2-Day South Coast w/Glacier Hike & Jokulsarlon – Small Group Tour

The best reason to choose this tour is that it joins two very different Iceland experiences: a guided glacier hike and a boat ride among icebergs at Jökulsárlón. Add waterfalls, black sand, lava fields, a turf-roof church, and a canyon, and you cover a huge stretch of the South Coast without having to drive.

I like the included transport and one-night stay, and I like the small group size, capped at 19 people. Guides such as David, Christina, Kristina, Monika, and Þorri have been praised for good pacing, music, humor, safety care, and helpful photo stops. The main drawback is the packed first day and the long return to Reykjavík, which can arrive around 9:30 pm.

Key points at a glance

• Glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull: You receive the necessary safety equipment and hike with a glacier guide on the ice.
• A full South Coast route: The tour goes beyond Vík to Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, and Hofskirkja.
• Two memorable water stops: Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, then take a 45-minute boat ride among floating icebergs.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle carries no more than 19 people and includes Wi-Fi and USB charging.
• One countryside night: Accommodation and breakfast are arranged, saving you from finding a room along the remote coast.
• A busy first day: Expect many stops, changing weather, and a long time in the vehicle.

Why this two-day route works better than a day trip

Iceland’s South Coast is easy to underestimate. On a map, Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón can look like a simple drive, but the route is packed with waterfalls, beaches, glaciers, small settlements, and viewpoints. A one-day outing usually cannot reach the glacier lagoon comfortably while also allowing time for a glacier hike.

This tour gives you two days to reach the country’s southeastern highlights. You still cover a lot of ground, but the overnight stop breaks up the journey. I especially like that the plan includes both major sights and smaller stops, such as Eldhraun Lava Field and Hofskirkja Church.

The price is $639 per person. That is not a cheap bus trip, but it includes round-trip pickup from Reykjavík, a guide, accommodation for one night, breakfast, the glacier hike, safety gear, and the glacier lagoon boat ride. Once you add the cost of a hotel, rental car, fuel, guided ice activity, and boat trip, the package offers solid value for someone who wants a tightly organized visit.

You will still pay separately for lunch and dinner. The bus makes scheduled food stops, so you can buy meals along the way rather than arranging restaurant reservations.

From Reykjavík to Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Pickup runs between 8:30 and 9:00 am, with the tour beginning at 9:00. Hotel pickup is available in Reykjavík, although buses cannot enter some central streets. You may be assigned a nearby bus stop instead. You can also meet at the Nicetravel office on Fiskislóð 45M before 8:20 am.

The first part of the route passes through South Iceland, including the area around Hveragerði and Selfoss. Hveragerði is known for its greenhouses and the Reykjadalur Hot River, while Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland. These are passing points rather than major scheduled attractions, but the guide can add useful context about the region.

Seljalandsfoss is the first major waterfall. Water drops about 60 meters from the cliffs below Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano associated with Iceland’s famous 2010 eruption. The path behind the waterfall is the special feature here. You can walk into the shallow cave behind the falling water for a view that feels far more personal than a standard roadside stop.

Bring waterproof clothing. Spray reaches the path, and the ground can be wet and slippery. The scheduled stop is about 30 minutes, enough to walk behind the fall and take photos, but not enough for a long wander.

Nearby Gljúfrabúi is quieter and easy to miss. The waterfall sits partly inside a narrow rock opening, and your guide will point out how to find it. This is a good example of why a guided route can be useful. You get more than the famous names on a map, without needing to research every side road yourself.

Skógafoss and the Sólheimajökull ice walk

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s great waterfall stops. The 60-meter cascade throws up a steady veil of spray, often creating rainbows when the light is right. You can view it from below or climb the steps beside the falls for a higher angle.

The 30-minute stop goes quickly. If the stairs are open and you want the upper view, make that your first priority. The lower viewpoint gives you the classic scale and sound of the waterfall, while the top provides a wider look across the surrounding area.

The glacier hike at Sólheimajökull is the tour’s main active event. Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier from Mýrdalsjökull, one of Iceland’s largest ice caps. You are fitted with the required safety equipment and guided onto the ice for about 90 minutes.

This is not a casual stroll. You need good hiking shoes, warm layers, and clothing that can handle wind and rain. Boots can be rented if you do not have suitable footwear. The activity calls for a reasonable level of fitness, careful attention to the guide, and comfort walking on uneven ice.

I like that the ice walk is guided rather than treated as a quick photo stop. The route lets you see the blue ice and rough surfaces at close range, while the guide handles the safety side. The exact conditions can change with weather and glacier conditions, so the pace and route may vary.

Reynisfjara’s black sand and Atlantic surf

After the glacier, the tour continues to Reynisfjara Beach. The black volcanic sand, basalt columns, cliff walls, and offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks create one of Iceland’s most dramatic coastal scenes.

This is a place for caution, not careless exploration. The Atlantic surf is powerful, and you should stay well back from the water. Thirty minutes is enough for the main view, a walk along the sand, and photos of the basalt formations.

Dyrhólaey’s stone arches can be seen from the beach area in the distance. The tour does not list a separate long stop there, but your guide can explain the coast and the rock formations as you go.

The first day contains a lot: two waterfalls, a glacier hike, and Reynisfjara, with significant driving between them. Several people have found the day tiring, even though the pacing is generally handled well. I would plan to keep your evening simple after reaching the overnight accommodation.

Vík, lava fields, and Fjaðrárgljúfur

Day two begins with a short stop in Vík, the small settlement that serves as a useful base in the South Coast region. You get about 20 minutes for views toward the black beach and the hills around town.

The route then crosses Eldhraun Lava Field. The lava formed a broad, rough expanse that is now covered in thick moss. The stop is only about 10 minutes, but the view from the roadside gives you a good sense of how volcanic Iceland can feel both stark and delicate.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is more active. The winding gorge runs for almost two kilometers and reaches roughly 100 meters deep. A 45-minute stop gives you time to walk along the marked viewpoint paths and see the river below.

The canyon became widely known after appearing in a Justin Bieber music video, but the rock formations and winding river are the real reason to stop. Wear shoes with a firm sole, especially if the path is wet.

One practical point matters here: the second day is more relaxed in terms of scheduled stops, but the drive from Vík toward the overnight area and glacier lagoon is long. A past operating delay also caused a wait while another group completed a glacier hike. That is not presented as normal, but it shows why weather and activity timing can affect an Iceland itinerary.

Hofskirkja and the approach to Jökulsárlón

Hofskirkja Church is a short but worthwhile stop. It is one of Iceland’s turf-roof churches, with thick layers of grass over the roof and moss-covered burial mounds nearby. The church dates from the 19th century and was the last of its type built in Iceland.

You only get about 15 minutes here, so think of it as a quiet cultural pause rather than a full museum visit. The turf roof also gives you a welcome change from waterfalls, ice, and black sand.

Then comes Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the main visual payoff of the route. Ice breaks away from the nearby glacier and gathers in the lagoon before moving toward the sea. Wind and tides shift the ice, so the scene changes from hour to hour.

The included 45-minute amphibious boat ride takes you among the icebergs. You may see seals, and the boat provides a closer view of the blue, white, and gray ice than you get from shore. Several guides, including David and Christina, have specifically encouraged passengers to take the boat, and I agree that it adds real value rather than simply repeating the shore view.

The schedule allows about 90 minutes at the lagoon area, including the boat experience. Dress warmly. Even when the road feels mild, the open water and wind can make the lagoon feel much colder.

Diamond Beach and the overnight stay

Fellsfjara, better known as Diamond Beach, lies a short distance from the lagoon. Ice fragments wash onto the black sand after drifting out to sea. Some pieces are clear, some blue, and many are shaped by waves and wind.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for photos and a short walk, but the ice is spread along the beach, so you may need to choose between covering more sand and spending time with a few striking pieces.

Accommodation is included for one night in a double or twin room, with the standard selected when you book. The quality can vary by property. Some stays have been described as clean, convenient, and set in a peaceful countryside location, with a very good breakfast. One account found the room basic, with maintenance issues and sparse furnishings.

That is the fair expectation: the overnight stay is useful and often pleasant, but it is not the main reason to book the tour. Treat it as a practical base near the route rather than a luxury hotel experience.

Breakfast is included the next morning. Lunch and dinner are not, so keep room in your day bag for snacks and expect to buy meals during the scheduled stops.

The bus, guide, and group size

The vehicle carries up to 19 people, which is a comfortable size for a guided road trip. You avoid the scale of a large coach, and the guide has more opportunity to answer questions, help with photos, and adjust the day when weather changes.

The bus includes free Wi-Fi and USB chargers. Those are useful on long drives, especially if you use your phone for photos or navigation after the tour.

The guide can shape the feel of the experience. David has been praised for adding historical and local detail, while Christina and Kristina have been singled out for humor, care, and flexibility. Þorri was noted for balancing commentary with quiet time and using music well. Monika was praised for looking after the group, and Dominika for making smart changes based on weather and adding an extra puffin stop on one outing.

Those names do not guarantee who will lead your departure, but they give you a clear idea of the service style to expect: practical guidance, safety reminders, music, and occasional extra stops when conditions allow.

What to pack and how to prepare

Pack for wet wind, not just cold temperatures. Bring warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, sturdy hiking shoes, gloves, a hat, and a camera. Good shoes are essential for the glacier hike, and rentals are available if needed.

Only small carry-on luggage, such as a backpack, can go on the tour. Ask your Reykjavík hotel to store larger bags if you are returning there after the trip. Nicetravel also offers free luggage storage at its Fiskislóð office, and luggage lockers are available in central Reykjavík.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can take part, but the glacier hike requires you to walk on uneven ice and follow safety instructions. Contact the operator if you have concerns about fitness or mobility before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this South Coast tour?

I would book this tour if you have only a few days in Iceland and want the South Coast’s biggest sights without driving. The glacier hike and Jökulsárlón boat ride give the trip real purpose, while the waterfalls, beach, canyon, lava field, and turf church fill out the route.

You should skip it if you want slow mornings, long hikes, or full control over each stop. The first day is busy, the return to Reykjavík is late, and the accommodation can be basic. But if you can handle a fast pace and changing weather, $639 buys a well-organized two-day sweep of southern Iceland with two activities that are difficult to arrange on your own.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, one night in a double or twin room, breakfast, the guided glacier hike, glacier hiking safety equipment, the Jökulsárlón boat tour, Wi-Fi, and USB chargers on the bus.

Is hotel pickup available in Reykjavík?

Yes. Free pickup and drop-off are available from hotels within Reykjavík. Since buses cannot enter some central streets, your pickup may be assigned to the nearest bus stop.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 am, and the tour starts at 9:00 am. If you meet at the Nicetravel office instead, you should arrive before 8:20 am.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 19 participants.

What should I wear for the glacier hike?

Bring warm, windproof, and waterproof clothing, along with good hiking shoes. Suitable footwear can be rented if you do not have your own.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included. Lunch and dinner are not included, but the tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy food.

How late does the tour return to Reykjavík?

The tour typically returns to Reykjavík around 9:30 pm on the second day.

Can I bring large luggage?

No. Only small carry-on luggage, such as a backpack, is suitable for the tour. You can ask your hotel about luggage storage, use central Reykjavík lockers, or arrange free storage at the Nicetravel office.