2 Day Winter Adventure to Icelands South Coast, Diamond Beach, Ice Cave and Northern Lights
by David The Guide · Northern lights · Ice caves · Multi-day packages · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón
- Fine on your own
from €579.93 per person
Next departure: Sat 24 Oct
1 / 14
Duration
2 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
08:00
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 3 days before
About this experience
Discover breathtaking waterfalls, explore a crystal blue ice cave, and experience the extraordinary landscapes of Iceland’s South Coast. This two-day adventure brings together some of Iceland’s most spectacular natural wonders, including Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, the famous DC-3 plane wreck, and an unforgettable ice cave adventure inside Europe's largest glacier.
Enjoy one night in three-star accommodation with breakfast included, giving you time to experience the magic of South Iceland and the chance to witness the Northern Lights.
Day 1: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach & the DC-3 Plane Wreck
Your adventure begins with pickup from a designated tour bus stop near your downtown Reykjavik accommodation or at a major hotel. Then head towards the South Coast, where towering mountains, dramatic cliffs, and endless volcanic landscapes create scenery unlike anywhere else.
Visit Seljalandsfoss, where you may have the opportunity to walk behind the cascading waterfall, discover the hidden beauty of Gljúfrabúi, and feel the power of Skógafoss as its waters plunge 60 metres from the cliffs above. Continue to the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where volcanic sands, towering basalt columns, and powerful Atlantic waves create a truly unforgettable coastal landscape.
Later, board a shuttle to the famous DC-3 plane wreck. Resting on an endless stretch of black sand since 1973, this abandoned US Navy aircraft has become one of Iceland’s most iconic photography locations.
After a day of exploring, settle into your three-star South Coast hotel. Following dinner, your guide will share the Northern Lights forecast. When darkness, weather, and aurora activity allow, you may have the opportunity to watch the magical lights dance across the Icelandic sky from your hotel.
Rest comfortably overnight, with breakfast included the following morning.
Accommodation: Hotel Smyrlabjörg, Hotel Dyrhólaey, or similar, depending on availability.
Day 2: Crystal Blue Ice Cave, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Today’s highlight is an unforgettable adventure into the Crystal Blue Ice Cave, hidden within Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier.
Begin your day at the magnificent Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where enormous icebergs drift across crystal-blue waters against a breathtaking glacial backdrop. Take in the extraordinary scenery and capture unforgettable photographs before your glacier adventure begins.
At Jökulsárlón, meet your certified glacier guide and climb aboard a powerful Super Jeep for an exciting journey towards the glacier. Along the way, discover fascinating stories about Iceland’s glaciers, landscapes, and the natural forces that have shaped this remarkable region.
Once at the glacier, your guide will provide crampons and the necessary safety equipment before leading you on a scenic hike towards the ice cave. Step inside a spectacular world of shimmering blue ice, where incredible colours and natural ice formations create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. This is a truly unique opportunity to experience the frozen beauty of Iceland from within.
Continue to the famous Diamond Beach, where pieces of glacial ice wash ashore and sparkle against the contrasting black volcanic sand. It’s one of Iceland’s most remarkable natural sights and a perfect place to capture a few more unforgettable photographs.
The return journey also includes possible stops at the Eldhraun Lava Fields and the Bridge of the Volcanoes. If time permits, enjoy a stop in Vík, the South Coast’s charming coastal village, before making your way back to Reykjavik.
Two Days. Endless Icelandic Adventures.
From roaring waterfalls and dramatic black sand beaches to floating icebergs and the magical blue world beneath a glacier, this adventure showcases the very best of Iceland’s South Coast.
With a small group, knowledgeable local guides, comfortable accommodation, and the chance to experience the Northern Lights, every moment brings something extraordinary.
Book your two-day South Coast adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Please Note:
The minimum age for this tour is 8 years. Warm, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear are essential for enjoying your adventure.
Dinner may be later in the evening, around 8–9 PM, due to the tour schedule. We recommend bringing snacks to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
Some stops may be adjusted depending on weather conditions, available daylight, and accommodation location. Icelandic winter weather can be unpredictable, so we ask all participants to remain flexible and trust our experienced guides to provide a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Northern Lights sightings depend on weather conditions and aurora activity and cannot be guaranteed.
This is a very popular tour, especially during December and the winter holidays. We strongly recommend booking in advance to secure your place.
The David the Guide Experience
David the Guide began with one passionate guide who wanted to share more of Iceland and create unforgettable experiences for travellers. As demand grew, so did our team.
Today, David the Guide is a family of adventure-loving guides who share David’s vision of providing personal, memorable, and authentic Icelandic experiences. When you travel with us, you're not simply joining a tour — you're exploring Iceland with people who genuinely love what they do.
If you have any questions about this tour, please email info@davidtheguide.com.
Description from the operator, David The Guide . Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Day 1: South Coast
- Day 2: Day 2: Jokulsarlon
Included
We include:
- The super jeep tour to the Crystal Ice Cave
- Small Group Tour
- Wifi in vehicle
- Ticket Admission for the Ice Cave,
- 3 Star Hotel on the South Coast for 1 night with breakfast included
Not included
- Lunch and Dinner not included
Good to know
Please come prepared with your overnight bag. We suggest having a waterproof jacket with sturdy hiking boots, hat and gloves. Feel free to bring any snacks and beverages you would like- dinner is late.
Dinner can be between 7-8pm, so we advise bringing beverages and snacks to prevent hunger spells
Please bring only an overnight bag, large suitcases are permitted if sharing with your group. Hotels in Reykjavik can hold your suitcase while on tour. Please make arrangements.
Also, special requests regarding the hotel might not be able to be accommodated- upgrades, or separate rooms for your party (parties of 2 or more will room together)
This tour is suited for most but the glacier portion is not advised for those with: limited mobility, pregnancy or other impairments. Please reach out if you are not sure if participation is advised
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 3 days 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 a solid cloud forecast — most operators call it by late afternoon and let you rebook on a clearer night free of charge. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1David The Guide 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 3 days before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
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 for last-minute planners — free cancellation ends 3 days before, longer than most tours here.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
David The Guide 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 David The Guide
Read all 127 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 6 months ago
We had an amazing time seeing the Northern lights with David The Guide during our first trip to Iceland! Ania was our guide and she was very informative about the science behind how the lights appear, and how they are able to take measurements to predict the intensity for the night. Ania also took pictures of everyone in the group who wanted one, and they turned out fantastic! In our case, the forecast was not looking great when we started the tour. But they ended up becoming very bright around midnight! Hot chocolate was provided and everyone could warm up in the bus when it got too cold. We will absolutely purchase a tour again during our next visit to Iceland!
★★★★★ · 9 months ago
As a solo traveller, I did the 2-day Winter Tour to South Coast and Diamond Beach and was able to see many of the sites that I wanted to see on my first trip to Iceland! The bus is comfortable and I had a great stay at the Hotel Hofn (comes with delicious breakfast). A few of the sites included Ice Cave, Waterfalls (Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss etc.), Diamond Beach and more. We were a small group of 9 and everyone was respectful and on time when coming back to the bus at each stop. Yes, this is a fast-paced tour, but you will cover MANY spots! Thank you to my guide, Sebastien, for a wonderful trip to the South Coast, he is friendly, knowledgeable and communicates clearly.
★★★★★ · 6 months ago
I went on the Northern Lights tour, and they let me reschedule it twice with no additional fee because conditions weren't good and the northern lights were not visible. I was able to see the northern lights on my third try, and it was an amazing experience. Chasing the northern lights with this tour company was fantastic since they take professional photos of both you and the aurora by itself, so you don’t have to worry about figuring out camera settings yourself. They also give you a hot drink, cookies, and they also lend you blankets! Be sure to layer up and bring hand warmers for your hands and feet as you will be outside for several hours
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
★★★★★ I highly recommend this South Coast tour with David the Guide. Everything was exactly as promised—and even better. Our guide, Jagoda, was outstanding. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable, organized, and clearly passionate about Iceland. Throughout the two days, she shared fascinating information about the country’s history, geology, culture, and landmarks, making every stop more meaningful and enjoyable. What impressed me most was how efficiently she managed the itinerary. We maximized our time at every location without ever feeling rushed, and she even included a few extra experiences along the way. Her planning and time management were exceptional. The small-group format made a huge difference. If you’re considering a South Coast tour, I would not hesitate to book with David the Guide. And if you’re lucky enough to have Jagoda as your guide, you’re in excellent hands. Her professionalism, expertise, and dedication truly made this one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland.
Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe glacier hikes we would book ourselves in Iceland, on Sólheimajökull and in Skaftafell, with real adult prices, departure points and who each one is not for.
- Best Horse Riding Tour in Iceland (2026): 4 PicksThe horse riding tours we would book ourselves: an easy lava-field ride near Reykjavík, the hot-spring valley, and longer rides for confident riders.
- 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.
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.
Northern lights — questions people ask
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?
September to April, when the nights are dark enough. Within that, late September to March gives the longest dark hours, and the equinox months, September and March, often have active skies. There are no lights in June or July; the sky never gets dark. Anyone selling you a June lights tour is selling you a bus ride. Give yourself at least three nights, because clouds, not the aurora, are the usual reason people miss them.
Are the northern lights guaranteed on a tour?
No. Nobody can promise them, and we will not. Two things have to line up: a clear sky and solar activity. Guides check the cloud forecast at vedur.is and drive to gaps, which is the real value of a tour over standing outside your hotel. What most operators do promise is a free second attempt if the lights do not show. Check the exact retry policy on the tour page, because the number of retries and the validity period vary.
Is a northern lights bus tour or a boat tour better?
Bus, if you want the best odds. A minibus can drive an hour inland to find a clear patch; a boat stays in Faxaflói and sees whatever sky is over Reykjavík. Boats are shorter, about two hours, and pleasant with hot chocolate, and Reykjavik Sailors' cruise (/experience/6637/) includes a free retry. For a serious hunt, a small-group minibus like BusTravel's (/experience/150646/) or a 4x4 tour (/experience/1088067/) is the better bet.
Can I see the northern lights from Reykjavík itself?
Yes, on strong nights. The city is small and the sky over the sea to the north is fairly dark. Grótta lighthouse at the western tip and the Ægisíða shoreline are the usual spots, twenty minutes' walk from the centre. On average nights the street lights drown out a faint aurora, which is why tours drive out. If the forecast shows high activity and clear sky, walk to Grótta first and save the tour money.
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 €22 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.
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