Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur

The best part of this Vík ATV tour is its route across black volcanic sand, shallow rivers, rough tracks, and open coastal ground beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier. You also stop at the famous abandoned aircraft wreck, making this much more than a simple motor ride.

I like the mix of scenery and the easy skill level. I also like that guides such as Hannis, Anthony, Remmy, Bjarki, Paul, and Jordy keep the ride light, explain the land, and often help take photos. The main drawback is that two people share one ATV, and some departures may feel much larger than expected.

Key points at a glance

• Black sand and glacial views: Ride across volcanic outwash plains with Mýrdalsjökull above you and the coast stretching toward Dyrhólaey.
• A stop at the aircraft wreck: The route includes the well-known plane crash site on Sólheimasandur, a memorable photo stop.
• Beginner-friendly riding: No previous ATV experience is needed, though you must hold a valid driver’s license to drive.
• Two people per ATV: You switch between driver and passenger during stops. Solo riders and odd-numbered groups pay an extra local fee.
• Wet, cold, and muddy conditions: The operator supplies a cover-all, helmet, and balaclava, but warm clothing and good gloves still matter.
• Check the group size: The stated maximum is 15 people, yet some departures have reportedly been much larger. Confirm this before booking if a quiet ride matters to you.

Riding out from the Mýrdalsjökull base camp

The tour begins at the Icelandic Mountain Guides ATV and Snowmobile Tours base near Mýrdalsjökull, a short drive from Vík. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is useful in Iceland, where getting dressed for the weather can take longer than expected.

The staff starts with the route, riding rules, and safety instructions. You receive a helmet, insulated cover-all, and balaclava. The gear is designed for cold conditions, but I would still wear warm layers underneath, bring sturdy gloves, and choose clothing you do not mind getting muddy.

You ride two people per ATV, with one person driving and one sitting behind. At the stops, you can change places. If you are traveling alone or with an odd-numbered group, one person must ride alone and pay an extra fee locally.

The ATVs are described as easy to operate, and no previous experience is required. You still need a valid driver’s license if you want to drive. The guide sets the pace and explains how to handle the tracks before the group moves away from the base.

Crossing rivers toward the black sands

The first part of the ride takes you across small rivers and rough tracks toward the broad black sand fields created by Katla’s volcanic activity. This is where the tour begins to feel distinct from an ordinary road excursion.

The surface changes as you go. You may ride over gravel, packed sand, rocky ground, and shallow water crossings. The machines make the route accessible, but this is not a polished theme-park track. You are moving through a stark South Iceland setting shaped by volcanoes, glaciers, wind, and meltwater.

The black sand comes from volcanic rock carried and spread by glacial rivers. Beneath the dark surface is the power of Katla, one of Iceland’s major volcanoes, located under the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. Your guide explains the setting during the stops, giving the ride a useful sense of place rather than reducing it to a fast loop on an ATV.

This section is also where you learn how the group works. Faster riders may move ahead while the guide keeps less experienced drivers comfortable. That can make the tour work for mixed groups, though the exact pace depends on the people riding that day.

The glacier and Dyrhólaey from the shore

At the black beach, the group stops for views back toward Mýrdalsjökull and along the southern coast toward Dyrhólaey, the small peninsula at Iceland’s southern tip. In clear weather, this is one of the strongest photo points on the route.

The beach is not the same experience as visiting the crowded Reynisfjara shore. Here, the ATV route takes you across a more remote stretch of black sand, where the scale of the coast is easier to appreciate. The appeal is not just the color of the sand. It is the contrast between dark volcanic ground, pale glacier ice, open sea, and steep mountain country.

Wind can make it difficult to hear the guide at the coast. Listen closely when the group stops, and do not expect a long spoken explanation to carry clearly across the beach. The guides are praised for mixing local facts with jokes and practical warnings, but the wind remains in charge.

Give yourself time to enjoy the view rather than treating every stop as a race to take photos. Guides sometimes help with family or group pictures and suggest poses. That is handy, since everyone is wearing bulky riding gear and may not have a free hand for a camera.

The aircraft wreck on Sólheimasandur

The abandoned aircraft is the route’s most recognizable stop. The wreck sits on the black sands of Sólheimasandur, creating a strange, stark scene that photographs well against the open ground.

The plane stop is valuable because it adds a clear point of interest to the ride. You are not only following tracks across volcanic terrain. You have a memorable object to explore and photograph, with the guide explaining what you are seeing.

Expect the stop to be popular with your own group. If several people want large numbers of photos, you may spend more time waiting than you would like. This is one reason a private tour can make sense for people who want more control over the pace and more time driving independently.

The aircraft is also a reminder that Iceland’s open spaces can look deceptively simple. The black sand plain is wide and exposed, with few visual markers. Stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions. This is an organized route through a changing natural environment, not a place to wander off alone.

Rivers, canyons, and the mountain track

After the plane, the route continues toward the Jökulsá river and the foot of the mountain. The scenery shifts again, with water crossings, canyons, mountain slopes, and glacial outflow plains adding variety to the ride.

The river sections are among the most active parts of the tour. Riding over water gives you a stronger sense of the terrain than simply looking at it from a coach window. The guides point out risks along the way and direct the group across the safer lines.

The water may be fresh enough to drink at one stop, according to the supplied tour details from previous departures, but you should follow the guide’s instructions rather than assume every stream is suitable. Conditions can change, and the guide knows the current route.

At the mountain stop, you have time to get off, sit for a few minutes, and take in the view. This pause matters. Two hours on an ATV can become tiring, especially in cold wind, so the breaks add rhythm and give you a chance to switch drivers.

You then follow the mountain back toward the base. The return route is part of the experience, not simply a transfer. The changing ground keeps the final stretch interesting, though your enjoyment will depend on how comfortable you feel after an hour or more on the machine.

What the two-hour format really offers

The riding portion lasts about two hours. That is long enough to cover several types of ground and reach the aircraft wreck, but short enough to fit into a busy South Coast day.

Keep your wider schedule realistic. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, food, or drinks. You need to reach the base camp near Vík on your own, and you should allow time for check-in, equipment, safety instructions, changing drivers, and stops.

The price is $206 per person. That is not a minor add-on, especially if two people are sharing one ATV and one person spends much of the ride as a passenger. The value improves if you want a full activity with varied terrain, a glacier setting, coastal views, river crossings, and the aircraft wreck in one outing.

I would compare it with the cost of separate transport and activities around the South Coast. You are paying for the machine, protective equipment, guide, route access, instruction, and a way to reach places that are awkward to visit independently. If your main goal is simply to see the black beach, the price may feel high. If you want an active way to connect several sights, the cost is easier to justify.

If driving is important to you, ask about a private option or confirm how much time each person typically gets behind the handlebars. An individual ATV offers more direct control, while the standard two-person arrangement works well for couples or friends who are happy to share.

Weather, clothing, and comfort

This tour operates in cold weather, and South Iceland can make a mild forecast feel much rougher. Wind on the beach, rain during the final part of the ride, and muddy tracks are all possible.

The supplied cover-all helps keep rain and dirt off your clothes. The helmet and balaclava protect your head and face from wind. Still, do not treat the provided equipment as a replacement for warm base layers, waterproof clothing, and proper gloves.

Bring or wear:

• Warm layers that fit under the cover-all
• Waterproof outer clothing if you have it
• Warm gloves, since supplied gloves may not be enough for everyone
• Shoes or boots suited to mud and wet ground
• A camera or phone secured against the ride

The operator provides boots as part of the available gear, and using them can be sensible if the route is muddy. You should not count on staying clean. The machines are built for wet ground, but you are close to the spray.

Weather also affects the views. On a clear day, the glacier, coast, mountain, and Dyrhólaey can make the route feel enormous. In rain or low cloud, the ride remains active, but the scenery may be less dramatic. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Guides, safety, and group size

The guide is central to this experience. Names connected with departures include Hannis, Anthony, Remmy, Bjarki, Paul, Jordy, and Gunnlaugur. The strongest guide-led moments combine clear safety advice with information about volcanic ground, rivers, mountains, and the coast.

Safety is not a side issue here. The route includes water crossings and uneven ground, and some people arrive with no ATV experience. Guides warn you about hazards, set the pace, and correct riders who ignore instructions. That can mean occasional stops, but it is far better than letting an unsafe rider affect the whole group.

The published maximum is 15 participants. You should confirm the number for your date before booking, especially if you dislike large groups or want more time at each stop. One reported departure had close to 40 people, with two rows of ATVs. A group that size can mean crowded photo stops, longer waits, and less flexibility for inexperienced riders.

A private tour is worth considering for families, groups of friends, or anyone who wants to drive alone. It may also reduce the frustration caused by people stopping repeatedly for social-media photos. The standard tour is better suited to visitors who accept a shared pace and do not need complete control of the route.

Who should book this ATV ride?

I would recommend it to active visitors staying around Vík who want more than a viewpoint stop. It suits first-time ATV riders, couples, families with older children, and groups that enjoy getting wet, muddy, and close to the ground.

The tour is especially useful if your South Coast plans already include the area around Mýrdalsjökull and Sólheimasandur. It brings together several sights that you might otherwise see only from a distance, while adding a physical challenge without requiring advanced riding skills.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet nature outing, dislike wind and rain, or feel uncomfortable sharing a vehicle. It may also disappoint you if you expect to spend the whole two hours driving. With two people per ATV, you share the machine and switch at stops.

You should also think about timing. The activity starts and ends at the base camp, so it does not include transport from Vík or elsewhere. Build in driving time and arrive 30 minutes early.

Should you book the Mýrdalur black sand ATV tour?

Book it if you want an active, photo-friendly way to experience South Iceland’s volcanic ground, glacier views, rivers, coast, mountain tracks, and aircraft wreck in one outing. The route has real variety, and the guides add safety and local context without making the ride feel like a lecture.

Before paying, confirm three things: the group size for your departure, the extra cost for a single rider, and how driver changes are handled. Bring warmer gloves than you think you need, wear the supplied boots if conditions are muddy, and accept that weather may change the view.

For a standard shared ATV ride, $206 is a serious spend. For the right person, though, it buys a memorable two-hour route that is more active and less predictable than a normal South Coast sightseeing stop. If you want that mix of motion, open space, and unusual scenery, this is a strong choice near Vík.

FAQ

Where does the ATV tour start?

It starts at the Icelandic Mountain Guides ATV and Snowmobile Tours base at the Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp near Vík, Iceland.

How long does the activity last?

The ATV experience lasts approximately two hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Do I need previous ATV experience?

No. Previous ATV experience is not required, and the activity is rated as easy.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive the ATV.

How many people ride on each ATV?

Two people ride on each ATV, with one person driving and one as a passenger. You can change drivers during the stops.

Is there an extra charge for solo riders?

Yes. If you travel alone or have an odd-numbered group, the single rider pays an additional charge locally.

What happens if the weather is too poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.