South Coast Day Tour from Reykjavik: Walk Behind Waterfalls

Four waterfalls and a glacier in one day, starting from your hotel

A guided South Coast day tour from Reykjavik takes you across Southern Iceland's varied landscape in a small group of up to 16 people, with hotel pickup and a local English-speaking guide. You walk behind Seljalandsfoss, stand in the mist of Skógafoss (60 meters tall), visit the hidden waterfall Gljúfrabúi, and touch the ice at Sólheimajökull Glacier. The tour includes transport by climate-controlled bus, WiFi and USB power on board, and stops where you can buy meals. A small amount of walking is involved, and the day runs about 10 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Seljalandsfoss20m
2. Skógafoss40m
3. Reynisfjara Beach45m
4. Sólheimajökull Glacier45m

Explore South Coast waterfalls and beach

• Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Visit hidden Gljúfrabúi waterfall
• See powerful Skógafoss waterfall
• Stop at charming small town
• Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach
• Walk along Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon

The experience

If you're arriving in Reykjavik without a rental car or want to skip the drive, this tour picks you up at your hotel or a nearby bus stop and handles the route, the timing and the stops. The South Coast is a three-hour drive each way, and the tour compresses five major stops into a single day: you start with Seljalandsfoss, where the path lets you walk behind the falling water itself, then move to Gljúfrabúi, a narrow-canyon waterfall that appears only in certain light. The scale shifts at Skógafoss: a waterfall so wide and forceful it throws up a permanent mist that catches rainbows on clear days.

The route follows the coastline to Reynisfjara Beach, a black sand shore with basalt sea stacks and roaring waves that National Geographic ranked among the world's top ten beaches. The final stop is Sólheimajökull Glacier, where you walk along the glacier lagoon and can touch the ice itself. The bus is a Mercedes Sprinter limited to 16 people, so you're not in a coach with fifty others. The driver is your guide and speaks English. The day involves a small amount of walking, and the weather in Southern Iceland is unpredictable. Bring a warm waterproof jacket and walking shoes.

Transport, pickup and drop-off are included. WiFi and USB power work on board. The tour stops at a local restaurant or grocery shop where you can buy lunch, or you can bring your own. If the weather turns poor enough to cancel, you get offered an alternative date or a full refund. A minimum of two people is required to run the tour. If numbers fall short after confirmation, you'll be offered an alternative or a refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik.
• transport by climate-controlled Mercedes Sprinter bus for up to 16 people.
• a local English-speaking driver and guide.
• WiFi and USB power on board.
• access to all four waterfalls and Sólheimajökull Glacier.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Back to Iceland travel

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Reykjavik without a car, the hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport or navigate the South Coast route yourself. The day is built and timed for you. The small-group size keeps the stops from feeling rushed, and a 10-hour day lets you linger at each waterfall and glacier without cutting any of them short.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What is Seljalandsfoss like when you get there?

Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall you can walk behind. The path takes you into the spray, so you'll get wet. It's one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland, and the experience of being under the falling water itself is what sets it apart from viewing it from a distance.

How big is Skógafoss?

Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. The sheer volume of water creates a constant mist and often produces rainbows on the rocks below.

What is Reynisfjara Beach known for?

Reynisfjara Beach is a black sand shore on the South Coast named one of the top 10 beaches in the world by National Geographic. It features basalt sea stacks, roaring Atlantic waves and dramatic coastal scenery.

What do you do at Sólheimajökull Glacier?

At Sólheimajökull Glacier you walk along the glacier lagoon and can touch the ice itself, experiencing the glacier up close rather than from a distance.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but the tour stops at a local restaurant or grocery shop where you can buy meals, or you can bring a packed lunch with you.