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This Katla ice cave tour starts in Vík and takes you by Super Jeep to an ice cave in Kötlujökull glacier, on the slopes of the Katla volcano. It is one of the few ice caves in Iceland you can visit all year, including summer.
Katla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, hidden under the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. On its eastern side, the Kötlujökull glacier forms ice caves where meltwater and warm air carve tunnels through the ice. Because the ice is thick and mixed with volcanic ash, a cave here can usually be visited all year, while most other ice caves in Iceland are only open from November to March.
The tour starts at the Vík Inn meeting point at the east end of Vík. You ride in a modified Super Jeep for about 40 minutes, past the Hafursey mountain and across the black ash desert of Mýrdalssandur, where Star Wars: Rogue One was filmed. From the parking spot it is a walk of about 20 minutes over sand and gravel to the glacier.
The guide gives you a helmet, headlamp and crampons, and you climb a short slope onto the ice. Inside the cave you see blue ice striped with black ash, sometimes with small bridges or narrow passages. The guide explains how the cave formed and what Katla's eruptions have done to this landscape.
The ice cave changes shape every year, and sometimes within a season. The guides choose the safest cave on the day, so the cave you visit may look different from the photos. After the cave you return to the jeep for hot coffee and chocolate and the drive back to Vík.
Yes. The Katla ice cave is one of the few ice caves in Iceland that is open all year. In summer the minimum age is 6.
It is cool inside the cave all year, and it can be windy on the black sands. Wear warm layers, waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves, even in summer.
It is a walk of about 20 minutes on sand and gravel, then a short slope onto the ice with crampons. Most people with normal fitness manage it well.
Not exactly. Ice caves change every year and sometimes during a season. The guides pick the safest cave on the day, so it may look different from pictures online.
If you are staying in Reykjavík, choose our Katla Ice Cave & South Coast tour, which includes pick-up in Reykjavík and stops at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.
Katla Ice Cave was the highlight of our trip - beautiful glacier formations and great company on the tour. The Super Jeep ride to the glacier was also one of the best parts of the trip.
Kara L. · May 2026Great excursion. We did this tour in February and also did a glacier hike in Skaftafell. Very different experiences and I would recommend that you do both an ice cave tour and a glacier hike if you can. The glacier in Katla Ice Cave was totally different than the one in Skaftafell so that was also very fun to see. Guide was great, felt very safe and the nature of Iceland is simply stunning.
Emily · April 2026Magical time spent inside the cave, taking photographs and more. Our guide was informative, friendly, and the icy tunnels were stunning. Worth every moment. I am a photographer and it was the perfect tour for me.
Luke, I.El guía fue excelente, muy claro y divertido. El paseo en Super Jeep por el blanco e inóspito paisaje fue emocionante, y la cueva de hielo era increíblemente hermosa. Una experiencia realmente única.
Ana M.Smooth pickup from Vík, a fun yet rugged drive, and a knowledgeable guide who made the geology come to life. Even took us behind the scenes of how the cave changes year to year. Incredible.
Sarah, A.The glacier walk was easy—even for casual hikers—with great safety tips from our glacier guide. The Super Jeep navigated tough terrains, and inside the cave was like stepping into a movie.
Michael, C.Driving off-road into desolate black sands under mossy peaks felt like another planet. The ice cave was a visual masterpiece. With crampons and helmets provided, the whole experience was seamless and unreal.
NoraIl tour è stato perfetto: jeep fuoristrada, preparazione in sicurezza con casco e ramponi, e un fantastico ingresso nella Katla Ice Cave. La guida era professionale e appassionata. Da non perdere!
LucaThe contrast of volcanic ash and glacier blue was surreal. The drive was bumpy and fun, crampons were provided, and our guide’s explanations on glacial formation made the ice cave visit both safe and fascinating.
CarlosThe Super Jeep ride from Vík was exhilarating and the ice cave under Katla is breathtaking. Our guide explained glacial history clearly, and walking inside the blue-black ice tunnel felt otherworldly. An absolute highlight of our trip.
Emma U.The Katla Ice Cave tour was unforgettable. Walking inside a glacier and seeing the stunning blue ice formations was surreal. The guides were professional, friendly, and made us feel safe the entire time.
Beatriz · August 2025What a breathtaking experience! Loved the tour from start to finish - highly recommend!
Phil · August 2025An absolutely brilliant experience! Our guide was fantastic—charming, witty, and genuinely funny, while also being incredibly knowledgeable about the area. He made the tour engaging and informative, always going the extra mile to ensure we had the best time possible.
The tour itself was wonderful. The Katla Ice Cave and the waterfalls were absolutely breathtaking—true highlights of our trip. I can’t recommend this tour highly enough!
The tour to Katla Ice Cave was most definitely the highlight of our trip to Iceland. We had an fantastic experience on this tour and everyone in our group enjoyed themselves. Our tour guide was the best. I would recommend this tour to anyone!
Hill · May 2025A fascinating experience and life long memory.
Valeria C. · December 2024Katla Ice Cave from Vik was fantastic! The small group allowed us to take photos and explore comfortably. Our guide shared interesting information and made it a great experience for everyone. The ice cave was absolutely beautiful, and it was an experience we’ll never forget. Definitely worth doing!
Lucy P.The Katla Ice Cave tour was one of the highlights of our trip. We met in Vik and ventured out to the glacier, where we were surrounded by incredible ice formations. Our guide was exceptional and made sure we were comfortable and informed. Highly recommend this tour if you want something truly unique!
James M.Our Katla Ice Cave tour from Vik was absolutely amazing! The cave itself was stunning, with gorgeous blue ice walls, and our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. It was an easy meet-up in Vik, and the entire experience felt adventurous but very well-managed. A must for anyone visiting Iceland!
Ellen F.This was an unforgettable adventure. Starting in Vik, our guide took us on a thrilling journey to Katla Ice Cave, and seeing the blue ice up close was surreal. The guide made the experience informative and safe, and the small group allowed us to take our time and enjoy every moment.
Mark S.The Katla Ice Cave from Vik is an absolute must-do! The ice formations and deep blue colors were breathtaking, and our guide gave us so much information on the cave’s history and formation. This tour was well-organized, and the small group size made it intimate and enjoyable.
Sophie R.Exploring the Katla Ice Cave was absolutely surreal! The deep blue ice and unique formations made it feel like we were in another world. Our guide was fantastic, sharing fascinating stories about the glacier and keeping us safe as we navigated the icy pathways. It’s an unforgettable experience and a must-do in Iceland!
Andrew S. · November 2024Exploring the Katla Ice Cave in October was absolutely amazing! The ice formations were stunning, and our guide made the whole experience safe and exciting. Perfect adventure for anyone looking to experience Iceland’s hidden wonders!
Brian · October 2024This was by far the highlight of our trip to Iceland! The Katla Ice Cave is otherworldly, and seeing it up close was surreal. Our guide made us feel safe throughout the entire tour, and the cave’s blue ice formations were mesmerizing. Don’t miss this tour!
Alessandra B. · September 2024The Katla Ice Cave tour was absolutely stunning! Our guide was knowledgeable and made the experience unforgettable. The drive through the volcanic landscape and the glacier itself were breathtaking. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a unique Icelandic adventure.
Ethan W. · September 2024What an amazing trip to Iceland with Iceland Travel Guide. The local experts at Iceland Travel Guide planned our trip and the communications were really great and we feel like we have made new friends in Iceland :)
The Katla Ice Cave was one of the highlights of our trip. It feels like entering a new world when going into the ice cave and seeing the glacier from the inside out. The word Magical is probably the best to describe it. The glacier guide was also very friendly and told us interesting stories about the glacier and the history of the area. We took a Super Jeep from Vík to the ice cave that was very scenic as well - again, like another world when driving this route.
All in all - I would recommend to talk to the experts at Iceland Travel Guide to plan your trip to Iceland. I talked to Petur and he is such a great guy that helped us so much with our trip. And Katla Ice Cave is a great add on to your road trip in Iceland.
This was our favorite stop on our Iceland Trip in June 2022. It is amazing to go inside the glacier and see the ice cave. The guide who was with us on the tour was also great and we met some other travelers that have now become our friends.
I can really recommend this tour for anyone that is traveling around Iceland.
We had the best time on this ice cave tour. We were visiting south coast iceland and went on this tour in March. Loved every minute of the ice cave galcier and super jeep.
Flora · April 2022
Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from ReykjavikFrom 36,199 ISK
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