South Iceland: Black Lava Sands Quad Bike Tour & Glacier Views

Summary

Quad biking across black sands to glacier edges and a plane wreck in South Iceland

You’ll ride a quad bike across South Iceland’s black lava sands with a local guide, splash through rivers near Mýrdalsjökull glacier, stop by Dyrhólaey and an eerie plane wreck, and share laughs (and maybe some nerves) along the way. This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s feeling Iceland under your boots.

What’s the experience like?

“If you see sheep on the sand, just honk — they’re stubborn,” our guide Jón grinned as he handed me a helmet that smelled faintly of wool and cold air. I fumbled with the balaclava (never worn one before) and tried not to look nervous. The base camp sat under this weird, shifting sky — kind of blue, kind of threatening rain — right by the edge of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. It felt like we were about to ride straight into a saga.

We started slow, crossing these shallow rivers where the water slapped at my boots and made the quad bike wobble more than I expected. The black sand was softer than it looked, almost like riding over packed coffee grounds. Jón kept pointing out things — “That’s Katla’s doing,” he said about the endless stretch of dark sand, and then something about trolls living in the mountains (I think he was half-joking). When we stopped by the coast, I could smell salt and something almost metallic in the wind. Looking back up at the glacier, with Dyrhólaey poking out in the distance… it’s hard to describe. Cold fingers, warm engine rumble under me, just standing there for a minute.

I didn’t expect to care much about an old plane wreck but seeing it half-buried in all that emptiness was strange — kind of haunting. We took turns driving; my partner laughed when I stalled trying to switch drivers (“It’s not like driving at home!”). On the way back we followed the mountain’s edge, which made me feel tiny but also sort of bold? And yeah, I forgot my camera for half of it because sometimes you just want to stare instead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Quad bike tour on black lava sands

• Meet at base near Mýrdalsjökull glacier
• Review tour plan and safety instructions
• Cross small rivers on quad bikes
• Ride to black lava sand fields
• Stop at black beach for views
• Ride along coast to aircraft wreck
• Continue to river Jökulsá and mountain foot
• Return following mountain back to base

Top questions

Do I need ATV experience for this quad bike tour?

No ATV experience is required; skill level is considered easy.

Where does the quad bike tour start?

The tour starts at a base near Mýrdalsjökull glacier in South Iceland.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is included; you need to arrive at the base 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the ATV experience last?

The actual ATV ride lasts approximately 2 hours.

Can single travelers join this quad bike tour?

Yes, but solo riders or odd-numbered groups pay an extra fee locally for single use of an ATV.

What should I wear for this tour?

Wear warm clothing suitable for cold weather conditions; insulated cover-alls are provided.

Is a driver’s license required?

A valid driver’s license is required if you want to drive an ATV.

Are helmets and safety gear provided?

Yes, helmets and balaclava face masks are included for all participants.

What’s included

Your day includes an English-speaking guide from South Iceland who leads you across black lava sands on a shared ATV (two people per vehicle), plus insulated cover-alls, helmet, balaclava face mask for warmth and safety—just bring your own warm layers underneath and don’t forget your driver’s license if you want to take a turn behind the wheel.