Iceland’s ice caves are a striking manifestation of the many elements that ravage the island: lava flowing deep within the Earth, melting glaciers, and massive amounts of ice moving at a snail’s pace. come together to create these icy wonders. They always move and change: from one season to the next, ice caves can become entirely new scenes.
For this reason, it is important to accompany someone with a deep knowledge of the caves and their current temperament (i.e. a tour guide) when venturing into one. Not only are they constantly checking the forecasts, but they know which tunnels are safe to visit and which are not.
You can only visit these caves during winter. When the warmer months arrive, the caves are natural paths for melted ice to drain from the glacier, making it dangerous to enter.
Before locating a tour operator, do some digging in the various caves you can visit in Iceland (there are more than you might think). Once you’ve found one that’s on your bucket list, look for a tour company that offers experiences in the area that interests you. Happy planning!
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Crystal cave
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Breiðamerkurjökull, IcelandGet directions
Also known as Breiðamerkurjökull, the Crystal Cave is one of the most famous ice caves in Iceland, it is also the largest within the Vatnajökull National Park. To get there, you will have to take a super jeep up to the glacier. This cave takes its name from the crystalline ice from which it is made, but keep in mind that it will take you a minute to get used to the low light so that the bright blue color you see in the photos is not immediately apparent.
There are many tour operators that offer adventures in the Crystal Cave. Glacier Journey is a local favorite and offers a number of cave tours.
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Eyjabakkajokull Ice Cave
Direction
Eyjabakkajökull, IcelandGet directions
Head to the eastern highlands to catch a glimpse of this cave deep within the Eyjabakkajokull Glacier. Since you can only access it during winter, be sure to book a tour with a guide who is equipped with a super jeep or a vehicle that can handle the harsh highland road conditions during winter.
The blue ice cave is very remote, which means less crowds. You just have to find it first!
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Northern Lights Ice Cave
The Northern Lights Ice Cave was only accessible to visitors for one winter, but the wavy pattern of the ice and the way it cast light around the room inspired its name.
It is not uncommon for ice caves to have a short lifespan given how difficult it is to track melting glaciers. Despite its one-year duration, the Northern Lights were a popular tourist attraction when around.
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Waterfall ice cave
Ice caves come and go, and although the Icefall is not currently accessible, there is hope that it will return again in the near future. Like the Crystal Cave, the Waterfall Ice Cave is also located in Vatnajökull.
This particular cave was unique in that it was made up of a river flowing into the glacier, as opposed to a river flowing out of the glacier. When it was accessible, the ceiling was very low, but if you followed the river into the cave, you would find a small waterfall at the end.
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Katla Ice Cave
Of all the ice caves on this list, Katla is the only one you can visit during the summer. It’s also much easier to get to from Reykjavik (it’s about half the journey compared to the Vatnajökull Caves).
You won’t find the same blue ice in Katla, but you will find black ice, which is a completely different sight. The caves are small, some require you to crawl on all fours, but the waterfalls along the way make it all worth it.
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Svínafellsjökull ice cave
Right on the edge of Skaftafell National Park, you’ll find the 22-foot entrance to the Svínafellsjökull Ice Cave. It may start out larger than life, but keep walking and soon you’ll be crouching in a space no taller than four feet tall.
Only accessible in winter, Visit Vatnajokull offers tours of this ice cave.
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Kverkfjoll Ice Cave
Direction
Kverkfjöll, IcelandGet directions
The geothermal activity beneath the earth’s crust is thankful for this incredibly hidden ice cave. Kverfjoll is incredibly difficult to access and you certainly don’t want to try it without a guide.
Situated in the north, Kverfjoll is divided into two sections: Hveradalur (the upper ice caves) and the Jökulsá á Fjöllum spring (the lower ice caves). Something really special happens in this cave system: under the glacial ice, you can see a river of warm water running through the cave.
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Álftafjörður Ice Cave
Located in the western fjords, the Álftafjörður ice cave opening opens onto an impressive expanse of mountains and horizon.
The fjord region is also known for whale watching and other wildlife, so once you’re done exploring the ice cave, plan a hike out into the water.
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Langjokull Ice Cave
Langjökull is the second largest glacier in Iceland and its ice cave is quite spectacularly colored. The natural cave is black and the ice ceiling is streaked with ash. But the best part may be the bright blue “river of ice” that runs the length of the ceiling.
There are also some man-made ice caves that branch into the natural cave. About those tunnels: They have been used to host concerts during the Secret Solstice Festival and there is even a chapel carved out of ice in one of them.
He is rumored to be a Snowmobile tour guide. Stumbled upon the original ice cave opening in Longjokull after leading the glacier tours. The original cave has since collapsed, but a new one appeared in its place.
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Lofthellir Ice Cave
Don’t be fooled – this ice cave is technically classified as a lava cave, one that is over 3,500 years old. But when ice meets natural lava sculptures, all definitions go out the window because it’s too cool to get lost.
You can find Lofthellir on Lake Myvatn in northeast Iceland. Large columns of ice stretch from floor to ceiling in places, but be prepared to go through some tight spots to find this ice cave. There are a handful of tours that depart from Akureyi, such as Saga Travel Geoiceland.
