blue ice glacier tour
Safe & Unique Winter Adventure!
A half day glacier hike that allows you to experience the stunning blue ice on Vatnajökull with our small group tour!
October Ice Cave Update
Glaciers are alive — always moving, shifting, and reshaping themselves with the seasons. After an unusually warm summer followed by heavy rainfall at the end of September, Vatnajökull has changed significantly. At the beginning of October, it is not possible to safely access the main ice caves. For this reason, we are currently offering the Blue Ice Glacier Tour as the best and safest way to experience natural blue ice on a half-day adventure.
But the magic of the blue ice hasn’t gone anywhere. On this tour, you’ll step directly onto the glacier with our experienced local guides to discover vivid blue ice walls, shimmering formations, and crevasses, as well as breathtaking views of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from a side few visitors ever get to see.
Because the glacier and its conditions change daily, we work closely with the National Park to ensure that every tour explores the most beautiful and safe areas available at the time. This means the experience can look very different just a few days from now. All the photos you see on this page are recent and taken by our team, so you know exactly what to expect.
Please note: in our booking system, the name “Ice Cave Tour” is still displayed. At this time, this refers to the Blue Ice Glacier Tour.
Why Blue Ice Instead of an Ice Cave?
Most natural ice caves in Iceland form during autumn, when glacial rivers carve tunnels and caverns under the ice. These caves are wonders of nature, but they are also temporary and fragile. Flooding, rainfall, snowfall, or even rockfall can make them unsafe or inaccessible overnight.
At the moment, no main ice cave for a half day Ice Cave Tour is safely accessible. While some caves do exist deeper in the glacier, they require a demanding full-day hike and cannot be part of the standard Ice Cave Tour.
That’s why we are offering the Blue Ice Glacier Tour: a proper winter glacier hike where you are guaranteed to see blue ice features. The formation we visit is seasonal and striking—up to 10 meters long, glowing with incredibly blue ice. Each day, our guides adapt to the conditions to find the best and safest areas to explore. And since the main cave is closed, there are often fewer people on the glacier, giving your group more space and time to enjoy this special area east of Breiðamerkurjökull.
What You Can Expect on the Blue Ice Glacier Tour
Your adventure begins with a 30-minute ride in our modified 4×4 vehicles, followed by a 1 km approach hike to the glacier’s edge. From there, you’ll step onto the ice and start your glacier hike. The total hike is about 4.2 km round trip.
On this tour, you’ll:
See vivid blue ice formations, including a seasonal feature stretching 10 meters with ice so blue it feels unreal
Enjoy views of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from a rarely visited side
Spend more time on the ice than in previous seasons, learning glacier walking skills along the way
Gain around 60–70 m in elevation as you hike up the glacier to about 260 m above sea level, making this an easy to moderate hike
Because the features we explore are located further up the outlet glacier, you’ll be fully equipped with helmet, crampons, and harness. Your guide will show you how to put on your crampons, explain glacier walking techniques, and introduce safety basics for being on ice.
Every tour is different: the glacier is alive and constantly changing, so the experience is always unique. You will have plenty of opportunities to take beautiful photos and videos.
Tour Details
-
Distance: approx. 4.2 km (2.6miles) hike.
-
Activity level: easy to moderate – suitable for anyone with fitness for a regular hike.
-
Elevation gain: 60–70 m up to ~260 m above sea level.
-
Experience required: none – no prior glacier experience is needed.
-
Included: all necessary glacier gear (helmet, crampons, headlight, harness, as needed).
-
What to bring: warm layers, waterproof and windproof outer shell, hat, gloves, and sturdy over-the-ankle hiking boots (available for rent).
Safety First – Always
At Local Guide of Vatnajökull, safety is our number one priority. Our glacier guides are highly trained professionals who monitor conditions daily, work closely with Vatnajökull National Park, and adapt routes to ensure every tour is both secure and enjoyable.
This tour is a unique opportunity in the area at this time of year. Because the hike is longer and reaches blue ice features higher up the outlet, we use a full set of glacier safety equipment, making this a 3.5-hour excursion instead of the originally anticipated 2.5–3 hours.
While the famous main ice caves like Sparkle Ice Cave, Sapphire Ice Cave, Crystal Ice Cave or Blue Diamond may not be accessible right now, the Blue Ice Glacier Tour is the safest way to still experience the magic of Iceland’s glaciers and their incredible blue ice.
Practical Information
-
Seasonal traffic: The first weeks of October are expected to be very busy due to the Golden Week holidays. Many travellers like you want to experience the glacier’s beautiful blue ice features, so you can expect the area to be more crowded than usual.
Arrival: Please plan to arrive early at Jökulsárlón, especially during holiday periods when parking is busier. Don’t worry—you can settle the parking payment afterwards.
-
Travel resources:
vedur.is – official weather forecasts
road.is – Icelandic road conditions
safetravel.is – travel safety alerts
Guided by Vatnajökull
Every season, Vatnajökull shows us something new — sometimes closing off familiar passages, other times revealing spectacular new blue ice features. The Blue Ice Glacier Tour is our way of sharing this living landscape with you in the safest and most rewarding way possible.
We at Local Guide live and work around Vatnajökull every day. Just like the ever-changing weather in Iceland, we adapt to the glacier’s conditions and always find the best way for you to have a safe, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience.
Whether this is your first time stepping onto a glacier or a return visit to Iceland, the experience is never the same twice. We invite you to join us, embrace the adventure, and witness the glacier as it is right now — alive, changing, and truly unforgettable.
OUR RECENT POSTS
Blue Ice Glacier Tour – Safe & Unique Winter Adventure
blue ice glacier tour Safe & Unique Winter Adventure! A half day glacier hike that allows you to experience the stunning blue ice on Vatnajökull with our small group tour! October Ice Cave Update Glaciers are alive — always moving, shifting, and reshaping themselves with the seasons. After an unusually
Diamond Beach Iceland Travel Made Easy
Diamond Beach Iceland Travel Made Easy A black sand beach born from fire and shaped by ice — here’s how to visit one of Iceland’s most dazzling natural wonders: A Walk Between Ice and Lava Diamond Beach in Iceland is one of the country’s most surreal natural attractions — where
Complete Iceland Packing List for a Stress-Free Trip
Complete Iceland Packing List for a Stress-Free Trip Planning what to pack for Iceland can feel overwhelming — especially with unpredictable weather and wildly different seasons. Whether you’re visiting in summer or winter, doing a self-drive road trip or joining glacier tours, this Iceland packing list will help you stay
Is It Safe to Hike a Glacier in Iceland?
Is It Safe to Hike a Glacier in Iceland? Iceland’s glaciers offer one of the most memorable ways to explore the country’s wild and dramatic landscape. The thought of hiking on ancient ice might feel a little intimidating — and that’s totally understandable. So let’s address a question we hear
Is Iceland in May Worth It? Absolutely Unforgettable!
Is Iceland in May Worth It? Absolutely Unforgettable! If you’re wondering what to do in Iceland in May, you’re about to discover why this month might be one of the country’s best-kept secrets.Iceland summer starts to whisper its arrival in May — with longer days, blooming landscapes, returning wildlife, and
10 Festivals to Make Your Iceland Summer Unforgettable
10 Festivals to Make Your Iceland Summer Unforgettable There’s something truly magical about Iceland summer. Endless daylight, lively festivals, and landscapes that seem pulled from a dream.Whether you’re grooving to live music under the midnight sun or exploring quiet village fairs, Iceland summer offers adventures for every kind of traveler.