Iceland has so many opportunities for visitors to explore their glaciers. Driving the Ring Road, you will pass several of these magnificent pieces of ice creeping over the peaks and valleys of mountains. Tour guides lead hikes across them or take you on snowmobiles over them. You can even explore the chambers inside a glacier tunnel. One of the most beautiful experiences on my trip was a boat tour of the glacier lagoon in Jokulsarlon.
The Jokulsarlon Lagoon was formed when the the glacier, Bredamerkurfjall, began to rapidly recede. As it retreated, a 7-square mile lake was created. Its deepest point is just over 800 feet. With large pieces of floating ice and hundreds of seals feeding off an abundance of fish, it's no wonder Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is one of Iceland's most sought-after photography destinations. It is spectacular!
Standing on the shoreline is picture worthy on its own. I chose to get up close and personal with the icebergs via a Zodiak boat tour. To prepare, we were asked to don special flotation suits that also help keep you warm should you unexpectedly fall into the icy water. Our captain loaded us in the boat and zipped across the lagoon at speeds up to 25 mph.
For one hour, we floated alongside chunks of ice that had broken from the nearby glacier. Each piece was different in size--some as big as a house--and color. Some were a brilliant blue, others were black from volcanic ash or mountain debris. The icebergs change everyday and eventually float out to sea. Yet, the lake is constantly restocked with icebergs as more continue to break off Breidamerkurfjall.
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