Private South Coast & Glacier Lagoon Tour

by Absorb Iceland · Lagoons & spas · Vatnajökull & Jökulsárlón

Luxury
Couples
Suits older travellers
Good with teenagers
Can be tailored

from €2,345.62 per vehicle

No published departures in the coming months — ask us

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Private South Coast & Glacier Lagoon Tour — Absorb Iceland

Reynisdrangar sea stacks at the Reynisfjara black sand beach

Basalt columns at the Reynisfjara black sand beach

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8 photos from Absorb Iceland. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
14 hours
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
All year
Pickup
Hotel pickup included
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
07:00, 08:00
Minimum age
4
Cancellation
Free until 2 days before

About this experience

Please note:

The weather can be unpredictable in Iceland so during winter you may expect us to occasionally need to alter the tour itinerary if weather/road conditions are unfavorable.

Available: All year

Duration: Approx. 14hrs, depending on your time spent at each stop and the duration of any activity added.

Pick-up: From your hotel/accommodation within the Reykjavik Capital Area.

Highlights

Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Skógafoss waterfall
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Diamond Beach

Description

Driving out of the Reykjavik Capital Area we head over the Hellisheiði plateau through moss-grown lava fields surrounded by rows of mountains towards the popular South Coast. The most recent lava in the field is believed to have flowed from a 6 km (3.7 mi) long volcanic fissure around AD 1000. On the way, we pass Ingólfsfjall mountain where the settler of Iceland Ingólfur Arnarsson is believed to be buried. Driving further south we get closer to the coastline with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and volcanoes and glaciers on the other side, and even the famous Hekla volcano can be seen from the road.

We make our first stop at the unique waterfall Seljalandsfoss, which drops like a curtain off a cliff into a beautiful meadow. Behind is a small cave and a walking path extending around the waterfall. This makes for a great angle to photograph this very picturesque waterfall and its surroundings, but be sure to wear good shoes and waterproof clothing before going behind it. We head on and drive past the ice cap Eyjafjallajökull which covers the caldera of a volcano that last erupted in 2010, memorably affecting air traffic throughout Europe. From the road, you will immediately spot the mesmerizing Skógafoss in the tiny Skógar village. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland dropping wide from a cliff that formerly marked the coastline. If the sun is out, the spraying from Skógafoss will form a rainbow and sometimes two. A staircase next to it leads up to a platform above this waterfall, giving you a great view over farmsteads to the ocean and on-site museums give you insight into how Icelanders lived throughout history.

Our next stop is the Reynisfjara black sand beach. This is among the most popular visits on the South Coast, with the high basalt pinnacles Reynisdrangar rising out of the sea, and extremely powerful ocean waves crashing against the basalt-columned wall of mountain Reynisfjall and steadily eroding the Hálsanefhellir basalt cave by the beach. Reynisfjara has been ranked as one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world by National Geographic. Here you need to be extra cautious, as these waves are known as "sneaker waves". Though they may sometimes look calm and harmless, they have snuck up on people and pulled them into the sea, causing fatal tragedies throughout the years when people have gotten too close to the sea. Be careful while admiring this breathtaking area and please respect the puffins and other seabirds nesting in the basalt columns.

After taking in the beauty of the beach, you'll head to Fjallsárlón, a lesser-known glacier lagoon that is equally stunning. The glacier lagoon is surrounded by mountains and glaciers, and you can take a boat ride on the lagoon to see the icebergs up close. The boat ride is a unique experience that allows you to get close to the icebergs and see the different shades of blue in the ice.

Finally, you'll arrive at Jökulsárlón, the crown jewel of Iceland's glacier lagoons. Here, you can take a boat or kayak tour, depending on your preference, to get up close and personal with the stunning glaciers. The lagoon is filled with floating icebergs that have broken off from the glacier, and you'll see them in all shapes and sizes. You'll also see the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest glacier, which covers about 8% of Iceland's landmass.

From the lagoon, you can walk to the Diamond Beach, where you can see icebergs that have washed up on the black sand beach. The name of this beach comes from the icebergs that sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. The contrast between the black sand and the icebergs makes for a unique and stunning sight.

This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience Iceland's natural beauty up close and personal. With a knowledgeable and experienced English-speaking driver-guide, you'll be in good hands throughout the tour. Your guide will share fascinating information about Iceland's geology, history, and culture, making this tour an educational and unforgettable experience.

After this long day of exceptional landscapes and scenery, we make our way back to the buzzing city life of the Reykjavik Capital Area.

Description from the operator, Absorb Iceland. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Skógafoss waterfall
Reynisfjara black sand beach
Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Diamond Beach

Included

National Park entrance fee
Parking fees
Pickup & drop-off within the Reykjavik Capital Area
Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
Knowledgeable & experienced English-speaking driver-guide

Not included

Food & drinks (your private driver-guide can recommend stops for lunch and refreshments during the tour)
Entry or admission fees
Tip or gratuity

Good to know

Please respect nature - do not throw out trash or walk on any moss.
For environmental responsibility purposes, you do not need to print out your e-ticket.
Your private driver-guide can always recommend different restaurants in the area and make stops on the way so you can purchase food/snacks/drinks, but you are also welcome to bring a packed lunch.
Road conditions or adverse weather could make some stops inaccessible during winter, so the itinerary may need to be altered if necessary.
Dress according to the weather by wearing warm and wind-/waterproof clothing in layers and bring gloves and a hat.
Wear suitable footwear, preferably waterproof with a good grip, in case of slippery conditions due to ice, rain, or gravel paths.
We may occasionally need to alter the tour itinerary due to unpredictable weather and road conditions in Iceland, especially during winter. The weather in Iceland can be quite unpredictable.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 2 days before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is a forecast the operator judges unsafe. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Absorb Iceland decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 2 days before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Who this is not for

Children under 4 cannot join this one.
Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 14 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Absorb Iceland is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

Read before you book

Kayaking in Iceland: glacier lagoon or fjord?Paddle a glacier lagoon if you want icebergs and are in the southeast anyway; paddle a fjord if you want calm water, seals and a cheaper, gentler two hours.
Private family tours in Iceland: what they costTaste Iceland's private family tours run €1,024 to €1,595 per booking. What you get for that, which age limits apply, and when a cheaper family tour wins.
Private self-drive guided tour in IcelandA guide leads, you drive your own Land Rover Defender. What the Volcano Trails tours cost per vehicle, what is included, and who should skip it.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Lagoons & spas — questions people ask

Is the Blue Lagoon worth it or is it too touristy?

It is busy and it is worth it, once. The water is milky blue from silica, the setting in the Reykjanes lava is unlike anywhere else, and it sits twenty minutes from Keflavík Airport, so it fits an arrival or departure day. Book a time slot in advance; it sells out. If crowds bother you, go early morning or after 20:00. The Secret Lagoon or Fontana on the Golden Circle are calmer and cheaper alternatives.

Can I do the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from the airport?

Yes, and it is the best way to use it. Transfers like IceTransfer's Keflavík to Blue Lagoon to Reykjavík (/experience/1036423/) or the reverse (/experience/1036419/) stop at the lagoon for a few hours with your luggage stored. Allow at least three hours at the lagoon and check that your slot lines up with your flight. Note that the Reykjanes eruptions have closed the lagoon at short notice; check its status before travelling.

What is the difference between the Secret Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon?

The Secret Lagoon at Flúðir is a simple, warm geothermal pool with a bubbling hot spring beside it and basic changing rooms. It is on the Golden Circle, so it slots into a sightseeing day (/experience/17050/, /experience/624446/). The Blue Lagoon is a spa: silica masks, swim-up bar, saunas and a price to match. If you want a soak after a day of waterfalls, Secret Lagoon. If you want the spa day, Blue Lagoon.

Do I have to shower naked before a pool in Iceland?

Yes, at every public pool and most lagoons. Swimwear off, wash thoroughly with soap, swimwear on, then into the water. It is a hygiene rule because Icelandic pools use very little chlorine, and it is taken seriously. Changing rooms are single-sex with open showers; some larger lagoons have a few private cubicles. Nobody looks. It feels odd for thirty seconds and then it does not.