Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from Reykjavík
by Arctic Adventures · Ice caves · Super jeeps · Reykjavík
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
from €264.2 per person
Next departure: Thu 22 Oct
1 / 32
Duration
12 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
08:00, 09:00
Minimum age
6
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
South Coast & Katla Ice Cave Day Tour | From Reykjavík
Discover the hidden powers of Icelandic nature on a tour that combines the classic beauty of the South Coast with a raw, off-road glacier adventure.
Your day starts with a pickup from Reykjavík in a comfortable minibus. As we head east along the Ring Road (Route 1), you will pass through some of Iceland's most scenic countryside, flanked by the North Atlantic Ocean on one side and majestic mountains on the other. Upon reaching Vík, the true adventure begins. We switch gears for a rugged Super Jeep ride, leaving the main road to traverse the wild, black sand plains of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier outlet. You will be taken right up to the base of Kötlujökull, where the landscape looks like another planet.
At the glacier's edge, you will witness thousands of years of history trapped in the ice. The walls of the Katla Ice Cave are distinct for their striped pattern - layers of black volcanic ash from the Katla volcano intermingled with blue and white ice. Your expert guide will lead a short glacier walk to the cave, sharing the fascinating geology and folklore of this active volcanic region.
On the journey from Reykjavík and back we stop at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls:
- Skógafoss: A thundering giant located in the beautiful Skógar area, known for its sheer power and folklore legends.
- Seljalandsfoss: A stunning waterfall fed by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, famous for the path that allows you to walk behind the falling water.
We aim to return to Reykjavík around 8:00 p.m., leaving you with memories of fire, ice, and water.
Highlights:- Convenient pick up from designated pick up spots
- Full day adventure with a perfect mix of sightseeing and activity
- Super Jeep ride: access remote areas standard buses cannot reach
- Glacier & Ice Cave tour: see Myrdalsjökull and the famous Katla Ice Cave
- Iconic South Coast stops: Visit Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss waterfalls
- Expert glacier guide: Learn the science and stories behind the landscapes
- Accessible adventure: No car, no problem. We pick you up and drop you off after the adventure. This tour is rated as Easy (suitable for most guests in fair condition)
Read more about the Katla Ice Cave tour here.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík Pickup
- Hvolsvöllur
- Skógafoss
- Vík
- Mýrdalsjökull
- Katla Ice Cave
- Vík
- Seljalandsfoss
- Reykjavík
Included
Roundtrip transportation from Reykjavík and select pick-up points
Scenic south coast drive
Wi-Fi on board the minibus from Reykjavík
Sightseeing stops at two iconic South Coast waterfalls: Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss
Specially modified Super Jeep transport from Vik to the glacier
Expertly guided glacier & blue ice cave tour
Glacier safety gear (glacier crampons, helmet)
English-speaking certified glacier guide
Not included
Food & drinks (available for purchase at service station stop en-route)
Good to know
Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, and gloves.
- Please dress appropriately and note that sturdy footwear is required
- This tour is dependent on weather and natural conditions. Tours may be altered or cancelled if conditions are deemed unsafe. In the event of unfavourable conditions we will send out a cancellation e-mail. On occasion, late cancellations or itinerary adjustments may be unavoidable.
- Glaciers are constantly changing. The Katla Ice Cave evolves with seasonal weather and meltwater fluctuations, making every visit unique. The cave may differ from photographs and may change depending on conditions. The exact appearance and size of the cave cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is melt-water or unstable ice after a warm spell — the guide decides on the morning, and a cave can close for days. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper South Coast Tour & Vík Lava Show from BusTravel Iceland is €176 — €88 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €264 | BusTravel Iceland · €176 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 12 hours | 11 hours |
| Getting there | Picks you up | You make your own way |
| Changing your mind | Free until 24 h before | Free until 48 h before |
The €88 buys you 1 more hour out and hotel pickup. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 6 cannot join this one.
- Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 12 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Best Ice Cave Tour in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe ice cave tours we would book ourselves, from the Vatnajökull caves near Jökulsárlón to Katla near Vík, with real prices and meeting points.
- Ice caves in Iceland: Katla vs the crystal cavesKatla ice cave near Vík versus the Vatnajökull crystal caves at Jökulsárlón. Season, how you get in, what the ice looks like, and which suits your trip.
- Iceland in September: what tours runNearly everything runs in September. Puffin boats have stopped, the Highland day tours run to the 30th, and northern lights tours start nightly.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Ice caves — questions people ask
When can you visit an ice cave in Iceland?
Natural blue ice caves open from around November to March, when the glacier is cold enough for the meltwater tunnels to be safe. They form under Vatnajökull near Jökulsárlón, and the caves change every year. Two exceptions run all year: the Katla ice cave near Vík, which is dark ice striped with ash, and Into the Glacier at Langjökull, a man-made tunnel. If you want the glowing blue photos, come between November and March.
Can I do an ice cave tour as a day trip from Reykjavík?
Only the Katla cave. The South Coast and Katla ice cave tour (/experience/22559/) is about twelve hours from Reykjavík and back. The blue caves at Vatnajökull are five hours' drive each way, too far for a day, so operators sell them as two- or three-day tours (/experience/6131/, /experience/7358/) with a night near Jökulsárlón. If you are self-driving, stay in the Höfn or Skaftafell area and book the Crystal Ice Cave tour (/experience/17337/) from there.
Is the Katla ice cave as good as the blue ice caves?
Different, not worse. Katla's cave under Mýrdalsjökull is black and white, layered with volcanic ash, and open all year. It will not give you the glowing blue tunnel photos from Instagram; those are the Vatnajökull caves, November to March only. What Katla gives you is a shorter super-jeep drive from Vík (/experience/22558/) and availability in summer. If you are here between November and March and can reach Jökulsárlón, choose blue. Otherwise choose Katla.
Are ice caves safe?
With a guide, yes. Operators inspect the caves daily and cancel when meltwater, warm weather or ice movement makes them unsafe, which happens most often in November and March at the edges of the season. You wear a helmet and crampons and stay with the group. Never enter a glacier cave on your own. If your tour is cancelled for safety, you get a full refund or another date, and most operators try to substitute another cave first.
Hotels
Where to stay for this tour
From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.
from 16.181 kr.Lowest price
Guesthouse · Reykjavík
Old Town Reykjavík
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 41.790 kr.Mid-range
Hotel · Reykjavík
Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
from 60.840 kr.Top end
Hotel · Reykjavik
Hótel Holt
under 1 km away · a night for two, indicative
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
Pairs well with
Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €15 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
Arctic Adventures
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
from age 6 · pickup included
2 days · from Reykjavík
- Wi-fi on board
- Free cancellation 24 h
BusTravel Iceland
3 Day Golden Circle, South Coast & Glacier Lagoon Small-Group Tour
from age 7 · pickup included
3 days · from Reykjavík
- Wi-fi on board
- Admission included
- Family friendly
Arctic Adventures
Katla Ice Cave & Super Jeep from Vík
about the usual price for glacier hikes
from age 6 · meet at the start point
3 h · from Vík í Mýrdal
- Gear included
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 24 h
BusTravel Iceland
South Coast & Katla Ice Cave
about the usual price for ice cave tours
from age 6 · pickup at extra cost
11 h · from Reykjavík
- Wi-fi on board
- Free cancellation 2 days ahead
Superjeep.is
DT 302 Private Superjeep South Coast & Katla Ice Cave
pickup included
10 h · from Reykjavík
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 2 days ahead
- Book the night before
Icelimo Luxury Travel
Private Transfers Reykjavik Airport - Reykjavik - Private Jet - V class 4x4 5 PAX / SUV 5 PAX
pickup included
1 h · from Reykjavík
- Family friendly
- Book the night before
- Private