BusTravel Iceland · Reykjavík pickup
A long bus day from Reykjavík east to Jökulsárlón, the iceberg lagoon below Breiðamerkurjökull, and Diamond Beach across the road, with Vík and Seljalandsfoss on the way back. There is no glacier hike: pick it for the icebergs, which the small lagoon at Sólheimajökull cannot promise.
Plan on about 14 hours, and longer if weather slows the bus. Jökulsárlón is roughly 370 km and 4.5 hours from Reykjavík, with Diamond Beach a little further. The lagoon fills the hollow left by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest ice cap; it is about 280 m deep and full of icebergs that calve off the glacier front. Diamond Beach is the black-sand beach by the lagoon's outlet, where pieces of that ice wash ashore. BusTravel Iceland stops at Stjórnarfoss on the way out and adds Fjallsárlón on clear days in season; on the way back come Vík, with a view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and a dinner stop, and Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the fall when conditions allow.
The boat is optional. The listing offers a cruise on Jökulsárlón from April to October when conditions allow, and the option that includes it guarantees your place; BusTravel Iceland puts the ride at 30 minutes among the icebergs. Outside that season the day is the shore and the beach, which are the main event anyway. Food and drinks are not included, with a lunch stop on the way and dinner in Vík. The minimum age is 6. Pickup from Reykjavík hotels comes with the option that lists it.
This is a cross-sell, not a glacier hike: no crampons, and BusTravel Iceland says glacier hiking and ice caves cannot be added to this day. If you are already on the South Coast, Jökulsárlón is about three hours' drive east of Sólheimajökull. In winter, with about 4 hours of daylight in late December, much of the drive happens in the dark. Some guests find the pace at a few stops quick, which is the price of seeing this much in one day. The tour cancels free up to 24 hours before.
From central hotels or bus stops, with the option that includes pickup.
A first stop at the waterfall, plus Fjallsárlón on clear days in season.
Time at the iceberg lagoon, and the boat if you booked it.
Ice washed up on the black sand by the lagoon's outlet.
A dinner stop (food not included) and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore.
The last stop, then about two hours back to the city.
★★★★★Our tour was fantastic. Our driver Tomic made the day seemless and our guide Eva was good fun! Her energy and good vibes definitely contributed to today’s experience. The sites were amazing, with diamond beach being the highlight! A long day but definitely glad we did it!
★★★★★Our guide kristi was amazing, funny, knowledgable, made our long day trip worth every min, over all experience was amazing, boat ride totally worth it experience to be in lake with glaciers and we saw some seals swimming between was amazing, also diamond beach was very beautiful [...]
★★★★★THIS IS A MUST DO TRIP! In one (long) day you get to see a very big piece of this beautiful country. [...] We had more than enough time at each place to enjoy the views, and each step was described in detail. I would also recommend taking a boat in the lagoon.
★★★★★FANTASTIC!!! Our driver and guide were wonderful - we felt safe and saw incredible beauty. The guide gave us interesting information but did not talk the entire time. We found it helpful that he was always updating us on what was coming next and what to expect.
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About three hours' drive east without stops. From Reykjavík it is roughly 370 km and 4.5 hours, and Diamond Beach is a little further.
Only in the option that lists it. The boat runs from April to October when conditions allow, and BusTravel Iceland puts the ride at about 30 minutes.
About 14 hours from Reykjavík, and it can run longer in bad weather.
No. BusTravel Iceland says glacier hiking and ice caves cannot be added to this day. For a hike from Reykjavík, take the glacier hike day trip.
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The long day east to the icebergs of Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, with an optional boat.
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