The Jökulsárlón lagoon and ice beach is one of the world’s most magical places.

It was featured in 007 – James Bond A view to a kill (1985) and 007 – James Bond, Die another day (2002) according to the Iceland Travel Guide 8 places in Iceland you will recognize from famous movies.

The answers to the three questions you are most likely to ask are as follows: Yes, Yes, Yes.

1. Yes, the ice really is that blue. Glacial ice is compressed and has a different crystal structure that makes it look blue.
2. Yes, the water is cold.
3. Yes, I got wet, which is why I can properly testify to the previous question.

Feature Image Details:

Here is a set of images taken at the Jökulsárlón ice beach. Click on any image to step through the series.

These images were taken June 20. We were lucky. At that time of year, most of the ice may be gone.

All of these images were taken with a Canon 24-105MM F4 L lens at ISO 200 on an EOS 6D body. The details did not vary much, approximately 45MM, F/16, 1/8 second.

You can easily break your tripod or your leg if you get too close to this ice. I use the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod. For details, please see my Equipment List.

To catch the waves, snap a series of images when the water hits the ice. To get the smooth flow as captured in many of the images, snap pictures a moment after the tide flows back out.

You do need the wind at your favor. On our first day in this location, the wind was blowing offshore, there was less ice on the beach, and there were no waves at all.

If doing a circle tour of Iceland, I recommend staying two days near Jökulsárlón as noted my Iceland Guide.

The guide is packed with information about what to bring, where to go, what to do, where to stay, what to expect in each location, and what literature to read before your trip.

Please Share!

If you like this article, please share by email or use one of the share buttons beneath the article.

Much more coming: Click to Subscribe by Email.

Up Next: Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Mike “Mish” Shedlock.