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

Seljalandsfoss thunders over a cliff, Skógafoss sends spray across the river, and then the South Coast gives way to the ice of Sólheimajökull and Jökulsárlón. This two-day trip packs Iceland’s big natural contrasts into one journey, with a guided glacier hike as its most hands-on stop.

I like that the tour pairs famous sights with a real glacier walk, and that the overnight stay, breakfast, pickup and lagoon boat ride are included. The small-group limit of 18 and onboard Wi-Fi also make a long route easier to manage.

The trade-off is the long time on the road and a firm limit on luggage. Dinner and some useful clothing are extra, and accommodation and vehicle comfort can vary, so this is best for you if convenience and scenery matter more than choosing every detail yourself.

Key points to know before you book

• The glacier hike is the main event: Plan on about three hours at Sólheimajökull, with safety gear provided. Bring hiking boots and waterproof clothes, or pay to rent them.
• The route covers a lot of ground: Waterfalls, Reynisfjara, the glacier, Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach are spread along the South Coast.
• The overnight stay saves a separate booking: One night’s accommodation and breakfast are included. Dinner is not.
• The lagoon boat trip is included: The tour describes this as a summer activity, so check that it operates on your travel date.
• Pack light: One suitcase up to 24 inches per person is allowed. Extra or oversized bags require paid storage.
• Plan for weather and changing comfort: The trip runs in all weather, and one of the practical challenges is staying warm and dry between stops.

A two-day route built around distance and variety

South Coast sights are far apart, and that is the reason a guided minibus tour makes sense. You avoid arranging several separate transfers and can spend the journey looking out at Iceland rather than navigating it. Pickup starts at 8:00 a.m. and may take up to 30 minutes, while the group is capped at 18 people.

The tour is offered by Troll Expeditions. English-speaking guides lead the trip, and Thales and Jon have been named as guides on past departures. You cannot count on a particular person, but the guide matters here: the days are long, and clear help with timing and glacier safety makes the experience run better.

Expect a full two days, not a leisurely sampler. You will see a string of major sights, but the route’s pace and the weather can shape how much time you have at each one. The listed stops include waterfalls, a black sand beach, a glacier hike and the lagoon, but do not include every possible South Coast attraction.

Day one: waterfalls, basalt and a glacier walk

The first day begins with pickup in Reykjavík and the drive south. The initial stop is Troll.is, listed as a 30-minute stop, followed by the waterfalls and coast. The minibus is described as small and comfortable, though comfort can be subjective on a long drive; one poor account described a dirty vehicle. If a clean, roomy seat is a high priority, keep that uncertainty in mind.

Seljalandsfoss: bring a waterproof layer

Seljalandsfoss is the first major natural stop. The waterfall drops from a high cliff, and a short path lets you walk behind it when conditions allow. That viewpoint is memorable, but the spray is no joke. Bring a raincoat and waterproof layers if you want to try the path without getting soaked.

The stop is about 30 minutes, so use the time wisely: take in the front view, walk behind the falls if the path is suitable, and leave time to return to the minibus. The route behind the water is the detail that makes this more than a quick photo stop.

Skógafoss: choose between the river and the stairs

At Skógafoss, the river drops about 60 metres into a gorge. You can admire the falls from below or climb the staircase alongside the gorge for a higher view. The stop is also around 30 minutes, so attempting the stairs means watching the clock and judging your energy.

The lower viewpoint is impressive without a climb. If you do take the steps, allow time to get back down before departure. These two waterfalls have distinct personalities: Seljalandsfoss offers the route behind the water, while Skógafoss delivers a broad wall of falling water and an elevated viewpoint.

Reynisfjara: enjoy the view, respect the sea

Reynisfjara brings black sand, basalt columns and Atlantic waves. From the shore, you can see rock pillars offshore and the cliffs of Dýrhólaey in the distance. In summer, from June through August, puffins and other birds nest on the cliffs in the area.

The stop lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough to take in the coast, but do not let the dramatic scenery distract you from the waves. The tour description emphasizes their force; keep a safe distance from the water and follow your guide’s directions.

Sólheimajökull: the trip’s biggest hands-on experience

The glacier hike is scheduled for about three hours, making it the longest stop of the first day. Safety gear is included, and the tour provides a professional guide for the hike. You need hiking boots and waterproof clothing. Rentals are available, but they cost extra: boots are 3,000 ISK, a waterproof jacket 1,750 ISK and waterproof pants 1,750 ISK.

This is where the trip shifts from scenic touring to physical activity. The glacier walk is the experience’s most praised element in the supplied accounts, and it is easy to see why it would be a highlight: you are not simply looking at ice from a roadside viewpoint. Still, treat it as a real hike, not a casual stroll. Dress for wet, changeable weather, and ask ahead if you need to rent equipment.

Night near the glacier: breakfast yes, dinner no

The tour includes one night of accommodation and breakfast. The overnight stay is a practical advantage: it avoids a same-day return to Reykjavík after the glacier hike and makes the next morning’s trip to Jökulsárlón possible.

Accommodation quality can vary, so keep expectations sensible. One account described a pleasant guesthouse, while another found the room cold and uncomfortable after a wet day. Pack dry clothes where they are easy to reach, and do not assume your room will be ready before you have eaten.

Dinner and other food are not included. One reported departure stopped to buy food before checking in, but that should not be treated as a guaranteed plan. Ask your guide about meal timing, and bring money for meals and snacks. After a day in wet gear, having a warm change of clothes accessible can make the evening much more comfortable.

Day two: icebergs at Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach

The second day heads to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Icebergs break away from the glacier and float through the lagoon. The sight is compelling even from shore, where the ice’s varying shapes and colours contrast with the dark water.

A boat trip among the icebergs is included and lasts about 40 minutes. The tour describes boat rides as a summer offering, so confirm availability for your date rather than assuming the boat runs year-round. Getting closer to the ice adds a different perspective than simply viewing it from the lagoon’s edge.

After the lagoon, the tour crosses the road to Fellsfjara, commonly called Diamond Beach. Ice carried from the lagoon reaches the Atlantic and is washed back onto black sand. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, giving you a chance to look for the bright fragments against the dark shore. Ice and weather conditions change, so the scene will not look identical from one day to the next.

The return to Reykjavík is scheduled for around 7:00 p.m. Drop-offs can take another 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. That makes the final day a long one, so avoid booking anything tight in the evening.

What the $738 price includes, and what it does not

At $738 per person, this is a substantial purchase. The value comes from combining transport across a wide area, an overnight stay, breakfast, a guided glacier hike with safety gear, pickup and drop-off, Wi-Fi, and the lagoon boat trip. Booking each element separately would take time and would require you to solve the transport problem between distant sites.

The price does not cover meals apart from breakfast, clothing rentals, or luggage storage. A hat and gloves combo costs 3,000 ISK, and smaller items such as a neck warmer and summer cap are also listed for sale. Luggage storage costs 1,750 ISK. These extras can add up, so check your gear before departure rather than treating rentals as a minor afterthought.

The value is strongest if you want the glacier hike and lagoon boat ride, and would rather have transport and lodging handled together. It is weaker if you expect dinner to be included, want a hotel standard you can select yourself, or prefer to travel with several large bags.

Practical details that can make the trip easier

Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. and may take 30 minutes. Downtown Reykjavík traffic rules mean the minibus cannot stop at every hotel entrance. You may need to walk to a nearby designated bus stop, so check your pickup details and allow time to reach it.

The maximum group size is 18, and Wi-Fi is available in the vehicle. Those details help on a route with substantial driving: a smaller group can be easier to organize at stops, while Wi-Fi lets you look up places or stay in touch. It is still a shared tour, so expect to follow the group’s schedule.

The luggage allowance is one suitcase of up to 24 inches per person, with no additional luggage. Extra or oversized bags must go into paid storage. If you are continuing to another destination after the tour, plan carefully; this is not the trip for bringing all your bags along.

The tour operates in all weather, and the operator says to dress appropriately. Weather can affect comfort and, if poor conditions cancel the experience, the stated options are another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

One final planning note: the advertised stops described here do not list Vík village or the plane wreck. Some people have expected those stops, but you should not build your plans around them unless they are confirmed for your departure. The named route focuses on the waterfalls, Reynisfjara, Sólheimajökull, Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach.

Who should book this South Coast tour?

Book it if you have two days, want to see several headline South Coast sights without renting a car, and are especially keen on walking on a glacier. The included overnight stay and boat trip make the package convenient, while the small group limit keeps it from feeling like a very large coach outing.

Think twice if you need a predictable hotel standard, want meals included, dislike long drives, or need to carry more than one small suitcase. This is an active outdoor trip in changeable weather, and the best preparation is practical: pack light, bring waterproof layers and boots, and confirm the boat trip and pickup point before you go.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days. Pickup starts at 8:00 a.m. on day one, and the return to Reykjavík is expected at around 7:00 p.m. on day two.

What is included in the price?

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

Is the Jökulsárlón boat trip included?

Yes. The boat tour is included. The tour describes boat rides as available during summer, so confirm operation for your travel date.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included. Other food and drinks are not.

Do I need to bring hiking boots and waterproof clothing?

Yes. Hiking boots and waterproof clothing are required for the glacier hike. Boots, a waterproof jacket and waterproof pants are available to rent for additional fees.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 18 people.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from accommodation or a designated bus stop. Because of traffic rules, the minibus cannot stop at every hotel entrance downtown, so you may need to walk to a nearby stop.

How much luggage can I bring?

You may bring one suitcase up to 24 inches per person. Multiple bags and oversized luggage are not allowed on the vehicle. Paid storage is available for extra or oversized luggage.

Does the tour visit Vík or the plane wreck?

Those stops are not included among the stops listed for this tour. Confirm directly before booking if either one is essential to your plans.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.