Mýrdalsjökull: South Coast ATV Quad Bike Safari

The best part of this South Coast ATV tour is the variety packed into two hours. You move from the wide black sands of Sólheimasandur to the 1973 DC3 plane wreck, then along the Atlantic shore and into a mountain valley near Mýrdalsjökull. I like the real sense of movement and freedom here, and I like that the guides, including Anthony, Pawel, Magni, and Bjarki, adjust the pace to the group. The main drawback is weather: wind, rain, snow, and high rivers can change the route.

I’d choose the two-hour tour over the one-hour option if your schedule allows. It gives you time for the wreck, beach, photo stops, streams, and valley riding instead of making the plane wreck the whole point. You need a valid driver’s license to drive, and solo riders or odd-numbered groups must pay extra for a single-rider ATV on site.

Key points to know before you book

• The two-hour ride covers much more ground: Expect black sand, the plane wreck, beach views, fields, streams, and a mountain valley.
• You ride across Sólheimasandur: This broad black-sand plain has an otherworldly feel and gives you room to build speed when conditions allow.
• The DC3 wreck is part of the route: Your guide explains the site and allows time for photographs.
• The weather controls the adventure: Strong wind, rain, snow, or swollen rivers may shorten or alter the route.
• ATV sharing keeps the base price reasonable: The $144 price is per person, with one ATV normally shared by two people.
• You must bring a driver’s license: Warm coveralls, a helmet, balaclava, and gloves are supplied, but bring warm layers and waterproof shoes.

Riding out from Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp

Your meeting point is Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar road 222. Look for the Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia sign at Mýrdalsjökull Base. One useful arrival tip is to continue farther up the road than some map directions suggest, then watch for the base on the left.

The tour begins with a short safety briefing and basic ATV instruction. That makes this a good choice for a first ride. The terrain is not described as highly technical, and the guides keep an eye on the full group, explain hazards, and let you gain confidence before opening the throttle.

You ride one ATV per two people under the standard arrangement. Sharing works well for couples or friends who want to swap driving, but it is worth thinking about before booking. If you are traveling alone, or your group has an odd number, you need a single-rider ATV and pay the extra charge locally.

The supplied gear is a major help in Iceland’s changeable weather. You receive an insulated cover-all, helmet, balaclava face mask, and gloves. Boots may be available depending on the weather, but you should still bring waterproof shoes. In cold months, wear proper base layers. The outer suit keeps wind and spray off, but your hands can still get cold, especially on the throttle. A useful trick is to wear the company’s wool gloves under your own heavier gloves.

Sólheimasandur and the famous DC3 wreck

The first major stretch takes you across Sólheimasandur, a broad black-sand plain between the coast and the mountains. From an ATV, this feels very different from viewing Iceland through a car window. You cross open ground, follow tracks, and get a sense of the scale of this dark, desert-like area.

The terrain changes with the weather. On a dry day, the sand can feel smooth and fast. On a wet or snowy day, the ride becomes colder and more demanding, though the strange contrast of white snow against black sand can make the trip especially memorable. Strong coastal wind is also part of the experience, not a minor detail. One winter rider described being blown backward by the wind on the beach, which gives you a fair idea of what exposed South Coast weather can do.

The DC3 plane wreck is the route’s most recognizable stop. The aircraft crashed on the sands in 1973, and its stripped fuselage now rests in a stark setting of black ground, open sky, and distant mountains. Your guide gives background about the crash and the area, then you have time to look around and take pictures.

The wreck is visually powerful because there is so little around it. It is not a polished attraction with exhibits or a visitor center. The appeal comes from the contrast between the broken aircraft and the empty volcanic plain. You should also remember that the site is one stop within a moving ATV trip, not a long museum visit.

Black beach riding beneath Dyrhólaey

From the plain, the route heads toward the Atlantic coast. Riding beside a black-sand beach is one of the tour’s most enjoyable moments. The open shoreline gives the guides room to let the group pick up speed when everyone is comfortable and conditions are safe.

I would not book this expecting a race. The guide leads, watches the group, and slows the pace when needed. Strong riders may get chances to ride faster, while beginners receive more support. That mix is important because groups can include people with very different ATV experience.

The beach also gives you some of the tour’s strongest views. Looking out, you see the Atlantic Ocean. Looking inland, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier appears in the distance. The Dyrhólaey peninsula, identified as the southernmost tip of Iceland, adds a dramatic coastal landmark.

Conditions can limit what you see. Heavy rain, powerful wind, or poor visibility may soften the views. That is not a flaw in the operation so much as a fact of the South Coast. The company has altered routes when rivers became unsafe, and one tour was replaced with a snowmobile outing when ATV riding could not go ahead. If the weather turns, flexibility matters more than sticking rigidly to a planned track.

Streams, river crossings, and the mountain valley

The two-hour route earns its extra time after the beach and wreck. You follow the Jökulsá River and cross smaller waterways on the way toward a mountain valley. The water crossings add a simple but genuine sense of adventure without making the ride a technical test.

The exact number of crossings depends on conditions. After a major rainstorm, rivers can rise and become impassable. In that case, the guide may take you along the beach or other open routes and still include the plane wreck. On a normal day, crossing streams gives the ride a useful change of rhythm: sand, rough tracks, water, fields, and valley terrain all feel different under the wheels.

The final mountain section is often described as the more exclusive-feeling part of the route. You leave the broad plain and enter a quieter setting with steep slopes, river views, and glacier country nearby. In summer, you might see fields of purple lupines. In winter, snow and low light can make the same area feel stark and remote.

This is where the guide’s judgment matters. Riders are not simply sent off to find their own way. Guides such as Pawel, Anthony, and Magni have been praised for keeping groups together, pointing out safer places to increase speed, and helping when a rider feels nervous. The result is a trip that feels lively without being careless.

Why the guide makes a difference

The equipment gets you ready, but the guide shapes the whole outing. You are riding in exposed country with changing surfaces, so clear instructions and steady group control matter. The strongest part of this operation is the balance between safety and fun.

Guides explain how to handle the ATVs, point out hazards, and adapt to the ability of the group. First-time riders have enough guidance to feel secure, while experienced riders may get the chance to ride more freely on suitable stretches.

The commentary adds value, too. Guides talk about the plane wreck, local geology, volcanoes, geography, and life in Iceland. Anthony has been singled out for his friendly manner with families and children, while Pawel has been praised for combining practical riding advice with stories about the island. Bjarki has also been noted for patience and for taking photographs.

You may get a small-group departure, and very quiet dates can sometimes feel almost private. One rider had a solo departure, while another couple found themselves alone with the guide. You should not count on that, but small groups are available and make it easier to ask questions or receive help.

Is the $144 price good value?

At $144 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Icelandic activities add up quickly, so you should compare the amount of actual ride time with the price rather than looking only at the headline figure.

The value is strongest on the two-hour outing. You are not paying just for a short ATV lesson and a quick photograph at the aircraft. You get equipment, a guide, multiple types of terrain, coastal views, a historic wreck site, and river or stream crossings when conditions permit.

The standard ATV arrangement is one vehicle for two people. That makes the base cost easier to justify for a couple who are happy to share driving. If you want to drive alone, budget for the single-rider supplement. An upgrade to a buggy has also been available for an additional 10,000 Icelandic króna per person, though you should confirm the current option and price before booking.

I would value this tour more highly than a simple scenic transfer because you actively move through the area. If your budget is tight and you only want to see the plane wreck, the cost may feel high. If you want a hands-on South Coast activity that combines several environments, the two-hour version delivers a fuller outing.

What to wear and what to bring

The company supplies most of the bulky protection, but you still need to dress properly. Bring warm clothing, a valid driver’s license, and waterproof shoes.

Your best clothing plan is:

• Warm base layers, especially from autumn through spring
• Thick gloves, with the supplied wool gloves underneath if needed
• Waterproof footwear with a firm sole
• Clothing you do not mind getting wet or dirty

The insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava handle much of the wind and spray. The gloves matter more than you might expect, since your hands remain exposed to cold air for the length of the ride.

Do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You cannot drive without a valid license, and children under eight and pregnant women are not suitable for this activity.

Choosing one hour or two

The one-hour option suits you if you are short on time or mainly want a taste of ATV riding. It can fit more easily into a busy South Coast day, but you should expect a more limited route.

I would book two hours if the activity is a major reason for stopping here. The longer route gives you time to reach the plane wreck, ride the beach, pause for photographs, cross streams, and continue toward the valley. Several riders who initially chose the shorter outing changed to two hours and were glad they did.

The two-hour ride also gives the guide more room to respond to the group. Beginners can take time to settle in, while confident riders may enjoy longer open stretches. You are less likely to feel that the trip ended just as you got comfortable.

Who will enjoy this ATV safari most?

I think this suits couples, families with older children, first-time ATV riders, and anyone who wants more action than a standard sightseeing stop. It works especially well as part of a South Coast day that also includes nearby waterfalls, beaches, or the Vík area, though the tour itself does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off.

Families should note the age rule carefully. Children under eight cannot take part, and every driver needs a license. An adult who does not want to drive can share an ATV with another licensed rider, subject to the operator’s arrangements.

Experienced off-road riders may enjoy the chance to open up the ATV on suitable sections, but this is still a guided group activity. You cannot simply choose your own route or ride at any speed you like. The guide’s instructions and the pace of the full group come first.

This may not suit you if you dislike wind, cold, mud, or changes caused by weather. It is also a poor fit if you want a calm scenic tour with no driving responsibility. For everyone else, the mix of open black sand, rugged tracks, water, and glacier views gives the South Coast a physical immediacy that a bus stop cannot match.

Should you book the Mýrdalsjökull ATV tour?

I would book it, especially in the two-hour format, if you have a valid driver’s license and want an active way to see Sólheimasandur. The strongest reasons are the variety of terrain, the DC3 wreck, the beach riding, and the guides’ careful handling of mixed-ability groups.

Before paying, accept two limits: the weather may alter the route, and the standard price assumes two people share an ATV. If those points work for you, this is a well-rounded South Coast activity with a good amount of actual riding for the price. Choose the shorter option only when your schedule demands it. Otherwise, give yourself the full two hours and let the guide take you beyond the plane wreck.

FAQ

Where does the ATV tour meet?

Meet at Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar road 222. Look for Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia at Mýrdalsjökull Base.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts one to two hours. You can check available starting times when booking.

What is the tour price?

The listed price is $144 per person. The standard arrangement is one ATV shared by two people.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive a quad bike.

Can I ride an ATV alone?

Yes, but solo riders and groups with an odd number must book a single-rider ATV and pay for it at the location.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a guide, an ATV per two people, an insulated cover-all, helmet, balaclava face mask, and gloves. Boots may be available depending on the weather.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, warm clothing, and waterproof shoes.

Can bad weather change the tour?

Yes. Rain, wind, snow, and river conditions can alter the route. If ATV riding is not possible, the operator may offer a different activity, such as a snowmobile adventure, depending on the situation.