Glacier Hike + Blue Ice Experience Small Group Tour

by Marina Travel · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón

4.60· 115 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Adults only
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €293.64 per person

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €293.64 Other dates

Glacier Hike + Blue Ice Experience Small Group Tour — Marina Travel

Glacier Hike + Blue Ice Experience Small Group Tour, photo 2

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Glacier Hike + Blue Ice Experience Small Group Tour, photo 10

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10 photos from Marina Travel. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
5 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Höfn
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón, Höfn í Hornafirði
Guide
Guided in English, Chinese
Departs
09:30
Minimum age
14
Cancellation
Free until 2 days before

About this experience

This tour will give you more than the regular ice cave experience. We will take you to less crowded locations on the glacier where you will get more time to enjoy the nature without the crowd. You will get the opportunity of a life time to enjoy one of the world’s greatest wilderness, Iceland’s largest glacier. You are driven in a specially modified Super Jeep onto the glacier, where you get to explore the glacier environment, enjoy a view out of this world, go in between the glacier and experience the glacier’s beauty from the inside. Blue Ice Experience is truly unique. The tour will take 4 to 6 hours depending on the weather and ice condition on the day to travel.

An experienced local guide leads the way and shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment during our journey, making sure everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest.
Our guides provide you with safety equipment (helmet and crampons) and the fun begins.

We also offer the option for guidance in Chinese (based on availability).

Disclaimer:
Please note that the images provided are for reference only. As the ice cave is a natural phenomenon, its appearance changes constantly throughout the season. Therefore, the actual ice cave this year may differ from the images shown. Sometimes, the colour of the cave might be darker due to lack of sunlight or there might be small flood in the cave due to rain, these are natural occurance and cannot be basis of refund dispute.

Looking for a private tour to the Blue Ice? Email us at hello@marinatravel.is

Description from the operator, Marina Travel. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Glacier Hike + Blue Ice Experience

Included

Professional glacier guide
Two-way super jeep ride from Jokulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Safety equipment necessary for expedition.

Not included

Transfer to and from Jokulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Trekking/Hiking shoes

Good to know

Warm, wind and waterproof clothes
Hiking/Trekking shoes (up to the ankles)
Camera
A sense of adventure

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Small group tour (maximum of 8 participants)
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
The glacier is in a continuous change all through the year therefore the pictures shown above might differ from the actual state of the glacier at the moment of your trip
For all departures, no cancellation or changes can be made within 24 hours from departure. In the event of bad weather, if the road to Jökulsárlón is open and our tours are departing as per normal, we are not obligated to reschedule or refund if you are not able to make your way to Jökulsárlón. You can claim from your travel insurance in those cases.
Small Group Tour (max 8 pax)

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 2 days 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.

1Marina Travel 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 2 days 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 — €193 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	Marina Travel · €294	Arctic Adventures · €101
How long it runs	5 hours	4.2 hours
Changing your mind	Free until 48 h before	Free until 24 h before
How hard it is	Moderate	Easy

The €193 buys you 0.8 more hours out and free cancellation up to 48 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Who this is not for

Not for families with children under 14 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.
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

Marina Travel 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 Marina Travel

Read all 115 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.

kersten t
★★★★★ · a month ago
Mikala was an exceptional guide whose deep knowledge of Iceland's geology, local legends, and stories brought every stop to life. Instead of following the standard tourist traffic, she navigated a smart route that successfully avoided both the crowds and active construction zones. Traveling in a smaller group made a massive difference—we loved the efficiency and intimacy of not having to wait for 40 people to load back onto a massive tour bus at every destination.The sights were absolutely amazing, and we lucked out with outstanding weather as a bonus! A true highlight of the trip was visiting small, local family farms. It was wonderful to see how they operate and to have the opportunity to support their businesses directly. Highly recommended if you want a seamless, insightful, and (mostly) crowd-free tour!
다경
★★★★★ · 8 months ago
I traveled to Iceland with five friends, and our guide was Josip. I love traveling and have visited many destinations, and among all the guides I have met so far, Josip was the best guide. He spoke slowly and clearly for us, knowing that our English was not very good, and he truly made an effort to help us fully experience and enjoy Iceland. Thanks to him, our memories of Iceland will stay with us for a lifetime. Throughout the entire trip, we felt comfortable, joyful, and genuinely happy. Because of Josip, Iceland has become a country we truly want to visit again. Josip was not only the best guide, but also a protector who took great care of us. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the travel agency for introducing us to Josip.
Nidhi Gupta
★★★★★ · 9 months ago
We had an amazing holiday, thanks to Marina Travel and Goran! Goran was with us for full 5-6 days for our golden circle tour.! He was always on time, planned the day well, communicated the time and plan very well. He understood our needs well and guided us accordingly. He is knowledgeable and shared the history of all the sites. He is wonderful to talk to and he is an amazing photographer! Highly recommend Marina Travel for a Personalized and enjoyable experience! And if Goran is assigned to u as a guide, it would make a huge difference to the quality of your holiday!
Jeongwon LEE
★★★★★ · 11 months ago
Our guide Agnieszka was so kind and thoughtful. Thanks to her, we had a very happy and fruitful time. I was impressed by the efforts to consider appropriate responses and requests depending on the weather and circumstances. Tours often vary in many ways depending on the guide, but we were so lucky to meet the best guide and make good memories. Thank you.

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Höfn í Hornafirði: the glacier baseIceland's best-placed small town for Vatnajökull. Ice caves, glacier walks and langoustine, an hour east of Jökulsárlón and a long way from Reykjavík.
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.
Glacier hike in Iceland: which glacier to bookThree glaciers sell almost the same walk at different prices and distances. Which one fits your route, what 'easy' means, and what blue ice really requires.

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 Höfn í Hornafirði, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón →

One checkout, any number of operators
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If it falls short, we fix it

from

€293.64 per person

Marina Travel's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs09:30

Höfn í Hornafirði: light 08:10–17:20, 9 h 10 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 2 days before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Marina Travel cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Marina Travel's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €14 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.