2-Day South Coast Waterfalls, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Hike from Reykjavik

The highlight here is the glacier hike at Sólheimajökull, followed the next day by a boat ride among the ancient ice of Jökulsárlón. You get two very different ways to experience Iceland’s ice: boots on the glacier, then water-level views from the lagoon.

I like the efficient route, which links several far-flung South Coast sights without making you rent a car or plan overnight lodging. I also like that breakfast, hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, the glacier gear, and the lagoon boat ride are bundled into one booking. The main caution is the long amount of time in a minibus and the uneven standard of the overnight accommodation.

• Sólheimajökull hike: Spend about three hours on the glacier with safety equipment supplied.
• Jökulsárlón by boat: Get close to floating icebergs during the included summer boat trip.
• Classic South Coast stops: See Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, and the ice-covered shore at Fellsfjara.
• Small-group transport: The minibus carries no more than 18 people, with Wi-Fi on board.
• Practical bundle: Accommodation, breakfast, pickup, drop-off, guide, glacier gear, and boat ride are included.
• Pack carefully: Bring waterproof clothing and hiking boots, or budget for rental fees.

Two days that make the South Coast manageable

Iceland’s major South Coast sights are spread across a long stretch of road. A day trip from Reykjavík can show you waterfalls and black sand, but the farthest sights near Jökulsárlón require a very early start and a late return.

This two-day trip solves that problem by continuing east and spending the night near the glacier area. You still cover a lot of ground, but the route feels more sensible than trying to reach the lagoon and return to Reykjavík in one exhausting day.

The group is capped at 18 people. That is not a private tour, but it is smaller than a large coach trip and should make stops and guide commentary easier to manage. Pickup starts at 8:00 a.m. and can take up to 30 minutes, so be ready at your assigned hotel or bus stop before the vehicle arrives.

Downtown Reykjavík has traffic rules that prevent pickup at every hotel entrance. You may need to walk a few minutes to a designated bus stop. Check the location in advance, especially if you have heavy luggage or are leaving in bad weather.

Seljalandsfoss, where a raincoat changes the stop

Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most memorable waterfalls because a short path leads behind the falling water. The view from the rear gives you a curtain of spray, open air behind the falls, and a close sense of the force coming down from above.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for the main walk and photographs, but not for a slow wander through every nearby path. Wear a raincoat, not just a light shell, and protect your camera or phone. The spray can reach you quickly.

This stop is physically simple, though the path may be wet. Waterproof shoes help. If you want the behind-the-falls view, expect to get damp even on a pleasant day.

Skógafoss and the choice between river view and waterfall view

Skógafoss drops 60 meters into a green-sided gorge. From the ground, the waterfall forms a broad wall of white water. A staircase beside the gorge climbs to a higher viewing shelf, where you can look down toward the falls and along the river.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you may need to choose. Stay below for the strongest view of the full cascade, or climb the stairs for a higher perspective. The climb is optional, but it can be demanding if you are not used to stairs or have wet footwear.

I like the contrast with Seljalandsfoss. At the first waterfall, you move behind the water. At Skógafoss, you face a large, open drop from below or above. The two stops are close enough in spirit to work well together, yet they offer different views.

Reynisfjara, beautiful black sand with real hazards

Reynisfjara is the South Coast’s famous black sand beach. Basalt columns rise from the cliffs, and tall rock pillars sit offshore. The beach is striking, but this is not a place to turn your back on the Atlantic or walk too close to the water.

Large waves can reach farther up the beach than expected. Follow your guide’s safety instructions and keep a good distance from the surf. The 40-minute stop gives you time to see the basalt formations, look toward Dýrhólaey, and take photographs without treating the beach like a swimming area.

Puffins and other birds nest on the nearby cliffs from June through August. Bird sightings are not guaranteed, but summer adds a wildlife angle to an already dramatic stop.

One point to clarify before booking: some descriptions of this route have led people to expect Vík or the plane wreck. The detailed schedule here focuses on the waterfalls, Reynisfjara, the glacier, Jökulsárlón, and Fellsfjara. If Vík or the wreck is your priority, ask the operator to confirm the exact route for your departure date.

Three hours on Sólheimajökull

The glacier hike is the heart of the first day. You spend about three hours at Sólheimajökull, with the necessary glacier safety gear supplied. Your part is to bring suitable hiking boots and waterproof clothing.

This is more than a quick photo stop. You walk on the glacier with a trained hiking guide and get time for a proper outing on the ice. The review of the route points to the glacier hike as the most memorable part for many people, and I can see why: waterfalls and beaches are viewed from paths and shorelines, while the glacier asks you to take part physically.

Do not arrive in ordinary trainers if you can avoid it. Hiking boots are required for the activity, and you can rent them for 3,000 ISK if needed. Waterproof jackets and pants are also available for rent, at 1,750 ISK each. A hat and gloves combination costs 3,000 ISK, while smaller accessories are sold separately.

Weather matters. The tour operates in all weather conditions, but the glacier portion requires proper clothing and may be changed or canceled if conditions are unsafe. The activity requires good weather overall, so a weather cancellation can result in another date or a full refund.

The overnight stay and what the price really covers

The price is $738 per person. That is a serious sum, but it includes several costly and time-consuming pieces: transportation from Reykjavík, a professional English-speaking guide, overnight accommodation, breakfast, the glacier hike with safety gear, Wi-Fi, and the Jökulsárlón boat trip.

The overnight stay is what makes the route useful. Without it, the distance to the glacier lagoon becomes a punishing day from the capital. With lodging included, you can reach the eastern sights without arranging a separate hotel and return transport.

The lodging quality may vary. One account describes the guest house as excellent, while another reports a cold room and a poor overnight stay after a rainy day. That difference matters. I would book this for the route and included activities, not because the accommodation is guaranteed to feel luxurious.

Dinner is not included. Food and drinks are your responsibility, and the guide may stop for food before check-in. If you are likely to finish the glacier hike cold and wet, carry a dry change of clothes and a snack so you are not relying only on the timing of the meal stop.

Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s best boat ride

On the second day, the route reaches Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a deep body of water fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest ice cap. Icebergs break away from the glacier and float through the lagoon before moving toward the sea.

The included boat ride gives you a closer look at the ice. Summer conditions allow Tröll Expeditions to take you among the icebergs, where you can see different shapes and shades of white and blue from the water. The boat portion is scheduled for about 40 minutes, so it is focused rather than a full morning cruise.

The lagoon is worth the long drive east because it changes from moment to moment. Ice may be smooth, jagged, clear, blue, or dirty with sediment. Some pieces are enormous, while others are small enough to wash onto the shore.

Bring warm layers even in summer. The lagoon is exposed, and the boat adds wind and cold. Keep your phone secure and use the included Wi-Fi earlier in the day for research, rather than expecting a good signal at every outdoor stop.

Fellsfjara, where ice reaches the black sand

Across the road from the lagoon is Fellsfjara, often called Diamond Beach. Pieces of glacier ice wash onto black volcanic sand, where they sparkle in daylight like scattered glass.

The name is apt, but the appeal is not only photographic. This stop shows the final stage of the ice’s journey, from glacier to lagoon to ocean shore. The black sand makes the white and blue ice look especially sharp.

You have about 30 minutes here. Tide, wind, and recent ice movement affect what you see, so the beach may have a few large pieces or many smaller ones. Keep away from waves and do not climb onto unstable ice.

Transport, pace, and group size

The minibus is a practical choice for this route. Pickup and drop-off are included, and Wi-Fi lets you check maps, weather, or restaurant information as you go. A vehicle of this size should feel more personal than a large bus, though you still need to accept long stretches of driving.

The total route covers major distances in only two days. The stops are generally short, with about 30 minutes at each waterfall, 40 minutes at Reynisfjara, three hours for the glacier hike, 40 minutes at the lagoon boat ride, and 30 minutes at Fellsfjara.

The schedule gives you a useful taste of each place rather than hours at any one site. One benefit is that you keep moving and see a lot. The trade-off is that you cannot linger for an entire afternoon at a waterfall or beach.

The return to Reykjavík is planned for about 7:00 p.m. Drop-off can take another 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Do not schedule an important evening flight or a tightly timed connection after the tour.

Guides make a real difference on a trip like this. Jon has been described as talkative and well informed about the route, while Thales has been praised for patience, kindness, and clear explanations. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the right guide adds context during long drives and helps the group handle changing conditions.

What to pack, and what can cost extra

I would pack for wet, cold, and windy conditions even if Reykjavík looks mild at departure. The waterfalls spray, the beach can be windy, and the glacier demands proper equipment.

Bring:

• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Hiking boots suitable for the glacier
• Warm layers
• Hat and gloves
• A dry change of clothes
• Snacks and a refillable water bottle
• Small luggage only

Each person may bring one suitcase up to 24 inches. Multiple bags or oversized luggage are not allowed in the minibus. Extra luggage can be placed in storage for 1,750 ISK, which is worth arranging in advance if you have a larger bag.

Rental costs can add up quickly. Boots cost 3,000 ISK, and a waterproof jacket or pants cost 1,750 ISK each. The supplied glacier safety equipment is included, but personal clothing and footwear are not.

Who should book this two-day route

I would choose this trip if you want the South Coast’s major sights but do not want to drive in Iceland, arrange a guest house, or coordinate the glacier activity and lagoon boat separately.

It suits active people who can manage a three-hour glacier outing, wet paths, stairs at Skógafoss, and long driving periods. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable outdoors in changing weather.

It is also a good choice for a first visit when you want a broad sample of Iceland: waterfalls, basalt cliffs, black sand, glacier ice, and an overnight stay beyond Reykjavík. The schedule is efficient and the most expensive activity, the lagoon boat ride, is included.

I would hesitate if you need hotel-standard accommodation, dislike fixed schedules, or want long, quiet stretches at each stop. I would also reconsider if the plane wreck or Vík is the main reason you are booking, since those sights are not part of the detailed route described here.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the glacier hike and Jökulsárlón boat ride are your priorities. Those two activities justify much of the cost, and the included transport and overnight stay remove a great deal of planning.

Before paying, confirm the exact accommodation, whether your pickup is at your hotel or a bus stop, and if Vík or the plane wreck is included on your date. Pack seriously for wet weather, bring only one permitted suitcase, and budget for food and any clothing rental.

The tour has a 4.8 rating, with 96 percent of people recommending it, but the less favorable experiences point to real concerns about vehicle comfort, guide warmth, and lodging. That makes this a strong route with some operational risk, not a luxury tour. For an active visitor who values access and convenience over polish, it is a worthwhile two-day trip.

FAQ

What is included in the $738 tour price?

The price includes breakfast, overnight accommodation, an English-speaking guide, hotel or designated bus stop pickup and drop-off, Wi-Fi on board, glacier safety gear, the glacier hike, and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon boat tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget separately for meals and snacks.

Do I need hiking boots and waterproof clothing?

Yes. You need hiking boots and waterproof clothing for the glacier hike. Boots, waterproof jackets, and waterproof pants are available to rent for additional fees.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring one suitcase up to 24 inches per person. Multiple or oversized bags are not allowed. Extra luggage can be stored for an additional fee of 1,750 ISK.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. and may take up to 30 minutes. Depending on traffic rules, pickup may be at your hotel or at the nearest designated Reykjavík bus stop.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.