2-Day South Coast Tour | Blue Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon, Black Beach & Waterfalls

Join one of the most popular multi day tours along Iceland’s South Coast to discover many natural wonders, including the famous Blue Sapphire Ice Cave.

On this thrilling two-day tour to the most popular region of Iceland, you’ll first see four fantastic waterfalls and enjoy a sensational walk along the famous black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Your South Coast adventure continues with a visit to the gorgeous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, crowned by an unforgettable underworld experience in a blue ice glacier cave 

Day 1 | South Coast Waterfalls & Black Beach of Reynisfjara

The first day of our tour will take us from Reykjavik on an exciting drive over a mountain pass and through the farm country of the South Coast. We’ll pass through Hveragerdi, with all its famous greenhouses, before reaching the little roadside towns of Selfoss and Hvolsvollur, where we’ll take a short break. On the way, the Atlantic Ocean will be on one side, and on clear days the Westman Islands will be visible just offshore. On the other side of the road, there will be imposing mountains and glaciers to catch the eye, as well as the looming presence of Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano.

Seljalandsfoss & Gljufrabui Waterfalls

Our first sight on tour is at Seljalandsfoss, which will have been growing larger dead ahead as we speed eastwards. We’ll take you first to the “hidden” waterfall of Gljufrabui, which tumbles into a concealed cave that most other visitors miss seeing, but we’ll show you where it is. It’s an amazing feeling to stand so close to a waterfall like this. The waterfalls here are all fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano whose last eruption put a stop to air traffic for a while in 2010, making Iceland famous all over the world. Only few minute drive brings us to Seljalandsfoss itself, a much taller waterfall that plunges over from a 60-meter high rockface into a plunge pool. Seljalandsfoss has been seen in several films and music videos, including one for Justin Bieber.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss, which is probably the most famous waterfall in the country now. One of the most recognized waterfalls in the world, Skogafoss is a spectacular sight at any time of year, and has been seen in “Game of Thrones”, several Hollywood films and many music videos too. Skogafoss faces southwards, which means that there’s an excellent chance to see rainbows arching over the 60-meter-high falls. It’s also possible to climb up some step to the top and see the Skoga river cascade its way out to the sea.

Black Beach of Reynisfjara

The last stop on the day is at the famous black sand beach at Reynisfjara. Dark volcanic sands stretch as far as the eye can see, with mighty Atlantic waves crashing into the Reynisdrangar, fingers of volcanic rock that tower into the sky just offshore. There’s also a stunning cliffside stack of basalt columns that almost resemble a church pipe organ. The gigantic stone arches of Dyrholaey can also be seen on the horizon. Watch out for the waves as you explore and take pictures – they are often faster and stronger than you think!

Overnight Stay in the Countryside

If we are lucky with the weather and if the aurora is active, we will make the best use of the low light pollution in this area to try to see them. Remember though – the Northern Lights are not “switched on” every day!

Day 2 | Glacier Lagoon & Blue Ice Cave

The second stage of our South Coast adventure takes us deep into the Vatnajokull National Park. On that day we will also stop by a traditional turf church. 

Diamond Beach

First stop is the astonishing Diamond Beach, where the gleaming remnants of icebergs are slowly being carved into wild and fantastic shapes by the fierce winds and Atlantic waves. Lying on the black sand beach like diamonds on satin sheets, the ice formations here are incredible to see. We will bring you here first, to make sure that you get the best photos, before taking you to the place the icebergs come from in the first place – the Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Just few minutes away lies the magnificent glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon, a place featured in Batman and James Bond films. Here, gigantic multi-colored icebergs tear apart from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier and then float around for as long as five years as they make their way slowly out to sea, moving back and forth and always changing in shape and size. Some of the icebergs are even striped with volcanic ash from earlier eruptions, so this means that you see geological time on display here. Seals and seabirds make their home here too.

Blue Ice Cave exploration

The highlight of our two-day South Coast adventure is a three-hour expedition to descend into a unique natural blue ice cave. Climb on board a Super Jeep with us to discover this rare phenomenon, buried deep in a glacier in the Vatnajokull National Park. The Blue Ice Cave really shows the tremendous forces of Icelandic nature, as they are formed naturally in glaciers when fresh water freezes in the plunging winter temperatures. New caves are created every year as the glaciers freeze and melt and refreeze into different shapes. It’s a memorable sight to see, with fabulously different ice formations in a range of striking colors. Our local guides will take you to the most beautiful blue ice caves to be found here. Once you’ve been there, that single blue ice cave might never exist again, so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After we have made our way from the Blue Ice Cave back to Jokulsarlon, we’ll start heading back to the capital.

Hofskirkja Church & Lava Fields

On the way back to Reykjavik we will make three extra stops. The turf church at Hofskirkja is thought to be amongst the last to be built in Iceland, dating back to the 19th century. Layers of green turf lie on the roof of this fairytale church, surrounded by moss-covered burial mounds, which makes it seem as if it’s melting into the scenery. Rebuilt in the 1950s, the locals still worship at the church, so this will just be a quick stop for a photograph.

As we head back west, the landscape becomes bleaker as we pass through the Eldhraun lava field, a coastal area filled with jagged lava formations. 

Vik Village

Vik is the most southerly village in the country and a busy spot for resting Ring Road travelers. There is a beautiful hilltop church which has fantastic views of the coast, including the Reynisdrangar. We’ll stop here so that you can take some great pictures from this vantage point. 

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Meeting Point and Tour Description

Pickup is within Reykjavik.

When you complete your booking, you’ll be asked to choose a pick up and drop off location. Where possible, we will collect you directly from your hotel.

Some parts of the city have traffic restrictions, so you’ll need to go to a designated bus stop for collection instead if your hotel is in that area.

There’s a 30-minute window for collection while we pick up other passengers from their locations.

At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off at the same place unless you choose to get off at another stop instead – that’s your choice! Drop off can also take up to 30 minutes.

What’s included

  • Professional tour guided in English in a minibus

  • Pick up and drop off within Reykjavik

  • Accommodation for 1 night in a double or a twin room with private bathroom and breakfast included

  • Ice Caving Expeditions with all the safety equipment provided

  • Free Wi-Fi on bus and USB chargers next to every seat

What’s excluded

  • Lunch & Dinner – we make scheduled stops so that guests can buy lunch or snacks during the tour

What do I need to bring

  • Hiking boots are mandatory

    Proper footwear when walking on uneven and slippery surfaces increases your safety and comfort. Please note, that you can be banned from participating in glacier activities when not wearing required shoes. If you do not own proper footwear (solid shoes reaching above your ankle) you can rent them during booking process

Important Information

  • Pickup takes place between 08:30 – 09:00 – so please be ready from 8:30 at your pick up location

  • Tour is operated under all weather conditions: please bring warm, wind & waterproof clothes

  • Duration of the tour is 2 days and 1 night

  • Estimated arrival time in Reykjavík on Day 2 is around 21:00 (Depending on weather and road conditions)

  • If you are a single traveler then a Single Room Supplement is mandatory

  • One small carry-on luggage is included per person

    For your convenience and safety reasons, it is recommended that you pack lightly for this tour, in a small suitcase or backpack. If you have large luggage with you, please check with your accommodation if they offer luggage storage for your time on this tour. If that is not a possibility, you can pay a small fee per luggage and we will make sure we have space for it on the tour bus

Cancellation policy

  • Cancellation fee of 100% charged if cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

Guided Language

  • English

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 FAQs

  • When you complete your booking, you’ll be asked to choose a pick up and drop off location. Where possible, we will collect you directly from your hotel.

    Some parts of the city have traffic restrictions, so you’ll need to go to a designated bus stop for collection instead if your hotel is in that area.

    This link will tell you which bus stop is closest to your accommodation.

    There’s a 30-minute window for collection while we pick up other passengers from their locations.

    At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off at the same place unless you choose to get off at another stop instead – that’s your choice! Drop off can also take up to 30 minutes.

  • Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, so you’ll need to prepare appropriately, whatever the time of year for your tour.

    That means choosing the right clothes (light layers), shoes (sturdy and waterproof) and coats (windproof & waterproof). And not wearing jeans, just in case it rains!

  • If you’re booking a multi-day tour of up to three days, the maximum “carry-on” bag size is 50 x 30 x 60 cm (19.6 x 11.8 x 23.6 inches).

    If your multi-day tour is longer than three days, then your ticket includes “carry-on” (see above) and “checked” baggage, with a maximum combined size (W+L+D) of 160 cm (63 inches).

    For shorter tours, you can choose to add “checked” baggage for an additional fee during the booking process.

    If you want to guarantee bringing a larger bag on a shorter tour, it is best to book in advance.

  • Hotel accommodations are chosen with care to make the best use of your time in Iceland, with reasonable drive times between stops.

    You’ll enjoy a private room with en suite bathroom facilities and breakfast, WiFi, towels and, in most cases, a kettle for a morning brew.

    Outside the capital, most Icelandic hotels are comfortable and unfussy, with friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable staff.

    Enjoy the scenery while relaxing at the end of each day!

  • Hotel rooms are sold based on two adults sharing, so single-room occupancy is more expensive as a result.

    If you are a solo traveler, we will not assign you a room with a stranger, so the single supplement fee becomes applicable.

    If you are two people traveling together and staying in the same room but paying separately, the single supplement fee is not applicable.

    Simply add the name of your travel companion in the “special requirements” section when completing your booking.

  • For couples or groups traveling together, rooms will be assigned according to the number of people who have booked together.

    Depending on availability at each location, you may request twin beds if that is your preference.

    Larger groups will be accommodated in combinations of triple, double and twin rooms – three people in a triple room, four people in two doubles or twin rooms, five people in one triple and one double, and so on.

    If a person in your group would prefer a single room, you must select “single supplement fee” for them when booking.

    Solo travelers must pay a single supplement fee in all instances.

  • Breakfast is included at each overnight location, featuring bread and butter, preserves, boiled eggs, cooked meats, fruits, yoghurts, tea, and coffee.

    All other meals are at your own expense.

    As the tour continues around the country, you can grab lunch and dinner at each of the scheduled stops, and we’ll offer recommendations if you want them!

  • Yes. We monitor the weather and road conditions on the tour route to maximize your chance to see Iceland’s attractions at their best.

    That means we may change the order or timing of the stops to take advantage of the weather (avoiding rain or snow showers where possible) and “golden hour” photo opportunities.

    If we receive a weather alert from the Icelandic Meteorological Office or roads are closed by the local authorities, we must cancel tours for your safety.

    Iceland’s weather is very changeable, meaning changes may occur quickly. If we have to cancel tours, we will send you an email notification immediately.

    So please check your email inbox before heading out to the collection point, particularly if the weather looks bad in the city.

    Sometimes the weather is worse outside the city, or vice versa!

  • We schedule our tours carefully to ensure you see Iceland’s natural marvels in daylight, even in the winter when there are more hours of darkness.

    Many attractions are also illuminated, adding another layer of magic to the natural splendor! During shortest days, these places are usually visited at dusk or

    In the winter months, tours will begin and end in darkness, but rest assured, you will see all the places you want to see!

  • Everyone who comes to Iceland in the winter hopes to see the Northern Lights.

    This mesmerizing cosmic spectacle is a bucket-list experience, with magical splashes of multi-colored lights dancing across the heavens.

    But it’s important to remember that it’s a natural phenomenon, requiring certain levels of solar activity and clear, dark skies.

    That means there’s no guarantee that you’ll be lucky enough to see them while you’re in Iceland.

    Our selected hotels are in the remote Icelandic countryside, ideal for spotting the Aurora Borealis, with far less artificial light than in the city.

    Wake-up calls can be requested if the Northern Lights are spotted later at night.

  • On average, we will cover 200-300 kilometers each day, with four to five hours of driving.

    We schedule our tours as evenly as possible, with driving distances between each stop varying from 45 minutes to a couple of hours.

    You’ll have around 30 to 60 minutes to explore each location, with most attractions just a short walk from the parking lot.

    As with everything in Iceland, the precise timings of the tour will depend on weather and road conditions on the day, as our priority is to keep you safe while exploring Iceland.

  • If you want to bring small children on our tours, we will provide booster seats to ensure their safety and comfort.

    Important: bringing children younger than the minimum age stated for each trip is not permitted; please check carefully before submitting your booking.

    Please contact us by email at least 24 hours in advance, with the subject line “Booster seat + your booking reference number”.

  • After the final stop on the tour, we will return to the city. There is no specific time or drop off location – this can differ from the pick up spot.

    You’re free to ask the guide to drop you off in the city center, or back at your collection point, whichever is the most convenient for your evening plans.

    You can expect to be dropped off within 30 minutes after the scheduled end of the tour.

Would you like a private tour?

If you would like a customized tour or just want the tour on your own schedule, please send us a message and we will happily arrange things for you.