Best for
Icebergs + Diamond Beach
Among the most photographed spots in Iceland.
Breiðamerkurjökull: the Glacier Behind Jökulsárlón
The Vatnajökull outlet glacier that feeds Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach. It is retreating fast, and the lagoon it leaves behind is one of Iceland's most photographed places.
Region
Southeast Iceland
Right on Route 1 between Skaftafell and Höfn.
Quick Answer
Breiðamerkurjökull is the glacier behind Jökulsárlón, one of Iceland's best-known natural attractions. As this large outlet of Vatnajökull retreats, it calves icebergs into the deep glacial lagoon, which has expanded greatly over the past century. The icebergs eventually drift to the ocean and wash up on Diamond Beach, where they glitter on black volcanic sand.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Stay well back from the glacier face; icebergs can calve without warning and create dangerous waves. Never climb on icebergs in the lagoon.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Access
Directly on Route 1
About 5 hours from Reykjavik along the south coast.
Pro tip
Visit at sunrise
Low morning light on the icebergs, and fewer people.
What to Expect
- Massive icebergs floating in a deep glacial lagoon
- Seals often spotted swimming among the ice
- Crystal ice chunks washed up on Diamond Beach
- Blue and white ice formations in every shape
- Loud calving as ice breaks from the glacier face
- Constantly changing scenery as icebergs drift and melt
Nearby Attractions
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon amphibian and zodiac boat tours
- Diamond Beach ice formations on black volcanic sand
- Skaftafell and Svartifoss waterfall (45 min west)
- Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon (a quieter alternative nearby)
- Höfn fishing town and langoustine restaurants (80 km east)
- Ice cave tours inside Vatnajökull in winter months
How to Get There
- About 375 km from Reykjavik via Route 1 (5-hour drive)
- Parking lots on both sides of the bridge at Jökulsárlón
- Diamond Beach is directly across Route 1 from the lagoon
- Regular car sufficient year-round on Route 1
- Many south coast tours include Jökulsárlón as a stop
Best Time to Visit
- Worth visiting year-round; each season brings different light
- Check the selected boat operator’s seasonal departure dates
- Winter for northern lights over icebergs
- Sunrise and sunset offer the best photography light
- Arrive early in summer to avoid tour bus crowds
Read the landscape beyond the floating ice
The national park’s Breiðamerkursandur guide explains why this place changes so visibly: the outwash plain lies south of Breiðamerkurjökull, with especially rapid changes where the glacier calves into Jökulsárlón. Looking across the plain helps connect the glacier, lagoon and coast rather than treating them as unrelated photo stops.
The park also identifies Breiðamerkursandur as nesting ground for great skuas and barnacle geese, and warns that reindeer on its eastern side may cross the road in winter. Give wildlife space and keep watch while driving. Jökulsárlón is one of the area’s main destinations alongside Fjallsárlón; check the named lagoon and boarding point when comparing boat trips.
Planning help
Breidamerkurjokull (Breiðamerkurjökull) Glacier FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
How does Breiðamerkurjökull create Jökulsárlón?
As Breiðamerkurjökull retreats, icebergs calve off its face into the proglacial lagoon, creating Jökulsárlón. The lagoon grows and changes as the glacier retreats.
What is Diamond Beach?
Diamond Beach is the black sand beach at the mouth of Jökulsárlón where icebergs wash ashore after floating out of the lagoon. The clear ice chunks stand out sharply against the dark volcanic sand.
How fast is Breiðamerkurjökull retreating?
Breiðamerkurjökull is one of Iceland's fastest-retreating glaciers, having lost several kilometers in recent decades. The retreat has greatly expanded Jökulsárlón lagoon.
Can you take boat tours on Jökulsárlón?
Boat trips are sold on Jökulsárlón, but amphibian and zodiac products can have different seasons and departure arrangements. Check the actual product’s operating dates and boarding point rather than assuming a single season applies to all boats.
Is it safe to visit Breiðamerkurjökull?
A shoreline visit still requires attention to local warnings and conditions. Never walk on the glacier itself without a guide, and stay away from the glacier face; icebergs can calve without warning and send out dangerous waves.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.