Why can you visit Katla Ice Cave during summer season?

There are several unique reasons why you can visit Katla Ice Cave in summer:

1. Katla is what we call a “dead glacier.”. This doesn’t mean the glacier has disappeared—it simply means it no longer moves forward under its own pressure. Instead, it slowly retreats as it melts. Because it doesn’t shift or crack from internal movement, the cave’s structure stays much more predictable over time.
2. The cave is located up on the glacier. In many other glaciers, ice caves form between the glacier and the ground, where warm air and water can accumulate underneath. That’s why those caves normally get flooded during summer. In contrast, the Katla ice cave forms on the upper part of the glacier, and the risk of sudden floods is much lower.
3. Volcanic ash protects the ice. Another fascinating detail is that the Katla glacier is covered by layers of volcanic ash from past eruptions. This ash acts like an insulating blanket that helps slow down melting. Even in July or August, the ice keeps its shape and stability much better than clean, exposed ice on other glaciers.
4. Daily inspection and maintenance of the glacier. Safety is a top priority, which is why the access to the glacier and the ice cave is inspected and maintained daily. The glacier, any potential crevasses, and other hazards are constantly monitored, and we take action accordingly to ensure a safe experience for every visitor to Katla Ice Cave.

These factors combine to make the Katla ice cave in summer safe and one of the most unique places to experience the magic hidden inside an Icelandic glacier.

How is a visit to an Ice Cave in Summer?

In summer, the cave has an almost surreal beauty. Meltwater streams carve delicate patterns into the walls, blending deep blue ice with black ash veins. It feels like stepping into another world—one that doesn’t exist anywhere else on Earth.

Keep in mind that glaciers—and therefore ice caves—are constantly changing, which makes each visit unique and unrepeatable. The Katla ice cave naturally changes its shape, size, and access throughout the months. There is no human intervention other than what is needed for safety, so every visit is an incredible surprise that nature prepares for you.

If you want to step into this magical experience, you will need to book a tour, where a specialized guide will take you to the glacier and keep you safe from any dangers. Most tours depart from the town of Vík and include a ride in a super jeep across the black sand plains. Even if you visit during the warm season, you’ll need warm clothing, waterproof boots, and a spirit of adventure.

Why Choose the Katla Ice Cave in Summer?

If you’re traveling to Iceland between May and September, the Katla ice cave is your best—and in many cases your only—option for a safe and unforgettable ice cave experience. Here’s what makes it so special:

• Open all year thanks to its unique geology
• Daily maintenance to ensure a safe experience
• Volcanic ash layer that creates a completely different look compared to other glaciers
• Expert guides who keep you safe while sharing the glacier’s secrets

If you visit Iceland in summer, the Katla ice cave offers the rare chance to step inside a glacier and witness the raw power of ice and volcano together.

Tips Before Your Visit to an Ice Cave

• Book your tour in advance—in summer, spots fill up quickly.
• Dress in layers and bring waterproof clothing (even in summer, as Iceland’s weather is unpredictable).
• Never try to access a glacier or an ice cave without a certified guide.
• Bring your curiosity and your camera to capture unforgettable memories of your trip to Iceland.

If you have any questions about visiting the Katla ice cave in summer, or if you’d simply like to learn more about what to expect, our team at Katlatrack is here for you. We’re a group of local experts who are passionate about this glacier and about sharing the wonder of Iceland’s nature in a safe and respectful way.

From the moment you book to the moment you step back out of the cave, you’ll be guided and supported by professionals who know Katla better than anyone. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with your family, we’re committed to making your ice cave adventure unforgettable.

In 2009, we started Katlatrack with the goal of showing off the hidden secrets around Vík, our hometown. These secrets include the magical Þakgil canyon, the iconic black sand beaches of the south coast and, last but not least, the magical Katla ice caves. We are extremely proud of having been the first company to offer adventure tours to these ice caves, and we hold very tightly to our traditions when it comes to these tours.

Since you’ve found yourself on this page, we can assume that you are interested in exploring some of the magnificient Katla ice caves, located in the south of Iceland. And you should be! The Katla Ice Caves are unique for a couple of reasons.

• They are currently the only natural ice caves that can be explored all 12 months of the year. Most natural ice caves become unsafe during the summertime, but not the Katla ice caves.
• For travelers who only have a short limited time to explore Iceland, they are the closest natural ice caves to Reykjavík and to the Keflavík international airport. That means that adventurers can very easily go on a day tour to visit the caves without having to spend most of their day in a car or a bus.

Visiting the Katla ice caves is an experience no up-and-coming adventurer should miss. We truly believe it’s one of the finest tours in Iceland and we proudly offer two variations of the tour, each coming with their own unique twist. But how do you decide what is the best way for you to experience the ice caves? 

The FastTrack Ice Cave tour

Our best selling ice cave tour, and for good reason! This is hands down the fastest way to experience the Katla ice cave! If your ideal ice cave tour involves getting to the glacier as quickly as possible, maximising the time you get to spend exploring the cave itself, this is the perfect tour for you!

You start off in Vík, where you meet our guide and get your first look at our modified super jeep, specially designed to get you safely and comfortably to the glacier. Then you go on a roughly 45 minute drive (depending on the weather and conditions) before arriving at the edge of the massive Katla glacier.

When you arrive at the glacier, we put on our helmets and crampons before hiking a short distance to the caves. Once there, your guide will lead you through the incredible passageways of the natural ice caves, while explaining how they are formed, why they are so supernaturally blue and why they have these seemingly random streaks of black running through them.

After a good while in the caves, we leave through the hidden back door of the caves, hike back to the superjeep and drive back to Vík with a camera full of pictures and enough memories to last a lifetime!

Book your FastTrack Ice Cave tour here! 

The Katla Ice Cave tour

This one is the first ever tour operated to the Katla glacier, and it’s also our first ever tour. It holds a very special place in our hearts and even though the FastTrack tour has somewhat stolen its thunder we still believe there’s room for both types of glacier exploration tours!

It starts off the exact same way as the FastTrack tour, but we take a longer walk to the caves, exploring the Katla glacier itself more thouroughly. After a similar amount of time in the caves, we once again head to the glacier – This time on the lookout for more caves. This detour gives a much better insight into how natural ice caves are formed, and how they grow in size before becoming explorable like the main cave system.

On the way back to Vík, we take a slightly longer drive to explore a black sand beach that is much less visited than its more famous counterpart, Reynisfjara.

Book your Katla Cave tour here! 

Whether you want to maximise your time in an ice cave, or take a more explorative approach, we have the Ice cave tour for you!

And don’t forget to grab some lunch at our partners at Black Crust Pizzeria while you’re in Vík. You even get a 10% discount by showing them your Katlatrack ticket!

Your Adventure Awaits,

The KatlaTrack Team