One of the nicer (and easy) cave explorations in Iceland is actually found underneath the Snaefellsjokull glacier. PIC Kenneth Ingram
O ne of the more popular routes visitors to Iceland like to take is the drive around the majestic Snaefellsjokull glacier in the West of the country. The area makes for a really nice drive along varied landscapes and the always dominant glacier adds a touch of magic to the whole thing. But there is one stop here many fail to make.
It is easy to be taken away with many things in Snaefellsnes peninsula. The jagged coast makes some scream with delight while others dream away their troubles in a natural hot spring. Birds are here en masse and the odd tourist find the tiny villages here absolutely wonderful. All feel something special radiating from the mighty glacier, even if its size is but a fraction of what is once was.
Perhaps all this fascination is why many just drive by one of the nicer caves in the country. Vatnshellir, literally Water cave, is found just a few hundred meters from the road circling the glacier, road 574, and could in fact be said to be under the glacier.
To be sure, Vatnshellir is not on par with the stunning caves of Borgarfjordur. But for a cave here it is quite large at 200 meters long, quite beautiful and due to staircases here relatively easy to access. It can only be accessed in summertime and only with guides since precious stone formations inside must be protected from vandals.
Team Total Iceland recommends a tour. It takes an hour and the darkness and silence inside for 60 minutes will amplify your experience from the glacier afterwards. Pre-booking might be necessary in high summer. We would shine a light on the official website of Vatnshellir but unfortunately it has been taken over by some private tourist company 🙁
