South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand Beach and Glacier Tour
Waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic coastlines — Iceland's South Coast on your own schedule.
This private South Coast tour from Reykjavik brings your group face to face with Iceland's most dramatic landscapes over a full eleven hours, from hidden waterfall canyons to one of the world's most striking black sand beaches. A dedicated vehicle and guide are reserved exclusively for your party, meaning no shared coach and no fixed pace imposed by strangers.
The journey southeast from Reykjavik follows the Ring Road through open farmland and volcanic terrain before arriving at the waterfall district. Seljalandsfoss allows visitors to walk behind its curtain of falling water — a rare experience worldwide — while the nearby Gljúfrabúi hides entirely inside a narrow rock canyon, accessible only through a gap in the cliff face.
Skógafoss follows with its commanding sixty-metre drop, and a staircase beside the falls leads to a viewing platform above the cascade. The route then reaches Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue extending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, where ancient ice meets dark volcanic moraine in a landscape of unusual stillness.
The coastal finale includes Dyrhólaey headland, with its panoramic views along the black sand shore, and Reynisfjara beach, where towering basalt columns and offshore sea stacks frame the Atlantic. The village of Vík closes out the South Coast before the return drive to Reykjavik.
Tour Highlights
Walk behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss, one of the few waterfalls in the world where a path leads directly behind the falling water.
Discover Gljúfrabúi, a powerful waterfall hidden inside a narrow rock canyon and missed by the majority of South Coast visitors.
Approach the edge of Sólheimajökull glacier and witness the striking contrast of blue ice, ash layers, and dark volcanic moraine.
Photograph Skógafoss from the base or climb the staircase for an elevated view across the entire South Coast plain.
Stand on Reynisfjara black sand beach beside basalt columns and watch the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the Atlantic surf.
Take in sweeping panoramic views of Iceland's southernmost tip from the elevated headland at Dyrhólaey.
Travel in a private vehicle with a dedicated guide, with hotel pickup and drop-off included throughout Reykjavik.
Itinerary
Your guide collects your group directly from your Reykjavik accommodation. The drive southeast follows the Ring Road through open volcanic landscapes, with commentary on Icelandic nature and culture along the way.
Seljalandsfoss offers the rare opportunity to walk behind the waterfall itself. A short distance away, Gljúfrabúi is concealed inside a rock canyon and reached by stepping through a gap in the cliff — one of the South Coast's most rewarding hidden stops.
At sixty metres tall and twenty-five metres wide, Skógafoss is among Iceland's most powerful cascades. A staircase alongside the falls leads to a viewing platform with wide views across the South Coast, and rainbows frequently form in the mist on clear days.
A short walk from the car park brings you to the edge of this glacier tongue descending from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The landscape here is defined by the meeting of ancient ice and dark volcanic moraine.
The dramatic Dyrhólaey headland provides sweeping views along the black sand coastline and out to the open Atlantic. Reynisfjara follows, framed by geometric basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks standing offshore — your guide provides a full safety briefing at the water's edge.
The coastal village of Vík offers a final pause before the scenic drive back to the capital. Your guide drops your group at your Reykjavik accommodation to close the day.
What's Included
Included
- Private vehicle for the duration of the tour
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik
- Stops at Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls
- Visit to Skógafoss waterfall with staircase access
- Glacier viewpoint at Sólheimajökull
- Dyrhólaey headland panoramic viewpoint
- Reynisfjara black sand beach stop
- Vík village stop
Not Included
- Food and beverages
- Glacier hiking equipment or guided glacier walk
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for your guide
- Any optional activities at stops
Important Information
Book Your Private South Coast Tour
Secure your private vehicle and guide for a full day on Iceland's South Coast, from hidden waterfall canyons to black sand beaches and glacier viewpoints — all collected from and returned to your Reykjavik accommodation.
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