South Coast Plane Wreck, Bird Watching and Glacier Hike
From black sand shores to ancient ice, a full day along Iceland's most dramatic coastline.
This Iceland South Coast day tour takes you through a remarkable sequence of landscapes — abandoned wreckage on a volcanic plain, seabird cliffs above the Atlantic, a tranquil fishing village, a famous black sand beach, and a guided walk across a living glacier. The pace is deliberate, giving you genuine time at each location rather than a rushed glimpse.
Departing from Reykjavik in the early morning, the route south crosses the lava fields and flat plains that define Iceland's interior fringe. The first major stop is the Solheimasandur plane wreck, where a US Navy aircraft has rested on the black sand since 1973. A shuttle carries guests across the sand to the site, which sits in near-total silence under an open sky.
The afternoon brings the contrasts that make the South Coast memorable: the bird-filled headland at Dyrhólaey, the geometric basalt columns at Reynisfjara, and the unhurried atmosphere of Vik village for lunch and dinner. The glacier hike at Solheimajokull is conducted in English by certified guides and uses standard crampons and ice axes.
Iceland's long summer daylight means the final hours of the journey still hold light on the water and the hills, making the return drive a landscape experience in its own right rather than simply a transfer back to the city.
Tour Highlights
Walk to the Solheimasandur DC-3 plane wreck, one of Iceland's most iconic and remote photographic subjects, reached by shuttle across open black sand.
Visit Dyrhólaey headland during summer when Atlantic puffins nest in the cliffs and soar above the sea arches below.
Step onto Solheimajokull glacier with certified guides, crampons, and ice axes for a close encounter with centuries-old glacial ice.
Stand on Reynisfjara black sand beach beside the towering basalt columns and sea stacks that define Iceland's volcanic coastline.
Enjoy lunch and dinner in Vik, Iceland's southernmost village, set between green hillsides and the dark North Atlantic shore.
Experience Iceland's extended summer daylight throughout the full day, keeping landscapes vivid well into the evening hours.
Day Itinerary
The minibus departs from Reykjavik in the early morning, heading south along the Ring Road through lava plains and farmland toward the coast.
A shuttle bus carries the group across the black sand to the wreck site of a 1973 US Navy DC-3 aircraft. The open terrain and minimal surroundings make this one of Iceland's most striking and quiet locations.
The dramatic Dyrhólaey promontory offers views over a natural sea arch and the surrounding coastline. In summer, Atlantic puffins and other seabirds nest along the cliffs here.
The group stops in Vik for lunch before continuing to Reynisfjara, where black volcanic sand, hexagonal basalt columns, and offshore sea stacks create a striking coastal scene.
Certified local guides lead a glacier walk on Solheimajokull, an outlet glacier of the Myrdalsjokull ice cap. Crampons and ice axes are provided for the English-language guided hike.
The day ends with dinner in Vik before the minibus returns north along the coast. Iceland's summer light lingers through the entire return journey.
What Is Included
Included
- Minibus transport from Reykjavik throughout the day
- Shuttle bus to Solheimasandur plane wreck
- Glacier hike with certified English-speaking guide
- Crampons and ice axes for glacier activity
- Guidance and narration throughout the route
Not Included
- Lunch and dinner (own expense in Vik)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for guides and driver
- Any items of a personal nature
Important Information
Reserve Your Place
This small-group minibus tour covers Iceland's South Coast from the Solheimasandur wreck to glacier ice in a single long summer day. Places are limited by vehicle capacity.
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