A man standing by a small waterfall in an ice cave

Ice Cave Exploration - Going inside a glacier

Nothing compares to being inside a blue ice cave enjoying nature's architecture at its best. The photographs are stunning but can’t capture the feeling of actually being there. 

Iceland is the perfect location for an ice cave adventure

Iceland is 11% covered by glaciers and the climate is perfect for ice caves to form. They are usually formed as flow tunnels by meltwater in spring and summer. In the fall, when temperatures have gone below freezing again, they are ready for exploration until next spring. The ice cave season varies due to temperatures and weather conditions but typically extends from November until May. 

Why is glacier ice blue?

A man inside a blue ice tunnel

Ice crystals reflect blue light when air has been pressed out of snowlayers

Glacier ice often has this unique soft and clear blue color that reflects from the walls of ice caves and icebergs. The reason lies in the ingredients; it is built from compacted layers of ice-crystals (snow) rather than frozen water like the ice on lakes that has no crystal structure. Then when enough air has been pressed out of the packed snow from the weight of more layers on top, it becomes see-through and reflects blue light.

Ice cave tours in Iceland – make your pick!

A visit to an ice cave is an unforgettable experience but should never be made without professional glacier guides and the right equipment. 

Ice cave tours are offered in the South-East, in Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull, in Vatnajökull National Park. In Katla outlet glacier in South Iceland and Langjökull glacier in West Iceland.

Various combo tours are available, including glacier hikes, super jeeps and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Ready for exploring? Find tours

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Ice-Cave Exploration - Going inside a glacier