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About Tour

Join our small group and explore Iceland’s most stunning natural attractions with us! Gloomy black sand beaches, giant waterfalls, crystal blue ice caves, and floating icebergs await our visit along Iceland’s epic South Coast.

Highlights

  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Vatnajökull - Europe's biggest glacier
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Vík - coastal village
  • Northern Lights (conditions permitting)
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour (optional May-Oct)
  • Natural Ice Cave (during winter)
  • Skogafoss Waterfall
  • Diamond Beach
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Volcano Views (weather permitting)

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik
  • Hotel Accommodation with a Private Bathroom
  • Breakfast at the Hotel
  • Guided Group Tour in a Minibus
  • Visit to all main highlights of the South Coast
  • Guided Ice Cave Tour (during winter)
  • English Speaking Tour Guide
  • All Necessary Safety Equipment
  • Free WiFi on Board Your Bus

What to bring

  • Warm outdoor layers (wool, fleece or synthetic are best, not cotton)
  • A waterproof jacket and pants
  • Headwear and gloves
  • Good hiking shoes are highly recommended

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year
Duration 2 days
Departs From Reykjavik
Difficulty Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Minimum age 6 years
Meet on Location No
Pick Up Yes

From

619
Per
Adult
  • Bestseller
  • Expert Guides
  • Small Group Experience
  • Free Wifi
  • No Booking Fees
  • Operated by Arctic Adventures

From

619
Book Now

Itinerary

Join us on an unforgettable journey to Iceland’s South Coast. We’ll visit all the iconic landmarks over a period of two days, making sure you won’t miss a thing! This perfect tour will introduce you to the lonely beauty of black sand beaches, the shimmering glow of an ice cave, and the uncapturable stillness of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

This wonderful two-day tour shows you the best of the famous South Coast: a world of glaciers and volcanoes that epitomizes the magic of Iceland.

Day one will take you on a coastal journey that encompasses Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, and the iconic Reynisfjara black sand beach.

Day two will introduce you to a world of ice, including Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull Glacier National Park and a local ice cave. If your aim is to see the South Coast in all of its glory, then this is the tour for you.

Ice caves are unpredictable and the tour guide chooses the one based on weather conditions, accessibility and safety. Generally, though, April-October the tour visits Katla Ice Cave, and November-March the tour visits the Crystal Ice Cave

April to October, the tour We usually visit the Crystal Ice Cave, however, sometimes it may be inaccessible – in this situation, we will visit another ice cave. We visit the Under the Volcano Ice Cave in the summer months.

Solo Travelers: If you do not choose to pay for the single supplement, then you will be partnered in a twin room with another tour participant of the same gender.

Pick-Up Information: We’ll collect you from your hotel or one of our designated Reykjavik pick-up points at 9:00 am. Please note, this process can last up to thirty minutes and we thank you for your patience in advance.

After we have picked you up near your accommodation in downtown Reykjavík, we will leave civilization behind and make our way eastbound along the South Coast. We will pass beautiful lava fields covered with green moss and travel past quaint little farms and tiny villages. Eventually, we will pass several major volcanoes such as Hekla, Katla, and Eyjajfjallajökull. These are some of the biggest volcanoes in Iceland!

Our first stop will be at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most famous cascades. It sits at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull and its water originates from the glacier. In the summer, it is safe to take the path leading behind the waterfall, but in winter, it is usually frozen and therefore closed.

Not far from here comes the next stop at Skógafoss waterfall, another majestic cascade where the water plunges down from the 18-story tall cliffs. Skógafoss was used as a filming location for the TV show “Vikings” as well as the last season of “Game of Thrones”. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.

Soon we will stop again, this time at the sea coast. The famous Reynisfjara black sand beach is one of the most visited places in Iceland. Its thrilling rock formations, hidden caves, outstanding sea stacks, and long, black sand coastline enchants everyone’s minds!

For lunch, we will stop at a nearby town called Vík í Mýrdal where there will be a spectacular view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks from the window of our restaurant. The town is home to an idyllic little church which we will also visit.

As we drive onwards through the largest lava field in all of Europe, we will pass by some truly magical landscapes. Soon we will make another stop at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which translates to “Church Town Monastery”, a small village with quite an interesting history. After some refreshments, we will continue east through a large extension of sand plains, an area of black lava, sand, and ash of around 700 square kilometers (270 square miles).

While we enjoy the unmatched panoramas, our skilled guide will explain the history and geology of the area. They will tell us more about the most famous volcanic eruptions and how locals dealt with the harsh conditions in the old times.

As we continue our drive eastwards, glaciers will soon come into view. After we have passed through the enormous sand plain, we will see the outlets of the mighty Vatnajökull, the largest icecap in Europe.

Approaching the glacier, we will stop at the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve in the National Park of Vatnajökull. It is one of the most picturesque areas in Iceland and a perfect photography spot for amateurs and professionals alike. We will also drive by Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshjúkur, which is 2,110 meters (6,992 feet) high.

The next stop is at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the crown jewel of Iceland’s natural wonders. This glacier lagoon was formed by a melting glacier called Breiðamerkursjökull. At the point where the melting glacier reaches sea level, massive pieces break away from the glacier tongue.

These icebergs start to float across the lagoon towards the ocean. The lake itself is some 75 stories deep and some of the floating icebergs can measure up to 20-30 meters (65-98 feet) high. This is where the expression means "the tip of the iceberg" comes from! The scenery is such an otherworldly sight that it leaves none untouched. It is no wonder why Jökulsárlón is one of the visitors’ favorite places in Iceland!

We will reach our country hotel in the Jökulsárlón area around dinnertime. The rooms are friendly, simple, and have the all-important WIFI connection available. A rich breakfast is included in the price. Located between the mountains and the sea, the views from the hotel are simply terrific.

If the conditions allow, this location is perfect for Northern Lights watching between September and March. If the aurora forecast shows activity and the sky is clear, we step outside our accommodation and check for the amazing Northern Lights in the evening.

Day Highlights
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Skógafoss Waterfall
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Villages of Vik
  • Northern lights search
Included
  • Pick-up in Reykjavik
  • Guided Tour in Minibus
  • Visit to Highlights of the South Coast
  • One night in a country hotel in the Skaftafell area
  • Private Bathroom
Accommodation
Adventure Hotel Hof
or similar

After a delicious breakfast, we will gear up and go explore a real ice cave inside the Vatnajökull glacier! Accompanied by an expert local glacier guide, we will jump on board a monstrous, modified Superjeep to reach our extreme destination.

Glaciers are truly spectacular, but it is not possible to visit them without a specially trained guide and the necessary equipment. Our guide will be one of those who has listened to the “breathing” of the ice for most of their lives. For this adventure, good hiking boots are essential. You will need to wear sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes that cover your ankle as we will strap on crampons for the short hike to the cave.

We will have time to explore the ice cave and stay inside for a while, taking photos and enjoying the moment. It is going to be cold, so do not forget to dress in many layers. Please note that you will be wearing a helmet, so make sure that your winter hat will fit under a helmet.

After the surreal experience of the ice cave, it will be time to head back to Reykjavik. It is a long drive, but we will have another stop at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. It is nice to see it in different light and weather conditions as the place never looks the same twice!

We will also visit the nearby Diamond Beach (also called Crystal Beach). This is the place where big ice chunks reach the sea and are washed up on shore after being polished. Sparkling ice rocks decorate the black sandy coastline for hundreds of meters, making it an unforgettable experience to walk among them. Some pieces are small like diamonds but others can be as large as the size of ten people.

From here, we will head back to Reykjavík with just a few short stops along the way. We will then drop you off in Reykjavík at around 9 pm, marking the end of our magical two-day adventure!

Day Highlights
  • Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
  • Natural Ice Cave
  • Vatnajökull Glacier
  • Diamond Beach
  • Northern Lights search
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Visit to Jokulsarlon Lagoon
  • Safely guided tour in a natural ice cave
  • Certified Glacier Guide
  • Necessary glacier equipment
  • Drop off in Reykjavik

Reviews

5
Based on 19 reviews

2 Day South Coast, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Ice Cave Tour

FAQ

Our multi-day tours will give you a small group experience as they are operated in a mini-bus and you get a better connection with the guide.

By booking a multi-day tour with us, you don’t need to have to worry about finding accommodation during the time of the tour as our multi-day tour includes accommodation which is often booked far in advance. You will get more opportunities to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to see on a one-day tour. 

All of our tours are English guided so you will have English speaking licensed guide throughout the tour that will tell you everything about what you see along the way and knows where the best locations to stop by at to get the absolute best experience.

When booking your tour you are guaranteed accommodations at a friendly country hotel and/or guesthouse. All of the hotels we work with are of the same standard and offer nice rooms with beds and linen. The standard room is a twin room but it is possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking.

Free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels.

If you want to have your own room, then a single supplement is payable in order to secure a single room. If you do not wish to book a single room then you will be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.

Breakfast is included at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant during the tour. Meals and beverages are not included on your tour. However, we will make stops at restaurants and conveniences stores where you are able to purchase all necessities.

The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt though.

A typical breakfast buffet is included at all the hotels/guesthouses we stay at during the tour, allowing you to fuel up for the day on various slices of bread, toppings, cereal, fruits, and yogurt. Tea and coffee are also included, alongside a variety of additional tasty options.

Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch, where you can find a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels/guesthouses we stay at for the night. We will make stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.

The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt, though.

For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you are traveling with extra bags or heavier luggage, you will need to book suitable storage before you arrive; this will incur a small fee. There is the option to add luggage storage in Reykjavík during the booking process of your order in the extras section.

* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).

We welcome all participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. Our average group usually consists of participants between the ages of 22 to 55 years. However, we have people of all ages, ranging from 8 to 99 years, joining our multi-day tours. We get a lot of solo travelers joining us, as well as families and friends.

If you find yourself having difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, then you are more than welcome to skip it. Iceland is surrounded by beautiful scenery so you can explore your surroundings in the meantime r wait elsewhere while others do the activity. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available if requested.

The average is around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You’ll spend approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. Stops are of course, made at multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks, lunch stops, etc.

We do offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking shoes. These items are available to book under the selection “Extras’’ in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.

If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do that at least 24 hours before your tour starts, via our Customer Portal.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that they will be seen on your tour. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see the lights is between September - March when it’s a dark and clear sky. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from the city lights.

Most of the hotels on our tours are remotely located and, therefore, ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in our favor, then it is very likely that you will be able to see the northern lights. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call upon request if lights are spotted, so it is more likely that you will see the lights on a multi-day tour!

We always highly recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30) you should be able to join the tour, but be aware that some risks could follow such as flight gets delayed and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.

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