Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon with Northern Lights
Iceland's South Coast in One Day: Glaciers, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches
You get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel, driven to six major south-coast landmarks including Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, eat lunch in Vík, and hunt for Northern Lights on the return drive (Sept–Apr). A professional local guide handles the commentary and driving, so you focus on the views instead of the road. The minibus stays small, under twelve people, which means shorter stops don't feel rushed and you're not competing with a crowd for photos.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore glacier lagoon and nearby sights
- Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Walk on Diamond Beach
- See Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Stop for meal in Vík village
- Visit turf church at Hof
- Admire Fjaðrárgjúfur canyon
- View ocean and Reynisdrangar sea stacks
- Hunt for Northern Lights (seasonal)
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 1h
- Diamond Beach 20m
- Seljalandsfoss 30m
What’s included
- Your day includes pickup from your Reykjavik hotel or a designated bus stop, professional local guide and minibus transport for the full route, live commentary at each stop, visits to Hof turf church, Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, and the village of Vík.
- Lunch and drinks are available to purchase on-site in Vík.
- Between September and April, the tour includes a Northern Lights hunt on the return drive, weather and aurora activity permitting.
- Drop-off returns you to your hotel or the same bus stop where you started.
Times
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday 07:30
Before you book
Operated by Gateway to Iceland
Prices and times updated today
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The experience
What if you could walk on a black sand beach covered in icebergs, stand behind a waterfall, and still be back in Reykjavik by evening? That's the shape of this small-group tour along Iceland's south coast: a route that packs Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Seljalandsfoss, and Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon into a single day without the stress of driving yourself. The minibus holds under twelve people, which means you're not crammed in with fifty others, and your guide is a local who knows where the light hits the canyon at what hour and which stops are worth lingering at.
The day starts with pickup from your hotel or a designated bus stop (the company notes that some central Reykjavik hotels fall in a restricted driving zone, so you might meet the group a few minutes' walk away instead). From there, you head south and stop first at Hof, a turf church perched on a hill with views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Those dark rock formations that legend says are trolls frozen mid-stride. Then comes Fjaðrárgjúfur, the feather-shaped canyon that drops so steeply it feels like standing at the edge of something ancient. The guide will mention that winter snow can close the canyon road, so if you're traveling between September and April, confirm conditions before you go. After that, Seljalandsfoss. The waterfall you can actually walk behind, where the wind sometimes pushes the water uphill and soaks you from angles you didn't expect.
Lunch happens in Vík, Iceland's southernmost village, where you can order lamb soup or the black dough pizza on-site (vegetarian and allergen-free options are available if you ask ahead). Then the drive continues to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs float in milky blue water and seals surface without warning. Diamond Beach is right next to it: the black sand shore where those same icebergs wash up, creating a landscape that looks like it belongs on another planet. If you're traveling between September and April, the tour includes a Northern Lights hunt on the drive back, though the aurora depends on clear skies and activity that night, so there's no guarantee. The whole thing wraps around evening, and you're dropped back at your hotel or the same bus stop where you started.
Bring waterproof, insulated shoes and layers: the wind on the black sand beach is real, and the canyon can be cold even in summer. The tour operates with a minimum of four adult participants, so if you're booking solo or as a pair, check that the departure date has enough people signed up. Small groups mean you're not waiting for a coach to fill, and the guide can adjust the pace if someone wants an extra ten minutes at a particular stop.
Is this one for you?A good fit if you want Iceland's south-coast highlights without renting a car or navigating the Ring Road yourself. The guide handles the driving and knows which stops reward a longer pause. Plan for a full day out, which is what lets you fit six major landmarks and a meal into one departure.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 12 years); Child (under 6).
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.
Is hotel pickup guaranteed from all Reykjavik hotels?
No. Hotels in Reykjavik's restricted driving zone require you to meet the minibus at a nearby designated bus stop instead, usually a few minutes' walk away. Confirm your pickup location when you book.
Can I do this tour if I'm traveling alone?
The tour requires a minimum of four adult participants to operate, so check that your chosen date has enough bookings before you reserve.
What's included in the price?
Professional local guide, minibus transport, hotel pickup or designated bus stop meeting, and live commentary. Lunch and Northern Lights hunt are not included in the base price. Meals can be purchased on-site in Vík.
Is Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon always accessible?
No. Winter snow and weather can close the canyon road, especially between September and April. Check road conditions before your tour date.
When can I see the Northern Lights on this tour?
The Northern Lights hunt runs from September 1st to April 1st, but only on clear nights with aurora activity. There's no guarantee of seeing them, as both sky conditions and solar activity must align.
What should I wear?
Sturdy, warm, waterproof shoes and layered, windproof clothing. Bring mittens and a hat even in summer: the wind on Diamond Beach and at the canyon is strong and cold.
Are there vegetarian meal options?
Yes. Vegetarian and allergen-free meals are available to purchase on-site in Vík during the lunch stop.
How many people travel in the minibus?
The minibus holds a maximum of twelve people, keeping the group small and intimate.
Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon & Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon with Northern Lights
14h–16h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 242 per person
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