Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike Tour
by Arctic Adventures · Glacier hiking · Ice caves · Hiking & trekking · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
from €158 per person
Next departure: Thu 22 Oct
1 / 32
Duration
4 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Skaftafell
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:00, 09:40, 10:00, 10:20 …
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
Experience two of Iceland's most iconic winter adventures in one unforgettable tour: a guided glacier hike and a visit to a natural blue ice cave on an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier.
Departing from Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, this small-group adventure takes you across a stunning glacier outlet where you'll discover a landscape of crevasses, ice ridges, moulins, and ever-changing glacial formations. Our 4x4 bus transports guests from Skaftafell to the foot of the glacier. Equipped with crampons, helmets, and all necessary glacier gear, you'll follow your certified glacier guide across ancient ice while learning about the fascinating forces that continue to shape Iceland's dramatic landscape.
The highlight of the tour is exploring a naturally formed ice cave. Each winter, glacier conditions create new caves and formations, making every season unique. Inside, you'll witness striking blue ice illuminated by natural light, creating an otherworldly atmosphere and incredible photography opportunities. No two caves are ever the same, ensuring a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Safety is our highest priority. Ice cave locations are carefully selected based on current glacier conditions, accessibility, and weather, and all visits are conducted under the guidance of experienced, certified glacier guides.
- Small-group experience
- Guided glacier hike on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull
- 4x4 Transportation from Skaftafell to the edge of the glacier
- Visit a natural blue ice cave
- Explore Europe's largest glacier
- Expert certified glacier guide
- All necessary glacier equipment provided
- Excellent photography opportunities
- Meeting Point: Arctic Adventures Hut, Skaftafell.
This tour departs from Skaftafell. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included. - Ice caves are natural phenomena that change throughout the winter season. Cave selection varies depending on conditions, and photos on the website may not reflect the cave visited on the day of your tour.
- For safety reasons, ice caves should only be visited with a certified glacier guide and approved glacier equipment.
- Difficulty: Easy - Suitable for most in fair conditions
The hike covers approximately 3 km (1.9 mi), with an elevation gain of 200–250 m (656–820 ft). Please note that the hike begins with a steep section as we make our way onto the glacier.
Disclaimer: All day trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents which are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherent risk.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Included
English-speaking certified glacier guide
All required safety equipment (helmet, glacier crampons, harness, ice-axe)
4x4 bus transport from Skaftafell to the edge of the glacier
Vatnajökull National Park fee
Good to know
Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, head-wear and gloves
Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are mandatory for this adventure (available to rent for a small fee)
We provide all safety gear. Please note that our specialized glacier crampons are only available for shoe size 35 EU and larger. Those with a smaller shoe size are unfortunately unable to participate.
You must arrange your transportation to the meeting point of the tour (Skaftafell is 4 hours east of Reykjavik in good conditions). Driving times can be greatly affected by winter conditions so please be sure to give yourself enough time and stay informed on conditions and safety alerts.
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is high wind or rain on the ice — the guide decides at the meeting point, sometimes after you have set off. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Glacier Wonders from Arctic Adventures is €101 — €57 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €158 | Arctic Adventures · €101 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 4 hours | 4.2 hours |
| How hard it is | Moderate | Easy |
On everything we can measure, the Arctic Adventures tour is the better buy. The €57 is not buying anything we can point to, so unless you want this operator in particular, take the cheaper one.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 8 cannot join this one.
- Not available in summer; the operator runs it roughly September to April.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Best Ice Cave Tour in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe ice cave tours we would book ourselves, from the Vatnajökull caves near Jökulsárlón to Katla near Vík, with real prices and meeting points.
- Glacier hike or ice cave: which to bookBetween October and April, book the Skaftafell hike-and-cave combo and get both. The rest of the year, a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull is the better day.
- Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe glacier hikes we would book ourselves in Iceland, on Sólheimajökull and in Skaftafell, with real adult prices, departure points and who each one is not for.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Glacier hiking — questions people ask
Which glacier is best for a first glacier hike?
Sólheimajökull on the South Coast, about two and a half hours from Reykjavík. It is the most accessible glacier tongue, the walk from the car park is short and the three-to-four-hour tours (/experience/6853/ or /experience/914990/) suit beginners. Skaftafell in the southeast has bigger ice and fewer people, with tours like Glacier Wonders (/experience/17340/), but it is a five-hour drive each way, so it only works if you are staying out there.
Can you hike on a glacier in Iceland in summer?
Yes. Glacier hiking runs all year. In June to August the ice is grey and gritty on the surface with blue crevasses and meltwater channels, and the weather is milder. In November to March the ice is whiter and you may see ice formations, but daylight is short and the wind bites. Neither is better; summer is easier, winter is prettier. The one thing you cannot do in summer is visit a natural blue ice cave.
How fit do I need to be for a glacier hike?
Moderately. You walk two to three hours on uneven ice in crampons, with some short steep sections. Anyone who can manage a hilly day walk will be fine; the pace is slow because the guide is checking the route. It is not for anyone with knee or balance problems, and most operators set a minimum age of eight to ten. Check the tour page. Longer tours like Glacier Explorer (/experience/17338/) push further onto the ice and need more stamina.
What do I need to bring on a glacier hike?
Sturdy boots with ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, gloves and a hat, plus water and a snack. The operator provides crampons, a harness, a helmet and an ice axe. Jeans and trainers are not allowed on the ice, and guides do turn people away. Most meeting points rent boots and rain gear for a small fee; check the tour page and book them in advance in summer.
Hotels
Where to stay for this tour
From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Skaftafell, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €8 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
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