The ice cave you visit this winter didn't exist last year. Every autumn, meltwater and frost carve new canyons and caverns into Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. The colour inside can run from electric blue to white or grey depending on light and snow cover, so every season's cave is its own thing.

What you'll do on the Crystal Ice Cave tour

Arctic Adventures starts this tour at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. From there you ride a modified Super Jeep for about 30 minutes, the last stretch off-road and properly bumpy, to the edge of the glacier. Your certified guide fits you with a helmet and crampons, gives a safety briefing, and leads you on a walk of around 15 minutes each way over uneven, icy ground to the cave.

Once inside, there's time to look around, take photos and hear how these caves form and change. The crew picks the best and safest site on the day, and you visit one ice feature per tour. Some are bigger than others. It's also a popular area, so expect to share the cave with other small groups, though your guide will try to give you room for photos. The whole trip takes about two and a half hours.

What's included

• Certified, English-speaking glacier guide
• Super Jeep ride from Jökulsárlón to the glacier
• Safety gear: helmet, crampons and headlamp
• Guided visit to the ice of Breiðamerkurjökull
• Groups of no more than 14 guests per guide

Not included: getting to Jökulsárlón. If you're coming from Reykjavík, that's a long drive, so plan accordingly.

Good to know before you go

The minimum age is 6. The tour is rated easy, but you need to be comfortable walking about 15 minutes each way on uneven terrain. Wear warm, waterproof outer layers and gloves, and sturdy, closed hiking boots; sneakers and heels won't do. Ice caves are seasonal and weather-dependent, and tours only run when conditions are safe.

Meet on the east side of the main Jökulsárlón parking lot. Look for a bright orange truck with the Arctic Adventures logo and a meeting point sign.

Pro tip: arrive well before the required 15 minutes early. Jökulsárlón parking gets busy, and there are no toilets at the glacier, so use the restrooms at the meeting point before you leave.