ICE CAVE TOUR

FROM 22,900 ISK

This is your chance to visit one of the most stunningly blue ice caves that has formed in one of the many outlet glaciers of the biggest glacier ice cap in Iceland. The Blue Diamond Ice Cave is a natural wonder of the Vatnajökull National Park region in the south east of Iceland. This is an incredible once in a lifetime experience that many people will never get. Let our friends at Local Guide of Vatnajökull can take you there!

Blue Diamond Ice Cave

On this half day winter trip, you’ll meet up with our friends from Local Guide of Vatnajökull who will get you to one of the more remote parts of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier in their amazing modified super jeeps, to access one of the ice caves in the region. They’ll drive as far over the rugged terrain within Vatnajökull National Park as they can, and from the parking area you’ll hike for around 10-15 minutes on rocky, but mostly flat ground minutes to reach the front of the glacier. The walk is over mostly flat terrain; however, it is uneven in sections and therefore not for people with reduced fitness or mobility. Once at the front of the glacier, you will walk for approx. 300m (5 minutes) up the glacier wearing crampons, to the entrance of the Blue Diamond ice cave. To enter the ice cave you descend a set of steps carved into the ice, taking you below and into the glacier, where you’ll have time to explore the blues and textures of these natural works of art and to take plenty of photos.

You should be prepared with snacks, drinks and clothing to be out in the elements for up to 3 hours. The wind in Iceland on the glaciers can be cold and fierce.

Meeting point

This tour is a meet on location. Meeting and departure point is from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is located 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, Local Guides black truck is there at the main parking lot next to the cafeteria and food trucks.

Not self driving but want to partake in this tour? Look to join our Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Ice Cave 2 Day Tour where we visit the Blue Diamond Ice Cave.

Blue Diamond Ice Cave. Ice Cave Tour. Hidden Iceland | Photo by Eugenia Di Pasquale

Ice Cave Tour by Sarah Rodgers

Blue Diamond Ice Cave 2020. Local Guide & Hidden Iceland. Photo by Elliot J Simpson

Blue Diamond Ice Cave 2020. Local Guide + Hidden Iceland. Photo by Elliot J Simpson *Featured

Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull National Park, with photo by Sarah Rodgers

Tour Highlights

Included
Transport to the cave from the Local Guide Base in one of their 4×4 Super Jeeps, English speaking guide and all the safety equipment for the glacier cave. 

Meeting place
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon car park (see map below) GPS: 64.0478597, -16.1789879. There you will find a Super Jeep Truck labeled Local Guide of Vatnajökull.

Attention

You must bring sturdy hiking boots with ankle support, all weather outdoor clothes (including fleece and waterproof jacket), gloves, wool hat and a small backpack with some drink and snacks. Denim jeans are NOT appropriate. Water proof or water resistant clothing must be worn. To learn more about what a glacier hike entails check out our Glacier Hike Guide.

Speak to Hidden Iceland if you wish to organise a private transfer to the meeting point at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to do this tour or join our Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Ice Cave 2 Day Tour which departs a few times a week this winter!

Good to know

Please note that other tour groups can sometimes be in the cave at the same time. The ice cave is spectacular and is popular to visit for good reason. Local Guide time their tours to ensure you have a good amount of time in the cave with minimal people in the cave at the same time, giving you a great opportunity to get some incredible photos and the best possible experience.

Local Guide is the first ice cave tour operator in Iceland, they started to visit the ice caves for the first time around 20 years ago. In that time they have gathered a lot of knowledge how to get their clients to the best available cave of each day as the conditions of the caves change daily. The cave they choose from day to day depends on time of winter, time of day, weather and other conditions at the time, choosing the most interesting cave available at each time.

Local Guide Meeting point at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is located 380 km (5 hour drive in summer) east of Reykjavík. In icy and wintery conditions the travel time can be much longer. We recommend that you stay in a hotel or guest house in southeast Iceland before your trip.

Please note that this tour is not suitable for those looking to take the tour solely for (professional) photography purposes, as the tour does not cater for this with time or client numbers.

Your safety is of the utmost importance to Local Guide of Vatnajökull. Ice Cave tours are weather dependent and sometimes tours have to be cancelled with short notice due to unsafe weather conditions. 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 cave if available or a glacier hike if weather conditions allow.  If this is not suitable then Local Guides will also always offer a full refund.

This tour is operated by our friends at LOCAL GUIDE OF VATNAJÖKULL.