About the crystal ice cave tour
Crystal ice caves form naturally inside Vatnajökull's outlet glaciers each winter, when meltwater tunnels through the ice and then freezes solid enough to be safe to enter with a guide. Starting from Jökulsárlón and using a super jeep for the approach, this version of the ice cave experience keeps the walking to about 15 minutes each way, which makes it a practical choice if you are travelling with children or would simply rather not hike far in winter conditions.
Once inside, the cave shows the deep blue colour that dense, compressed glacier ice takes on, an effect of how the ice absorbs and scatters light. Guides check conditions daily, since the shape and safety of these caves change through the season, and fit visitors with a helmet, crampons and a headlamp before going onto the ice.
As with all ice cave tours, this runs only in winter, roughly October to April, since the tunnels are not stable once temperatures rise. Warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are important, since part of the day is spent outdoors on the glacier before and after the cave itself.
