The ice caves created by the melting channels of the glaciers are a truly spectacular wonder of nature, and those that can be visited in Iceland are among the most beautiful in the world!
It is necessary to participate in an organized excursion, and these excursions are always quite expensive, but if one can afford it it is worth it. I would go so far as to say that a visit like this alone is worth the trip to Iceland in winter (where you can even hope to see the Northern Lights).
On this page I collect all the useful information to understand what these caves under the Icelandic glaciers consist of, I post links to the most reliable sites through which to book organized excursions, and I provide some useful advice to best enjoy the visit.
what are ice caves?
Ice caves under a glacier are essentially drainage channels for water that melts and flows away downstream. Therefore these caves are formed in summer, and in that period they are not accessible because they are full of water, then in autumn they are explored by guides who evaluate which are the safest to take visitors during the winter, a period in which temperatures they are colder and strengthen the ice walls of the caves enough to make them safe.
As a result, the best time to visit ice caves under Iceland’s glaciers is usually between November and February. In some cases, there are visits even from the end of September to March, depending on the conditions of the glacier.
is it worth it?
These caves can only be accessed via organized excursions, all of which are quite expensive. So it’s fair to ask: is it worth it?
Among the many videos on YouTube about ice caves in Iceland I propose this one, which is interesting because, in my opinion, it shows well how to access the caves and what it’s like to be inside with a group of tourists, something that many glossy videos don’t show you. they show:
organized excursions
Access to these caves is only possible via organized excursions. And given the great demand, if you are interested in participating, I strongly recommend you book well in advance, once you are sure of the dates of your trip (i.e. after you have booked flights, hotels, cars, and defined the stages of your trip). After all, if you change plans you can cancel for free (via the sites recommended below).
The best sites through which to book visits to the ice caves are:
GetYourGuide
It is one of the main sites through which to book activities and excursions organized all over the world.
As you can see, despite the high prices, the reviews are all highly positive. The selected operators are professional, and the experience is truly unique.
Civitatis
This is also another very reliable site through which you can book excursions and activities all over the world. You can cancel up to 48 hours in advance.
Even in this case, despite the high prices, the approval of the reviews is very high.
I am also evaluating other sites: I will update this page soon.
general advice
If you want to book an organized excursion to visit an ice cave in Iceland consider these facts:
- For safety reasons, the cave you will be taken to can change up to the last moment: before taking tourists there, the operators always check that the safety conditions necessary to visit the caves are met without problems.
- For the same reason, last-minute cancellations may occur.
- 2 days of rain are enough for rivers to appear flowing into these caves, which prevents them from being visited.
- You don’t have to suffer from claustrophobia.
- Bring clothes suitable for these particular conditions (see video above), but which are also clothes that can get dirty: you will find sand/dark earth everywhere.
- Your camera must be weather-sealed: see my in-depth article on photographic equipment to bring to Iceland.
And let’s also see how to photograph them:
photograph ice caves
As you will have understood from the images and videos, the caves under the Icelandic glaciers are truly unique places, which deserve some nice photos. The peculiarity of these caves is that every photo you take will be unique: the caves are constantly changing, the ice melts and reshapes itself, the play of light is always different, and the caves themselves change over time, so every photo that you take home will be unique.
But it is not easy to photograph in those caves.
This video provides some useful tips on how to photograph in Icelandic ice caves, but above all, it shows well that you won’t be alone photographing and will have other excited photographers around:
I remind you that for a trip to Iceland, it is important to have a weather-sealed camera, therefore purpose-built cameras with serious insulation (not the plastic bags to put around them that you find on sale on Amazon). They are expensive, but they are cameras that are worth the expense if you want to photograph in certain “difficult” environments.