Two great waterfalls, a glacier tongue and the black sand of Reynisfjara in one
small-group day from Reykjavik. What the minibus tour includes, how long each stop really is, and the
honest alternatives.
What's in, what's notLunch, glacier walks and the lagoon spelled out
Real guest ratingsLive Viator & Tripadvisor figures
Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before, on every tour here
Secure checkout on ViatorMobile ticket, instant confirmation
Tours
Choose your South Coast day tour
The Your Day Tours minibus, in the centre, is the most-reviewed small-group South Coast day on
Viator. Beside it: the cheaper big-coach classic, and a saga-telling small group that adds a hidden waterfall.
Reykjavik Excursions' big-coach version of the same route: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull and Reynisfjara, with pickup from your accommodation or a bus stop.
What's included
Pickup from your accommodation or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavik
Guided tour on a large coach
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull and Reynisfjara
The classic South Coast loop in a Mercedes Sprinter minibus: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara and Vík. Lunch is at your own expense.
What's included
Pickup and drop-off at designated Reykjavik bus stops and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal
English-speaking driver-guide, small group of up to 19
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull viewpoint, Reynisfjara and Vík
Free Wi-Fi on board; back in Reykjavik around 19:30
Not included: lunch (bought at the Reynisfjara stop) and walking on the glacier
A small-group day with the same big sights plus Gljúfrabúi, the waterfall hidden in a gorge next to Seljalandsfoss, and a driver-guide who tells the sagas on the way.
What's included
Pickup and drop-off at designated Reykjavik meeting points
Driver-guide with live commentary, up to 19 guests
Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík
Air-conditioned minivan with Wi-Fi; all taxes and fees
Most South Coast days run the same Ring Road to the same waterfalls. What really changes is the
size of the bus, whether you set foot on the ice, and how far east the day goes.
Children 6 to 12 pay a lower rate on the Your Day Tours minibus, and the operator's minimum
age is 6. Lunch is extra on every tour here, and every one cancels free up to 24 hours ahead.
Where the day really goes
Vík is the turnaround: the glacier lagoon is another day.
The South Coast tour follows the Ring Road east from Reykjavik through farmland and lava fields to
Seljalandsfoss, the 60-metre waterfall you can walk behind, then Skógafoss, a curtain of water
25 metres wide with a staircase up its side. Next comes Sólheimajökull, a tongue of the Mýrdalsjökull
ice cap with the Katla volcano beneath it, then the black sand and basalt columns of Reynisfjara and
the village of Vík, roughly 180 km from the capital. From there the bus turns back.
That is the honest limit of a one-day trip: Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are not on this tour;
they are about 380 km away and need a 14-hour day. At Sólheimajökull you look at the glacier but do not walk
on it. Puffins nest on the cliffs near Vík in summer, but they are a bonus, not a stop, and lunch is at
your own expense at Reynisfjara.
360 km
Roughly the round trip from Reykjavik to Vík and back.
Expect about five hours on the bus, broken up by five stops.
Pickup, tickets and ages, the rules on board and what to wear: one tab each.
Bus stops, not doorsteps: Your Day Tours collects from numbered stops in downtown Reykjavik (#1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 16 and 17) and some listed hotels.
No pickups from private apartments, Airbnbs, suburban hotels or Keflavík Airport: walk to the nearest stop.
Cruise passengers at Skarfabakki (312 or 315) meet the bus at the "Pre-Booked Tours" point east of the terminal.
Pickup starts at your departure time and can take up to 30 minutes, so wait at the stop.
Drop-off is back at the same stop, around 19:30.
Adults are 13 and over; children 6 to 12 pay a lower rate on Viator.
The operator's minimum age is 6; ask for a booster seat when you book.
Viator showed the minibus from $133, below the $150 on the operator's own site when we checked. Prices move.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start on Viator.
Seatbelts are compulsory by Icelandic law; the guide can refuse passengers who will not wear one.
No luggage or suitcases: the minibus cannot carry or store them.
Not wheelchair accessible; children must be with an adult.
Bathrooms are available at most stops.
A waterproof jacket and trousers: the waterfall spray soaks you even on a dry day.
Walking shoes or boots with grip for wet paths, stairs and sand.
Warm layers, a hat and gloves (October to mid-April, full winter gear).
A card for lunch, plus water and snacks for the bus.
A charged phone or camera; there is Wi-Fi on board.
On the routeSeljalandsfossA 60-metre waterfall with a path behind it, closed when icy.
On the routeSkógafoss25 metres wide, with several hundred steps to a viewing platform.
Viewpoint onlySólheimajökullAn outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull; no walking on the ice.
On the routeReynisfjaraBlack sand, basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Short stopVíkIceland's southernmost village and its hilltop church.
Separate dayJökulsárlónThe iceberg lagoon, about 380 km from Reykjavik.
Where the day starts
Pickup in Reykjavik
Downtown Reykjavik bus stops
Bus stops #1 City Hall, #4, #6, #8 Hallgrímskirkja, #9, #12, #16, #17, Reykjavik
The minibus does not come to every door. Pick the numbered bus stop closest to where you sleep when you
book, or check whether your hotel is on the pickup list, and be there at your departure time. If you are
staying outside the centre, in an apartment or out by the airport, plan how you will reach a stop in the
morning before you pay.
4.8★★★★★ 6,634 reviews · Your South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus live Viator & Tripadvisor figure
★★★★★
This tour is an excellent way to see the highlights of Iceland's South Coast in one day including waterfalls, a glacier, and the iconic black basalt columns. The small group size makes it easier to travel. Bring good walking shoes!
★★★★★
It was a LONG day but very beautiful, enjoyable, and I was able to pack a lot into one experience. What made this tour a 5 star experience was our tour guide, Alex.
★★★★★
Magnificent scenery despite the rain. Be prepared to do some walking over uneven trails. Be prepared to get wet even if it is not raining (spray from waterfalls).
★★★★★
Some of the best sights I got to see while I was here. The waterfalls in particular were spectacular! Very much appreciate the guide making an extra short stop for some more scenic photos along the road too.
★★★★★
Our tour guide was very good. He is a geologist and was able to tell us a lot about the land and the glacier. Even though it was rainy and windy we enjoyed the adventure.
★★★★★
We loved this tour! We saw so much on this tour. We could never have packed in so many sights on our own.
★★★★★
Being a local guy, he has a lot of practical and safety advice. I enjoyed this tour very much and will definitely recommend this to anyone who would want to visit Iceland.
★★★★★
It was such a lovely trip and our tour guide Bruno was amazing. Very knowledgeable and great at talking about the area and sharing fun stories. Highly recommend!
★★★★★
What a fantastic way to see Iceland and the south coast. Alex our driver was amazing and so knowledgeable. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Another day in Iceland?
Add the Golden Circle too
Staying a few days? The other classic day trip from Reykjavik is shorter, closer and completely
different: a rift valley, a spouting geyser and a canyon waterfall.
Your Golden Circle Full Day Tour by Minibus
★ 4.8 · 2,443 reviews · 8 hours
The same operator's other classic day, in the same small minibus: Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates pull apart, the Strokkur geyser erupting every few minutes at Geysir, the thundering Gullfoss waterfall and the Kerið crater lake. Shorter than the South Coast, with less time on the road.
The South Coast is the day trip most visitors to Reykjavik remember: waterfalls you can walk
behind, a glacier, and a beach of black sand and basalt. Here is what the minibus day really covers, what
it leaves out, and how to get the most from ten hours on the road.
What the day covers, and what it does not
The tour is a long loop along Route 1, the Ring Road. The first stop, about two hours out, is
Seljalandsfoss, where a path runs behind a 60-metre fall of water. Half an hour further on is Skógafoss,
broad and loud, with a staircase of several hundred steps up to a platform above the drop. Between the two
you pass Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano whose 2010 eruption closed airspace across Europe. Then comes
Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue sliding down from the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, and finally Reynisfjara and
Vík, about 180 km from Reykjavik.
What it does not cover matters as much. The famous glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are
another 200 km east: a separate 14-hour day. The glacier stop is a viewpoint, not a hike. And lunch is not
part of the price.
Sólheimajökull: on the minibus day you see it from the ground, not on the ice.
Minibus or big coach?
The big-coach tour costs less and visits almost the same places. The difference is the day itself: a
group of up to 19 gets off and back on the bus faster, the guide can answer questions and stop for a
roadside photo, and nobody waits for a full coach to unload at each stop. On the minibus, guests often mention
their guide by name. The trade-off is that a full minibus is still full: one guest complained that the
middle seat of the back row had no view of the coast, so ask for a window.
If you want more than a view of the ice, a glacier hike tour adds crampons and a certified guide on
Sólheimajökull and makes the day two or three hours longer. If you want smaller still, a few operators cap
the group at 16.
The honest small print: this is a long day, and guests say so. About half of it is
driving, the weather is often wet and windy, and some days include a stop at a roadside shop before the
first sight. It is still the best way to see this coast without driving, as long as you know you are
signing up for ten hours, rain gear and your own lunch.
Staying safe at the stops
Reynisfjara is beautiful and dangerous. Sneaker waves surge far up the beach without warning, and there
have been six fatal accidents there this century. A traffic-light system at the entrance, run by the
Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration since 2022, shows the risk: on red, the basalt columns and the
cave are off limits. At Sólheimajökull, the ice edge changes constantly, and in July 2026 the Met Office
warned of unstable ice and new lagoons: stay on the marked path. At the waterfalls, wet rock and ice are
the main hazard, so good soles matter.
Staircases and wet paths are part of the day: wear shoes with grip.
Making the most of the day
Book early in your trip, so a weather cancellation leaves you time to rebook. Choose the bus stop
nearest your bed and be there at the ticket time. Wear a waterproof jacket and trousers from the start,
carry a card for lunch at Reynisfjara, and keep snacks for the bus. At Skógafoss, decide early whether you
will climb the stairs or stay by the spray. On the way back, the light over the coast is often the best of
the day, so keep your camera out.
The South Coast kit: waterproofs, boots with grip and a warm layer.
Straight answers to what travelers ask most about the South Coast day tour.
What is included in the South Coast full day tour by minibus?
The Your Day Tours day covers pickup and drop-off at designated bus stops in downtown Reykjavik (or the Skarfabakki cruise terminal), an English-speaking driver-guide, a Mercedes Sprinter minibus with Wi-Fi and a group of up to 19. It stops at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara and Vík. Lunch is not included, and there is no walking on the glacier. See the tour.
How much does a South Coast tour from Reykjavik cost?
On Viator in 2026 the big-coach day starts at about $108, the Your Day Tours minibus at $133 and smaller or saga-style minibus days at $165 to $180. Adding a glacier hike pushes it to $149 to $196, and an ice cave to about $302. Children 6 to 12 pay less on the minibus. Read the price guide.
How long is the South Coast day tour, and when do you get back?
About 10 hours. Be ready at your bus stop at the time on your ticket, since the bus can take up to 30 minutes to reach you, and expect to be dropped back at the same stop around 19:30. Vík is roughly 180 km from Reykjavik, so about five hours of the day are spent on the road.
Does the South Coast tour go to Jökulsárlón or Diamond Beach?
No. The minibus turns around at Vík. The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach are about 380 km from Reykjavik, which takes a separate 14-hour day tour or an overnight trip. If the icebergs are the goal, book the glacier lagoon tour instead.
Is lunch included on the South Coast tour?
No. The tour stops for lunch at Reynisfjara, where you buy your own food at the beach restaurant, or you can bring a packed lunch. The same is true of every tour on this page. Bring a card; Iceland is almost cashless.
Do you walk on the glacier at Sólheimajökull?
Not on this tour. Sólheimajökull is a viewpoint stop of about 45 minutes: you walk from the car park toward the glacier tongue and look at it from solid ground. Walking on the ice needs a certified guide and crampons, which the glacier hike tours include. In July 2026 the Icelandic Met Office warned of unstable ice and new lagoons at the glacier edge, so stay behind the signs.
Is Reynisfjara beach dangerous?
It can be. Reynisfjara is known for sneaker waves that run far up the sand without warning, and there have been six fatal accidents this century, the latest in August 2025. A traffic-light warning system at the entrance shows the risk: on red, the basalt columns and the cave are closed. Stay well back from the water and never turn your back on the sea. See the Reynisfjara guide.
Can you walk behind Seljalandsfoss?
Yes, when the path is open. A loop path runs behind the 60-metre waterfall, and the spray will soak you, so wear a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip. The path can close in winter when it is icy. Read Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss.
Will I see puffins on the South Coast tour?
Maybe, in summer. Puffins nest on the cliffs around Vík and Reynisfjara from late April to mid-August, and the operator says guides sometimes spot them. They are not a promised stop, and the Dyrhólaey bird cliffs are not on the itinerary.
Is the South Coast tour worth it in winter?
Yes, if you know what you are getting. The tour runs all year, but Reykjavik has only about four hours of daylight in late December, so part of the drive is in the dark and the path behind Seljalandsfoss may be closed. You get frozen waterfalls and far fewer people instead. See the winter guide.
South Coast or Golden Circle: which day tour is better?
If you only have one day, most people choose the South Coast for the waterfalls, the glacier and the black beach. The Golden Circle is shorter (about 8 hours) and gives you Þingvellir, a spouting geyser and Gullfoss. Compare them in South Coast vs Golden Circle.
Where is the pickup, and can I cancel?
Your Day Tours picks up at numbered bus stops in downtown Reykjavik (such as #1 City Hall and #8 Hallgrímskirkja) and some listed hotels, not from apartments, Airbnbs, suburban hotels or Keflavík Airport. Every tour here can be cancelled for a full refund up to 24 hours before on Viator.
Ready to book
Pick your seat for the South Coast.
Instant confirmation, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every tour below.
Budget pick
★ 4.810 hours1,750 reviewsFree cancellation
