Traveling to Iceland in winter has its benefits. Despite the cold and unpredictable weather, there are some natural phenomena and unique landscapes that can only be seen by traveling at this time of year. One of them is the stunning ice caves, a natural wonder that changes year after year. In this post, I’ll share my experience visiting the Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Jökulsárlón, one of the most spectacular excursions you can take in Iceland during winter.
On this post you will find:
What are ice caves?
Ice caves in Iceland are natural formations created in glaciers due to the melting and refreezing of water. These caves vary in size and shape each year, offering unique landscapes of translucent blue ice and impressive structures. New caves are even discovered each year for visitors to explore.
When can you visit the ice caves in Iceland?
Most ice caves are only accessible in winter, usually from November to March. During this season, the cold temperatures ensure that the caves are safe for exploration. In summer, the heat can cause many caves to collapse or even disappear.
There are a few caves in more remote parts of the country that may be accessible outside the winter season, although tours to these locations aren’t always available.
Can you visit the ice caves on your own?
Acceso a la Crystal Blue Ice Cave
It is not recommended to visit the ice caves without a professional guide. Access to these formations is challenging and can be dangerous due to changing ice conditions and the risk of collapse. It is advisable to take an organized tour, as they transport you to the caves in special vehicles and you go with a local guide who knows the terrain.
The best ice caves in Iceland
There are many ice caves in Iceland, some more spectacular than others. Here are some of the most famous ones:
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Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Jökulsárlón: Located in the Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest in Europe. This is the cave where you can see intensely blue-colored ice. It’s one of the most visited ice caves, as there are plenty of tours available.
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Katla Ice Cave in Kötlujökull: Located in Katla, Iceland’s most active volcano. For this reason, you can see the blue tones of the ice mixed with black ash inside the cave. It’s not a very large cave, but it’s impressive and accessible all year round.
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Langjökull Ice Cave: An artificial cave inside the Langjökull Glacier, the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Personally, I don’t find visiting this cave very exciting since it’s man-made, but many tours include it in their itineraries.
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Ice Cave tours in Iceland – options
There are several ice cave tours in Iceland. Some include glacier hikes, while others focus solely on exploring the caves. Here are a few options:
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Blue Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón: This is the tour I did. It departs from Jökulsárlón, so you’ll need a car to get there. The tour only visits the cave and doesn’t include a glacier hike. It lasts about 3 hours. Further down in the post, I’ll explain my experience in detail.
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Vatnajökull Glacier Trek + Blue Ice Cave: This excursion combines a visit to the Blue Ice Cave with a glacier hike. If you want to experience both in one day, this is the perfect option.
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Kötlujökull Glacier Ice Cave Tour: This tour visits the ice cave in the Kötlujökull Glacier, located above the Katla volcano. The great thing about this tour is that it’s available all year round.
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Katla Ice Cave from Reykjavik: Another excursion that visits the ice cave in the Kötlujökull Glacier but departs from Reykjavik. It’s a good option if you’re not planning to rent a car in Iceland and still want to experience this adventure.
Crystal Blue Ice Cave tour in Jökulsárlón
This was my experience visiting the Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Jökulsárlón. I booked this tour on GetYourGuide with the company Troll Expeditions.
The adventure begins at the Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest in Europe. The meeting point is at the glacier’s parking lot, located right in front of the famous Diamond Beach — one of Iceland’s must-see spots. Even though it’s almost 9 AM, the darkness is complete due to the Icelandic winter.
From the meeting point, we hopped into massive super jeeps, vehicles specially designed to navigate the challenging terrain of Icelandic glaciers. The excitement kicks in right from the start, as the ride to the cave is an adventure in itself. Our guide was a local, highly experienced in driving through the area, but he still shared stories about how dangerous Icelandic roads can be due to ice and sudden winds.
After about half an hour on the road, you arrive at a remote location where the walk to the cave begins. Once there, we were provided with crampons and helmets to ensure our safety inside the cave. After a short hike up the mountain, we reached the entrance of the Crystal Blue Ice Cave. By around 10:30 AM, light started to filter through the translucent blue ice walls, and the textures and colors were incredible.
The interior of the cave is a breathtaking visual spectacle. Light from the outside seeps through the ice, creating a play of colors and reflections that changes depending on the time of day and weather conditions. It’s a place in constant transformation, making it even more special.
My biggest surprise was how enormous the cave is. Just when I thought the visit was over, we kept venturing deeper into other areas. It’s important to note that this tour is not recommended for people with claustrophobia, as the space inside the cave can be quite tight in some sections.
The entire tour is done following the guide, who makes sure to wait for everyone so no one gets left behind. Several tours converge inside the cave, but it’s quite well-organized so that groups enter at staggered times and don’t overlap once inside. Additionally, the groups are small, with around 15 people or fewer.
Once the visit is over, you return to the super jeep for the journey back to Vatnajökull.
How to dress for visiting the Ice Caves in Iceland
Since temperatures in the ice caves can be extremely cold, it’s essential to dress in multiple layers of thermal and waterproof clothing. It’s recommended to wear:
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Waterproof jacket and pants
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Thermal base layers
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Beanie and gloves
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Waterproof hiking boots
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Scarf to protect your neck
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Crampons: Although they provide crampons for the cave visit, it’s a good idea to bring your own to use before and after the tour, as the parking area can be icy. They saved me — I saw many people slipping because they didn’t have them.
Is it worth visiting the ice caves in Iceland?
Absolutely yes. It’s a unique experience that lets you witness the beauty of ice in its most spectacular form up close. If you’re traveling to Iceland in winter, a tour to an ice cave is one of the most highly recommended activities.
Other useful posts about Europe:
- Iceland winter packing list
- 10 day Iceland Itinerary
- How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Ultimate guide for an Iceland campervan trip
- Best places to visit in March in Europe
- Tips for planning your first trip to Europe
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