Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon is in southeast Iceland in the Oraefi region, about 360 km from Reykjavik, roughly a 4.5 hour drive. It sits on Route 1, about 10 km southwest of Jokulsarlon, inside Vatnajokull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
What and where Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon is
Fjallsarlon is a glacier lagoon in southeast Iceland, in the Oraefi region. The lagoon sits inside Vatnajokull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. It is filled with icebergs that calve from the glacier front.
The turnoff is clearly marked on Route 1 between Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon.
Fjallsjokull and the Vatnajokull ice cap
Fjallsarlon lies at the foot of Fjallsjokull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, which reaches down to the water's edge. This is why the lagoon has such a direct connection to the glacier front.
Fjallsarlon and Jokulsarlon: smaller, quieter, closer to the ice
Fjallsarlon sits on Route 1, the Ring Road, about 10 km southwest of the far more famous Jokulsarlon. It is smaller and usually feels much quieter than Jokulsarlon. It also sits closer to the glacier wall, giving more direct views of the ice.
Zodiac boat tours among the icebergs
Zodiac boat tours drift among the icebergs with a certified guide. Boat tours run in the summer season, roughly May to October.
Cold water and calving ice are real hazards here, so keep back from edges.
When to go and what to expect
The main boat season is roughly May to October. Outside the lagoon itself, the setting is quite remote, and there is no nearby town, so light pollution is very low.
Visiting Fjallsarlon on a South Coast trip
Fjallsarlon is reached from Route 1 and is roughly a 4.5 hour drive from Reykjavik. If you want to compare options for the region, see South Coast tours.
Check the timing
The Driving Distance Calculator helps turn a visit to Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon: what to know into a realistic self-drive day.
