Best Ice Cave Tours in Iceland
The best ice cave tours in Iceland visit natural blue ice caves — caves formed by the glacier itself, glowing crystal blue inside. Glacier Travel runs ice cave tours only, and only to natural ice caves in Vatnajökull from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, from October to the end of April.
Choose between two tours: the Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure (about 3 hours, 23,900 ISK) and the Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike (4.5–6 hours, 36,900 ISK). Both are guided by a local guide from the Höfn area who has run ice cave tours since 2015.
Compare both blue ice cave tours below, then book the natural ice cave tour that fits your day.
Why a natural blue ice cave is the best ice cave tour in Iceland
A natural ice cave is not built or dug. The glacier forms it, and each winter brings new natural blue ice caves in Vatnajökull — so the cave you visit is never exactly the same as last year’s.
That is why Glacier Travel visits natural ice caves only. We do not visit man-made ice tunnels.
The blue colour comes from the glacier ice itself. As a natural ice cave forms in the glacier, the dense glacier ice and the way light passes through it give the walls their crystal blue tones — from pale blue to deep blue inside the blue ice cave. That natural formation is part of what makes blue ice caves in Vatnajökull look so vivid, and why each natural ice cave tour visits a cave shaped by the glacier rather than built by hand.
Inside a crystal ice cave, the ice glows in deep blue tones. Bring your camera — there are plenty of photo opportunities inside the cave and on the glacier. Before you book, read our guide to photographing a blue ice cave and how a guide judges whether an ice cave is safe.
If you are searching for a “blue ice cave tour Iceland” or a “crystal ice cave tour”, this is the experience you are looking for: a natural ice cave, a local guide, and a departure from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Our two natural blue ice cave tours from Jökulsárlón
Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure — about 3 hours, 23,900 ISK
The Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure is our focused crystal blue ice cave tour: travel from Jökulsárlón to the natural ice cave, put on the safety gear we provide, and spend time inside the blue ice cave with your guide.
Departure timing for this tour is planned strategically, to try to be in the ice cave without too many other guests from other tour companies.
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Duration: approx. 3 hours
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Price: 23,900 ISK
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Season: October to end of April
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Meeting point: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot — arrive 20 minutes before departure
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Included: helmets, crampons, head lights
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Bring: warm clothing, head wear and gloves, good hiking shoes, your camera
Book / read more: Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure
Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike — 4.5–6 hours, 36,900 ISK
The Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour is for nature lovers who want a longer, more adventurous ice cave tour: a glacier hike combined with a visit to the best natural blue ice caves of the season. Sometimes there is more than one cave to visit, depending on daily ice cave conditions.
We hike at an enjoyable speed so everyone in the group feels good and can enjoy the stunning nature in the area. The difficulty level is moderate, and the tour suits people in normally good shape.
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Duration: approx. 4.5–6 hours (depends on travel speed)
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Price: 36,900 ISK
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Season: October to end of April
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Meeting point: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot — arrive 20 minutes before departure
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Included: helmets, crampons, head lights, harness, ice axes, carabiners
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Bring: warm clothing, head wear and gloves, good hiking shoes, your camera
Book / read more: Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike
Crystal vs Extreme — which ice cave tour should you choose?
Both options are a natural ice cave tour to blue ice caves in Vatnajökull from Jökulsárlón — the difference is how long you spend on the glacier and inside the natural blue ice cave. Use the table below to choose your ice cave tour.
Choose Crystal if you want the best ice cave tour in Iceland in about 3 hours — a focused crystal blue ice cave experience that fits easily into a south-coast travel day.
Choose Extreme if you want more time on the glacier itself — a glacier hike plus the best natural ice caves of the season, over 4.5–6 hours, and you are in normally good shape.
Still deciding? Read our guide: Crystal vs Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour: Which Should You Book?
Tour at a glance (both tours)
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Duration: Crystal approx. 3 hours · Extreme approx. 4.5–6 hours
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Price: Crystal 23,900 ISK · Extreme 36,900 ISK
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Minimum age: Crystal 6 years · Extreme 14 years
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Departure times: Crystal 10:45 and 14:00 · Extreme 09:30
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Group size: Crystal max 14 per guide · Extreme max 10
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Season: October to end of April
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Meeting point: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot — arrive 20 minutes early
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No pick-up — all guests meet us at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure.
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Included: Crystal — helmets, crampons, head lights · Extreme — helmets, crampons, head lights, harness, ice axes, carabiners
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Cancellation: Free cancellation with full refund up to 24 hours before the tour. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you choose a full refund or reschedule.
When is the best time for a blue ice cave tour in Iceland?
With Glacier Travel, ice cave season runs from October to the end of April, when the natural blue ice caves in Vatnajökull can be visited on a blue ice cave tour from Jökulsárlón.
Each winter brings new natural blue ice caves, so the cave is never exactly the same year by year. Tours are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day — if we cancel because of weather or safety, you can choose a full refund or reschedule.
For the longer explanation, read: Ice Cave Season in Iceland: When to Go (October–April)
And for how these caves form: Natural Ice Caves in Iceland: How They Form and Why They Are So Beautiful
Where do ice cave tours from Jökulsárlón meet?
Both natural ice cave tours depart from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure.
That parking lot — not the Höfn business address — is your meeting point for your ice cave tour to the blue ice caves in Vatnajökull.
Full directions and timing: Ice Cave Tours from Jökulsárlón: Meeting Point, Timing and What to Expect
What to pack for the day: What to Wear and Bring on an Ice Cave Tour in Iceland
Meet your local ice cave guide
Your guide is Vigfús Ásbjörnsson, owner and lead guide at Glacier Travel Iceland. Born and raised in the Höfn area, he has run ice cave tours from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon since 2015.
His training includes AIMG Hard Ice 1 & 2, AIMG Ice Cave certification, and Wilderness First Responder (WFR). In all of our trips, customer safety comes first.
Our aim is high-quality, personal guide service on every natural ice cave tour — and strategic departure timing on the Crystal blue ice cave tour, to try to be in the ice cave without too many other guests from other tour companies.
Meet him here: Meet Vigfús Ásbjörnsson — Your Local Ice Cave Guide
Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 70 Google reviews for our ice cave tours in Iceland.
Book your natural blue ice cave tour in Iceland
Ready to visit a natural blue ice cave on an ice cave tour from Jökulsárlón?
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Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure — approx. 3 hours, 23,900 ISK
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Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike — 4.5–6 hours, 36,900 ISK
Free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour. If we cancel because of weather or safety, you choose a full refund or reschedule.
Frequently asked questions
Are the ice caves natural — and is ice cave entry guaranteed?
Glacier Travel only visits natural ice caves in Vatnajökull, from October to the end of April. We do not visit man-made ice tunnels. Each winter brings new natural blue ice caves, so the blue ice cave you visit is never exactly the same year by year. Tours are subject to weather and ice conditions on the day, and if we cancel because of weather or safety, you can choose a full refund or reschedule.
Which ice cave tour should I choose — Crystal or Extreme?
Choose Crystal for a focused crystal blue ice cave tour in about 3 hours for 23,900 ISK. Choose Extreme for a longer, more adventurous ice cave tour — 4.5 to 6 hours for 36,900 ISK, combining a glacier hike with the best natural blue ice caves of the season. Extreme has a moderate difficulty level and suits people in normally good shape. Both tours meet at Jökulsárlón and include helmets, crampons, and head lights; Extreme also includes harness, ice axes, and carabiners.
When is the best time to go on a blue ice cave tour in Iceland?
With Glacier Travel, the best time for a natural ice cave tour is October to the end of April. That is our ice cave season for natural blue ice caves in Vatnajökull on tours from Jökulsárlón. The caves change each winter, so no two seasons — and no two visits — are exactly the same.
Where do the ice cave tours meet, and when should I arrive?
Both blue ice cave tours depart from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot. Please be at the meeting point 20 minutes before departure. Do not go to the Höfn business address for your tour — your natural ice cave tour meets at Jökulsárlón.
What is included, and what should I bring?
Crystal includes helmets, crampons, and head lights. Extreme includes helmets, crampons, head lights, harness, ice axes, and carabiners. On both tours, bring warm clothing, head wear and gloves, good hiking shoes, and your camera.
What is the cancellation policy?
You get a free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour start time. If we cancel because of weather or safety, you can choose a full refund or reschedule.
How crowded is the ice cave?
Departure timing for the Crystal tour is planned strategically, to try to be in the ice cave without too many other guests from other tour companies. Group sizes are limited: Crystal takes a maximum of 14 per guide and Extreme a maximum of 10.
Can children join an ice cave tour?
The minimum age is 6 years for the Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure and 14 years for the Extreme Blue Ice Cave Tour & Glacier Hike.
Can I take photos inside the ice cave?
Yes — bring your camera; a camera is on the bring list for both tours. For tips, read our guide to photographing a blue ice cave in Iceland.
Is there pick-up?
No — there is no pick-up service. All guests meet us at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot, 20 minutes before departure.
