Private South Coast & Glacier Lagoon Tour

Explore Iceland’s natural beauty along the South Coast with the comfort of a private tour and the stunning views of the Glacier Lagoon.

Please note:

The weather can be unpredictable in Iceland so during winter you may expect us to occasionally need to alter the tour itinerary if weather/road conditions are unfavorable.

Available: All year

Duration: Approx. 14hrs, depending on your time spent at each stop and the duration of any activity added.

Pick-up: From your hotel/accommodation within the Reykjavik Capital Area.

Additional extras available: Amphibian boat tour, Zodiac boat tour, Glacier Lagoon kayaking

Highlights

Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Skógafoss waterfall
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Diamond Beach

Description

Driving out of the Reykjavik Capital Area we head over the Hellisheiði plateau through moss-grown lava fields surrounded by rows of mountains towards the popular South Coast. The most recent lava in the field is believed to have flowed from a 6 km (3.7 mi) long volcanic fissure around AD 1000. On the way, we pass Ingólfsfjall mountain where the settler of Iceland Ingólfur Arnarsson is believed to be buried. Driving further south we get closer to the coastline with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and volcanoes and glaciers on the other side, and even the famous Hekla volcano can be seen from the road.

We make our first stop at the unique waterfall Seljalandsfoss, which drops like a curtain off a cliff into a beautiful meadow. Behind is a small cave and a walking path extending around the waterfall. This makes for a great angle to photograph this very picturesque waterfall and its surroundings, but be sure to wear good shoes and waterproof clothing before going behind it. We head on and drive past the ice cap Eyjafjallajökull which covers the caldera of a volcano that last erupted in 2010, memorably affecting air traffic throughout Europe. From the road, you will immediately spot the mesmerizing Skógafoss in the tiny Skógar village. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland dropping wide from a cliff that formerly marked the coastline. If the sun is out, the spraying from Skógafoss will form a rainbow and sometimes two. A staircase next to it leads up to a platform above this waterfall, giving you a great view over farmsteads to the ocean and on-site museums give you insight into how Icelanders lived throughout history.

Our next stop is the Reynisfjara black sand beach. This is among the most popular visits on the South Coast, with the high basalt pinnacles Reynisdrangar rising out of the sea, and extremely powerful ocean waves crashing against the basalt-columned wall of mountain Reynisfjall and steadily eroding the Hálsanefhellir basalt cave by the beach. Reynisfjara has been ranked as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world by National Geographic. Here you need to be extra cautious, as these waves are known as "sneaker waves". Though they may sometimes look calm and harmless, they have snuck up on people and pulled them into the sea, causing fatal tragedies throughout the years when people have gotten too close to the sea. Be careful while admiring this breathtaking area and please respect the puffins and other seabirds nesting in the basalt columns.

After taking in the beauty of the beach, you'll head to Fjallsárlón, a lesser-known glacier lagoon that is equally stunning. The glacier lagoon is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and you can take a boat ride on the lagoon to see the icebergs up close. The boat ride is a unique experience that allows you to get close to the icebergs and see the different shades of blue in the ice.

Finally, you'll arrive at Jökulsárlón, the crown jewel of Iceland's glacier lagoons. Here, you can take a boat or kayak tour, depending on your preference, to get up close and personal with the stunning glaciers. The lagoon is filled with floating icebergs that have broken off from the glacier, and you'll see them in all shapes and sizes. You'll also see the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest glacier, which covers about 8% of Iceland's landmass.

From the lagoon, you can walk to the Diamond Beach, where you can see icebergs that have washed up on the black sand beach. The name of this beach comes from the icebergs that sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. The contrast between the black sand and the icebergs makes for a unique and stunning sight.

This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience Iceland's natural beauty up close and personal. With a knowledgeable and experienced English-speaking driver-guide, you'll be in good hands throughout the tour. Your guide will share fascinating information about Iceland's geology, history, and culture, making this tour an educational and unforgettable experience.

After this long day of exceptional landscapes and scenery, we make our way back to the buzzing city life of the Reykjavik Capital Area.

Activities

The following are the extra bookable activities available to add to your booking during the check-out process (please only add one activity to your booking):

Available to add to the tour:

Jökulsárlón:
- Amphibian boat tour
- Zodiac boat tour
- Glacier Lagoon kayaking
Fjallsárlón:
- Zodiac boat tour

National Park entrance fee
Parking fees
Pickup & drop-off within the Reykjavik Capital Area
Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
Knowledgeable & experienced English-speaking driver-guide

The 62 m (203 ft) high majestic waterfall Seljalandsfoss is fed by spring water originating in the moor Hamragarðaheiði and is part of the river Seljalandsá. Many think it is fed with melting water from the glacier-capped Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano that famously erupted in 2010 and affected air traffic throughout Europe, but the water in Seljalandsfoss is bright and clean due to it being spring water. It cascades into a beautiful meadow, like a curtain over a tall cliff that once marked a coastline by the ocean before eruptions extended the land, and behind the waterfall is a walking path for a unique angle of the waterfall and its surroundings. This trail continues from behind the waterfall and around it. The picturesque Seljalandsfoss is among the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland for a reason. For instance, it was featured in Justin Bieber‘s music video I’ll Show You and was the first leg of the sixth season of the American series The Amazing Race.

Be sure to wear shoes with a good grip if you plan on walking behind Seljalandsfoss as it can be slippery, and wear waterproof clothing due to the spraying from the waterfall.

We’ll also make a short walk to Seljalandsfoss’ neighbor Gljúfrabúi, a 40 m (131 ft) high partially hidden waterfall in the river Gljúfursá within a canyon with mossy walls, which is a great addition to the spectacular visits on the south coast of Iceland. You will however need waterproof shoes to get to Gljúfrabúi.

Please respect nature – do not throw out trash or walk on any moss.
For environmental responsibility purposes, you do not need to print out your e-ticket.
Your private driver-guide can always recommend different restaurants in the area and make stops on the way so you can purchase food/snacks/drinks, but you are also welcome to bring a packed lunch.
This tour's total duration depends on whether extra bookable activities are added to the booking during checkout.
Road conditions or adverse weather could make some stops inaccessible during winter, so the itinerary may need to be altered if necessary.
Dress according to the weather by wearing warm and wind-/waterproof clothing in layers and bring gloves and a hat.
Wear suitable footwear, preferably waterproof with a good grip, in case of slippery conditions due to ice, rain, or gravel paths.
We may occasionally need to alter the tour itinerary due to unpredictable weather and road conditions in Iceland, especially during winter. The weather in Iceland can be quite unpredictable.