The chances are, if you have stumbled across our website it is because you are looking for an ice cave tour and perhaps you would like to know a bit more about where the caves are and how they are formed. 

What are they?

Ice caves are chambers that form in the ice within the outlet glaciers. 

How are they formed?

Ice caves are formed during the summer months when rivers and channels run through the ice, they carve tunnels and chambers among other formations within the dense glacier ice. Once the colder winter weather arrives and the rivers retreat we can access the caves and explore the icy blue underworld of the glaciers.

Where can I find them?

Ice caves can be found within any glacier in Iceland, there are many that will never be discovered in the more remote parts of the country.The most popular place to visit the caves is in the South East of Iceland in the outlets of the Vatnajokull glacier. Here there are caves that are often accessible within 1 hour from the main Route 1 making them a popular attraction with tourists in Iceland. 

When can I visit them?

Ice caves are normally accessible from late October to late March however the weather conditions play a big part in this and we have to monitor the caves constantly, perhaps we can visit them a bit earlier or perhaps we have to end the season early. 

How can I get to them?

You can visit Ice caves on organised tours. At Local Guide we offer daily tours both short accessible yours and longer tours aimed at the fitter more adventurous client. We use specially modified superjeeps to access the caves and highly experienced guides from the local area. Our meeting point is at the main parking area next to the Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón. It is very easy to see our big black van with the Local Guide logo on. 

Can I go alone?

No. It is very important that you visit the cave with a trained guide. They use their years of experience to monitor the conditions of the cave, know which areas are safe/unsafe to visit and they carry safety equipment with them at all times. Weather can change very quickly in Iceland and can lead to unpredictable and uncomfortable conditions if you do not have the correct vehicle to access the caves.