Vatnajökull Glacier Ice Cave Tour: A Glacial Adventure Through Nature's Crystal Treasures
5.0
75 Ratings
Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia - Skaftafell Base Camp
Embark on a thrilling adventure through Vatnajökull Glacier's ice caves and tunnels. Explore the mesmerizing blue hues and capture awe-inspiring photographs of this natural wonder. Discover the ever-changing glacial landscape and enjoy a captivating view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia - Skaftafell Base Camp - Upon arriving in Skaftafell within Vatnajokull National Park, you’ll be greeted by your expert certified glacier guide.
    From there a bus will take you to the glacier. You’ll be equipped with necessary glacier gear, such as ice axes, crampons, and helmets, with your knowledgeable guide escorting you to the naturally occurring ice cave.
What's Included
  • Safety equipment
  • Experienced and qualified guide
  • Glacier gear
What's Not Included
  • Rain gear
  • Hiking boots
  • Warm clothing
  • Snacks
Additional Information

Embark on a thrilling day trip where you’ll have the chance to explore naturally formed ice caves and tunnels located within a scenic outlet glacier.

These ice caves are open for exploration when the water beneath the glacier either freezes or gets diverted, leaving in its trail these stunning ice tunnels.

As you trek across the glazed terrain under the guidance of your leader, you’ll learn about the formation process of these icy structures. Inside the caves, you’ll have sufficient time to snap photos of the breathtaking surroundings. The incredibly calming atmosphere within the cave, the striking blend of melting ice, deep-blue shades, and the quiet ambiance add to the glacier’s unique allure.

After your ice cave expedition, your guide will walk you through the glacier’s constantly transforming landscape and its crevasses. The tour wraps up with a mesmerizing vista of a low-lying sandy coast on the faraway Atlantic Ocean.

  • Minimum age is 10 years old
Location
Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia - Skaftafell Base Camp
Please be at our location 20 minutes before departure. Meeting location is just off Skaftafellsvegur, road 998. The drive from Reykjavík is approximately 4.5 hours so you will need a bus transport or a rental car to get to the meeting point.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(75 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Mark_l
Mar 23, 2024
Great experience - Really nice experience. Our guide Soffia did a great job showing us around and avoiding the other groups by being first at the ice cave.
Review provided by Viator
Heather_h
Feb 25, 2024
Amazing experience, don’t miss it! - This excursion was exceptional. Once you arrive to Skaftafell Base Camp and check in you will meet your guide who will check that you are outfitted appropriately (we went in February, so warm clothes, and sturdy boots that go above the ankles are required). Our tour guide was Fie, and she was absolutely incredible. Throughout the trek she ensured that we were safe, comfortable, and helped us capture amazing photos of the experience. After you receive your clampons, harness, helmet, and pickaxe you board a van that will drive you past Skaftafell glacier and to the twin glaciers. You take a short hike to get to the glacier/ice cave. On our tour we went to the ice cave first. It was majestic and we learned how old the ice is and how the caves are formed, we also got to see volcanic ash trapped in the ice. After the cave, we walked along the wide open part of the glacier which gives you a sense of the scale. As we climbed up the glacier we also got to walk through the ice crevasses, and even had the opportunity to repel down one as we descended the glacier. I highly recommend this experience if you are in south iceland and definitely recommend asking for Fie as your tour guide!
Review provided by Viator
Eternal1123
Dec 13, 2022
Ice Cave was awesome! - The tour was a small group activity but only two of us joined. It was very speciail tour and the guide was nice. 스몰 그룹이였지만 둘 밖에 없어서 단독 가이드를 둔 느낌이었습니다. 빙하까지 슈퍼지프차량으로 이동하고 약 10~20분 정도 걸어서 이동한 후 빙하투어가 시작되었습니다. 빙하위를 걸은 후 여러 얼음동굴을 구경했습니다. 얼음동굴이 매우 아름답습니다.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camilla
Dec 13, 2022
Pretty experience - We are not usually into guided tours but it seemed the only way to reach the caves. To our surprise it was a pretty experience; Mick, the tour-guide, was funny and quiet, gave us enough time to enjoy caves and take pictures. We definitely recommend this tour and guides.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathanrg0331
Nov 22, 2022
2 Days and 2 Adventures! - Day 1 we did with Rob and Brook, they took us up a small glacier near Glacier Lagoon and into these amazing ice caves. Rob was hilarious and a great guide, he made the trip extra special. Day 2 we did the BIG glacier hike with Sophia outside Skaftafell NP. She told us all the fun facts about the glacier and local Formations, and taught us tricks to keep our footing. She was an amazing and knowledgeable guide! - Jonathan and Blake
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N5468bwnataliag
Sep 6, 2022
Inolvidable - Experiencia inolvidable con los mejores tour guides!! Si tienes la oportunidad no te pierdas de esta experiencia que atesorarás en la memoria y el corazón. Conocer, caminar, apreciar y disfrutar de un GLACIAR es algo que simplemente no se puede describir con palabras. Gracias a nuestro guia Kari por hacer de esta experiencia algo único e inolvidable, por su sentido del humor, por ensañarnos y estar siempre atento a las medidas de seguridad del todo el grupo y por toda la información sobre lo que veían nuestros ojos. 100% Recomendado!!! Unforgettable experience with the best tour guides!! If you have the opportunity, don't miss this experience that you will treasure in your memory and heart. Knowing, walking, appreciating and enjoying a GLACIER is something that simply cannot be described in words. Thanks to our guide Kari for making this experience unique and unforgettable, for his sense of humor, for showing us and always being attentive to the security measures of the whole group and for all the information about what our eyes saw. 100% Recommended!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kelseyjane92
Jul 29, 2022
Great experience - This was one of our favorite experiences of our whole trip to Iceland. The views were incredible! Our guide, Michal was great and made the experience really special.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B0jjed
Jul 19, 2022
Best Guide Best Day - DAGUR was THE BEST guide. He was SUPER!!! thanks to him we had an AMAZING experience. THX DAGUR !!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lukaswt6006qu
May 8, 2022
Great Tour with an awesome Guide - We had an awesome tour with Kari, a funny and excellent guide who could answer any question you could imagine, take him if you get him :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterv3427
Apr 29, 2022
Excellent experience - Excellent experience with time to feel the glaciers accompaigned by just as excellent guidance by Kari Timsson, a very friendly and knowing guide showing great hospitality and making the experience simly excellent. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor