Iceland in May has gorgeously long days, the sun barely setting before it peeks back over the horizon. One evening, I took advantage of this phenomenon, beginning a glacier boat adventure around dinner time while the Arctic summer sun was still high in the sky.

My first impression of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon was simply a drive-by the night before while heading to my lodging. Located in southeastern Iceland, Jökulsárlón is a mesmerizing blend of stark beauty and otherworldly glacier vistas. It is where the Vatnajökull glacier meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating an ever-changing canvas of ice and water. Seeing up the lagoon up-close and in-person felt more like a dreamscape than reality.

My pre-trip preparation involved zipping myself into a water/wind resistant onesie provided to guests looking to brave the chilly gusts that frequent the Lagoon. Yes, the sun was shining and I grew uncomfortably warm waiting for our bout tour to start, but the guide assured me that I would be welcoming my onesie shell once we hit the water.

And so bundled up in multiple layers, I stepped onto a small Zodiac boat, ready to embark on my journey across this glacial wonderland. The Zodiac, a rugged inflatable vessel, seemed perfect for navigating the lagoon’s icy waters. Our guide, was an international gal from Poland who returns year after year due to her deep love for the glacier and Iceland’s overall renowned beauty.

The boat’s engine roared to life, and we glided away from the shore, gradually picking up speed that meant it was necessary to hold on tightly to the boat’s side straps. It felt like we were in an art museum; each piece of glacial ice we passed was a piece of ephemeral art sculpted by the wind, water, and time. Some resembled fantastical creatures frozen in mid-motion, while others were abstract forms that sparked my imagination. The sunlight played upon their surfaces, creating reflections mixed of light and shadow.

As we ventured further into the lagoon, the full majesty of Jökulsárlón unveiled itself. Towering icebergs, some as tall as buildings, drifted lazily, their brilliant blue hues a testament to the ancient ice compressed over centuries. These icebergs were fragments of the glacier, calved off and set adrift in the lagoon. It wasn’t long before I witnessed this awe-inspiring process myself. A distant rumble echoed across the water and then a massive chunk of ice broke free from the glacier’s edge, crashing into the lagoon with a pretty intense splash. The waves rippled outwards, rocking our boat gently as I watched in silent amazement. The power and beauty of nature were humbling, reminding me of the dynamic world in which I live.

As the waves settled, we continued our exploration, weaving through the maze of ice sculptures. One particularly striking iceberg looked almost alien-like due to its dark-blue hue. This mesmerizing blue color results from the ice’s density, which absorbs all colors of the light spectrum except blue. Scooping up a chunk of ice in my hand, I took a moment to appreciate its clarity and beauty before popping it in my mouth! Nothing quite beats a snack of glacier ice.

On the way back to the dock, we paused occasionally to watch the seabirds, especially the artic terns who were flitting about in vast numbers. A few seals were splashing playfully about, accustomed to the icy lagoon.

As my journey came to an end, the Zodiac gently brought me back to shore. My time at Jökulsárlón was both an artistic affair as well as a deep, resonant experience. Our planet is truly incredible.