South Coast Small Group Tour: Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach
In Iceland, the landscape can change drastically within a few short kilometers. Its reputation as the “land of fire and ice” is well earned. Nowhere is this contrast more visible than on the south coast of the country. Landscape’s geological features and colors change from one moment to the next along this famously scenic route.
The Ring Road we follow features idyllic waterfalls, looming mountains, dramatic cliffs, ancient glaciers, and haunting black sand beaches. As part of this small-group tour, you will see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks as well Sólheimajökull glacier.
Our small group tours are operated on modern and comfortable minibusses. The nature of the small group affords our passionate guides more one-on-one time with our guests, which we hope offers a more intimate and personal experience.
Embark on an intimate journey to experience the very best of Iceland’s natural beauty in a way that goes beyond the ordinary. Feel the mist of Skógafoss Waterfall as it thunders down from towering cliffs reaching 60 meters (197 feet) high, then explore the charming village of Vík í Mydal, nestled against dramatic volcanic landscapes. Walk along the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where powerful Atlantic waves crash against striking basalt columns, and witness the icy beauty of Sólheimajökull Glacier, a rugged and surreal landscape of ice and ash. Complete your adventure with a visit to the enchanting Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, where you can stroll behind its cascading waters for a truly unique perspective.
This small group tour ensures you have a more personal and immersive experience, discovering Iceland’s hidden gems at a relaxed and enjoyable pace. Join us now for this classic day tour and experience the most varied and dramatic route Iceland has to offer. This is one of the classic day trips on offer from Reykjavík.
Tour highlights & itinerary
- Professional guide
- Free WiFi on board
- Free pickup and drop off at selected locations in central Reykjavik
- Food and drinks
- Warm, water- and windproof clothing are always useful in Iceland
- Good sturdy shoes
- All tickets are e-tickets so there is no need to print them out
- The duration of the tour is approx. 10 hours
- Timings and locations may change subject to weather and conditions
- There is no food included on this tour but there will be stops where you are able to purchase food
- Sólheimajökull glacier is a 20 min walk from the parking. Good shoes are very important
- Reynisfjara is dangerous! It may not look like it but it is. Please study the signs carefully, don’t go too close to the water and follow the instructions from your guide!
- Cancellation policy: Cancellation fee of 100% charged if cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
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Itinerary
Itinerary
Pick-upCentral ReykjavikOur day tour begins with our prompt pick-up service which covers a range of designated collection points throughout the capital area, including many hotels, guesthouses, and bus stops. Once we have everyone on board, we head east from the city and begin our exploration of the highlights of the south coast.
This route largely consists of mountains to one side of the bus with the often blustery North Atlantic seacoast to the other. Over thousands of years, glacial and sea erosion has been key in sculpting this eclectic and dramatic landscape featuring glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and acres of moss-flecked lava fields. This contrast leads to an extremely varied day tour that gives you bits and pieces of the best that Icelandic nature offers.
1 Skógafoss WaterfallThe first stop of the day is the Skógafoss waterfall. This waterfall is 60m in height and drops from old sea cliffs with views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the background. This enormous drop makes the power of the Skógafoss something else to behold. Visitors can experience the falls from two levels. From the ground, one can approach the water as close as you feel like and really feel its power. If you are feeling adventurous as well as energetic, there is a moderately challenging climb of 527 steps to a viewing platform at the top of the falls. This platform offers a bird´s eye view of those below as well as a peak to the northern highlands of Fimmvörduhals and Thorsmork.
2 Vík VillageThe picture-postcard village of Vík lies to the east of Skógafoss. This tiny enclave is famous for its church and vistas of Reynisdrangar sea rock formations. It´s a tiny community but offers a place for weary travelers to refuel and recharge. It´s also a great chance to pick up some locally-made mementos of your time in Iceland. Just a few minutes walk away from the village along a nice path is the Vík black sand beach which gives you the closest views of Reynisdrangar Sea-Stacks, believed by the more mystically minded locals to the remains of petrified trolls.
3 Reynisfjara Black Sand BeachReynisfjara black sand beach is one of Iceland´s most iconic natural attractions. Named by National Geographic as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world, this shoreline features black sands, formed from sea-worn black volcanic rocks. Also at the stop, one can see the bizarre and otherworldly basalt column wall and it is a classic Icelandic holiday moment to climb the columns and pose for a snap. The cave on the beach is wondrous and a popular wedding photograph location for a good reason. From here, you can also get another perspective of Reynisfjara as well as Dyrhólaey.
Beware the creeper waves in the area and be sure to heed the safety advice of your guide while in the area. The area is often very wild and windswept so warm clothes are essential.
4 Sólheimajökull GlacierSólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the much larger icecap of Mýrdalsjökull to the north. This so-called glacier tongue descends 8km from its parent and offers both beautiful views and stark evidence of the effects of climate change. The whole area is fascinating and otherworldly with ancient ice exposed anew with each year that passes.
There is a parking lot for visitors nearby, but due to the melting and retreat of the glacier, what was once a short stroll to the glacier is now a 20-minute walk. The glacier retreated almost 1km between 2000 and 2015. This rapid melting has left behind interesting features such as moraines and steep mountains, big boulders of rock, and a small glacier lagoon. The beautiful color of the ice is ever-changing after rainfall one can see a distinctive blue hue to the ice. The vast grandeur of the area gives visitors a glimpse of the landscape-changing power these mighty glaciers have wielded over the years.
5 Seljalandsfoss WaterfallThis Instagram favorite is most famous for the walking path leading around and behind the waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is fascinating and one of the most visited falls in Iceland. The water that feeds this 60m tall waterfall originates from the (in)famous Eyjafjallajökull glacier-capped volcano. Just a few hundred meters from Seljalandsfoss one comes across one of Iceland’s hidden gems, Gljúfrabúi waterfall.
As with the rest of this day, a raincoat and sturdy shows will prove essential. If you walk behind the waterfall you will get wet, so it’s best to be prepared.- Drop-offCentral Reykjavik
This is the last stop of our day and we begin the meandering drive back to the city where you can continue your Icelandic escape.
Our day tour begins with our prompt pick-up service which covers a range of designated collection points throughout the capital area, including many hotels, guesthouses, and bus stops. Once we have everyone on board, we head east from the city and begin our exploration of the highlights of the south coast.
This route largely consists of mountains to one side of the bus with the often blustery North Atlantic seacoast to the other. Over thousands of years, glacial and sea erosion has been key in sculpting this eclectic and dramatic landscape featuring glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and acres of moss-flecked lava fields. This contrast leads to an extremely varied day tour that gives you bits and pieces of the best that Icelandic nature offers.
The first stop of the day is the Skógafoss waterfall. This waterfall is 60m in height and drops from old sea cliffs with views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the background. This enormous drop makes the power of the Skógafoss something else to behold. Visitors can experience the falls from two levels. From the ground, one can approach the water as close as you feel like and really feel its power. If you are feeling adventurous as well as energetic, there is a moderately challenging climb of 527 steps to a viewing platform at the top of the falls. This platform offers a bird´s eye view of those below as well as a peak to the northern highlands of Fimmvörduhals and Thorsmork.
The picture-postcard village of Vík lies to the east of Skógafoss. This tiny enclave is famous for its church and vistas of Reynisdrangar sea rock formations. It´s a tiny community but offers a place for weary travelers to refuel and recharge. It´s also a great chance to pick up some locally-made mementos of your time in Iceland. Just a few minutes walk away from the village along a nice path is the Vík black sand beach which gives you the closest views of Reynisdrangar Sea-Stacks, believed by the more mystically minded locals to the remains of petrified trolls.
Reynisfjara black sand beach is one of Iceland´s most iconic natural attractions. Named by National Geographic as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world, this shoreline features black sands, formed from sea-worn black volcanic rocks. Also at the stop, one can see the bizarre and otherworldly basalt column wall and it is a classic Icelandic holiday moment to climb the columns and pose for a snap. The cave on the beach is wondrous and a popular wedding photograph location for a good reason. From here, you can also get another perspective of Reynisfjara as well as Dyrhólaey.
Beware the creeper waves in the area and be sure to heed the safety advice of your guide while in the area. The area is often very wild and windswept so warm clothes are essential.
Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of the much larger icecap of Mýrdalsjökull to the north. This so-called glacier tongue descends 8km from its parent and offers both beautiful views and stark evidence of the effects of climate change. The whole area is fascinating and otherworldly with ancient ice exposed anew with each year that passes.
There is a parking lot for visitors nearby, but due to the melting and retreat of the glacier, what was once a short stroll to the glacier is now a 20-minute walk. The glacier retreated almost 1km between 2000 and 2015. This rapid melting has left behind interesting features such as moraines and steep mountains, big boulders of rock, and a small glacier lagoon. The beautiful color of the ice is ever-changing after rainfall one can see a distinctive blue hue to the ice. The vast grandeur of the area gives visitors a glimpse of the landscape-changing power these mighty glaciers have wielded over the years.
This Instagram favorite is most famous for the walking path leading around and behind the waterfall. Seljalandsfoss is fascinating and one of the most visited falls in Iceland. The water that feeds this 60m tall waterfall originates from the (in)famous Eyjafjallajökull glacier-capped volcano. Just a few hundred meters from Seljalandsfoss one comes across one of Iceland’s hidden gems, Gljúfrabúi waterfall.
As with the rest of this day, a raincoat and sturdy shows will prove essential. If you walk behind the waterfall you will get wet, so it’s best to be prepared.
This is the last stop of our day and we begin the meandering drive back to the city where you can continue your Icelandic escape.