Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Fjallsárlón is a glacial lagoon on Iceland's South Coast, sitting at the southern edge of Vatnajökull about 10 kilometres west of the more famous Jökulsárlón. It is fed by the Fjallsjökull outlet glacier, and icebergs calve directly from the glacier wall into the lagoon, often drifting to within a short walk of the shoreline. The lagoon tends to see far fewer visitors than Jökulsárlón and puts you considerably closer to the glacier face, making it a favourite among photographers and travellers who want the same drama with fewer crowds.
A Quieter Glacier Lagoon on the South Coast, Closer to the Ice Than Its Famous Neighbour
Fjallsárlón formed as the Fjallsjökull outlet glacier, a tongue of the vast Vatnajökull ice cap, retreated during the 20th century and left behind a depression that filled with meltwater. The name breaks down as fjall (mountain), á (river), and lón (lagoon). The lagoon is relatively young by geological standards, having only developed to its present size from the early 1970s onward as the glacier continued to recede. Icebergs calve from the glacier face into the water and drift slowly across the lagoon in shades of blue, white, and grey. Because Fjallsárlón sits closer to the glacier than Jökulsárlón and does not connect to the ocean, the icebergs here tend to remain in the lagoon longer before melting, and the glacier wall is visible at close range from the shoreline.
The lagoon sits within a dramatic landscape framed by the Vatnajökull ice cap above and the black outwash plains of the South Coast below. Seals can sometimes be spotted resting on icebergs or swimming near the shore. Great skuas nest in the area during summer and seabirds are a common presence overhead. The relative quietness of Fjallsárlón compared to Jökulsárlón, which receives a very large volume of coach tour traffic, makes it a more contemplative stop and gives visitors a better chance of having unobstructed views of the ice. Zodiac boat tours operate on the lagoon seasonally, allowing a closer look at the glacier face and floating icebergs from the water.
Fjallsárlón is located just off Route 1, with a clearly marked turnoff and a parking area a short walk from the water's edge. It is free to visit independently, with no entrance fee. The lagoon is about 47 kilometres east of Skaftafell and roughly 10 kilometres west of Jökulsárlón, making it a natural combined stop on any South Coast or circumnavigation itinerary. From Reykjavík the drive takes around 4.5 to 5 hours along the Ring Road.
