South Coast, Jökulsárlón, Blue Ice Cave & Northern Lights Minibus Tour
Waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and ice caves across Iceland's legendary south coast.
This 2-day Iceland south coast and glacier lagoon tour takes you through the island's most iconic landscapes, from roaring waterfalls and volcanic beaches to a blue ice cave inside Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Traveling in a small group minibus from Reykjavík, you cover ground that would take most visitors a week to arrange independently.
The first day follows the South Coast road east, stopping at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls before reaching the black basalt columns of Reynisfjara beach. Each location offers a distinctly different encounter with Icelandic geology and weather, with the landscape shifting dramatically within just a few hours of driving.
On the second day the focus moves to Vatnajökull glacier, where trained guides lead the group onto an outlet glacier and into a genuine blue ice cave. The afternoon continues to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, where icebergs break off, drift to the sea, and wash back ashore as sculpted ice fragments on black sand.
Throughout both days the tour operates with a small group format, allowing guides to tailor stops to conditions and keeping the experience personal rather than crowd-driven. Northern lights viewing is possible on overnight stops depending on solar activity and cloud cover.
Tour Highlights
Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall and discover the hidden gorge waterfall Gljúfrabúi nearby.
Hike on an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull with full safety equipment and certified glacier guides.
Enter a blue ice cave carved inside the glacier for a close look at ancient compressed ice formations.
Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a 200-metre-deep glacial lake filled year-round with drifting icebergs where seals are regularly spotted.
Explore Diamond Beach, where translucent ice chunks wash ashore against black volcanic sand on the Atlantic coast.
Northern lights viewing opportunity on the overnight stay, subject to solar activity and clear skies.
Stand at Reynisfjara black sand beach beside dramatic basalt column cliffs and powerful Atlantic surf.
Itinerary Overview
Pickup from Reykjavík begins between 8:00 and 8:30. The first stop is Seljalandsfoss, where a path leads behind the falling curtain of water. Adjacent to it, Gljúfrabúi waterfall sits tucked inside a narrow gorge reached by stepping across river rocks.
Skógafoss drops 60 metres from a wide cliff into a mist-filled gorge below. Guests can climb 527 steps to a viewing platform at the top for a panoramic perspective over the south coast.
Reynisfjara features black volcanic sand, towering basalt columns, and strong Atlantic waves. The sea stacks of Reynisdrangar and the headland of Dýrhólaey are visible from the shore, and puffins nest on the cliffs from June through August.
After meeting glacier guides and fitting helmets, harnesses, crampons, and ice axes, the group hikes an outlet glacier for approximately two hours. The route includes entry into a blue ice cave formed within the glacier.
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lake reaching 200 metres in depth, fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull. Icebergs of varying sizes drift across the lagoon while seals swim among them throughout the year.
Across the road from the lagoon, icebergs that reach the Atlantic are carried back to shore by tides, forming a scatter of ice pieces on the black sand. The contrast of clear and blue-tinted ice against dark volcanic sand makes this one of the most photographed locations in Iceland.
What Is Included
Included
- Minibus transport from Reykjavík throughout both days
- Professional glacier guide for ice cave and glacier hike
- Glacier safety equipment: helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe
- South Coast guided sightseeing on Day 1
- Small group tour experience
Not Included
- Accommodation during the overnight stay
- Meals and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Places in the small group minibus are limited. Secure your dates to avoid missing availability on this two-day journey along Iceland's south coast to the glacier lagoon and blue ice cave.
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