By Dave & Deb Bouskill, on November 5, 2014

Celebrating water and ice in Iceland

Driving the Ring Road of Iceland is an adventure not to be missed. Many people take a tour bus to drive the road, but we recommend renting (in Reykjavik) because it gives you the freedom to explore the untamed landscape at your own pace. By doing a self-guided drive around the country, you can avoid the crowds and pull off any time you wish. More important, you can stay at any one stop as long as you like. When we visited, we found ourselves stopping to go for hikes and taking the time to really soak up the scenery. Those on tour buses only had the chance to snap quick photographs before they had to move on.

Iceland is a small country, but it’s packed with diverse beauty. Against that backdrop, Iceland is a land of ever-changing weather, dramatic stormy skies, massive lava fields, and striking mountains and glaciers. The water of Iceland is perhaps the nation’s most memorable feature. Water comes in all shapes and sizes here. Raging seas crash against the coast, waterfalls cascade over high cliffs, and massive chunks of glaciers break off to create picturesque lagoons filled with floating icebergs.

We visited Iceland recently and had the opportunity to drive around and shoot photos at our leisure. Here, in no particular order, are some of our favorite shots, an album that takes you on a photographic journey through Iceland’s water and ice.

Jökulsárlón Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Lagoon

The Jökulsárlón Lagoon is filled with icebergs. It sits at the base of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and is a dazzling display of glistening ice floating in blue water.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall is one of the only waterfalls in Iceland you can walk behind. Looking out from behind the wall of water lets you feel the fury and strength of Mother Nature.

Unnamed waterfall on the Ring Road

Unnamed waterfall on the Ring Road

You spot waterfalls at every turn in Iceland. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are famous stops on the Ring Road, but many of them are unnamed. The ones without names are no less beautiful than the others.

Water and ice collide on the southeast coast of Iceland

Water and ice collide on the southeast coast of Iceland

At the mouth of the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, the current takes ice out to the open ocean. To stand on the beach and witness the waves crash over the ice and tear it apart. Is a spectacle not to be missed.

The harbor in Reykjavík

The harbor in Reykjavík

In Iceland’s capital there is a famous sculpture named “The Sun Voyager.” It was created by sculptor, Jón Gunnar Árnason, to commemorate the brave men who followed the setting sun across the sea to discover Iceland.

The Hraunfossar stepped waterfalls

The Hraunfossar stepped waterfalls

Located in West Iceland, Hraunfossar is a series of terraced waterfalls cutting through the lava fields.

A rainbow at Skógafoss

A rainbow at Skógafoss

Skógafoss is located in the south of Iceland and is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland with a vertical drop of 200 feet.

The fury of the Vik coast

The fury of the Vik coast

Off the coast of Vik in southern Iceland, there are formations known as the Troll rocks. The legend says they are remnants of trolls that were out fishing too late and turned to stone by the rising sun.

Ice on the black-sand beaches of Iceland

Ice on the black-sand beaches of Iceland

Strolling the black beach near Jökulsárlón Lagoon, you will find dozens of beached icebergs. At sunset they make a perfect subject for haunting photos.

Ancient volcanoes dot the landscape

Ancient volcanoes dot the landscape

We came across this volcano on the side of the road as we were heading to Skaftafell along the Ring Road. We didn’t know it was a famous photograph location, we just knew it was beautiful.

Dirty ice at Skaftafell

Dirty ice at Skaftafell

Skaftafell is another picturesque location in Iceland. Here ice runs off the glacier and gets caught up in glacial tongues further down the valley.

The mighty Godafoss

The mighty Godafoss

Godafoss is located in the northeast of Iceland. It is one of the most magnificent waterfalls on the island. It may not have the highest vertical drop, but at 100 feet wide it definitely is impressive.