30 minute photo flight - Riverbeds

by Atlantsflug · Helicopter & flightseeing · Reykjavík

4.90(440) · operator on Google
30 minute photo flight - Riverbeds — Atlantsflug

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Atlantsflug's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.

  • Duration

    30 minutes

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Öræfi

  • Meeting

    Meet on location

  • Languages

    EN, IS

  • Departs

    09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

On this 30-minute private airplane photo flight, you get an unobstructed view to capture the beautiful landscapes surrounding Skaftafell Nature Reserve. During this short but spectacular flight, you can expect to photograph the braided glacial riverbeds flowing from Vatnajökull, with their vivid colours and intricate patterns. You may also choose to fly over a nearby outlet glacier, such as Skeiðarárjökull, Svínafellsjökull, or Skaftafellsjökull. Before take-off, you will go over the flight plan with your pilot, who will tailor the route to the light, weather, and the type of images you are hoping to capture.

All our photo flights are operated as private charter flights. We use a Cessna 207, a high-wing aircraft with three openable windows specifically suited for aerial photography. The Cessna seats up to five passengers, but for optimal maneuverability and shooting conditions, 1–3 passengers is ideal. A lighter aircraft allows for sharper turns and smoother adjustments during your photo session.

If you have specific areas you would like to photograph, you are welcome to let us know - we can tailor the route within the 30-minute duration.
For custom requests, email us at [email protected].


What to Expect
  • Check-in at Skaftafell Terminal and meet your pilot
  • Review of the planned route and photography goals
  • Boarding of our Cessna 207 with openable windows
  • Take-off and climb above Skeiðarársandur
  • Smooth flight with the pilot adjusting angles and altitude for ideal shots
  • Opportunities to photograph riverbeds and nearby outlet glaciers
  • Return to Skaftafell Terminal after your private session
Why Choose This Tour
  • Tailored for photographers
  • Private aircraft for full flexibility
  • Ideal for capturing abstract aerial compositions
  • Openable windows for unobstructed views
  • High-wing Cessna for excellent visibility
  • Experienced pilots who understand photographic positioning

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

Included

  • Private charter flight
  • 30 minutes of flight time
  • Cessna 207 aircraft with openable windows
  • Pre-flight route discussion with your pilot
  • Headsets for in-flight communication
  • Flexible routing based on light and weather

Not included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional photography equipment or services
  • Meals or snacks
  • Additional flight time beyond 30 minutes

Good to know

  • Camera equipment (body, lenses, batteries, memory cards)
  • Camera straps or wrist straps
  • Thin gloves (optional)
  • Sunglasses
  • Layered clothing
  • Small personal bag (space is limited)
  • All photo flights are operated as private charters.
  • The flight route may vary based on weather, light, and air traffic.
  • Passengers must provide accurate body weights when booking.
  • Photo flights are more sensitive to wind and may require rescheduling.
  • For the best maneuverability and shooting conditions, 1–3 passengers is recommended.
  • Loose items must be secured; camera straps are strongly recommended.
  • Openable windows may be used during the flight, depending on weather and safety — your pilot will advise.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in and briefing.
  • Free parking available at Skaftafell Terminal.

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 wind and visibility — flights are grounded well below the limits you would guess. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Atlantsflug 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 →

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

  • 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

Atlantsflug is one of 154 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 Atlantsflug

Read all 440 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.

  • Marcin

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    I truly think this was the best experience/activity that we did on Iceland. It was a gift for my Wife on her birthday and I think this was a bullseye! Absolutely phenomenal experience and breathtaking views. We did not get a proper weather, it was a bit windy, cloudy and pouring some light rain - due to those circumstances we had a risk of cancelling the flight, but at least after 1-2h wait as they suggested us, the sky got a bit better and we got an opportunity to fly for a smaller package of 30 minutes as Atlantsflug suggested us the day before the trip (with a refund from the package that we have chosen, which was also super nice! ❤️). On top of that I'd like to thank you again Palmi - our great pilot that just make our flight experience absolutely stunning. Safe and enjoyable flight! I do think this activity should be an obligation on the Iceland to-do list. Definitely recommend!

  • Wendy Jackson

    ★★★★★ · 4 months ago

    This was an amazing experience all round. We chose to see the Vatnajokull Glacier from the air and were not disappointed. The welcome on arrival from Malina was great with a free drink. We were in a Cessna plane with 3 others and all of us had window seats. Magnus the pilot was knowledgeable regarding the glacier and its formation. We were lucky with the weather as visibility was superb. Later that day we saw part of the glacier up close on a glacier hike. A great time with a professional & friendly organisation. I would highly recommend this experience.

  • Łukasz Strep

    ★★★★★ · 6 months ago

    The day after our engagement, we took a helicopter flight with landing at Atlantsflug, and it was truly unforgettable. Wera was incredibly helpful and made everything smooth and easy for us from the start. The whole experience felt perfectly arranged. Our pilot, who was from Sweden, was outstanding. Calm, professional, and knowledgeable. We felt completely safe the entire time, and he showed us the very best the glacier had to offer. The views were breathtaking and the glacier landing was simply magical. Highly recommended. A once in a lifetime experience.

  • Anna Przybylska

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    A highlight of our trip! Unforgettable experience! Very helpful and polite lady at the desk in the terminal and super pilot. Beautiful views, lovely people- I can recommend enough! Must do! Just got off the scenic view and can’t stop smiling :)

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026

Reviews from our travellers

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No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

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from

€634 per vehicle

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