Iceland Travel Guide logo Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

2 Day South Coast Tour | Glacier Hike, Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach

2 days, 1 nightGroup: Small groupEasy to moderateSmall-group minibus from ReykjavíkAge 8+May–September
5.0(9 reviews)
Group walking among the ice ridges of a glacierHiker with arms raised on a glacierThe basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beachSea stacks off the black sand coast near Vík
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with the glacier behind

A 2 day South Coast tour in a small-group minibus, with an included boat ride among the icebergs at Jökulsárlón and a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull. One night's hotel near the lagoon is included, with Reynisfjara and Diamond Beach along the way.

Seljalandsfoss & SkógafossReynisfjara black sand beachJökulsárlón boat rideDiamond BeachVatnajökull glacier hike
  • An included boat ride among the icebergs at Jökulsárlón
  • A guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull with crampons and all safety gear
  • Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara on the way
  • Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up on black sand
  • One night in a hotel or guesthouse near the lagoon, with breakfast

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkMinibus pick-up between 8:00 and 8:45.
2Seljalandsfoss waterfallSeljalandsfoss & SkógafossTwo of the South Coast's best-known waterfalls.
Seljalandsfoss waterfallSkógafoss waterfallRainbow in the spray of Skógafoss waterfall

Seljalandsfoss has a path behind the falling water, one of the few waterfalls in Iceland where you can do that, so you may get wet. Skógafoss is a wide, 60-metre drop beside the village of Skógar, with a staircase to a viewing platform at the top. Bring a rain jacket.

Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →
3Reynisfjara black sand beachReynisfjara black sand beachBasalt columns and sea stacks on a black sand beach.
Reynisfjara black sand beachReynisfjara black sand beachReynisfjara black sand beach

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach with the sea stacks of Reynisdrangar rising out of the water offshore. At the western end, a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns, stacked like organ pipes, stands beside the cave Hálsanefshellir. It is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland, because of sudden, powerful waves that run far up the sand. Keep well back from the water and follow the warning signs.

Tip · stay well back from the waves
Read our Reynisfjara guide →
4Jökulsárlón boat rideJökulsárlón boat rideA boat trip among floating icebergs on the lagoon.
Jökulsárlón boat rideJökulsárlón boat rideJökulsárlón boat ride

A short boat ride out onto Jökulsárlón, weaving between icebergs that have broken off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Seals are sometimes seen in summer. The ride is included in the price.

Included · boat ride on the lagoon
Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
5Diamond BeachDiamond BeachIce chunks washed up on black volcanic sand.
Diamond BeachDiamond BeachDiamond Beach

Diamond Beach is a black sand beach directly opposite Jökulsárlón. Chunks of ice break off Breiðamerkurjökull, drift across the lagoon and out to sea under the Ring Road bridge, and the current pushes many of them back onto the sand, where they melt slowly and catch the light like scattered diamonds. It is a short walk under the bridge from the lagoon, and entry is free.

Read our Diamond Beach guide →
6Blue icebergs reflected in the glacier lagoonOvernight near JökulsárlónHotel or guesthouse with breakfast and private bathroom.
Blue icebergs reflected in the glacier lagoonJökulsárlón glacier lagoon with the glacier behind

A hotel or guesthouse near the lagoon with breakfast and a private bathroom, usually with dinner also available, ready for the glacier hike the next morning.

Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
7Group walking among the ice ridges of a glacierVatnajökull glacier hikeA guided walk on the glacier with crampons and safety gear.
Group walking among the ice ridges of a glacierHiker with arms raised on a glacierGlacier tongue of Vatnajökull from the air

A certified guide leads you onto an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, fits your crampons and explains the ice formations. Minimum age is 8, and EU shoe size 34 or larger. All safety gear is provided.

Age · minimum 8, EU shoe size 34+
Read our Vatnajökull guide →
8Back to ReykjavíkReturn drive in the evening.

About the 2 day South Coast tour

This summer-only trip runs the South Coast route over two days, with two activities built in rather than left as extras: a boat ride out among the icebergs at Jökulsárlón, and a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull the next morning. In between you stop at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara and Diamond Beach.

You spend the night at a hotel or guesthouse near the lagoon, with a private bathroom, breakfast and usually dinner included. Because it runs from May to September, days are long and the roads are normally clear, though the weather on the glacier can still turn quickly.

The order of stops can shift with the weather or road conditions, and the guide decides when it's safe to run the boat ride and the glacier hike. Both are easy to moderate and suit most people in reasonable fitness, but the glacier hike needs proper footwear and a minimum age of 8.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Single room
  • Luggage storage
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Hat and gloves to buy
  • Neck warmer to buy
  • Cap to buy

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • English-speaking guide
  • Small-group minibus transport
  • WiFi on board
  • 1 night accommodation with breakfast and private bathroom
  • Jökulsárlón boat ride
  • Vatnajökull glacier hike with all equipment

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Gear rental
  • Single room supplement

What to bring

  • Warm base layer
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Sturdy hiking boots

Good to know

  • 2 days, 1 night, starting and ending in Reykjavík
  • Runs May to September only
  • Minimum age 8, EU shoe size 34+ for the glacier hike
  • Easy to moderate difficulty
  • Pick-up window 8:00–8:45 from a central Reykjavík location; not available from Keflavík airport
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start (a 3% fee is kept); no refund if you cancel less than 24 hours before

Questions people ask

Is the Jökulsárlón boat ride really included?

Yes, unlike on many South Coast day tours it's built into the price, not an optional extra.

What's the glacier hike like?

An easy to moderate guided walk with crampons on an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, with all safety equipment provided.

Does this tour run in winter?

No, this exact itinerary runs May to September; a winter version of the South Coast trip covers similar ground with an ice cave instead of the boat ride.

Is dinner included?

No. Only breakfast is included. All the hotels have restaurants, so you can choose to have dinner there, and vegan or vegetarian options are offered almost everywhere.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 9 reviews
5 stars9
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Concise and breathtaking

Waterfalls, ice, earth—two days that define Iceland.

Eva K.
Familienfreundlich und unvergesslich

Wir reisten mit unseren Teenagern – die Route war spannend, aber nie überfordernd. Die Nächte waren angenehm ruhig, und jeder Ausblick war

Sabine M.
Thrilling landscapes and cozy comforts

Day one delivered waterfalls, black sand beaches, and a soak under the starry sky. Day two’s glacier lagoon and natural ice cave blew us away. The small group vibe and smooth transport made everything easy.

Henry L.
Experiencia fantástica — muy recomendable

Todo fue impecable: la logística, los paisajes, el guía que compartía leyendas de cada lugar. Desde la playa negra de Reynisfjara hasta la laguna glaciar con icebergs gigantes. Dos días que valen por toda una semana.

Lucía F.
Marcus A.

A perfectly paced 48 hours of South Iceland’s best sights. Great hotels, cozy meals, and constant jaw-dropping views. Highly recommend this for anyone short on time but big on adventure.

Quick, S.
Two days, a lifetime of memories

From golden waterfalls to glacial lagoons, every moment felt magical. Our guide took us behind Seljalandsfoss and to the summit of Skogafoss for unbelievable views. Watching icebergs float in Jokulsarlon under the midnight sun was surreal. Every second was worth it.

Olivia R.
From77,361 ISKPer person

Other multi-day trips

2 Day Iceland Winter Tour2 Day Iceland Winter TourFrom 79,722 ISK2 Day South Coast Tour2 Day South Coast TourFrom 80,404 ISKJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon TourJokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon TourFrom 27,990 ISK
More tours like this:2-day tours in IcelandJökulsárlón glacier lagoon toursIceland travel packages and itinerariesAll categories →
Our guides to places on this tour:JökulsárlónReykjavíkReynisfjaraSeljalandsfossSkógafossDiamond BeachVatnajökull
From77,361 ISK