Everything About the Ice Caves in Iceland

Ice caves are formed by meltwater flows and geothermal activities. The air temperature affects formation of the perpetually changing caverns of ice each winter, prior dripping in the spring sunlight.

Ice caves reform within a short period of time as geothermal heat melts the glacial ice. Different visits even a few weeks apart reveal altered ice structures.

Ice caves are usually blue, white, gray or black. Pale blue ice in contrast with bright and anthracite gray makes the ice caves extremely phenomenal to explore.

Tours to these ice caves are conducted from November to March when the temperature drops to lower degrees for a specific time period for a stable and safe exploration.

The Crystal Ice Cave at Vatnajokull, covers approximately 8,100 sq km and is well-known as the largest glacier in Europe. The glacier’s ice is said to be up to 1000 meters thick.

Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull, holds the title of being the world’s largest man-made ice tunnel. Albeit its artificial formation, the view is as magnificent as a natural one. It is an ideal place to amalgamate an ice cave tour and a glacier snowmobile adventure.

Being one of the most breathtaking glacier tongues in Iceland, the Falljokull Glacier in Skaftafell has a high elevation and magnificent ice falls. One can enjoy the popular glacier hikes here all the year round.

While exploring Skaftafell’s ice cave, Skaftafellsjokull, you may experience how climate change is affecting the glaciers. This cave is an intensely spectacular ice cave and a winter attraction.

The Katla ice cave is situated in an outlet glacier known as Kotlujokull and is named after the active volcano Katla. Though it is relatively new yet, its beauty is majestic. This ice cave and the area around the glacier is filmed in the movie Star Wars: Rogue One, due to its moon-like striking beauty.