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The stunning Glacial Lagoon
The Glacial Lagoon – jökulsárlón in Icelandic – in the southeast corner of Iceland is one of the country’s famous places. And it is awe-inspiring, with massive icebergs floating around in the frigid water. In the distance, the massive Vatnajökull glacier looms. Distant booms sound when icebergs break off the glacier’s edge. It is how I would imagine how distant artillery fire would sound. I have been on the lagoon on a boat, which is well worth doing.
Would I recommend visiting the lagoon? Well, the short answer is a resounding yes! Whenever I am in this remote part of Iceland, I stop there and watch the spectacle of the icebergs floating on the lagoon in awe. I have gone on a boat trip to the lagoon, and I just loved it, so that is something I would recommend doing.
Go on the ultimate road trip.
There are a few accommodations near the lagoon. Please note that the drive to the lagoon is a long one, 380 kilometers – 236 miles – no less. And in this way, you will drive across the scenic south coast where there are so many great places to visit. In many ways, it is the ultimate road trip. So rent a car and explore on your own.
Find a hotel near the Glacial Lagoon.
In the interface below, you will see the locations of available hotel rooms near the Glacial Lagoon.
Booking.com
Visit Diamond Beach
Iceland’s shortest glacial river runs off the lagoon and into the ocean. It brings with it blocks of ice which then washes ashore on the beach across the road. The interplay between sunlight, the water, and the ice has created one of the best places in Iceland for photography.
This beach on the Breiðamerkursandur desert is often called ‘Diamond Beach.’ The diamonds are the icebergs and pieces of ice that come onshore from the lagoon.
The connection between the Glacial Lagoon and climate disaster
If you have any doubt that humans are causing tremendous harm to the environment, visit the Glacial Lagoon and learn about its history. It has expanded dramatically as the glacier melted and receded over the past decades.
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How to get to the Glacial Lagoon?
From Reykjavik, rent a car and drive for 380 KM on highway 1 east.
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