Airplane tour over black sands and riverbeds from Skaftafell

See the glacier outlet and black sand plain from the air in under an hour

An airplane tour from Skaftafell that flies over Skeiðarársandur (a vast black sand and ash plain carved by rivulets between the glacier and sea), and Skeiðarárjökull, a massive outlet glacier draining from Vatnajökull. The 45-minute flight includes landing and facility fees, local taxes and parking. A live English-speaking guide briefs you on the route before takeoff at the private airstrip terminal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Airplane tour over black sands and glacier

• Meet at Skaftafell Terminal
• Greet pilot and staff
• Review flight route and instructions
• Fly over coastline and Skeiðarársandur plain
• Fly over Skeiðarárjökull glacier

The experience

The tour starts at Skaftafell Terminal, next to the private airstrip. Your pilot and front desk staff meet you there to walk through the flight route and answer questions before you board. The whole experience runs 45 minutes in the air, which means you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without reshaping the rest of your day in East Iceland.

From the air, you see Skeiðarársandur spread below: a plain of black sand and ash that stretches the full distance from Vatnajökull down to the coast, threaded through with small rivulets. Then the flight passes over Skeiðarárjökull itself, the outlet glacier that feeds that plain. This is the kind of view you cannot get from the ground, and the scale of both the glacier and the sandur becomes clear only from above.

What’s included

• Landing and facility fees.
• local taxes.
• parking.
• live English-speaking guide briefing.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDepartures at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Atlantsflug/Flightseeing

Is this one for you?At 45 minutes, this flight fits easily into a morning or afternoon without cutting into other plans: ideal if you want to see the glacier and black sand plain from above but need to keep the rest of your day open for ground-based exploration.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is Skeiðarársandur?

Skeiðarársandur is a vast plain of black sand and ash that spans from Vatnajökull glacier down to the coast, carved by numerous small rivulets flowing from the ice cap. It is one of Iceland's most distinctive landscapes, and the flight passes directly over it.

How long does the flight take?

The flight is 45 minutes total. Your briefing and boarding happen before takeoff at Skaftafell Terminal, so plan for a bit of extra time at the airstrip.

What is included in the price?

Landing and facility fees, local taxes and parking are all included. The pilot provides a live briefing in English before the flight about the route and what you will see.

Where do I meet for the flight?

The meeting point is Skaftafell Terminal, located next to the private airstrip. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.