Glaciers & Waterfalls / South Coast and Glacier Hiking
by Arctic Adventures · Glacier hiking · Hiking & trekking · South Coast
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
- Skip the queue
from €183.45 per person
Next departure: Thu 22 Oct
1 / 26
Duration
13 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
08:00
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Start your adventure with convenient pick-up in Reykjavík and head out along Iceland’s scenic South Coast. Our first stop is the majestic Skógafoss, a 60-meter-high waterfall where you can walk right up to the roaring water or climb the stairs for panoramic views.
Next, we explore the dramatic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, known for its towering basalt columns, hidden sea caves, and the striking Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean - said to be trolls turned to stone by the sun.
Then, gear up for the highlight of the day: a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull. Your certified guide will provide all the necessary gear and lead you across the ancient ice, past deep crevasses and surreal blue ice formations. Guests should be prepared to hike up to 6km on uneven terrain with moderate elevation gain.
Before heading back to Reykjavík, we stop at the stunning Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall for a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity. During the winter months, Seljalandsfoss is illuminated with lights, making it a perfect end-of-day stop.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík Pickup
- Hvolsvöllur
- Skógafoss
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Sólheimajökull
- Seljalandsfoss
- Reykjavík Dropoff
Included
- Reykjavík pickup & drop-off in a comfortable minibus
- Scenic views of Iceland's South Coast
- Sightseeing stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls
- Visit to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Expertly guided gacier hike on Sólheimajökull
- Certified Glacier Guide
- Safety Equipment: crampons, walking axe, helmet, harness
- Free Wi-Fi aboard the minibus
Good to know
- Warm outdoor clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, and gloves
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support (mandatory for the glacier hike - available to rent for a small fee)
- Food & drinks
For the glacier hike:
- Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are required for this adventure (available to rent for a fee)
- In order to safely fit our specialized glacier crampons, guests must have a shoe size between 35-50 EU
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 high wind or rain on the ice — the guide decides at the meeting point, sometimes after you have set off. 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 Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall & Black Sand Beach from Glaciers and Waterfalls is €161 — €22 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €183 | Glaciers and Waterfalls · €161 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 13.5 hours | 11 hours |
| How hard it is | Easy | Moderate |
The €22 buys you 2.5 more hours out. 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 8 cannot join this one.
- Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 13 hours and 30 minutes 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 South Coast Tour from Reykjavík (2026): 5 PicksWhich South Coast day tour to book from Reykjavík, ranked: big bus, small group, glacier hike or private. Real prices and honest tradeoffs.
- Glacier hike or ice cave: which to bookBetween October and April, book the Skaftafell hike-and-cave combo and get both. The rest of the year, a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull is the better day.
- Golden Circle or South Coast: which first?One day, two classic tours. The Golden Circle is shorter and steadier in winter; the South Coast is the better landscape if you have the daylight.
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.
Glacier hiking — questions people ask
Which glacier is best for a first glacier hike?
Sólheimajökull on the South Coast, about two and a half hours from Reykjavík. It is the most accessible glacier tongue, the walk from the car park is short and the three-to-four-hour tours (/experience/6853/ or /experience/914990/) suit beginners. Skaftafell in the southeast has bigger ice and fewer people, with tours like Glacier Wonders (/experience/17340/), but it is a five-hour drive each way, so it only works if you are staying out there.
Can you hike on a glacier in Iceland in summer?
Yes. Glacier hiking runs all year. In June to August the ice is grey and gritty on the surface with blue crevasses and meltwater channels, and the weather is milder. In November to March the ice is whiter and you may see ice formations, but daylight is short and the wind bites. Neither is better; summer is easier, winter is prettier. The one thing you cannot do in summer is visit a natural blue ice cave.
How fit do I need to be for a glacier hike?
Moderately. You walk two to three hours on uneven ice in crampons, with some short steep sections. Anyone who can manage a hilly day walk will be fine; the pace is slow because the guide is checking the route. It is not for anyone with knee or balance problems, and most operators set a minimum age of eight to ten. Check the tour page. Longer tours like Glacier Explorer (/experience/17338/) push further onto the ice and need more stamina.
What do I need to bring on a glacier hike?
Sturdy boots with ankle support, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, gloves and a hat, plus water and a snack. The operator provides crampons, a harness, a helmet and an ice axe. Jeans and trainers are not allowed on the ice, and guides do turn people away. Most meeting points rent boots and rain gear for a small fee; check the tour page and book them in advance in summer.
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 €11 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
Arctic Adventures
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from age 6 · pickup included
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- Wi-fi on board
- Free cancellation 24 h
Arctic Adventures
3 Day - Golden Circle, South Coast, Jökulsárlón & Ice Cave
from age 8 · pickup included
3 days · from Reykjavík
- Age 8+
- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 24 h
The Iceland Tour Co.
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- Age 8+
- Wi-fi on board
- Admission included
Unreal Iceland
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10 h · from Reykjavík
- Age 12+
- Free cancellation 24 h
- Book the night before
Glaciers and Waterfalls
Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfall, Black Sand Beach and Sky Lagoon
15% below the €216 typical for glacier hikes
Moderate · from age 12 · pickup included
13 h · from Reykjavík
- Age 10+
- Gear included
- Family friendly
Absorb Iceland
Private Transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik
pickup included
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- Family friendly
- Free cancellation 2 days ahead
- Private