Reykjavik Helicopter Tour: Volcanoes & Reykjanes Peninsula

See three years of eruption sites from above in under an hour.

A private helicopter tour from Reykjavik that flies over the lava fields and craters of Reykjanes volcano—including eruption sites from 2021, 2022 and 2023—then passes the colorful houses of downtown Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and coastal cliffs where millions of birds nest. The flight lasts 40 to 50 minutes and includes a live English-speaking guide. Note that active lava flow is not guaranteed, as volcanic activity is a natural phenomenon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour over volcanoes and lava fields

• Overfly craters and lava fields
• View Reykjanes Volcano eruption sites
• See colorful houses and Hallgrímskirkja Church
• Spot rock formations and coastal cliffs
• Pass by Keilir subglacial volcano

The Experience

You board a helicopter in Reykjavik and fly directly over the craters and lava fields of previous eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The guide narrates the geology and history of the volcanic sites as you pass above them—the steaming craters, the dark lava fields, and the raw terrain shaped by eruptions from 2021, 2022 and 2023. This is the view you cannot get from the ground: the scale of the lava flows, the arrangement of multiple craters, and the way the landscape has shifted in just a few years.

From the volcanic zone, the flight sweeps toward downtown Reykjavik, where you see the colorful houses and the distinctive spire of Hallgrímskirkja Church from above. The route then follows the coast, passing Keilir—a subglacial volcano roughly 100,000 years old—and the steep seaside cliffs where millions of seabirds nest. You look out over the Atlantic to the south before heading back to the airport. The whole flight runs 40 to 50 minutes.

What’s included

The helicopter flight; a live guide speaking English who explains the volcanic sites and history of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Volcano Heli - Iceland Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you fly alone or with your group rather than sharing the helicopter with strangers—a difference that matters if you want to set the pace of questions and conversation, or if you need flexibility around timing. Book it if you have a free afternoon in Reykjavik and want to see the scale and extent of the recent eruptions without spending a full day driving to the peninsula and back.

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Top questions

Can I see active lava flowing on this helicopter tour?

Active lava flow is not guaranteed. Volcanic activity is a natural phenomenon, so the eruption sites you see from the air may show steaming craters and lava fields but not necessarily flowing lava at the time of your flight.

What does the helicopter tour of Reykjavik's volcanoes include?

The tour includes the helicopter flight itself and a live guide who speaks English and explains the volcanic history and geology of the Reykjanes Peninsula and the sites you pass over.

How long is the helicopter flight over the volcanoes?

The flight lasts between 40 and 50 minutes, covering the eruption sites, downtown Reykjavik, coastal cliffs, and the Keilir volcano.

What is Keilir, and will I see it on the tour?

Keilir is a subglacial volcano estimated to be around 100,000 years old, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The helicopter passes by it during the flight, giving you a view of this ancient volcanic formation from above.

Is this helicopter tour suitable for people with mobility issues or health concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Infants and small children can ride, though infants must sit on an adult's lap.