South Iceland Day Trip & Waterfalls from Reykjavik

Summary

Small Group South Coast Tour with Glacier Stop

You’ll ride along Iceland’s south coast with a local guide, stopping at Skógafoss waterfall, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vik, and Seljalandsfoss. Expect wild weather, real stories, and time to wander — plus hotel pickup and WiFi onboard — for a day you’ll remember long after your shoes dry out.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to taste so clean when we stepped off the minibus near Skógafoss — almost sharp, like you could drink it. Our guide, Einar, grinned when I tried to pronounce the waterfall’s name (I definitely got it wrong), but he just shrugged and said, “Close enough.” The spray from Skógafoss hit my face before I even realized how close I’d wandered. There was a rainbow arcing through the mist, and for a second everyone just stood there, not really talking. It’s funny how quiet people get in front of something that loud.

The drive along the south shore felt longer than I thought it would — not in a bad way, more like every few minutes someone would spot another volcano or sheep or those weird mossy lava fields out the window. Einar kept up this steady stream of stories about trolls and eruptions (he swears he saw northern lights shaped like a horse once). At Sólheimajökull Glacier, we crunched over gravel and ice chips to get close enough to see blue streaks running through the glacier. It smelled faintly metallic and cold, if that makes sense. My hands went numb trying to take photos but I couldn’t stop.

Lunch was at this café by Reynisfjara Beach — black sand everywhere, even in my shoes hours later. The wind whipped so hard it stung my ears but there were puffins bobbing on the cliffs (Einar pointed them out; I’d have missed them). Someone ordered fish soup and the smell drifted outside; I stuck with coffee because my fingers needed thawing more than my stomach needed food. We all tried to skip stones but they just sank straight down into the surf.

Seljalandsfoss was our last stop — you can walk behind it if you don’t mind getting soaked. By then nobody cared about wet socks anymore. There’s this moment behind the falls where everything goes white and roaring and you can’t hear anyone else at all. I still think about that echo sometimes when it’s quiet at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — South Shore Waterfalls and Beach

• Visit Skogafoss waterfall
• View Sólheimajökull glacier
• Stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach
• Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Top questions

How long is the South Iceland day trip from Reykjavik?

The tour lasts about 10 to 11 hours including all stops.

Is lunch included on this South Shore tour?

No, lunch isn’t included but there are stops at cafés or gas stations where you can buy food.

Can you walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall?

Yes, if conditions allow you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss — bring waterproofs as you might get wet.

Are there bathroom breaks during the tour?

Yes, there are regular stops with restroom facilities available throughout the day.

What should I wear for this South Coast tour?

Dress warmly in layers with waterproof outerwear; sturdy shoes are recommended due to wet paths.

What’s included

Your day includes Reykjavik hotel pickup by comfortable minibus (with WiFi), an English-speaking local guide sharing stories along the way, all activities at Skógafoss waterfall, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vik, Dyrhólaey headland if time allows, plus plenty of chances to grab food or coffee before heading back in the evening.