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Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is one of Iceland’s most well-known destinations. In fact, Justin Bieber made the lagoon even more famous when he plunged into its frigid waters in his “I’ll Show You” music video (please don’t do this!). The fantastical lake filled with floating icebergs is an amazing sight and a photographer’s dream. Keep reading to learn more about Jökulsárlón.
A natural phenomenon
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which literally means “glacial-river-lagoon”, is located on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Situated at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, an outlet of the Vatnajökull glacier, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
The surface of the glacier is at sea level and the sea water flows into the lagoon at high tide. Consequently, the mix of salt and freshwater results in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon’s vibrant blue-green color. Huge blocks of ice constantly break off the glacier and large icebergs float on the lagoon. In fact, this is a recent natural phenomenon resulting from the warming climate.
The deepest lake in Iceland
Whilst relatively narrow, in some places the lagoon is up to 250 meters deep. As a result, Jökulsárlón is actually the deepest lake in Iceland. The lagoon can be seen from the road between Höfn and Skaftafell. From a distance, the glacier lagoon looks like a ghostly procession of luminous blue icebergs. What’s more, Jökulsárlón appears in numerous blockbuster films.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon: Take a ride
Visitors can actually take a boat tour of the glacier lagoon. Choose between a zodiac tour or an amphibian boat tour. What is the difference? The zodiac boat can go faster and get closer to the icebergs and the glacier. The amphibian boat is a bit slower and more calm but still lets visitors get wonderful views of the glacier lagoon.
