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South Coast, IcelandNorthern Lights

Our most recommended South Coast, Iceland Northern Lights

Iceland: South Coast and Northern Lights Tour

1. Iceland: South Coast and Northern Lights Tour

Climb aboard a modern bus equipped with computer tablets in each seat and a GPS-sensitive in-bus audio guide in 10 languages. Learn interesting facts about Iceland and the places you will visit as you depart Reykjavik and head south. You will also find a USB charger and free Wi-Fi on board the bus so that you can keep connected and share your experience along the way. Ask your host any questions you may have and they will be glad to help. Start with a drive through the lava fields by the active volcano of Hengill mountain. Then, head down to the rich coast and farmland. On clear days you will see Hekla volcano and the glacier-capped Eyjafjalljökull volcano rising majestically above the coastal mountains at its base. Just a few kilometers off the coastline you might also see the volcanic Westman Islands.  Stop at the 60-meter high Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, famous for the hidden pathway behind it. Continue to the powerful cascades of Skógafoss Waterfall and take a short walk up a flight of steps to discover one of Iceland´s most scenic views. Next, go to Sólheimajökull Glacier on your way to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Watch the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash on the black sands and see the jagged basalt sea stacks and huge basalt-column cave off the coast. Continue to the southernmost village on Iceland with a trip to Vík, located on the main ring road around the island. Despite its small size and tiny population (only 291 inhabitants) it is still the largest settlement for 70 kilometers! Return to Reykjavík for a rest before part 2 of your adventure. Reconvene in the evening to search for the legendary Northern Lights in the night sky. For many, this is the reason to come to Iceland in the winter, and while sightings are weather dependent and cannot be guaranteed, the Northern Lights (also known as the "Aurora Borealis") are mysterious and magical when they appear. The result of powerful solar storms, the lights need clear winter skies to be visible. Rest assured, your expert operational team has decades of experience analyzing weather patterns and the operator carefully reviews the conditions on a daily basis. You will not set off unless they think there is a good chance of spotting the lights, resulting in a high success rate. Be guided by one of the specially trained Northern Lights guides, and get tips on how to take photos of the natural phenomenon. Dress warmly as you will be out in the cold, or take advantage of the ultra-warm "Aurora Jackets” available for rent.

From Reykjavik: 3-Day South Coast Winter Tour with Ice Cave

2. From Reykjavik: 3-Day South Coast Winter Tour with Ice Cave

Explore the geothermal and frozen landscapes of the south coast of Iceland on a 3-day tour. Marvel at amazing waterfalls and explore an ice cave. Be wowed by black lava sand beaches, walk on the shores of Glacier Lagoon, and feel the thrill as you encounter spectacular geothermal features. Day 1: Golden Circle & Kerið Volcanic Crater On the first day you will visit all the best-known places in Iceland that make the Golden Circle Route: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Golden Waterfall and Haukadalur Geothermal area that is home to Strokkur Geyser. Before heading to your lodging for the night you will also visit the volcanic crater lake of Kerið. When spending the night in a lovely village of Hveragerði you can walk around Geothermal Park or by Reykjafoss Waterfall searching for Northern Lights (if weather conditions are favorable). Day 2: South Coast of Iceland Second day will start with drive across the South Coast of Iceland to reach your first destination - Seljalandsfoss waterfall and nearby hidden waterfall of Gljufrabui. Continue to Skógafoss waterfall to watch the Skógá River fall 60 meters at the powerful cascades. After seeing three stunning waterfalls comes time to walk on the worlds-famous Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara. Dark volcanic sands stretch as far as the eye can see, with mighty Atlantic waves crashing into the Reynisdrangar, fingers of volcanic rock that tower into the sky just offshore. Second night, this time spent in remote location in South-East Iceland, brings more chances to spot aurora. Day 3: Ice Caving Expedition and Glacier Lagoon This day takes you deep into the Vatnajokull National Park. Walk on shores of Glacier Lagoon and on ice scattered beach called Diamond. The highlight of the whole tour is an ice caving. Equipped with all the necessary safety equipment you will jump on the super jeep taking you to the stunning natural ice cave laying underneath the biggest glacier in Europe - Vatnajokull. The Blue Ice Cave really shows the tremendous forces of Icelandic nature, as they are formed naturally in glaciers when fresh water freezes in the plunging winter temperatures. New caves are created every year as the glaciers freeze and melt and refreeze into different shapes. On that day you will also stop by a traditional turf church and take another look at basalt columns when having a refreshment break in the village of Vik.

From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave

3. From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave

Explore the geothermal landscapes of the south coast of Iceland on a 2-day tour to some of the most amazing waterfalls, ice caves and black lava sand beaches. Day 1: South Coast - Waterfalls - Reynisfjara Depart Reykjavík and drive along Route 1 en route to Seljalandsfoss and the Gljufrabui (Hidden Falls) waterfalls beneath the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Continue to Skógafoss waterfall to watch the Skógá River fall 60 meters at the powerful cascades. Walk on the world-famous black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Drive on to the East to spend the night at a hotel with private bathroom close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Search the sky for the Northern Lights if conditions are favorable. Day 2: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Blue Ice Cave Day 2 starts with visit at Vatnajokull National Park where views of the wilderness will take your breath away. See the icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon as they crack off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float out to sea.   Drive by Super Jeep to one of the ice caves that form in the winter and get about 1 hour to explore the magical blue caves. Return to Jökulsárlón to take the bus back to Reykjavik. Make a quick stop in Vik for refreshments along the way. 

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What people are saying about South Coast, Iceland

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 30 reviews

AMAZING tour. One of the highlights of my trip. Our guide, Albert, was so fun and knowledgable, and even stopped some extra times to show us even more sights! We even got to see the Northern Lights on our night at the hotel. A fantastic way to see the south coast, and the ice cave tour was awesome. Would recommend bringing some power bars/snacks, as we didn't stop for lunch/dinner until 5pm the second day. But the bus made lots of bathroom stops and you could buy snacks there too. The hotel was great that they had booked us in. All around a well planned and super fun tour! (our tour bus didn't have outlets unfortunately, so I would definitely recommend a portable charger)

We had a phenomenal time with our tour guide Christine from Nice Travel. She was funny, entertaining, and so so knowledgeable. Our group was originally supposed to be 17 people but 3 were no show, so in total there were 14 of us. We were really lucky to have sunshine and good weather for the majority of the tour. I love that Christina would make secret bonus stops along the way to show us views/places most tour companies don't stop at. Everyone had so much fun!!! I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this tour!!! Now all my friends are jealous, after seeing the pictures I took on the tour, posted on Instagram.

Loved the experience! Our guide was Gulli and the best person we could have done this 2-day trip with! Very informative and friendly. Needless to say, the activities were amazing. There's a lot to cover in 2 days. The highlights were the ice caves, the drive to the hiking start point and the hike to the caves, the overnight countryside stay (beautiful and comfortable), and if you are lucky & if you manage to save some time, the additional spots that your guide might drive you to. Totally worth 2 days of your trip.

Amazing experience. Excellent tour guide. We were going to run into bad weather on the third day so our guide made extra stops on the second day. Felt very relaxed, had plenty of time to explore the waterfalls, the beaches and the glacier. Excellent experience

It was organized well and the guides were wonderful. Loved the locations and time was sufficient at every stop. Accommodations were good.