In shortTwo boats go out on Jökulsárlón. The amphibian spends 30–40 minutes on the water, runs May–November, costs 7,100 ISK for adults (2026) and takes all ages. The Zodiac spends about 1 hour 15 minutes among the icebergs, runs May–October, costs 16,600 ISK and is for ages 10 and up. Both are booked with the operator at the lagoon, or come included in some tours from Reykjavík.
30–40 minamphibian on the water
≈1 h 15 minZodiac on the water
7,100 ISKamphibian, adult (2026)
10+minimum age for the Zodiac
Amphibian or Zodiac at a glance
| Amphibian boat | Zodiac |
|---|
| Time on the water | 30–40 minutes | about 1 hour 15 minutes |
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| Season | May–November | May–October |
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| Adult (13+) | 7,100 ISK | 16,600 ISK |
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| Children | 6–12: 3,500 ISK · 0–5: free | 10–12: 8,300 ISK |
|---|
| Who can go | all ages | from age 10, or at least 130 cm tall |
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| On board | guide commentary; you can taste the ice | flotation suit and life jacket; check in 30 minutes before |
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Which one should you choose?
They are not two versions of the same trip: the amphibian is a short, steady ride in a large vehicle that drives from the shore into the water; the Zodiac is a small, fast inflatable that stays out more than twice as long. The choice usually makes itself once you know who is coming and when.
The operator runs four amphibian boats. On the amphibian an English-speaking guide explains the geology of the lagoon and passes round a piece of what the operator calls 1,000-year-old ice to taste. The Zodiac covers far more of the lagoon, gets closer to the icebergs and, when it is safe, goes almost all the way up to the glacier front.
- Travelling with young children: the amphibian. Under-6s ride free and there is no minimum age.
- Watching the budget: the amphibian, at less than half the Zodiac price.
- Visiting in November: the amphibian; the Zodiac stops after October.
- Want time among the icebergs and closer to the ice: the Zodiac, if everyone is 10 or older.
- Came a long way specifically for the lagoon: the Zodiac is the trip to plan around.
How a boat trip works on the day
- Park
The main car park is beside the Ring Road; a camera reads your plate and the fee (1,110 ISK per car) is valid until midnight. - Ticket
Buy at the lagoon or book online in advance; the operator recommends booking ahead in summer. - Amphibian
You board on the shore, the vehicle drives down into the water, and a guide talks about the lagoon and the ice for 30–40 minutes. - Zodiac
Check in 30 minutes before departure to be fitted with a flotation suit and life jacket, then about 1 hour 15 minutes on the water. - Afterwards
The café is by the shore, and Diamond Beach is across the road via the passage under the bridge.
Opening hours and departures
Both boats follow the same daily hours. The amphibian leaves as soon as it fills, about 40 times a day in July and August, and the last one goes about an hour before closing; the Zodiac runs on a fixed schedule shown on the booking page.
| Months | Boats operate |
|---|
| May | 10am – 5pm |
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| June – September | 9am – 7pm |
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| October – 15 November | 10am – 5pm |
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Prices in 2026
The operator publishes one price list for the whole year. Groups of 12 or more and school groups have their own rates.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|
| Amphibian, adult 13+ | 7,100 ISK |
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| Amphibian, child 6–12 | 3,500 ISK |
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| Amphibian, child 0–5 | free |
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| Amphibian, groups of 12+ | 6,800 ISK per person |
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| Amphibian, school groups | 3,500 ISK per person |
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| Zodiac, adult 13+ | 16,600 ISK |
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| Zodiac, child 10–12 | 8,300 ISK |
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Every cost at the lagoon →
Booking ahead
In July and August the amphibian makes about 40 trips a day, so there is usually another departure soon; outside the high season trips are still frequent. The Zodiac takes far fewer people per trip, which makes advance booking more important. Groups of 12 or more book by e-mail with the operator ([email protected]).
Children, accessibility and comfort
- Babies and toddlers can ride the amphibian; the Zodiac requires age 10 or a height of 130 cm.
- The viewing areas, paths and café at the lagoon are accessible, with accessible parking spaces.
- For boarding the amphibian with reduced mobility, contact the operator before you travel: +354 478 2222.
- It is colder on the water than on the shore: wear a hat, gloves and a windproof layer even in summer.
Weather and cancellations
The boats run in most weather, but the operator cancels a tour when conditions are unsafe; you can then rebook or get a full refund. If the boat is the main reason for your day, check the forecast on vedur.is and keep some time in hand.
Day trip from Reykjavík with a 30-minute boat ride
South Coast, the boat ride on the lagoon and Diamond Beach in one day.
14 hours · from $292 · ★ 4.7 (450 reviews)
Jökulsárlón day tour with boat tour
A guided day from Reykjavík with an approximately 30-minute boat tour among the icebergs.
14.5 hours · from $328 · ★ 4.7 (119 reviews)
3-day tour with an amphibian boat ride
Golden Circle, a glacier hike and the lagoon by amphibian, with two nights included.
3 days · from $969 · ★ 4.9 (54 reviews)
Boat rides on tours from Reykjavík
Not every day trip includes the boat. Three that do are below; the cheaper day tours leave it out or sell it as an extra, so check the inclusions before comparing prices.
All tours compared →
Other ways onto the water
Kayaks go out on the lagoon from May to September in small guided groups, for ages 14 and up. A short drive west, Fjallsárlón runs its own 75-minute boat trips from April to November, from age 5.
Kayaking on Jökulsárlón →
A free extra: the rangers' walk
Before or after the boat, join the national park's free ranger walk, Blue gold: one hour along the shore, daily at 11:00 between 1 June and 30 September. It starts at the benches by the lagoon at the main car park and explains how the retreating glacier reshaped the area.
Staying safe on the water and the shore
- Only go on the lagoon with the operator's boats or a guided kayak trip.
- Icebergs roll and break without warning; never climb on one, on the water or on the beach.
- The water is close to freezing all year: keep children away from the edge.
- On the shore, keep to the paths and away from nesting birds in summer.
Questions about the boats
Do I need to book the boat in advance?
Not always: in July and August the amphibian runs about 40 trips a day. The operator still recommends booking ahead in summer, and for the Zodiac it matters more because each trip carries fewer people.
Can I take a baby on the boat?
Yes, on the amphibian: there is no minimum age and children up to five ride free. The Zodiac is only for children of 10 or older, or at least 130 cm tall.
Will I get wet?
Dress for spray and wind on both boats. On the Zodiac you also wear the flotation suit the operator hands out at check-in.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The operator cancels when it is unsafe and offers a rebooking or a full refund.
Are the boats the same as the ones at Fjallsárlón?
No. Fjallsárlón is a separate, smaller lagoon with its own operator and boat trips of about 75 minutes, from age 5.
How close does the Zodiac get to the glacier?
The operator says the Zodiac goes almost all the way up to the glacier when it is safe, and closer to the icebergs than the amphibian.
What time is the last boat?
The boats operate 9am–7pm from June to September and 10am–5pm in May and from October to mid-November; the last amphibian leaves about an hour before closing.
Prices, seasons, trip lengths, ages and booking: icelagoon.is (2026 price list, tour pages, FAQ). Tours: Viator listings 16698P9, 24308P23, 42839P13. Read 4 October 2026.
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