Classic South Coast Full-Day Guided Tour in Iceland: Visit Waterfalls, Black Sand Beaches and Cliffs

Discover the top attractions of the South Coast as part of a small group, led by our expert local guide. This tour features visits to waterfalls, black sand beaches, and stunning cliffs.

Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Reykjavik - Our day tour kicks off with a swift and efficient pick-up service. We’ll collect you from either a central Reykjavik hotel or one of the numerous pick-up points scattered throughout the city. Once everyone is on board, we’ll depart the city and embark on our journey along Iceland’s southern coast.

The South coast of Iceland faces the North Atlantic Ocean, resulting in some of the country’s most extreme weather conditions. These elements have significantly shaped the dramatic landscapes here, featuring glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and expansive green lava fields. This variety ensures a highly diverse day tour, showcasing the best of Icelandic nature.

  • Seljalandsfoss - Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss is a captivating and perhaps one of the most frequented waterfalls in Iceland. Its popularity is well-earned, as it offers a unique experience: in the summer, you can walk behind the cascade and enjoy a stunning view from behind the waterfall. The water feeding this 60-meter tall waterfall originates from the renowned Eyjafjallajökull glacier-capped volcano.

  • Skógarfoss - Skógarfoss Waterfall

Our first stop is at the Skógafoss waterfall, which plunges 60 meters from ancient sea cliffs, with views of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the background on clear days. The sheer power of the water and the height of the surrounding cliffs are awe-inspiring. You can experience the waterfall from two levels: at ground level, you can get as close to the water as you dare, but be prepared to get wet if you’re not wearing waterproof layers. Alternatively, a path leads to a platform above the waterfall, offering a different perspective. On a clear day, the view of the surrounding landscape is not to be missed, though it requires climbing several hundred steep steps.

  • Kvernufoss - Kvernufoss Waterfall

Kvernufoss Waterfall, the lesser-known neighbor of Skógafoss, is a stunning 30-meter (98 ft) waterfall tucked away in a gorge, often overlooked by travelers. Like Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind it, making it a highly photogenic spot. The path to the waterfall is equally beautiful, making it a perfect end to a day trip before heading back to Reykjavik for more adventures.

  • Reynisfjara Beach - Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisfjara is a world-renowned black-sand beach located on Iceland’s South Coast, near the small fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal. From the black sand, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which locals believe are petrified trolls.

  • Dyrholaey - The Dyrhólaey Peninsula features a 120-meter boardwalk with breathtaking views of Iceland’s south coast and a rock arch of the same name. Other main attractions include a classic lighthouse and an abundance of birdlife. If you’re lucky, you might spot puffins here from late April to late August.
What's Included
  • Taste of traditional Icelandic snack
  • Sample of Icelandic music
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
Additional Information
  • Rain gear, if you walk behind the waterfall Seljalandsfoss you may get wet
  • Warm clothes, the weather in Iceland can change quickly
Location
Reykjavik
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(23 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Seaside14677530475
Jul 30, 2024
Loved every minute of our trip - Our tour of the South Coast was unforgettable. The guide was funny and knowledgeable, adding extra stops to our itinerary that made the trip even better. We loved every minute of it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan
Jul 21, 2024
South Coast - We went to the waterfalls ,black sand beach and an extra stop he added with friends and the experience was very good, the tour guide helped us a lot, very thank you Johannes for helping us, he explained a little about everything we asked, since the names are so hard to pronounce!! all the stops were on time as planned!! Thank you so much!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tyla_r
Jul 11, 2024
Great places - Very great tour. Tour guide Jogansef (I think that’s how you spell it) was very knowledgeable and friendly. Had plenty of time at each site and the sites were very pretty. You do stop for lunch as well so that’s good.
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_s
Jul 11, 2024
Classic south coast - We had a great time and saw lots of scenery on this trip. It was a long day but well worth it! This trip I would highly recommend to everyone.
Review provided by Viator
Helen_w
Apr 18, 2024
Most amazing tour of Iceland ever - Wow. This was an incredible and funny ten hour adventure. I booked this for myself and five friends and Johannes took us on a very personalized tour of Iceland after learning more about our interests. He answered all our questions and even added a stop for a school bus coffee shop. The stops were beautiful and Johannes was flexible with how much time we spent at each location. He had so many fun facts about Iceland. We even came to know about his sister’s music career — she met Bjork!
Review provided by Viator
P6501twreginab
Apr 18, 2024
Favorite Tour - This was my favorite tour while in Iceland! Johannes was very informative and so down to earth. He let us deviate a bit from our itinerary and took us to a school bus cafe in Vik (definitely check out while in Iceland!) I would book a tour with him the next time in Iceland!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annabellem616
Feb 8, 2024
I wish it lasted longer! - I am eternally grateful for going on this trip since it was my very first time visiting Iceland and I had no idea what to expect. However, our guide Jóhannes briefed us on Icelandic culture and kept us amused for the whole trip to Vik and other fabulous places which im really thankful for! In Vik I briskly went to Black Crust pizzeria to try a true belter of a pizza. As for such a short time, we were able to tick off all must-see attractions of the south coast and were given enough time to enjoy the experience fully. Highly recommend Jóhannes and will definitely book some of his other tours!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F3181zwmichelal
Jan 28, 2024
Dont miss out on kvernufoss! - The south coast is the best part of Iceland! We loved every stop, and the extra stop of kvernufoss which few other operators offer is probably the best stop of them all! There are less tourists there and you are able to take great photos behind the waterfall, the guide was very helpful and even took some photos of our group. So lucky we got to go on this tour on a clear day with a great guide, recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susani999
Jan 28, 2024
Spectacular frozen waterfalls - It was a cold day, but we managed to embrace it. The frozen seljalandsfoss and skógafoss waterfalls were spectacular, and we were lucky to witness it i this condition. The tourguide was informative and a great guide. Overall a great trip and recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J4214ojdeborahl
Jul 14, 2024
Our trip was cancelled - We booked through Viator. Our trip was cancelled a few days beforehand with no explanation. Very disappointing. Not sure why.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today