Best for
Kayaking among icebergs
A quiet glacial lagoon with summer kayak tours.
Heinabergsjökull and Heinabergslón Lagoon
A Vatnajökull outlet glacier with Heinabergslón lagoon, where summer kayaking tours paddle among blue icebergs far from the crowds at Jökulsárlón.
Region
Southeast Iceland
Between Jökulsárlón and Höfn. Few visitors.
Quick Answer
Heinabergsjökull feeds Heinabergslón, a glacial lagoon most visitors drive past on their way to Jökulsárlón. Kayaking tours here paddle among the icebergs in near-solitude. Blue ice keeps calving from the glacier face, so the lagoon never looks quite the same twice.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
Kayaking tours are operated by professionals with safety equipment. Never attempt to kayak independently on glacier lagoons. Stay well back from the glacier face on land.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Access
Short gravel road
About 10 km off Route 1. Regular car OK.
Pro tip
Book kayaking early
Summer kayaking tours have limited spots; reserve ahead.
What to Expect
- Vivid blue icebergs floating in a glacial lagoon
- Far fewer visitors than Jökulsárlón
- Kayaking tours that bring you up close to the ice
- Iceberg formations that change as the glacier calves
- A mountain backdrop around the lagoon
- Good photography with few people around
Nearby Attractions
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach (30 min west)
- Höfn town with its langoustine restaurants
- Fláajökull and Hoffellsjökull outlet glaciers nearby
- Stokksnes beach and Vestrahorn mountain
- Skaftafell and Svartifoss waterfall (1 hour west)
- Lón lagoon nature reserve with rich birdlife
How to Get There
- 8 km unpaved approach from Route 1 between Skálafell and Flatey
- Between Jökulsárlón and Höfn
- The park recommends four-wheel drive; the road is difficult for ordinary city cars
- Look for signs along Route 1
- Check access-road conditions separately from Route 1
Best Time to Visit
- June–September for kayaking tours
- Year-round for viewing the glacier and lagoon
- Summer for longest daylight and best conditions
- Morning light often best for photography
- Book kayaking tours at least a week ahead in peak season
A lagoon visit with a second stop
The park’s Heinaberg guide explains the access-road fork: left leads to the lagoon; right passes the old farm ruins toward Bólstaðafoss. A short interpretive walk starts at the lagoon parking, with booklets available at the information sign. The park lists a chemical toilet at the lagoon, while other tourism services are seasonal.
For the ruins, consult the separate E3 farm trail and its starting point. It is not the same walk as following the lagoon shore. The old farm landscape helps explain the glacier’s impact on people: the park records a destructive Vatnsdalur flood in 1898 after the glacier’s ice dam thinned.
Planning help
Heinabergsjokull (Heinabergsjökull) Glacier FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
What is Heinabergslón?
Heinabergslón is the proglacial lagoon formed by the retreating Heinabergsjökull glacier. It is filled with icebergs calved from the glacier, and kayaking tours run in summer; it is a much quieter alternative to Jökulsárlón.
Can you kayak on Heinabergslón?
Yes, kayaking tours operate on Heinabergslón lagoon during summer months. The tours paddle among the icebergs with the glacier face as a backdrop. Book in advance.
How do you reach Heinabergsjökull?
Turn off Route 1 between Skálafell and Flatey. The park describes 8 km of unpaved road, difficult for ordinary city cars, and recommends four-wheel drive. At the junction after a little over 5 km, keep left for Heinabergslón.
Is Heinabergsjökull crowded?
Visitor numbers vary. Allow time for the slower gravel approach and do not rely on having the lagoon to yourself.
Are there icebergs in Heinabergslón?
Yes, icebergs of various sizes float in Heinabergslón. They calve from the glacier face and slowly drift across the lagoon. The icebergs are often a vivid blue and photograph well.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.