South Coast Iceland: Glacier Hike & Black Sand Beach Day Trip

Summary

Walk Sólheimajökull glacier touch black sand beaches hear waterfalls roar

You’ll hike across Sólheimajökull glacier with real crampons on your boots, walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall (prepare to get sprayed), and stand on Reynisfjara’s black sand watching wild Atlantic waves—all with an expert local guide and small group comfort. These moments stick with you long after Reykjavik’s lights come back into view.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing at the edge of Sólheimajökull. The wind was sharp enough to wake you up if the early pickup from Reykjavik hadn’t already done it. Our guide, Jón, handed me a helmet and crampons—he made a joke about “Icelandic fashion” that actually broke the ice (no pun intended). I remember my boots crunching over the blue-white surface, and how quiet it got when we all stopped talking for a second. You could hear water trickling somewhere deep inside the glacier. It’s kind of eerie, but in a good way.

We’d started out with Seljalandsfoss waterfall—yeah, that’s the one you can walk behind. I thought it would be more touristy but honestly, getting misted by that cold spray felt like a slap in the face after too much coffee. My friend tried to take a selfie and almost dropped her phone in the mud (she didn’t). After that we hit Skógafoss, which is louder and somehow feels more ancient. Jón told us some local story about trolls living up in the cliffs—I only caught half of it because I was distracted by a rainbow flickering in the spray.

The last stop was Reynisfjara beach. The black sand is rougher than I expected—almost pebbly—and when you stand near those basalt columns you feel like you’re on another planet. The Atlantic waves here are wild; Jón kept reminding us not to get too close (apparently sneaker waves are no joke). There was this weird mix of salt air and volcanic earth smell that stuck to my jacket for hours. On the drive back to Reykjavik everyone got quiet—maybe tired or just thinking about all that space and silence. I still think about that view from the glacier sometimes, especially when city noise gets too much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — South Coast tour with glacier hike

• Depart from Reykjavik by minibus
• Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• See Skogafoss waterfall nearby
• Hike on Sólheimajökull glacier
• Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach
• Return to Reykjavik

Top questions

How long is the South Coast & Glacier Hike day trip from Reykjavik?

The tour lasts approximately 12 hours including transport from Reykjavik.

Is glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull included?

Yes, a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull is part of this day trip.

Are pickup and drop-off included in this tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops in Reykjavik are included.

What should I wear for this Iceland glacier hike?

Dress warmly in layers with waterproof outerwear; hiking boots with ankle support are recommended.

Is lunch provided during the South Coast tour?

No lunch is provided; bring your own or buy food during stops along the route.

Are children allowed on this tour?

The minimum age for participants is 8 years old.

How many people are in each group?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 18 people per minibus.

What equipment is provided for the glacier hike?

You’ll get harnesses, ice axes, helmets, and crampons for safe glacier walking.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable minibus transport with WiFi, pickup and drop-off from selected Reykjavik bus stops, all necessary glacier gear like helmet and crampons, plus an English-speaking guide who knows every twist of Iceland’s south coast before heading back in the evening.