guide are carbon neutralized by planting trees.
Ice cave tour – what to expect?
After a short hike through the old glacier bed where you can see firsthand how the glacier is retreating you will approach the glacier. What looks just like a deep black hole from afar is your door into another world. Ice caves change every year and even during the season. A famous Ice cave that you get to visit on the Ice Cave Tour with a Local Guide is the Sapphire ice cave. You will get to learn about the glacier and explore the different features a cave has to offer. Opportunities for beautiful photos are all around and you can take your time enjoying this special moment. Ice caves deserve a place on everyone’s Iceland road trip bucket list. But that can mean the caves get busy during some periods in the winter. We at Local Guide have many years of experience and schedule our ice cave tours to depart at less busy times. We can never promise you to be alone in an ice cave during the ice cave tour, but we will always make sure to give you the best possible experience.
When your cameras and hearts are full, we start heading back to another adventurous super jeep right back to our meeting location. Don’t forget to have a look around the glacier lagoon and diamond beach and if you are lucky, you might even see Northern Lights in this area without any light pollution. And if you can’t get enough of ice caves there are also full day adventures that include glacier hikes and more remote ice caves like the Ice Cave Discovery!
Why is it worth to join the ice cave with Local Guide?
An ice cave tour in Iceland is one of the most unforgettable adventures you can add to your travel bucket list. Hidden beneath Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, these natural wonders showcase vivid blue ice formations sculpted by time and seasonal change. Each winter, new caves are formed, making every ice cave tour a completely unique experience.
Joining an ice cave tour allows you to explore safely with experienced local guides who know the terrain and conditions intimately. The journey itself—often beginning near Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon—is as breathtaking as the destination, with snow-covered landscapes and the chance to walk inside a living glacier. Whether you’re a photographer, thrill-seeker, or nature lover, an ice cave tour offers awe-inspiring beauty, fascinating geology, and memories that last a lifetime. Don’t miss the chance to witness one of Iceland’s most magical sights—an ice cave tour is truly a must for any adventurer.
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