2 Day South Coast Tour: Jökulsárlón, Ice Cave & Diamond Beach

This 2 day South Coast tour takes you from Reykjavík to Vatnajökull National Park in a small-group minibus. Day one covers the big waterfalls and Reynisfjara before a night near Skaftafell, with a chance of Northern Lights. Day two brings Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and a guided visit to a natural ice cave with a certified glacier guide.

• A guided ice cave visit with a certified glacier guide, all year round
• Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the two big South Coast waterfalls
• Icebergs at Jökulsárlón and ice on the black sand at Diamond Beach
• A night in the countryside near Skaftafell, away from city lights
• Hotel pick-up in Reykjavík and all safety equipment included

Your day, stop by stop

2Day 1: SeljalandsfossA 60-metre waterfall you can walk behind in the right conditions.

The first big stop on the South Coast. A path runs behind the falling water, but in winter it is often closed because of ice. The view from the front is still good.

Walking · short path from the car parkTip · wear a waterproof jacket, the spray gets everywhere

Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →

3Day 1: SkógafossA wide, powerful waterfall near the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.

A wide, powerful waterfall near the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, 60 metres high. You can walk right up to the base of the falls, or climb the long staircase beside it for a view over the river and the coast. There are toilets and a café nearby.

Walking · flat to the base; long staircase to the topFacilities · toilets and café nearby

Read our Skógafoss guide →

4Day 1: Reynisfjara black sand beachBlack sand, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

The best-known black sand beach in Iceland, with basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore. The waves here are dangerous, and sneaker waves can reach far up the beach without warning. Keep well back from the water and never turn your back on the sea. There is a restaurant and toilets.

Safety · keep well back from the water and never turn your back on the seaFacilities · restaurant and toilets

Read our Reynisfjara guide →

5Night near SkaftafellA countryside hotel with breakfast, and a Northern Lights look if the sky allows.

You drive through the lava fields and past Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Adventure Hotel Hof or similar in the Skaftafell area. Rooms have a private bathroom, towels, a hairdryer, a kettle and free Wi-Fi. Dinner is not included. Most hotels offer a wake-up call if the Northern Lights appear.

Room · private bathroom, breakfast includedSolo travellers · share a twin room with a guest of the same gender, or pay a single supplement for your own room

Read our Skaftafell guide →

6Day 2: Jökulsárlón Glacier LagoonLarge icebergs drift across the lagoon in Vatnajökull National Park.

Large icebergs break off the glacier and float slowly across the lagoon towards the sea, in Vatnajökull National Park. Seals are often seen among them. Easy paths run along the shore, and there is a café and toilets.

Walking · easy paths along the shoreFacilities · café and toilets

Read our Jökulsárlón guide →

7Day 2: Diamond BeachChunks of ice washed up on black sand across the road from the lagoon.

Ice floats out of the lagoon to the sea and the waves push it back onto the black sand beach, so what you see changes every day. It is a few minutes' walk from the car park onto the sand. Keep back from the waterline.

Walking · a few minutes from the car park onto the sandTip · keep back from the waterline

Read our Diamond Beach guide →

8Day 2: Ice caveA guided ice cave visit with a certified glacier guide.

From October to mid-April the main cave is the Crystal Ice Cave, a natural ice cave inside Vatnajökull. From mid-April to September you visit the Katla Ice Cave near the Katla volcano. Ice caves change all the time, so the cave will not look exactly like the photos. If the main cave is not accessible you visit another ice cave, and if that is not possible you do a glacier hike instead.

October to mid-April · Crystal Ice Cave in VatnajökullMid-April to September · Katla Ice CaveEquipment · all necessary safety equipment includedIf no cave · a glacier hike instead

9Day 2: VíkA short stop in the small coastal village with its red-roofed church.

A short stop in the small coastal village of Vík, with its red-roofed church on the hill, on the drive back towards Reykjavík.

Read our Vík í Mýrdal guide →

About the 2 day South Coast tour

Jökulsárlón is a long way from Reykjavík for one day. On this 2 day South Coast tour you split the trip in two, so you have time for the classic stops along the coast, a night in the countryside and a guided ice cave visit in Vatnajökull National Park.

Day one follows Route 1 past Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to Reynisfjara black sand beach, then through the lava fields to Kirkjubæjarklaustur and on to your hotel near Skaftafell. On a clear day you can see the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers from the road. If the sky is clear and there is aurora activity, the evening ends with a look for the Northern Lights. They are never guaranteed.

On day two you visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, then go into an ice cave with a certified glacier guide. From October to mid-April the main cave is the Crystal Ice Cave inside Vatnajökull; from mid-April to September it is the Katla Ice Cave near the Katla volcano. After a stop in Vík you drive back to Reykjavík, arriving around 21:00. Expect about 300 km and 4 to 5 hours in the minibus each day, with plenty of stops.

• Amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (summer only)
• Single room
• Luggage storage
• Hiking boot rental
• Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
• Hiking pole rental
• Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)

Questions people ask