Jokulsarlon Diamond Beach & South Iceland – Day Tour From Reykjavik

Iceland’s South Coast is a true natural beauty, as numerous popular attractions lie along the coastal line.  380 km (236.12 miles) from Reykjavik is the astonishing highlight: Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and its surrounding wonderland, are truly one of a kind. 

The sheer force of nature has carved one of the outlet glaciers from the Vatnajokull ice cap, Iceland’s largest and Europe’s most voluminous glacier, and formed Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach. The beach’s black-velvet-textured sand is scattered with big and small blocks of ice. Coming into existence in the 1970s, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and its vicinity became a symbol of Iceland’s pure and ever-changing nature.

Highlights Of The Tour

✓ Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

✓ The Diamond Beach

✓ Jokulsarlon boat ride (optional extra)

✓ Fjallsárlón Lagoon

✓ Fjallsárlón Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

After a few hours of driving, we will reach our first destination, the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, praised as Iceland’s crown jewel. It’s located near the Vatnajokull National Park, about 380 km (236.12 miles) from Reykjavik.

Jokulsarlon was created by the Breiðarmerkurjökull glacial tongue, one of the outlet glaciers from Iceland’s largest ice cap Vatnajokull. In the 1970s, the retreating glacier left a huge pond near the coast that eventually became Iceland’s deepest lake.

Summer is a fantastic time to explore the lagoon as you may want to join a boat ride to sail among the icebergs, which is an optional extra. Seeing the floating icebergs close up is overwhelmingly unforgettable. Jokulsarlon also hosts vivid wildlife. Arctic terns nest close by, lovely seals swim around or rest on icebergs, and you get to experience the purest element of Iceland’s nature.

The icebergs that broke away from the glacier tongue wander into the lagoon before being washed ashore. Some still immense and blue, some tiny and crystal, these pieces of glacier ice scatter on the black sand beach, forming an eye-pleasing contrast. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

The surprising attractions keep coming, as we explore more of the South Coast of Iceland.  We will take a small detour to see an attractive yet lesser-known natural wonder, Stjórnarfoss waterfall. It’s a highly recommended attraction for a Ring Road trip itinerary, which is why we want to show off this venture off-the-beaten-track landmark.

A charming seafront village, Vík í Mýrdal is small with only 300 inhabitants, but filled with amazing natural wonders as Iceland’s southernmost village. Several stores and gift shops with great options are found here for visitors to recharge and shop for souvenirs.

One of Iceland’s most well-known, most popular waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss waterfall is fed by the glacial meltwater from the famous/notorious glacier volcano Eyjafjallajokull. Falling from a 60-meter cliff, Seljalandsfoss hosts a special surprise.

After the visit to the waterfall, it takes about two hours to reach the capital. We will head back to our bus and hit the road to Reykjavik via Route 1.