Volcano Helicopter Tour from Reykjavík

A short volcano helicopter tour from Reykjavík Domestic Airport over the Reykjanes Peninsula, where a series of eruptions since 2021 has covered the land in new lava. You fly over the craters and lava fields and, when the weather allows, land for a few minutes near the eruption area.

• Fly over the newest lava fields on the Reykjanes Peninsula
• See the crater rows from the air, from Fagradalsfjall to Sundhnúkur
• A landing near the eruption area when weather and gas allow
• Departs from Reykjavík Domestic Airport, close to the city centre
• The quickest way to see the volcano area: under an hour in total

Your day, stop by stop

2Safety briefingA short briefing before take-off.

Before take-off you get a short safety briefing on getting in and out of the helicopter. Arrive a little early for check-in.

Tip · arrive a little early for check-in

3Flight over the Reykjanes PeninsulaLava fields, craters and the Sundhnúkur crater row from above.

The helicopter flies south-west over the lava plains to the eruption sites. You see new lava next to old, moss-covered lava, and the crater rows where the ground opened, from Fagradalsfjall to Sundhnúkur. A 24–105 mm or 70–200 mm lens works well for photos.

Views · craters, lava fields and the coastlineCamera · a 24–105 mm or 70–200 mm lens works well

4Landing near the eruption areaA short stop on the ground when conditions allow.

If weather, wind, air traffic and volcanic gas allow, the pilot lands so you can step out and look around. The landing is never guaranteed.

Landing · one landing, weather dependent

About the volcano helicopter tour

Since 2021 the Reykjanes Peninsula has had a long run of eruptions, first at Fagradalsfjall, Meradalir and Litli-Hrútur, and later along the Sundhnúkur crater row near Grindavík. The result is a landscape of black and grey lava laid over older, moss-covered lava fields, with fresh craters still steaming in places.

From the air you see the whole picture: how far the lava flowed, the defence walls built to protect Grindavík and the Svartsengi power plant, and the line of craters. The flight leaves from Reykjavík Domestic Airport and takes about 35–40 minutes in total. If weather, wind, air traffic and volcanic gas allow, the pilot lands so you can step out for a short while.

Eruptions start and stop without warning, so there may or may not be flowing lava on the day you fly. Even without an active eruption the new lava fields are a strong sight. Helicopter flights depend on the weather, and a flight can be moved or cancelled at short notice if wind or cloud make it unsafe.

Questions people ask