Iceland: Mr. Bond & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

July 2014

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

My name is Bond, James Bond...

On my way to Jokulsarlon, I tried to recall the remarkable James Bond car chase scene that I watched a decade ago. Though it was really cold in the lagoon, I insisted to wear a pair of red bikini under my winter jacket. Just in case, I happen to met Mr. Bond...I would be well prepared for the bikini scene like Halle Berry in Die Another Day. *BEEP*. Okay, perhaps my imagination has gone way too wild. Let's just talk about the lagoon instead, shall we ?

sailing the lagoon in an amphibian boat

Jokulsarlon is the largest of few glacial lakes in Iceland and also known as the best as well. It's located in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajokull National Park. It first appeared in 1934-1935 and the lake has grown from 7.9 km² in 1975 to 18 km² today due to heavy melting of the Icelandic glaciers. At a depth of 284 m, Jokulsarlon glacial reservoir is the deepest lake in Iceland. The lake can be seen from Highway 1 between Hofn and Skaftafell. It appears as "a ghostly procession of luminous blue icebergs".

As one of the natural wonders of Iceland, Jokulsarlon has been a setting of couple Hollywood movies such as: A View to a Kill and Die Another Day from the James Bond series, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and also Batman Begins.

amphibian boat

a Zodiac boat in Jokulsarlon lagoon

I think there's no better way to enjoy this dreamlike glacial lagoon than to sail amongst the icebergs. I opted for an amphibian boat tour which cost ISK 4,500 per person for about 40 minutes journey. We, all the passengers boarded the vehicle on land then it took me on a breathtaking excursion. Seeing icebergs in many shapes and sizes and in pretty hues of white, turquoise and blue - really put me in awe. Too beautiful it gave me goosebumps. The other option is to board a Zodiac boat which is able to cover large area of the lagoon and get closer to the icebergs. I'll keep that for next visit.

Depending on the weather, the boat tours are in from April to November.

sailing amongst the icebergs

pretty icebergs

tasting a small piece of 1000 years old ice

Before heading back to the land, our boat stopped and the guide shared some facts and history about the lagoon. Then she pulled up a a block of ice out of the water and every passengers could take a picture with it. Some of us, including me were feeling quite adventurous that we took a bite of it. Just the sake of experience. It tasted like a normal ice cubes. But it's kinda cool to say that I've tasted 1000 years old ice, right? *grin*

icebergs floating from the lagoon into the ocean

After the boat ride, I spent sometime to stroll along the black sand shores of the lagoon. And hey! I spotted some cute seals swimming. Perhaps they were hunting some fish for lunch.  Toward the bridge there were a number of icebergs floating out to sea. It's interesting to find that only a short distance separates Jokulsarlon to the sea.

I was told that visiting this lagoon is like a 'warming up' glacier tour as I was about to depart to Greenland and would see a greater amount and size of icebergs. But still an excursion in Jokulsarlon was a magical day for me. An experience I'd never forget.

tiny human at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

Fun fact: before filming the car chase on ice in the Bond series Die Another Day, engineers specially dammed the lagoon at the point it meet the sea, to help it freeze for the ambitious Bond shoot. It's pretty something, aye? For you who is curious about the car chase scene, enjoy the video below. You'll save time browsing it. You're welcome  :)