Local Guide is the leading ice cave tour operator in Iceland!
Since we started in the 90’s we have gathered a lot of knowledge how to get our clients to the best available ice cave of each day as the conditions of the ice caves change during the winter. In autumn each year we start looking for the ice caves for the winter season. Normally we find caves in several different locations on the south east side of Vatnajökull glacier.
The ice cave we choose from day to day depends on which time of winter, time of day, weather and other conditions at the time. We always go to the most interesting ice cave available at each time. We normally go into one ice cave per trip.
The average duration of the tour is around 3 hours, however this can change depending on how far we need to drive, how far we have to walk and how complicated the ice cave is (sometimes there is only a few meters walk from the car to the ice cave, other times it can be up to 1,5 km).
We do not only look at the size of the ice cave but the beauty and colours, people often think they are bigger than they are in reality.
What to bring:
Good boots or hiking shoes are essential, as we sometimes need to put on crampons and sometimes the ground can be very muddy in or on the way to the ice cave.
You can rent hiking boots from us on location for 1,000 ISK.
Please wear warm and waterproof outdoor clothing, hat and gloves.
Your safety is of the utmost importance. Ice Cave tours are weather dependent. Sometimes tours have to be cancelled with short notice due to weather conditions or other safety concerns. After periods of adverse weather, the caves can become flooded or unsafe to enter. If this happens we will always do our best to offer an alternative such as a glacier hike if weather conditions allow. However if this is not suitable we will also always offer a full refund or a rescheduled date for your tour.
Please note that we will not be the only group visiting the ice cave.
Please contact info@localguide.is if you feel like you need more information about this tour or any of our other tours.
About travelling in Iceland in winter:
We are located 370 km east of Reykjavík, which is just under a 5 hours drive (in good conditions) via road number 1.
Please note that in icy and wintery conditions (snowy, windy and stormy) the travel time can be much longer. We recommend that you stay in a hotel or guesthouse in southeast Iceland the night before the trip.
ATT! Always make sure to follow current weather conditions when travelling in Iceland during the winter – http://en.vedur.is/
In addition to current road conditions – http://www.road.is/
Some more up to date travelling tips – https://safetravel.is/
they also put some updates on their facebook “Safe Travel Iceland”.
And if you are concerned about the short winter days, you can look up the hours of daylight here – https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/hofn
Try www.visitvatnajokull.is or www.south.is for any further general information.
Here are some accommodation suggestions in the area of
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon / Diamond Beach:
– Hali country hotel www.hali.is
– Guesthouse Gerði www.gerdi.is
– Skyrhúsið Guesthouse www.skyrhusid.is
– Vagnstaðir HI hostel http://www.hostel.is/hostels/vagnsstadir-hi-hostel
– Lækjarhús Farm holidays, mobile +354-8666242
– Hótel Smyrlabjörg www.smyrlabjorg.is
Some more options not too far away, before arriving at the Glacier Lagoon (if coming from Reykjavík direction):
Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon, 30km or a half hour drive
http://www.fosshotel.is/hotels/fosshotel-in-the-south-east/fosshotel-glacier-lagoon/
Hof, 40km or a 35 minute drive
– Litla-Hof guesthouse, phone: +354-4781670
– Vesturhús www.vesturhus.is
– Nónhamar www.nonhamar.is
– Hof 1 Hotel www.hof1.is
Freysnes, close to Skaftafell, 50km or a 45 minute drive
– Hótel Skaftafell www.hotelskaftafell.is
– Tourist service in Svínafell www.svinafell.com
Good to know:
The nearest town to the glacier lagoon is Höfn (2.000 habitants), which is another 80km, or an hour drive further east, where there are also many different accommodation options.
The nearest town before arriving to the glacier lagoon is Kirkjubæjarklaustur (500 habitants), 125km to the west or a one hour and 45 minute drive, where there are also other accommodation options in the area.
WINTER season, NOVEMBER – MARCH for ICE CAVING tours:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (next to Diamond Beach)
370km east of Reykjavík, located by the main highway road number 1. When driving the ring road you will see a big lagoon with floating ice bergs, we are there at the main parking lot next to the cafeteria.
Google maps: Jökulsárlón, Glacier Lagoon or Diamond beach
GPS: 64.0478597, -16.1789879
