Katla Ice Cave Private Adventure

by Moonwalker · Ice caves · Glacier hiking · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón

5.0· 31 Google reviews of the operator
  • Beginners welcome
  • Couples
  • Suits older travellers
  • Works in the rain
  • Good with teenagers
  • Eco-certified
  • Can be tailored

from €2,165.54 per vehicle

Next departure: Mon 9 Nov

Book Mon 9 Nov · €2,165.54 the vehicleOther dates
Katla Ice Cave Private Adventure — Moonwalker
Katla Ice Cave Private Adventure, photo 2
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  • Duration

    11 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    Sep – Apr

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Pickup

    Hotel pickup included

  • Guide

    Guided in English

  • Departs

    08:30

  • Cancellation

    Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 2 days of departure.

About this experience

Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Wonders

Prepare for an exclusive adventure designed just for your group. Step into a world of ice and fire with Moonwalker on a captivating private day tour from Reykjavik to explore the incredible Katla Ice Cave, a natural wonder hidden beneath the mighty Mýrdalsjökull glacier, shaped by the forces of the infamous Katla volcano. This is a private adventure that reveals the raw, dynamic beauty of Iceland’s South Coast, accessed by Land Rover Defender.

Your Private Adventure Vehicle: The Land Rover Defender

On this Katla Ice Cave Adventure, your exclusive transport is a capable Moonwalker Land Rover Defender. Accessing the area near the Katla Ice Cave often requires navigating gravel roads and sometimes challenging terrain. The Defender is specifically suited for these conditions, providing the capability and safety needed for a reliable and adventurous journey to the ice.

Journey to the Heart of the Ice

Your journey takes us along Iceland’s stunning South Coast, a landscape of breathtaking contrasts. As we travel towards the Vík area in your private Defender, your expert Moonwalker guide will share insights into the geology and history of this volcanic region.

Inside the Katla Ice Cave: A World of Blue and Black

Prepare to be mesmerized as we arrive at the entrance of the Katla Ice Cave. Equipped with necessary safety gear provided by us, you’ll step inside this extraordinary natural formation. These caves are uniquely characterized by striking layers of volcanic ash trapped within the compressed glacial ice, creating fascinating patterns of black and brilliant blue – a truly unique perspective on the power of glaciers and volcanic activity.

Your certified Moonwalker guide is an AIMG certified Ice Caving Guide (also with Search and Rescue (SAR) backgrounds and WFR certification), possessing the highest level of expertise for assessing conditions and leading tours safely within this dynamic environment. They will explain the geological features and how these temporary ice formations are created, adding depth to your exploration inside the ice tunnels and chambers.

South Coast Gems Along the Way

The adventure isn’t confined to the ice cave alone. On your private journey, your guide will make stops at some of the South Coast‘s most famous natural attractions:

  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Get the chance to walk the path behind the cascading water (conditions permitting) and feel its refreshing spray.
  • Skógafoss Waterfall: Marvel at the sheer power and beauty of this impressive 60-meter waterfall.
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Explore the dramatic black sands, hexagonal basalt columns, and the legendary Reynisdrangar sea stacks near the village of Vík. Witness the power of the Atlantic waves (always maintaining a safe distance).

An Unforgettable Icelandic Experience: Private & Expertly Guided in a Defender

Visiting the Katla Ice Cave is an absolute highlight for anyone exploring Iceland in the cooler months when conditions allow access. Combined with the iconic sights of the South Coast, this private day tour offers a perfect blend of natural wonder, geological insight, and unforgettable photo opportunities. As a highly-rated family business, consistently earning the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award every year since 2016, Moonwalker delivers superior service, safety, and personal attention.

Description from the operator, Moonwalker. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Katla ice caves

Included

  • Expert Guide: Private guidance by a certified Moonwalker expert guide (Certified Tourist Guide, AIMG Ice Caving Guide, with SAR, WFR backgrounds).
  • Transportation: All ground transportation in a Moonwalker Land Rover Defender.
  • All necessary safety equipment for the Ice Cave tour (helmet, headlamp, crampons if needed for access).
  • Visit to all listed highlights on the South Coast.

Not included

  • Lunch (your guide will make a stop where you can purchase food). Snacks, drinks.

Good to know

Sturdy hiking boots (MANDATORY for attaching ice cave crampons. Must cover your ankle for proper fit and safety on ice – no sneakers or casual shoes). Waterproof & windproof jacket and pants (Essential, can be wet inside cave.), Warm layers, Warm hat and gloves, Sunglasses and sunscreen, Small backpack, Reusable water bottle, Camera (protect it from moisture.), Your sense of adventure.

  • Duration: Approximately 11 hours (+/- 1 hour).
  • Type: Private Tour (Exclusively for your booked group).
  • Pick-up: From your accommodation in the Capital Area starting at 8:30 AM.
  • Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate. Involves some walking on uneven terrain (rocky paths to cave entrance, uneven ice floor inside cave) and potentially stepping over small streams or obstacles. Requires ability to step in/out of a vehicle.
  • Vehicle: Travel in a Moonwalker Land Rover Defender for your private journey.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 2 days of departure. 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.

  1. 1Moonwalker 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 the cutoff shown above, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

  • Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 11 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.
  • Priced per vehicle, so it is poor value for one or two people and good value for four or more sharing.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Moonwalker 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 Moonwalker

Read all 31 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 5.0/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Hugo Medeiros

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    We had an absolutely unforgettable experience in Iceland with Bessi and Cami. We spent 8 days together, drove more than 3,000 km around the island, and visited some of the most beautiful and remote places we have ever seen. From waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and lava fields to fjords, small villages and hidden spots far from the obvious tourist route, every day was carefully planned and incredibly special. Bessi is much more than a guide. He is extremely professional, knowledgeable, safe, flexible and a truly great companion on the road. He knows Iceland deeply and has a very special ability to read the day, the weather and the mood of the group. Several times, he adjusted the route to take us to an amazing place, even when that meant driving extra hours or changing the original plan. Those unexpected stops became some of the best memories of the trip. Cami was also wonderful — kind, attentive, organized and always making sure everything went smoothly. Together, they made us feel very well taken care of throughout the entire journey. The itinerary was excellent, with the perfect balance between the classic highlights and more unique places that we would never have found on our own. The hotels selected by Bessi were also very well chosen, always fitting the route and giving us comfort at the end of long and intense days. What made the trip so special was not only the beauty of Iceland, but the way Bessi and Cami helped us experience it: with calm, safety, good humor, attention to detail and genuine care. We are deeply grateful for everything they did for our family. If you are planning a trip to Iceland and want a private, thoughtful and truly memorable experience, we highly recommend Bessi and Cami. They made our trip extraordinary.

  • Timo Pauli

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    Best experience on iceland! We had an amazing tour, Bessi is just so much fun and knows all the details, we saw fantastic places on Hekla/Landmannalaugar you would usually never see - and lovely dog Cami is definitely a bonus. Highly recommended, we will definitly book Bessi again!!

  • Justin Moyer

    ★★★★★ · a year ago

    We were told that we must use Moonwalker Tours and Bessi on our trip to Iceland. Best advice for any trip we’ve taken! Bessi and Cami were perfect for our family of 5. Bessi is so personable and knowledgeable you find yourself quickly becoming friends rather than a tour guide. The stops and off the path places he took us was way beyond our expectations. His ability to connect to all three of our kiddos (ages 13-21) was amazing. Then add Cami to the trip to take the experience over the top. Thank you Bessi for 3 unforgettable days in Iceland. We will see you again!

  • ptismail

    ★★★★★ · a year ago

    We had the best experience on our day tour to the Landmannalaugar area with Bessi and Cami. Bessi is personable, funny and kind. And he took us to see things that surprised us, even after having researching our trip a lot and after already driving the ring road and seeing the sights along it. Highly recommend!

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

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.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

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Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

BusTravel Iceland

South Coast & Katla Ice Cave

from €264 per person4.70· 3,015 Google reviews of the operator

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
Check dates

from

€2,165.54 per vehicle

Book Mon 9 Nov · €2,165.54 the vehicle