Ever wondered what it’s like to explore an ice cave in Iceland? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we go over everything you need to know about joining an Iceland ice caves tour and glacier hike.
Ice caves are a very unique natural formation, which only occur in very few places in the world. Going on an ice cave tour was one of the highlights of our Iceland trip.
We spent an afternoon hiking on Vatnajökull Glacier, going from one ice cave to the next, exploring their unique shapes and colours.
In this Iceland ice cave guide we have outlined everything you need to know, like how ice caves are formed, where you can find them, the best time to visit them, the best tours and much more.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in and get ready to explore Iceland’s beautiful ice caves in Iceland!
Contents
- 1 How Are Ice Caves Formed?
- 2 Difference Between Crystal Cave & Ice Cave
- 3 Best Time to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland
- 4 Where Can You Find the Ice Caves in Iceland?
- 5 How to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland
- 6 Best Iceland Ice Cave Tours
- 6.1 From Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour
- 6.2 From Jökulsárlón: Ice Cave and Glacier Exploration Tour
- 6.3 From Reykjavík: Katla Ice Cave and South Coast Tour
- 6.4 Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike
- 6.5 Classic Ice Cave Experience from Reykjavik
- 6.6 2-Day Blue Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon, and South Coast Tour
- 6.7 Crystal Ice Cave Adventure
- 7 What to Wear to Visit Iceland’s Ice Caves
- 8 Is it Worth Visiting an Ice Cave in Iceland?
- 9 Where to Stay to Explore Ice Caves in Iceland Itinerary
- 10 Do You Need Travel Insurance to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland?
Iceland Ice Caves Tour by Greta’s Travels
How Are Ice Caves Formed?
Ice caves, or glacier caves, are formed within Iceland’s glaciers. The ice melts due to geothermal activity (a natural hot spring, for example), forming natural caverns and tunnels in the otherwise super thick glacial ice.
Once a cavity forms, air movement helps to further melt the caves, forming sometimes pretty complex systems, occasionally more than a mile long.
No two ice caves in Iceland are the same. In fact, they change every year.
Due to the caves being ice and not rock, they aren’t permanent; in summer there is significant melt, and in winter it freezes again, with the caves reforming in different layouts and often also in different spots.
Guided by experts, Iceland’s cave tours offer a blend of adventure, geology, and the raw beauty of the land.
Drifting icebergs in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon paint a serene picture against the icy blue waters – a mesmerizing view of Iceland’s natural beauty.
Difference Between Crystal Cave & Ice Cave
There’s no real difference. Anything called a Crystal Cave or an Ice Cave in Iceland is pretty much the same thing: ice caves, or glacier caves.
The only difference is that the Crystal Caves in Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park are bluer in appearance, because the water that forms them is purer, and there is no black ash from the volcanoes trapped in the ice.
The national park is named after Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Incredibly, it covers around 8% of Iceland’s landmass and is up to 400 metres thick in some places!
Other caves feature ice with ash trapped inside inside the ice, like the Katla Ice Caves. Iceland is full of ice caves, but the blue ice caves are more crystalline in appearance, hence the name Crystal Cave.
Nature’s mirror – the stillness of the cave floor reflects the dazzling ice formations, creating an ethereal scene.
Best Time to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland
To see the best ice caves in Iceland you’ll need to visit in winter. It’s actually the only time of year you can see them.
That’s because you actually can’t visit Iceland’s ice caves in summer — the ice melts due to the higher temperatures, making them more unstable and unsafe.
When I say “winter”, I refer to the 5-month window in which it’s safe to visit the ice caves, running from November through March.
Nature’s mirror – Crystal-clear ice formations glistening like a frozen wonderland inside an Icelandic ice cave – a breathtaking display of nature’s artistry.
If you want to see more ice caves, check out my YouTube video all about doing an ice cave tour in Iceland!
Where Can You Find the Ice Caves in Iceland?
The most famous glacier caves Iceland has to offer are at Vatnajökull National Park. These are billed as Iceland’s “bluest” ice caves, but there are other caves around.
Kverkfjöll, a volcano just on the border of Vatnajökull National Park, also boasts its own stunning ice caves.
Elsewhere, there’s also Langjökull Ice Cave. These are man-made caves formed in Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull, but they’re still pretty cool — there’s even a chapel carved out of the ice.
When it comes to ice caves near Reykjavik, the ice caves in Vatnajökull are fairly easy to reach by car.
The journey begins here – through a snow-covered passage, into the heart of Iceland’s frozen underworld.
I personally recommend renting a car and doing a self-drive tour until you reach Jokulsarlon Lagoon (the meeting point for the Vatnajökull ice cave tour).
Driving takes a while, around 5 hours (leave early!), but you’ll get to see some of the epic sights of Iceland’s south coast on the way there and back.
If you just do a day tour from Reykjavik you’ll miss the cool beaches and waterfalls along the way.
Click here to compares prices for different car rentals in Iceland!
Standing surrounded by the icy walls of an ice cave in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland
How to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland
An ice caves tour in Iceland is really the only way to visit the ice caves here. You have to join a tour, as you can’t just go wandering around a glacier and the ice caves by yourself. That would be very dangerous.
The tour of Vatnajökull Ice Caves is the one I went on. Of all the Iceland caves, this is one of the most popular.
It begins at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. It’s a great place to start, mainly because it’s a destination in itself.
The place is beautiful, an epic landscape where you can also glimpse Diamond Beach (aka Breiðamerkursandur), where chunks of gem-like iceberg are washed up on the black sand.
Follow the icy pathway as it winds through the heart of the glacier, surrounded by towering walls of translucent ice.
It’s then a simple matter of hopping on a 4×4 minibus to the glacier itself. Note this drive is pretty much impossible with a normal car — it’s icy and off-road, with only these 4×4 tour buses making the journey.
Then, wearing the crampons and helmets supplied, you’ll hike with an expert guide on the glacier itself — single file for safety, as you don’t want to fall down an ice shaft hidden by snow!
The glacier is laced with caves, so you won’t be queuing behind other tour groups. It’s a well-organised tour, with one group at a time visiting one cave.
The ceiling of the ice cave reveals intricate, natural textures, sculpted by years of shifting ice and glacial movement.
Best Iceland Ice Cave Tours
From Jökulsárlón: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour
See Iceland’s blue caves on this tour of the icy world of Vatnajökull Glacier.
Departing from Jökulsárlón Lagoon with an expert guide, you’ll be driven to the entrance to the glacier complete with sweeping views of Breiðamerkurjökull.
Then there’s a 20-minute walk from here to the entrance of these incredible ice caves.
Click here to book your ice caves tour at Vatnajokull Glacier!
From Jökulsárlón: Ice Cave and Glacier Exploration Tour
Also starting at Jokulsarlon Lagoon, this guided tour takes in some more remote locations on Breiðamerkurjökull (part of the wider Vatnajökull glacier).
You’ll then spend around 5 hours with your guide, exploring the awesome scenery of this glacier, including not only ice caves but crevasses and moulins — deep openings eroded in the ice by water.
Click here to see prices & availability for your glacier hike & ice cave tour!
Faint sunlight streaming through the ice creates an ethereal glow, bringing the brilliant blue hues of the cave to life.
From Reykjavík: Katla Ice Cave and South Coast Tour
This Iceland ice caves tour takes you on a trip to Katla Ice Caves, but there’s a lot more included.
Leaving Reykjavik from your hotel, you’ll first visit Katla Ice Cave, switching the minibus for a 4×4 for the journey to the caves from Vik.
You’ll be surrounded by the glimmering beauty of the caves before heading back to Vik for lunch. On the way back to Reykjavik you’ll swing by the epic waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss too.
Check out prices & availability for your Katla Ice Cave & South Coast tour here!
Vast and stunning, the glacier stretches across the landscape, showcasing nature’s raw beauty and power.
Skaftafell: Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike
This tour of ice caves in Iceland sees you heading to walk on Falljökull, an outpost of the vast Vatnajökull located in the Skaftafell wilderness area of the national park.
You’ll see ice formations like moulins on the way to discovering the marvel of a blue ice cave for yourself. It begins at the meeting point in Hof, which is also famous for its turf-covered wooden church.
Check out prices & availability for an ice cave tour & glacier hike at Skaftafell!
Classic Ice Cave Experience from Reykjavik
This tour is a full-day trip from Reykjavik to the Langjökull Glacier, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included.
As well as exploring the depths of the Langjökull Ice Caves, you’ll also check out dramatic landforms in the beautiful Borgarfjörður Valley.
This is home to the Hraunfossar waterfall, which was created by volcanic activity.
Click here to book your classic ice cave experience from Reykjavik!
A mesmerizing expanse of blue and white, where the glacier meets the sky in a breathtaking scene.
The rugged textures of the glacier tell a story of time, movement, and nature’s icy embrace.
2-Day Blue Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon, and South Coast Tour
If you feel like taking things easy and don’t feel like you’re rushing things, a 2-day tour of Iceland’s south coast and the ice caves of Vatnajökull may be best for you.
This could be a good option if you’ve got a bit more time to spare, as driving from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Lagoon alone takes up 4-5 hours of your day.
The first day will be mainly exploring the south coast, exploring its black sand beaches, coastal rock formations, and waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss, the lesser-visited Írafoss, and the world-famous Skogafoss.
Accommodation is included. This leaves your second day free to be fully devoted to the Blue Ice Caves.
Click here to book your 2-day Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon & South Coast tour!
Glistening under the sun, the glacier’s intricate patterns and deep crevices create a captivating natural masterpiece.
Crystal Ice Cave Adventure
Leaving from Hali, this private ice cave tour offers a different point of departure other than Reykjavik.
Halli is located along the Ring Road, meaning that it could be a good option if you’ve stayed the night on a road trip — and time efficient, too, as Hali is also very close to Jokulsarlon Lagoon.
You’ll be driven to the nearest available ice cave (which can differ), after which it’s anything from a 5-minute to a 60-minute walk to the entrance of the particular ice cave you’ll be visiting.
Overall, the duration of this tour is between 2.5 and 4 hours long.
Click here to book your Crystal Ice Cave Adventure in Iceland!
Immersed in a world of ice and wonder, the scale of Iceland’s crystal ice caves leaves visitors in awe.
What to Wear to Visit Iceland’s Ice Caves
Visiting Iceland’s iconic blue caves, crystal caves, and ice caves does require a little bit of packing preparation, although nothing that won’t already be on your Iceland winter packing list.
But don’t worry as the most serious safety gear, things like helmets and crampons, will be given to you by the tour companies before entering the caves.
The most important thing that you should remember to pack for your trip if you plan on visiting the ice caves is a pair of waterproof shoes.
There’s the chance you’ll step in little rivers of meltwater (like I did!), and if your shoes aren’t waterproof, you’ll get wet feet. This is obviously not ideal in freezing temperatures.
Other things include the usual kind of winter gear — extra layers, thermal clothing, waterproof/windproof jacket, waterproof or hiking trousers.
If you want more advice on what to pack for Iceland, make sure to check my Iceland packing list!
Layer up for the adventure – warm thermal wear, waterproof jacket, and sturdy boots are essential for exploring Iceland’s ice caves.
Stay cozy and safe on your ice cave tour with insulated gloves, a hat, and proper outdoor gear to face the chilly glacier temperatures.
Is it Worth Visiting an Ice Cave in Iceland?
Absolutely. Ice cave tours in Iceland are amazingly unique, and exploring them was the highlight of our Iceland itinerary. It’s a very Icelandic experience, and you can’t do this sort of thing anywhere in the world.
There are even a fair few different options, meaning that you won’t find hordes of tourists all lining up at one particular destination, which is a plus.
The tours themselves are also well organised and very professional. The only downside is that these tours can be quite expensive, but in my opinion, it’s worth it for such an only-in-Iceland experience. It’s just something you’ll have to factor in to your Iceland trip budget.
The only issue I had with the tour I did is that it was too short. It was a 4-hour tour, but most of it was spent driving off-road to the start of the glacier, getting ready, and hiking to the caves.
We only visited two caves. If I were to do it again, I would pick one of the longer tours, to ensure we spend more time actually exploring the caves.
Standing in awe amidst the towering icy walls – nature’s frozen architecture on full display.
Where to Stay to Explore Ice Caves in Iceland Itinerary
Budget: Starlight Camping Pods – Starlight Camping Pods, located near Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, offers cozy units with mountain views, a terrace, and easy access to hiking, making it a perfect spot for couples exploring Iceland’s ice caves. These pods are one of the most unique properties in Iceland.
Click here to book your stay at Starlight Camping Pods!
Mid-range: Adventure Hotel Geirland – We stayed here and loved the cozy rooms with mountain views, the onsite restaurant, and great position close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Click here to book your stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland!
Luxury: Hotel Katla by Keahotels – Hotel Katla by Keahotels, just 5 km from Vik and close to South Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, offers comfortable rooms, an outdoor hot tub, sauna, and a restaurant, making it a great base for exploring ice caves and nearby attractions like Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.
Click here to book your stay at Hotel Katia by Keahotels!
Exploring the depths of an Icelandic ice cave, where vibrant blue hues and rugged textures create an otherworldly landscape.
Do You Need Travel Insurance to Visit Ice Caves in Iceland?
After my personal experience spending two nights in a private hospital in Tenerife, and having to pay for it out of pocket (it wasn’t cheap), I always recommend getting travel insurance.
You might not end up needing it, but for a small fee, you can travel without worries. Personally, I suggest getting your travel insurance with Heymondo.
Heymondo offers tailor-made travel insurance, providing the best value for money for your specific trip. You can also buy it once you’re already abroad and have forgotten about it before flying (which, if you’re anything like me, is quite likely).
Besides the usual cancellations, medical expenses, luggage coverage, and general travel insurance services, Heymondo also has a 24/7 doctor chat and instant assistance through their app.
Plus, as a Greta’s Travels reader, you get 5% off your Heymondo travel insurance!
Click here to get your 5% off Heymondo travel insurance!
Venture deeper through winding corridors of shimmering blue – every twist and turn reveals new ice formations in the crystal caves.
Final Thoughts on Joining an Iceland Ice Caves Tour
There you have it, the ultimate guide to exploring ice caves in Iceland! Have you done an ice cave tour before? Let me know in the comments below!
I’ve been to Iceland twice, once in summer and once in winter, and I can confidently say that the ice cave tour I did on my Iceland winter trip is by far the most incredible experience you can have in Iceland.
If it’s not yet on your Iceland bucket list, make sure to add it!
Hiking on a glacier and then walking through caves made entirely of ice, as the glacier water drips all around you, is one of the most unique things I’ve ever done.
I hope you found this Iceland ice cave guide useful, and that it helped you pick the best ice cave tour for your needs. If you have any questions about exploring ice caves in Iceland, just let me know in the comments below!
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