Private South Coast & Glacier Lagoon Tour

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