Horseback Riding on Iceland's South Coast from Reykjavík

Eight to ten hours exploring waterfalls, sea cliffs and black sand on horseback and foot

A full-day South Coast tour from Reykjavík combines minivan transport, guided stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the Dyrhólaey cliffs, and Reynisfjara black sand beach, with optional horseback riding along the shore. The tour includes round-trip pickup from downtown Reykjavík, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water and WiFi. Horseback riding is added separately and arranged in advance. Group size ranges from 1 to 15 guests depending on the option chosen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Skógafoss40m
2. Reynisfjara Beach40m

Explore South Coast and Vík village

• Visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Hike surrounding trails near Seljalandsfoss
• Visit Skógafoss Waterfall
• Walk up stairs beside Skógafoss
• Explore Dyrhólaey cliffs and lighthouse
• View Dyrhólaey Arch and bird-watch
• Walk along Reynisfjara black sand beach
• See Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks
• Visit the village of Vík í Mýrdal

The experience

The day starts with pickup from downtown Reykjavík in a comfortable minivan. Your guide drives the South Coast route, stopping first at Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter waterfall fed by glacier melt from Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The waterfall's defining feature is the ability to walk behind the cascading water itself, with trails around the base offering different angles and views. The constant spray creates rainbows on clear days and the surrounding area supports wildflowers, mosses and various bird species.

Next is Skógafoss, a 60-meter-wide waterfall that drops into a small lagoon with enough force that its sound carries from a distance. You can walk right up to the base and feel the mist on your face. The site is popular for photography when sunlight catches the spray. From there, the route continues to Dyrhólaey, a volcanic promontory formed roughly 100,000 years ago with a working lighthouse built in 1910. The natural rock arch spanning the sea is the main draw, and the cliffs are home to seabirds including puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes visible from designated viewing areas.

Reynisfjara black sand beach is where the optional horseback riding takes place. The beach's black sand comes from ancient volcanic eruptions. The basalt sea stacks rising from the water, called Reynisdrangar, are said in local legend to be two trolls turned to stone. The waves here are powerful and require caution, but the ride along the shore gives a different perspective on the formations. The tour finishes in the village of Vík, nestled between two glaciers, before returning to Reykjavík. The full duration is eight to ten hours, with most of that time split between driving and stops.

What’s included

• Round-trip minivan transport from downtown Reykjavík.
• professional guide fluent in English and Hindi.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Dyrhólaey cliffs, Reynisfjara black sand beach and the village of Vík.
• flexible pickup and drop-off times within the downtown area.

Options for this experience

4 options

1 - 3 GuestsUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Hindi · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Pickup is included with the 4-seater SUV

4 - 7 GuestsUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Hindi · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Pickup is included with the 8-seater mini van

8 - 12 GuestsUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Hindi · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Pickup is included with the 13-seater mini bus

13 - 15 GuestsUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Hindi · 5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00Pickup is included with the 16-seater mini bus

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats available

Operated by Iceland Paradise Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you're covering multiple South Coast stops in one day and prefer staying in the same vehicle throughout, or add horseback riding on the black sand beach if you want a hands-on activity between the waterfall and cliff viewpoints.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

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.

Can I add horseback riding to this tour, and how does that work?

Horseback riding along Reynisfjara black sand beach is optional and added by contacting the operator before booking. It is charged separately from the main tour price and arranged in advance as part of your reservation.

What are Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and what can I do at each one?

Seljalandsfoss is a 60-meter waterfall where you can walk behind the falling water itself, with surrounding trails for different views. Skógafoss is a 60-meter-wide waterfall dropping into a lagoon where you walk to the base and feel the mist, popular for photography when rainbows form in the spray.

What is Dyrhólaey and what will I see there?

Dyrhólaey is a volcanic promontory on the South Coast with a natural rock arch spanning the sea, a working lighthouse, and designated bird-watching areas where puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes can be observed in their natural habitat.

How long is the drive from Reykjavík, and what's included in the transport?

The full tour runs eight to ten hours with round-trip pickup from downtown Reykjavík included. The minivan is air-conditioned, offers WiFi on board, and bottled water is provided throughout the day.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children or people with mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Specialized infant seats are available, and the transportation and vehicle are wheelchair accessible.