2-Day South Coast, Blue Ice Cave, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Winter Tour
Description
Summary
Description
Experience an exciting winter adventure in Iceland with this 2-day guided tour of the South Coast featuring the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Vatnajokull ice cave. With roundtrip transportation, accommodation, and an expert guide, this journey offers the best way to explore the land of fire and ice under the cloak of winter and the northern lights.
This South Coast tour is designed for comfort and convenience, ensuring you experience Iceland without the stress of planning and navigating icy roads. Every detail of your vacation is taken care of so you can focus more on your winter trip in Iceland.
With pick-up and drop-off from Reykjavik, you’ll travel in a comfortable vehicle while stopping at the highlights and some hidden gems of South Iceland. For added convenience, your booking also includes an overnight stay in a charming countryside hotel with a private bathroom and breakfast.
An expert English-speaking guide will accompany you for two days, sharing insights about the region. You’ll learn about the best trivia and local stories about each stop in your itinerary from your guide.
Traveling along the Ring Road from Reykjavik, the journey takes you past snow-capped mountains, lava fields, and black sands. The South Coast offers some of the most spectacular views in Iceland and is framed by the mighty waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the main highlights of this experience is the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where massive icebergs break off from the biggest glacier in Europe and float across the deep blue waters. Occasionally, seabirds and a colony of seals can be seen resting on these ice blocks.
Another highlight of the tour is the ice cave experience inside the Vatnajokull glacier, where you’ll ride in a modified super jeep to reach the glacier’s edge before stepping into a crystal-blue cave sculpted by natural forces.
Equipped with all necessary safety gear, a professional guide will lead you through the frozen tunnels. The ice cave’s translucent walls and intricate ice formations are breathtaking to see up close.
Along the way, you’ll visit some of Iceland’s most famous natural landmarks, including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, where water plunges dramatically from cliffs shaped by glaciers and volcanic eruptions.
The tour also stops at Reynisfjara black sand beach and Vik village, where you can get the best views of the coastline with long stretches of volcanic sands.
During the winter months, there’s a chance to see the northern lights from the countryside hotel, which is far from the city lights. If conditions are favorable, you may see the auroras dancing above glaciers and mountains, adding a magical touch to this already extraordinary experience.
With every detail carefully planned, this tour offers an unforgettable way to experience Iceland’s winter magic in just two days. It's perfect for those seeking a quick yet fulfilling escape in the land of fire and ice.
Don’t miss this winter tour of the South Coast to see a glacier lagoon, waterfalls, an ice cave, and possibly the northern lights. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Attractions
Reykjavik
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Vatnajokull Glacier
Skogafoss
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Solheimajokull Glacier
Skaftafell
Sólheimasandur
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Vik
Eldhraun
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Skaftafellsjökull
South Coast
Diamond Beach
Southeast Iceland
Southwest IcelandActivities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - South Coast Black Beaches, Waterfalls, and Northern Lights
Your two-day South Coast adventure begins with a pickup in Reykjavik. Once everyone is on board the bus, the journey heads along Iceland’s Ring Road, passing through scenic farmlands, lava fields, and towering volcanoes as you approach the breathtaking South Coast.
The first stop is Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, plunging 197 meters (60 meters) from a dramatic cliffside. What makes this waterfall unique is the walking path behind the cascading water, allowing you to experience it from every angle.
Be sure to wear waterproof clothing, as the mist from the falls can be quite powerful.
Next, you’ll visit Skogafoss, another iconic South Coast waterfall. Standing at the same height as Seljalandsfoss but significantly wider, Skogafoss is known for its thunderous roar and frequent rainbows on sunny days.
You can climb the staircase to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes or stand at the base and feel its powerful mist. However, please climb with caution as it can be slippery during winter.
Continuing along the coast, the tour stops at Reynisfjara black sand beach, an otherworldly stretch of volcanic shoreline. Reynisfjara is Iceland’s most famous beach because of its stretches of black sands, mighty Atlantic waves, basalt cliffs, and enormous sea stacks.
The journey then takes you through the village of Vik, the southernmost settlement in mainland Iceland, before continuing east toward your countryside accommodation near Jokulsarlon.
The drive through the Vatnajokull region is breathtaking, with views of black sand plains, moss-covered lava fields, and distant glaciers stretching toward the horizon.
After checking in at your hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the northern lights, as the remote countryside location offers minimal light pollution, making it an ideal setting for aurora viewing.
If the skies are clear and the forecast is favorable, you may see the northern lights dancing above glaciers and snow-covered landscapes before retiring for the night.
Day 2 - The Realm of the Glacier
The second day of your guided South Coast tour is dedicated to exploring the glaciers, ice caves, and breathtaking landscapes of Vatnajokull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.
The day begins with a scenic drive from the hotel to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, where a modified super jeep awaits to take you off-road toward the blue ice cave of the Vatnajokull. The thrilling ride offers stunning views of glacial valleys, deep crevasses, and snow-covered ridges.
Upon reaching the crystal blue ice cave, your guide will provide your group with a glacier and safety equipment. The equipment will keep you safe and more comfortable exploring this otherworldly frozen realm.
Each winter, these naturally formed caves shift and change, creating unique formations of translucent blue ice. Inside, you’ll see thick ice walls, vertical ice shafts (moulins), and other icy formations illuminated by light passing through the dense glacier ice.
This is a rare opportunity to step into one of Iceland’s most striking natural wonders. There will be plenty of time to admire the ice cave, photograph its hidden wonders, and learn about its formation.
After roughly an hour inside the cave, the tour returns to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. It’s often called the “crown jewel” of Iceland because of its unique beauty and massive floating icebergs drifting across its deep blue waters.
The nearby Breidamerkurjokull outlet glacier feeds the glacier lagoon, constantly shifting its appearance and depth. The lagoon is also home to seals, often seen swimming between the ice formations, making it a prime spot for wildlife photography.
Just across the road, Diamond Beach offers another stunning visual contrast. Glacial ice chunks wash ashore onto the black volcanic sand, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight.
After soaking in these unforgettable sights, the tour begins the return journey to Reykjavik, with an arrival time in the evening. You will be dropped off at your hotel or a nearby bus stop. From here, you are free to explore Reykjavik independently.
What to bring
Good to know
Pick-up and drop-off are available only from designated locations within the Greater Reykjavik Area. Airport transfers from Keflavik International Airport can be added during booking for an extra fee.
To maximize your experience, consider starting the tour the day after your arrival and staying an extra night before your departure for a more relaxed journey.
While this tour does not include a dedicated northern lights hunt, you still have a good chance of seeing them if conditions allow. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but your guide will monitor the forecast and inform you when conditions are favorable.
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