South Coast Odyssey: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Horse Riding

by Your Friend in Reykjavik · Horse riding · Airport transfers · South Coast

4.90· 1,779 Google reviews of the operator
  • Beginners welcome
  • Luxury
  • Works in the rain
  • Eco-certified
  • Skip the queue
  • Can be tailored

from €2,101.9 per vehicle

Next departure: Thu 22 Oct

Book Thu 22 Oct · €2,101.9 the vehicleOther dates
South Coast Odyssey: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Horse Riding — Your Friend in Reykjavik
An aerial view of Seljandsfoss
Travellers greeting a Guide from Your Friend in Reykjavik
A picture of Reynisfjara, the Black Beach
A picture of the basin of Skogafoss
A picture of Vik i Myrdal taken from a nearby hill.
A picture of rock formations by Reynisfjara, the Black Beach.
Aerial view of Skogafoss
A traveller stranding at Reynisfjara, the Black Beach
South Coast Odyssey: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Horse Riding, photo 10
South Coast Odyssey: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Horse Riding, photo 11
South Coast Odyssey: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Horse Riding, photo 12

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  • Duration

    12 hours

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Pickup

    Hotel pickup included

  • Guide

    Guided in English, French, German, Spanish

  • Departs

    08:00

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

Icelandic South Coast Adventure: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches

Tour Overview:The South Coast of Iceland is a wonderland of jaw-dropping landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and awe-inspiring natural formations. This exclusive tour from Reykjavik takes you through the most iconic sites along the South Coast, including spectacular waterfalls, a stunning glacier, and the unique Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We'll also make a stop in the charming village of Vik for a delicious lunch and later, an unforgettable horseback riding experience along the black sand beach. Get ready for a journey like no other, packed with nature, history, and adventure.

South Coast Itinerary

  1. Depart from Reykjavik
    We’ll set off early from Reykjavik, heading east toward Iceland’s magnificent South Coast. Along the way, soak in scenic views of volcanoes, mountains, and farmlands.
  2. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
    Our first major stop is at the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This 60-meter-tall waterfall is unique as it allows you to walk behind the falls, giving you an entirely different perspective of its cascading beauty. Bring a raincoat if you want to explore from behind.
  3. Skógafoss Waterfall
    A short drive from Seljalandsfoss, the powerful Skógafoss waterfall awaits. One of Iceland's most photographed locations, Skógafoss drops 60 meters and offers a mesmerizing view, with mist often creating rainbows on sunny days. You can climb the staircase beside the falls for a panoramic view over Iceland’s lush lowlands.
  4. Sólheimajökull Glacier
    Next, we’ll stop at Sólheimajökull, a magnificent glacier tongue extending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. If you’re interested, add a glacier hike or snowmobiling adventure to get up close and personal with the icy terrain. Expert guides will equip you and lead the way.
  5. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
    We continue our journey to Reynisfjara, the world-famous black sand beach. Known for its dramatic waves and striking basalt columns, Reynisfjara is a photographer's dream. Nearby, the towering Reynisdrangar sea stacks add to the surreal, otherworldly atmosphere of this iconic beach.
  6. Lunch in Vik
    We’ll make a stop in the quaint seaside village of Vik for lunch. With its charming ambiance and picturesque views, Vik is the perfect place to relax and refuel before continuing our adventure.
  7. Horseback Riding on the Black Sand Beach
    After lunch, enjoy a unique Icelandic experience: horseback riding along the black sand beaches. Riding Icelandic horses, known for their friendly nature and smooth gait, you’ll feel connected to both the landscape and Icelandic culture as you travel along the windswept shore.
  8. Optional Add-Ons
    Our South Coast itinerary can be customized with additional activities such as:Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull
    Snowmobiling
    Exploring The Lava Tunnel
    Horseback Riding at a Different Location
    In summer, we can also visit Dyrhólaey, a famous cliff formation that becomes a puffin paradise, offering excellent views of these iconic seabirds in their natural habitat.
  9. Return to Reykjavik
    After a full day of exploring the incredible South Coast, we’ll make our way back to Reykjavik, filled with unforgettable memories and photos of Iceland’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Additional Information:
Each additional activity or extended hour beyond the tour’s standard duration will incur a separate charge. For more information or to create a personalized itinerary, please contact us at info@yourfriendinreykjavik.com.

Description from the operator, Your Friend in Reykjavik. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Skógafoss Waterfall
  2. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  3. Vík í Mýrdal
  4. Dyrhólaey
  5. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Included

  • This tour includes, expert guide, comfortable car, gasoline, and more

Not included

  • Tips are welcome in Iceland if you feel the tour is of good quality but not a requirement

Good to know

  • Please dress according to the weather, in Iceland that means be prepared for any kind of weather. :). 


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 a forecast the operator judges unsafe. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Your Friend in Reykjavik 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 1 day before departure, 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: 12 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

Your Friend in Reykjavik 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 Your Friend in Reykjavik

Read all 1,779 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.9/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Sanket Das

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Your Friend in Reykjavik is the best tour company in Reykjavik . I took Walk with a Viking Tour , Snaefellsnes Peninsula day tour and 6 days around Iceland Adventure tour . I spent 8 Nights in Iceland . I stayed 2 nights at Hotel Reykjavik Grand , 1 night at Hotel Geirland , 1 night at Hotel Hofn , 1 night at Wilderness Center , 1 night at Akureyri Berjaya Iceland Hotels , 1 night at Hotel Laugarbakki , 1 night at Hotel Keflavik . It was an amazing tour . My experience in Iceland was magical and heavenly . I also visited Blue Lagoon and it was a nice experience. I enjoyed my every second in Iceland . Iceland is one of the most beautiful country on our planet . I would keep visiting Iceland in the future . Thank you for making my Iceland journey special and memorable .

  • Wendy Uhlig

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    We had a great time on our Iceland Folklore tour. Our guide was Einar. He was a fantastic storyteller!! Hidden people/elves, trolls and ghost stories - and a lot of Icelandic history. Thank you Einar!!

  • Nanci Ritter

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    Petra was an incredible guide. We asked her to show us as much as she could before taking our crazy family of 10 to the airport for our flights to three different cities ! First stop was the beautiful church in downtown Reykjavik that had just opened with an organ recital. Next stop a lovely spot and observation sight overlooking the city by the Pearl. Cold and wet she found us a lovely coffee shop with the best pastries for a welcome mid morning rest next to the sea. Back in the van we drove for a bit before having the opportunity to explore a geothermal field on our way to the airport. A perfect day and ending to our time in Iceland. Petra shared alot of history and information from the perspective of a local which we all appreciated and enjoyed!

  • Vincent Damas

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    Nice walking trip in Reykjavik city centre with our local guide Hrafn, very friendly and knowledgeable. A good introduction to Iceland on the very first day of our 2 weeks road-trip around the island 👍

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.

Horse riding — questions people ask

Can complete beginners ride Icelandic horses?

Yes, and most people on the tours are beginners. Icelandic horses are small, calm and used to novices, and the one- to two-hour rides on the farm tours (/experience/164615/, /experience/170834/) move at a walk with a taste of tölt, the smooth fifth gait the breed is known for. You get a helmet and a short briefing. If you have ridden before, tell the guide; they will match you to a livelier horse.

Why can't I call it a pony?

Because Icelanders will correct you, politely. The Icelandic horse stands around 13 to 14 hands, pony height elsewhere, but it has been bred as a horse for a thousand years with no outside blood since the settlement. It has five gaits, including tölt and the flying pace. Once a horse leaves Iceland it cannot come back, to protect the herd from disease. Call it a horse; the guides will like you more.

Can I bring my own riding gear to Iceland?

Only if it has been disinfected. Iceland has strict rules to protect its horses from foreign disease: used riding clothing, gloves and boots must be disinfected before entering the country, and used leather tack, saddles and bridles are not allowed at all. The stables provide helmets and rain overalls, so most people bring nothing. Wear long trousers and closed shoes with a small heel if you have them.

Is there a weight limit for horse riding in Iceland?

Yes. Icelandic horses are small, and most stables set a rider weight limit somewhere around 100 to 110 kilograms, sometimes lower for longer rides. The tour page states the exact limit, and stables do enforce it on the day. If you are close to the limit, email us before booking and we will check with the operator. Minimum ages also apply, usually six to eight for a farm ride.

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 →

  • 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. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.

Try Iceland Tours

South Coast

from €238 per person4.8· 25 Google reviews of the operator

66% above the €144 typical for sightseeing day tours

pickup included

12 h · from Reykjavík

Check dates

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€2,101.9 per vehicle

Book Thu 22 Oct · €2,101.9 the vehicle