One of the highlights of our winter stay in Iceland was a visit to a natural ice cave. Unique colors and light effects, shapes and sculptures created by nature… The wonder of these fantastic places is guaranteed! For an unforgettable experience, it’s essential to book a guided tour with experts in advance.
Use our practical tips and photos to plan your ideal getaway. Check out our selection of the 5 best ice cave tours in Iceland to make your choice!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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About Iceland’s winter ice caves
Our 2 favorite ice cave tours in Iceland
Before discovering our detailed opinions on each of the selected excursions, here are our 2 favorites:
- Exploring the blue and black caves from Jokulsárlón on the Vatnajökull glacier – see program and book
- Vatnajökull National Park and the blue ice caves – see prices, photos, availability
Access to Iceland’s ice caves in winter
Iceland offers many ice caves in winter. These ephemeral cavities, formed by the freezing of glacial meltwater, are only accessible between mid-November and early March, before melting in the heat. For safety reasons, you must book a tour with a certified guide.
Tours are planned from meeting points accessible by car, so that you can easily join the team.
Professional organizers then use specialized off-road vehicles (super jeeps with special tires) to get to the ice caves.
Once there, walking under the ice, touching the cave walls and discovering the shapes and colors created by nature are our best travel memories.
In our opinion, it’s one of the best things to do in Iceland in winter.
Ice cave map
Here’s a map to locate the glaciers with ice caves to visit in Iceland, places mentioned in our article:
Every winter, new ice caves form in Iceland’s glaciers. As you can imagine, they’re never the same from one year to the next! On this map above, we’ve pinpointed the main glaciers where ice caves can be visited during excursions.
Access conditions and facilities
Every year, new and unique caves spring up, offering shapes, tunnels and sculptures created by nature. The most famous caves are on the Vatnajökull and Kötlujökull glacier tongues. Some cellars are blue, others black. Please note that you will need to book a guided tour to visit ice caves in Iceland. For safety reasons, it is not possible to get there on your own. The meeting point is reached by car, and you will then board an all-terrain vehicle to access the glacier and the cave entrance. The tour organizer usually provides snow or ice crampons, helmet, harness and ice axe. Please note that some of the excursions mentioned in this article require a high level of physical fitness. If you have any questions about your health in relation to glacier activities, please consult your doctor in advance of your trip.
Be careful, with snow and ice on the ground, it can be slippery. We recommend you always carry cleats with you to add to your shoes. See our article on winter packing (coming soon)
1. Vatnajökull blue and black ice caves
Why do we recommend this tour?
Did you know that Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe?
By opting for this organized tour to one of Iceland’s wonders, we were able to visit several blue AND black caves!
Note, however, that this is not systematic.
You’ll see at least one ice cave during your visit, and with a bit of luck, you may also explore a black ice cave, depending on the years and glacial formations!
You’re probably wondering where these colors come from.
In blue caves, glacier ice is thicker and denser, so it’s compressed and absorbs all the colors of light (visible spectrum) except blue.
Intriguing, isn’t it?
We also really enjoyed our visit to the black cave.
It’s quite impressive, as the ice inside looks like shiny stone, with incredible paintwork that made us think of waves!
You’ll see for yourself when you visit, given the right circumstances, because the experience is worth 1,000 words!
Unsurprisingly, as Iceland is a volcanic land, the black color is due to the mixture of ash and ice.
>> Book your tour now to guarantee your place!
What you will see
Caves are living creatures, and change every winter. You’ll never see the same caves from one year to the next. So they can change over the years, after disappearing in summer. We were able to observe this on our excursion:
- beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
- Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s largest glacier
- ice caves of sparkling blue or deep black
- nuances of color and light in the cave
- natural sculptures in snow and ice
The professional guide and his team are English-speaking.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 3 hours for this excursion departing from Jokulsarlon. You’ll be picked up by an expert team in an all-terrain vehicle for easy access to the glacier.
Discover the enchantment of the Vatnajökull caves!
2. Jokulsárlón ice caves (Cristal, Saphire, Blue Diamond…)
Why do we recommend this tour?
Other excursions leave from Jokulsárlón to visit the ice caves. You may have heard of them before, located near the Jokulsárlón glacial lagoon, the Blue Diamond, Crystal and Sapphire ice caves were famous in the region. They were known to be a little larger than the other caves, but quite spectacular in terms of the colors and transparency of the ice. Formed by the melting of glaciers in summer and their crystallization in winter, the original ice caves have disappeared over time and tours no longer feature these names in tour titles. But guides will take you to see others formed nearby. Even if they have identical names, as you’ll have gathered, they won’t be exactly the same, as they reform differently in winter. The formation of a new giant every year promises a pleasant surprise during your visit! We’ve selected several options for you, including some with and some without a glacier hike, depending on your time, your desires and your physical condition!
What you will see
Depending on the tour you choose, you’ll marvel at what you see:
- astonishing lighting effects
- the beauty of Vatnajökull and Skaftafell National Parks, home to the glacier
- explanations by a certified English-speaking caving guide
- the extraordinary serenity of ice caves
- beautiful shades of color inside
- the impressive transparency of ice in a crystal grotto
How much time should I allow?
The 4 options we have selected for you last between 1 half-day and 1 day. The difference in duration lies in the choice of an option with or without a hike, depending on your physical condition. All 4 tours depart from Jokulsárlón.
- Adventure inside a spectacular ice cave – see details and book
- Ice cave in the Jokulsárlón lagoon and caving guide – see details and book
- Half-day in a crystal grotto – See prices, photos and availability and book now
- Full day with glacier hike and isolated ice cave – see program and book
3. Skaftafell ice cave (hike mandatory)
Why do we recommend this tour?
In Skaftafell National Park, you can combine a glacier hike with a visit to a cave.
We recommend this complete glacier experience to appreciate the special features and grandiose dimension of this natural curiosity.
You’ll find that ice caves are generally smaller and less impressive.
We liked the intimacy of the small group during the excursion.
Please note that a minimum level of physical fitness is required to enjoy this activity, as hiking on ice and in snow is mandatory to reach the cave.
>> Book your half-day glacier hike and ice cave tour!
What you will see
This tour includes:
- a view of the landscapes of the Skaftafell nature reserve
- a hike on one of the glacier tongues of the Vatnajökull glacier
- a visit to a naturally formed ice cave
- intense shades of blue in the cave
- an expert English-speaking guide
How much time should I allow?
The tour lasts around 4 hours (1 half-day) for all stages, starting from the pick-up point in Skaftafell with the all-terrain vehicle.
Hike and visit an ice cave in Skaftafell with glacier equipment!
4. Katla ice cave from Vik
Why do we recommend this tour?
Just a few kilometers from Vik in southern Iceland, the Katla volcano shelters an ice cave beneath the Kötlujökull glacier, an offshoot of the Myrdalsjökull.
Did you know that this cave remains accessible in summer, depending on weather conditions?
Take to the road with professionals off the beaten track amidst the enchanting landscapes of this Icelandic region.
We recommend this unforgettable tour from Vik to the snow-capped mountains and the Kötlujökull glacier.
>> Book your guided tour from Reykjavik!
What you will see
If you opt for this excursion, you’ll see:
- breathtaking scenery on Iceland’s south coast
- the glacial environment of this volcanic zone (rivers, waterfalls, mountains)
- the Kötlujökull and Myrdalsjökull glaciers
- naturally-formed ice caves that are transformed every year
How much time should I allow?
Allow between 2h30 and 3h for a pick-up tour from Vik. If you opt for a day trip from Reykjavik, allow 1 full day, including the 4WD round trip.
Visit an ice cave at the foot of the Katla volcano in southern Iceland!
5. Langjökull ice tunnel
Why do we recommend this tour?
In winter, as in summer, we’ve found visiting an ice tunnel to be an original experience.
If you’re wondering, it’s a completely different experience to visiting natural ice caves.
The one we’re talking about is the Langjökull Ice Tunnel, Europe’s 2nd largest glacier, open all year round.
Did you know that it was dug into the glacier with human intervention over a period of 14 months?
We made our way through the tunnel to the “chambers”.
Various educational panels informed us about glaciers and the impact of climate change.
If you compare this with a visit to a natural ice cave, you’ll notice that the tunnels are smooth and the ice different.
It’s also a more accessible visit for people with mobility difficulties, as there’s no need to bend over inside, and the floor is flat to move around on.
One of our emotional highlights on site was, without a doubt, observing a crevasse in the glacier right beneath our feet!
The moment seemed surreal.
We highly recommend combining your visit with the Vidgelmir lava cave, just a 20-minute drive from the tunnel!
What you will see
Depending on your chosen getaway, you’ll visit..:
- breathtaking views of the Langjökull glacier
- Langjökull ice tunnel
- the hidden parts or “chambers” of the glacier
- unique glacial landscapes on the road
- the Vidgelmir lava cave
How much time should I allow?
If you take the excursion from the base camp on the Langjökull glacier, allow 2h30 for the whole activity.
Note that in winter, you’ll need to take the shuttle bus from Husafell.
In summer, you can take the 550 mountain road between Husafell and Thingvellir National Park.
If you choose the tour that departs from Reykjavik, plan for a full day with pick-up at your hotel.
- Visit the Langjökull ice tunnel from Husafell in winter – more
- From Reykjavik, guided tour inside the tunnel with an expert in geology and glacier history. more
- Half-day snowmobile ride on glacier and visit to the tunnel – more
Other glacier activities in Iceland
In winter, you’ll find that Iceland’s glaciers offer unique opportunities for glacier hiking, allowing you to explore frozen, snow-covered landscapes on foot with crampons. You can also go snowmobiling, a thrilling and intense experience through mountains wrapped in a beautiful white blanket. Ice climbing is also an original option if you’re an adrenaline junkie, always under expert supervision. In short, there’s plenty to choose from! Here’s a selection of activities for you:
- From Geysir, snowmobiling on the Langjökull glacier – see program and book
- From Reykjavik, snowmobiling on glacier and Golden Circle – see program and book
- Guided hike on the Vatnajökull glacier – see program and book
- Climbing on the Sólheimajökull glacier – see program and book
- Multi-day tour with ice caves and northern lights – see program and book
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
Discover the best offers on Discovercars, our preferred platform!
On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
Frequently asked questions
Which ice caves to visit in summer in Iceland?
There are only 2 ways to visit ice caves in Iceland in summer:
- There is one natural cave that remains accessible in summer, depending on weather conditions – the tour departs from Vik. It’s on the Katla volcano, beneath the Myrdalsjökull glacier, but it’s a black ice cave or a tiny blue cave – see details and availability.
- or you can visit the Langjökull artificial ice tunnel. It doesn’t have the beauty of a natural ice cave, but you’ll pass under 40m of ice and snow and discover the glacier – book your visit here.
Is visiting Iceland’s ice caves worth it?
Yes, completely! The ice caves, whether blue or black, offered us some memorable moments. You won’t be disappointed if you don’t expect too much by looking at professional photos before your visit. Indeed, the colors aren’t always as sparkling (as with the northern lights) and some caves are smaller in real life. As ice caves disappear every summer, they are sought after at the start of winter. Some have the same name because they’re in roughly the same place, but the caves are never identical from one season to the next. And that’s what makes these natural wonders so appealing to us!
That’s not to say it’s not an exceptional experience – it really is, and we highly recommend it.
Why is ice blue or black?
The explanations are as follows:
- Blue ice cave: because ice is thicker and denser in a glacier, it is compressed and absorbs all the colors of light (visible spectrum) except blue. And that’s what your eyes will pick up as color.
- Black ice cave: as the country is volcanic, the black color is due to the mixture of ash and ice during crystallization.
Are ice cave tours family-friendly?
Visiting ice caves can be a great experience to share with your children, connecting them to nature and raising awareness of the importance of preserving these natural wonders. In our article above, you can find organized tours suitable for families. Be sure to share the necessary information with the organizing team at the time of booking, ensure that safety measures are respected during the activity and check that your children will also have professional ice equipment. Please note that some tours require a particular level of physical fitness and are not suitable for children (e.g. climbing or glacier trekking).
Can you visit Iceland’s ice caves without a guide?
No, you can’t visit Iceland’s ice caves without a guide for safety reasons. The extreme conditions of access to the glaciers and the caves mean that you can’t visit them without a professional team of experts. Find the best organized tour options here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
- Best of
Iceland’s winter landscapes
Best things to do in Iceland in winter
The most beautiful waterfalls
Ice caves
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Getting around (coming soon)
How to rent a car in Iceland
Winter driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland in winter
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
- The must-dos
Reykjavik in winter
Golden Circle in winter
South coast in winter
Snaefellsnes in winter
Silver Circle in winter (coming soon)
Lake Myvatn in winter
Eastern Fjords in winter
Seljalandsfoss in winter
Jokulsarlon in winter
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
