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South Coast of Iceland Small Group Tour from Reykjavík

About 10 hoursGroup: Small groupEasySmall-group minibusAge 8+All year
5.0(27 reviews)

A South Coast of Iceland tour by small-group minibus from Reykjavík. In about 10 hours you see Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara, the village of Vík and the ice of Sólheimajökull glacier.

Skógafoss waterfallVíkReynisfjara black sand beachSólheimajökull glacierSeljalandsfoss waterfall
  • Two of Iceland's best-known waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss
  • Reynisfjara black sand beach with basalt columns and sea stacks
  • A short walk to the edge of Sólheimajökull glacier
  • A stop in Vík, the southernmost village in Iceland
  • Small-group minibus with pick-up in central Reykjavík

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up from your chosen point in central Reykjavík; collection can take up to 30 minutes.
2SkógafossSkógafossA 60 m waterfall with a stairway up the side for the view from above.
SkógafossSkógafossSkógafoss

Skógafoss falls in one broad curtain about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, right beside the village of Skógar. On sunny days the spray usually throws a rainbow, sometimes a double one, across the pool at its base. A staircase of 527 steps leads to a viewpoint at the top, where you can see the river before it drops. You can walk right up to the base, or climb the steps to a viewing platform at the top.

Walking · flat to the base; steep stairs to the topTip · you will get wet near the base, so wear a waterproof layer
Read our Skógafoss guide →
3VíkVíkThe southernmost village in Iceland, with its hilltop church.
VíkVíkVík

Vík í Mýrdal is the southernmost village in Iceland, with about 750 residents, and the natural stopping point on the South Coast. It sits under the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, which covers the Katla volcano, and has a black sand beach with sea stacks, a hilltop church, a supermarket and a filling station. It is a good place for a meal or a break before the next stretch of road.

Facilities · shops, cafés and toiletsLunch · not included; places to buy food
Read our Vík í Mýrdal guide →
4Reynisfjara black sand beachReynisfjara black sand beachBlack sand, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
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.

Walking · short walk on soft sandSafety · sneaker waves are real here; never turn your back on the sea
Read our Reynisfjara guide →
5Sólheimajökull glacierSólheimajökull glacierA walk to the edge of a glacier tongue from Mýrdalsjökull.
Sólheimajökull glacierThe front of Sólheimajökull glacier and its lagoonSólheimajökull glacier

Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, the ice cap that sits on top of the Katla volcano. It is about 8 kilometres long and retreating. From the car park a short, mostly flat gravel path leads to a black meltwater lagoon at the edge of the ice, 15 to 20 minutes each way. Glacier hikes onto the ice itself need a guide and equipment, and you should not walk onto it without one.

Walking · about 20 minutes each way from the car parkNote · you view the glacier from its edge; do not go on the ice without a guide
Read our Sólheimajökull guide →
6Seljalandsfoss waterfallSeljalandsfossThe waterfall you can walk behind.
Seljalandsfoss waterfallSeljalandsfossSeljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, before sea levels fell after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water, so expect to get wet and bring a waterproof jacket.

Walking · wet, slippery path behind the fallsWinter · the path behind can close because of iceTip · waterproof jacket and trousers make this much more pleasant
Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →
7Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your pick-up point in central Reykjavík.

About the South Coast of Iceland tour

The South Coast is the second classic day trip from Reykjavík after the Golden Circle, and many people think it is the better one. This tour follows the Ring Road east as far as Vík, with stops at big waterfalls, a black sand beach and a glacier tongue.

You travel in a modern minibus with a small group, which makes stops quicker and gives you more time at each place. It is a long day, around 10 hours, and much of it is spent on the road, but the views of farmland, mountains and glaciers along the way are part of the trip.

Walking is easy and short at every stop. The path to the glacier takes around 20 minutes each way, and the trail behind Seljalandsfoss is wet and can be slippery. You look at the glacier from its edge; this is not a glacier hike.

In winter the days are short, paths can be icy, and crampons or ice spikes help a lot. At Reynisfjara the waves are dangerous in any season, so always keep well back from the water. In summer, the main stops are busy around midday.

Included

  • Professional guide
  • Small-group minibus
  • Pick-up and drop-off at selected points in central Reykjavík
  • Wi-Fi on board

Not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Glacier hike or other activities

What to bring

  • Warm, waterproof and windproof clothing
  • Sturdy shoes
  • Hat, scarf and waterproof gloves
  • Crampons or ice spikes in winter
  • Money for lunch

Good to know

  • Duration is about 10 hours
  • Minimum age is 8
  • Departures at 7:00, 8:00 or 9:00. Pick-up is from designated points in central Reykjavík within 30 minutes of the start time, or meet at Bus Stop 12 (opposite Storm Hotel, Þórunnartún 6)
  • Difficulty is easy, with short walks at each stop
  • There are toilets and food stops along the way; food is not included
  • Timings and stops can change with weather and conditions
  • In winter, daylight is short and paths can be icy
  • Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are not refunded

Questions people ask

Do we walk on the glacier?

No. You walk to the edge of Sólheimajökull to see it up close. Walking on the ice needs a guided glacier hike.

Can I walk behind Seljalandsfoss?

Yes, when the path is open. It is wet and slippery, and it can close in winter because of ice.

Is lunch included?

No, but there are stops where you can buy food, usually in Vík.

Is the tour worth doing in winter?

Yes. The waterfalls and the beach look very different with snow and ice. Days are short, so bring ice spikes and warm, waterproof layers.

Can children join?

Yes, from age 8.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 27 reviews
5 stars27
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Stunning landscapes

One of our best trips. Heidi from Iceland Travel Guide helped us plan each day of our trip an dit was the best help we could have had. Recommend that.

What we did:
Day 1: Reykjavik Food Tour - great experience!
Day 2: Golden Circle, tomato farm and Sky Lagoon - our best day, were really in awe of the Icelandic nature
Day 3: South Coast tour - stunning landscapes
Day 4: Time in Reykjavik, went to Perlan Museum and the Lava show
Day 5: A trip all the way to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the diamond beach - long day but worth it.

Anastasia H. · March 2026
So Beautiful

Early start but worth it. Waterfalls were stunning, glacier was impressive, and the black sand beach at the end was unreal. Took so many photos. Tired but happy at the end of the day.

Emily C.
great on our first trip to Iceland

First trip to Iceland and this was exactly what we wanted. You get to see all the big sights in one day. Guide told some fun stories too. Easy way to do the South Coast without driving yourself.

Oliver G.
Rainy day but amazing sights

It rained half the day but honestly it kinda made the waterfalls look cooler. The mist everywhere felt very Iceland. Beach was crazy with the waves crashing. I’d do it again.

Ingrid O.
Good for Kids Too

Took our 2 kids 9 and 12 years old and they had a blast. Waterfalls were a big hit and they loved running around the black sand. Didn’t feel rushed. Our guide was patient and friendly.

Sofia D.
Loved the tour

Great tour. It’s a long day but worth it. We got up close to waterfalls and the glacier was cool to see. Ending at the black beach was awesome. Small group is the way to go.

David N.
From17,990 ISKPer person

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