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Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour in Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Name: Vatnshellir Lava Cave Tour in Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 69689
Price: 5900 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

About 1 hour (45 minutes underground)Group: Small groupEasy to moderateMeet on locationAge 5+All year

5.0(1 review)

Group with helmets and torches in the cave

A Vatnshellir lava cave tour takes you inside an 8,000-year-old lava tube on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, deep inside Snæfellsjökull National Park. Your guide gives you a helmet and flashlight and leads you down two spiral staircases into the tube.

Vatnshellir entranceUpper lava tubeSpiral staircaseLower chamber

Walk inside an 8,000-year-old lava tube formed by an eruption from Purkhólar
Helmet and flashlight provided, no experience needed
Two spiral staircases take you down into the cave itself
Set inside Snæfellsjökull National Park, on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Runs all year, so it fits into a Snæfellsnes day trip in any season

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Meet at VatnshellirArrive at the cave entrance a few minutes before your tour time.

Helmet and flashlightYour guide fits your helmet and hands out flashlights before you go down.

Your guide gives a short safety briefing at the surface, then fits your helmet and hands out flashlights before you go down. The nearest toilets are a few minutes' drive away, at Malarrif.

Facilities · nearest toilets are a few minutes' drive away, at Malarrif

The spiral staircase down into Vatnshellir

Into the lava tubeDown two spiral staircases into the 8,000-year-old tunnel.

You go down two spiral staircases into the lava tube, which formed when a flow from the Purkhólar crater row cooled on the outside while the molten rock inside drained away. You descend through the upper tube into the wider lower chamber, seeing lava formations and colours in the rock. Allow about 45 minutes underground on uneven surfaces.

Time here · about 45 minutes undergroundWalking · uneven surfaces and two spiral staircases, no climbing

4Back to the surfaceReturn the way you came and hand back your helmet and flashlight.

About the Vatnshellir lava cave tour

Vatnshellir is a lava tube on the south side of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, formed when a lava flow from the Purkhólar crater row cooled on the outside while the still-molten rock inside drained away, leaving a long tunnel behind. The cave was made famous partly through its connection to Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, which is set on this peninsula.

The visit takes about 45 minutes underground. Your guide gives you a helmet and flashlight at the entrance, then leads you down two spiral staircases into the tube, pointing out lava formations, colours in the rock and the different chambers as you go. The path underfoot is uneven in places, so you need to be able to walk unsupported and manage the stairs, but there is no climbing or scrambling involved.

The cave sits inside Snæfellsjökull National Park, with the glacier-capped volcano visible above ground on a clear day. It runs year-round, and the temperature underground stays cool and steady whatever the weather is doing outside, so it works well as a stop on a Snæfellsnes day trip even in bad weather. Bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes, since the cave itself is a few degrees colder than the surface.

Included

Guided tour of Vatnshellir cave
Helmet and flashlight

Not included

Transport to and from the cave
Food and drinks

What to bring

Warm clothing
Sturdy shoes with good grip
Gloves

Good to know

Duration is about an hour, with roughly 45 minutes underground
Tours start throughout the day, roughly every 30 minutes from 9:00 to 18:00; choose your time when booking and arrive a few minutes early
Guiding is in English and Icelandic
Minimum age 5, no upper age limit
You must be able to walk unsupported on uneven ground and manage two spiral staircases
Nearest toilets are at Malarrif, a short drive from the cave
Runs all year; the cave stays a steady, cool temperature regardless of the weather outside

Questions people ask

Is it cold inside the cave?

Yes, noticeably cooler than outside, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

Do I need caving experience?

No. You just need to be able to walk on uneven ground and use two spiral staircases; a helmet and flashlight are provided.

Can young children do it?

The minimum age is 5, and children should be comfortable with stairs and confined, low-lit spaces.

Is transport to the cave included?

No, this is the cave tour itself. You need your own way to reach Snæfellsjökull National Park, or combine it with a Snæfellsnes day tour.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

One of the highlight of our trip

The Vatnshellir lava cave tour was a highlight of our trip! Descending into the cave was exciting, and the formations inside were incredible. Our guide shared interesting insights about the cave’s creation. A fun, educational tour perfect for families and adventure seekers!

Emanuel

From5,900 ISKPer person