Looking for the best tours to see the South Coast of Iceland? These are my handpicked top 10 tours that give you the best value and experiences while you’re here.
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Looking For The Best South Coast Iceland Tours?
You’ve come to the right place!
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, the South Coast is an absolute must see. There are towering waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers that look unreal, and tiny towns that feel like postcards. And tons of tours to take you there.
The problem is, a lot of tours hit the same stops, so it can get overwhelming trying to figure out which one is actually worth your time.
That’s why I’ve broken down the exact tours I recommend, but in a way that actually shows what makes each one unique.
Every single one of these tours has a 5-star rating, and I’ve even highlighted user reviews to help guide you in making your choice.
Don’t have time to read this whole article? Book this South Coast tour with Glacier Hike now. It has a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!
Some tours are perfect if you only have a day and want to see all the highlights without feeling rushed. Others give you a slower pace so you can really soak in the scenery, or get that perfect photo without a million other tourists in the shot.
I’ve included user reviews, insider tips, and what makes each tour stand out, so you can quickly see which one fits your vibe and your schedule. That way, you’re not just picking a random tour and hoping for the best.
You’re picking the experience that’s actually right for you.
My Top 3 Picks: Best South Coast Iceland Tours
South Coast Adventure + Glacier Hike
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Private Fire & Ice Tour
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2-Day South Coast Tour
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Top South Coast Iceland Tours
#1. South Coast Adventure with Glacier Hike
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 12 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: first-time visitors who want to see it all in one epic day
This South Coast of Iceland Tour with Glacier Hike is my top pick if you only have one day to explore the South Coast.
You start at Skogafoss, a 197-ft waterfall that will make you stop and stare, then strap on crampons for a hike on Solheimajokull Glacier, walking on ice that looks straight out of a movie.
Next up, the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, with towering basalt columns and maybe some puffins flying by. Then it’s Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the falls, and a hidden gem nearby, Gljúfrabúi.
What an amazing tour – by far our favorite activity we did in Iceland!! The waterfalls visited are incredible, but the glacier hike really turned out to be the highlight. Our guide, Christopher, was excellent, and ensured we all had a fun and safe experience. The smaller group setting was also a great change from the tours with big buses. Would definitely recommend.
Victoria (see more reviews)
#2. Waterfalls, Glaciers & Icelandic Lava Show
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 11 hours 30 minutes | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Nature lovers who want dramatic contrasts, fire, ice, and everything in between
This small group South Coast of Iceland Tour is all about seeing Iceland’s extreme contrasts. Walk right up to Sólheimajökull Glacier, then catch a real lava show in Vík and learn about Iceland’s volcanic power.
You’ll also see waterfalls, black sand beaches, and all the natural landmarks that make the South Coast so epic.
My husband and I took this tour… We saw so many waterfalls, the black beaches and Lava show in Vik. The glacier is so amazing to see close up. Our guide was in-depth, kept us on time, and was so knowledgeable about the area. We had a fun and amazing time. We highly recommend!
Desiree (see more reviews)
#3. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour & Glacier Hike
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 2 days | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Travelers with more time who want to explore the South Coast at a relaxed pace
If you want to take it slow and really enjoy the South Coast, this 2-day small group tour is for you.
On the first day, you’ll see Skgafoss and Seljalandsfoss, walk along the black sands at Reynisfjara, and marvel at Fjadrargljufur Canyon. After a full day of exploring, you spend the night at the Lilja Guesthouse and recharge for day two.
The second day is all about the glacier. Strap on crampons and explore Solheimajokull Glacier, see the icy formations up close, and learn how the glacier is slowly changing.
Amazing experience! 11/10 recommend. It’s very productive and you get the most bang for your buck. The guesthouse is very nice and we were lucky to see a bit of the northern lights. The glacier hike was amazing! So many great photos and memories made. Our guide has such good humour and informed us about the sights in a way that was easy to remember and digest. 🙂
Mahtab (see more reviews)
#4. Full-Day Tour to the South Coast of Iceland
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Those who want a small group, full-day experience with iconic highlights
This full day South Coast Iceland tour takes you to see Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, and Vik with a maximum of 19 people, so you get more personal attention.
Bonus: My favorite part about this tour has got to be the absolutely DELICIOUS Red Hot Lava Soup at the Soup Company for lunch. There are many soups to try there, and they’re all fantastic but the Lava Soup is incredible and a must-try.
AMAZING GUIDE/Driver Michal!! Made the experience so good. 10/10 would recommend. If you can request a driver, get Michal. The glacier hike was an experience of a life time. Thank you Michal.
Ramona (see more reviews)
#5. Private South Coast Adventure
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10-12 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Travelers who want a totally tailored, private adventure
If you’d rather skip the group vibe and go at your own pace this private South Coast tour is a winner.
You’ll be picked up in a vehicle with WiFi and taken out of Reykjavik to hit the major South Coast sights: Skogafoss waterfall, the black-sand Reynisfjara Beach, the village of Vik, and the mighty Solheimajokull Glacier.
Very little of it is scripted. Your guide listens to what you want, changes up the plan if the weather shifts, and gives you a personal experience.
Fabulous tour. Great to take this as a private tour–you can adjust stops and timing based on your interests and the weather, and you can see many more things as a small group. Sara was a wonderful guide and I would recommend her highly.
Steve (see more reviews)
#6. Glaciers, Waterfalls & Black Beaches
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Fans of storytelling, history, and folklore alongside classic sights
This South Coast of Iceland tour is made especially memorable due to the wonderful guides sharing their love of their country with all who take it. See glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches while your guide shares Icelandic history, sagas, and folklore.
The stories really make the sights come alive.You see all the iconic South Coast spots, but the guides make this one extra special. It’s perfect if you want a full-day South Coast adventure with history and storytelling woven in.
My family and I loved traveling with [Gummi] who was delightful, funny, gave a beautiful balance of myth and saga and true stories as well as helpful geological knowledge, was patient and kind. My family (two boisterous boys with us) and I loved it! Small bus was very comfortable, the drive between stops was gorgeous and stops were very well sequenced and timed. Thank you for some new forever memories!!
Amanda (see more reviews)
#7. Full-Day Small Group Tour of Iceland’s South Coast
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Travelers who like small-group comfort with authentic Icelandic stops
You are sure to have an epic adventure on this full-day guided tour. You’ll explore waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, and fishing villages in a group of 19 or fewer.
Plus it includes a lunch stop with authentic Icelandic food. This tour is ideal if you want a comfortable, engaging, small-group experience.
Incredible day trip. Fantastic waterfalls, black sand beach, visit to an enormous glacier. Stops at multiple view points. Multiple comfort and eating breaks at great facilities. 100 % satisfied. This is a brilliant day trip!
David (see more reviews)
#8. South Coast Summer Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Summer visitors and cruise passengers
If you’re visiting Iceland between the months of May-September like I did, this mini bus summer day tour would be great for you. It’s strictly a summer tour, which means longer daylight hours and a good chance to spot puffins flying around.
You’ll see all the big highlights: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach, and even Urridafoss, which most tours skip. There’s also a stop in the cute town of Vik and a visit to the Dyrholaey peninsula for those wide-open coastal views.
Anton, our driver & guide, was outstanding. Thorough, thoughtful, kind, patient, he picked up that I love photography & helped me find opportunities. The beauty of this country must be seen. Pricing was fair, we say “just do it”, you will cherish the memories.
Catherine (see more reviews)
#9. Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls, & Black Sand Beach
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 12 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Adventure seekers who want to hike on a real glacier
If hiking on a glacier is on your Iceland bucket list, this full day South Coast tour is a must. You’ll see some of the South Coast’s biggest stars- Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara Beach, before heading to Solheimajokull Glacier for an unforgettable hike.
Walking on the ice and seeing those bright blue crevasses up close feels completely surreal. It’s one of those experiences that makes you realize how wild and alive Iceland really is.
This is a great choice if you want a little more adventure and don’t mind getting your boots a bit icy.
Tomasz was great! This excursion had everything we wanted, waterfalls and glacier hike! Prepare to get wet, bring your rainjacket!!! Hiking was not intensive but make sure you are wearing hiking shoes to make the trek more comfortable. We were given crampons for the glacier hike and it exceeded expectation! Tomasz answered all our questions and made sure everyone was safe! Awesome experience! 10/10 would recommend!
Mandy (see more reviews)
#10. SuperJeep South Coast & Katla Ice Caves
Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 10 hours | Check Rates And Availability
Best for: Travelers who want a rugged, once-in-a-lifetime experience
If you want to see Iceland’s South Coast in style, this SuperJeep tour is next-level. You’ll visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls before heading deep into the Katla Ice Cave.
Riding through the dramatic landscapes in a SuperJeep is half the fun. You’ll go off-road, get incredible views, and learn all about the area from your guide along the way.
This tour is ideal if you want something different from the usual bus trips and love the idea of an epic off-road adventure through ice and fire country.
An absolutely fabulous day. Driving across the volcanic fields, was awe-inspiring. The glacier was magnificent and climbing up to the ice cave was easier than I had expected due to steps having been cut into the ice. The ice cave itself was magnificent and like nothing I could have imagined. A definite must-do!
Callie (see more reviews)
Frequently Asked Questions About South Coast Iceland Tours
Got questions? Don’t worry, I’ve got the answers to the most frequently asked questions about South Coast Iceland tours!
How long does it take to do the South Coast Iceland tours?
This answer can vary depending on the person. Typical one-day South Coast Iceland tours from Reykjavik take between 9-12 hours to see the most popular spots.
However, there are also numerous 2-day tours, 3-day tours, 4-day tours, 5-day tours, 6-day tours, 7-day tours, and even 8-day tours that will take you to explore Iceland much more in depth.
What is there to see on South Coast Iceland tours?
SO MANY THINGS! The South Coast of Iceland is absolutely jammed with incredible waterfalls, like Skogasfoss and Seljalandsfoss. You can see and hike amazing glaciers like Soheimajokoll and Eyjafjallajokull.
There’s the world-famous black sand beach of Reynisfjara, and absolutely adorable flocks of pretty little puffins. You can visit Diamond Beach, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, and even see a DC-3 plane wreck from the 1970’s.
Can you see the Northern Lights on South Coast Iceland tours?
Yes! The Northern Lights are visible pretty much everywhere in Iceland, though not all of the time. Peak viewing season is September through March, but my husband and I were able to see them in August.
The South Coast has many remote locations with no light pollution, making it an ideal spot to view the lights. I used the Aurora Forecast App to know which days and times gave me the best chance to see them and it worked like a charm!
How far is the South Coast from Reykjavik?
The distance between Reykjavik and the South Coast of Iceland is approximately 75-100 miles (120 to 160 kilometers), depending on the specific destination along the South Coast.
The drive usually takes around 2 to 2.5 hours by car, making it a convenient and scenic journey to explore the stunning landscapes and attractions of the South Coast.
What do I wear on South Coast Iceland tours?
You definitely need to layer when in Iceland. While taking any South Coast Iceland tours you need certain types of clothing. Have a warm base layer, then add long sleeves and sweaters as needed.
Your outer layer should be a wind and water proof jacket. You need hiking boots and waterproof hiking pants as well, and you want to bring gloves and a hat.
Read my Iceland Packing List for the specifics on what my husband and I personally wear on our trips.
Final Thoughts on the Best South Coast of Iceland Tours
Iceland is one of my favorites of all the places we’ve been, and these South Coast of Iceland tours are sure to make it one of yours too. Any one of these are sure to give you an incredible adventure during your time in this incredible country.
I featured the 10 best South Coast of Iceland tours in this article, but if you still can’t decide, let me help you make that choice!
Still unsure about the best South Coast Iceland tour? I suggest this South Coast Tour with Glacier Hike. It has a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!
South Coast Iceland tours vary from private tours of anything you want to see, to black sand beach trips, to glacier hikes, and more. No matter what you pick, you can be sure that you’re going to see beautiful landscapes and have amazing adventures along the way.
Book one of these tours as a present for the special Dad in your life, or give Mom a gift she’ll cherish forever: an unforgettable bucket list experience. Regardless which of these tours to the South Coast of Iceland you choose, you know you’re in for a treat!
Additional Iceland Resources and Helpful Information
My husband and I absolutely adore Iceland. We would go back a million times, and can’t wait until our next adventure there. Here are some of our other articles that you may find helpful and informative.
The Best Iceland Blue Lagoon Tours
Iceland’s Weather In August – Everything You Need To Know
Iceland In Summer – Unforgettable Experiences You Can’t Miss
Your Ultimate Guide To The Golden Circle Iceland
South Coast Iceland Travel Guide: Best Stops + My Experience
