2-Day Blue Ice Cave, Glacier Lagoon and South Coast – Small Group

The blue ice cave is the great draw here: a short, guided visit to a place that changes as the glacier melts and refreezes. You’ll reach it by superjeep, but the journey is only one part of a packed two-day route that also takes in waterfalls, black sand and the icebergs of Jökulsárlón.

I like that the tour makes the long South Coast journey manageable, with round-trip transport and an overnight stay included. I also like the small-group limit of 19 and the chance to learn about the places as you go, with guides such as Mika, Monica and Hakon praised for their care and flexible planning.

One consideration: this is a lot of ground in two days, and weather can change the order of stops or affect the ice cave visit. The cave itself may feel brief, especially if it is crowded, so book for the full South Coast journey rather than expecting hours underground.

• The cave visit starts with a superjeep ride into Vatnajökull National Park, followed by a guided walk inside a natural ice cave.
• Day one strings together South Coast icons, including Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.
• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach share a stop, so you can see icebergs in the lagoon and washed-up ice on black sand.
• One night’s accommodation and breakfast are included, while lunch and dinner are up to you.
• The group is capped at 19, and guides may adjust the route to suit weather and road conditions.
• Pack for wet, cold conditions: warm waterproof clothing and good hiking shoes are recommended.

Why Two Days Makes the South Coast Work

I see the value in this tour’s two-day format: Reykjavík is far from the glacier lagoon, and attempting the route as a single day trip would mean a very long drive with little time to stop. Here, you travel east along Route 1, stay overnight, and reserve the second day for the lagoon, Diamond Beach and the cave.

The price is $689 per person. That is a substantial outlay, but it covers transport from Reykjavík and back, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicle, Wi-Fi, overnight accommodation, breakfast and the listed activities. You do not need to arrange a hotel for the night separately, which saves planning as well as the trouble of driving in unfamiliar and sometimes difficult conditions.

Lunch and dinner are not included. Plan to pay for those separately, and bring snacks if you like having something on hand between stops. The free onboard Wi-Fi is useful for messages and sharing photos, though the main benefit is practical: you can spend the journey looking out the window or resting rather than navigating.

The small-group cap of 19 is a useful middle ground. It is not a private trip, but it is smaller than a large coach excursion. The route still has a set schedule, and the drive between sights is part of the day, so do not expect a slow, private exploration at every stop.

Day One: Waterfalls, Volcano Views and Black Sand

Pickup begins between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., with the tour starting at 9. Reykjavík’s central streets have bus restrictions, so your pickup may be at a nearby bus stop rather than right outside your hotel. Keep an eye out for the red NICE Travel logo and be ready at the location you are given.

The route follows Route 1 through Hveragerði and Selfoss. Hveragerði is associated with greenhouses and the geothermal Hot River in Reykjadalur, while Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland. These are passing views rather than dedicated sightseeing stops, but they offer a sense of how the city gives way to farms, settlements and open country.

Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi

Seljalandsfoss drops about 60 meters from the side of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. You have around 30 minutes here, enough for a close look and photographs. The itinerary describes a close-up visit, but does not promise a walk behind the waterfall, so dress for spray and wet ground rather than assuming you will stay dry.

Gljúfrabúi, another waterfall nearby, gets its own 30-minute stop. Its tucked-away setting makes it a worthwhile companion to the better-known cascade, and the guide helps you find it. Waterproof outer layers and shoes with a good grip matter here: the waterfall area can be damp underfoot.

The drive also brings the story of Eyjafjallajökull’s 2010 eruption into view. That eruption made the volcano familiar well beyond Iceland, and hearing the local context adds a human thread to the scenery. The route is not just a procession of photo stops; your guide can connect the sights to the country’s volcanic life and history.

Skógafoss and Sólheimajökull

Skógafoss is another 60-meter waterfall, with mist often creating rainbows when the light and weather cooperate. You have about 30 minutes. There is a staircase to the top for a wider view, but time is limited, so decide whether you want the climb or a closer look from below.

Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier from the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and gives you a look at the glacier’s scale and rugged surroundings. This is a brief visit, not a glacier hike, and the tour listing does not include a trek on the ice. Treat it as a chance to see a glacier up close from the accessible area.

Reynisfjara’s Black Sand and Sea Stacks

At Reynisfjara, volcanic black sand, basalt columns and the offshore sea stacks of Reynisdrangar make a striking contrast with the Atlantic. You get around 30 minutes, enough to take in the shore and cliffs without turning the visit into a long beach walk. Dyrhólaey’s sea arches can be seen in the distance from the area.

This is a place to be cautious, not casual. The description emphasizes powerful waves, and the sea is part of the setting’s force. Follow your guide’s instructions and keep a sensible distance from the water. The stop is memorable for its raw, exposed feel, but it is not a beach for swimming or wandering wherever you please.

Day Two: Vík, Lava, Lagoon and Ice

The second day begins with a short stop in Vík, about 20 minutes, for views of the village, nearby hills and black sand shore. The schedule then moves on to the Eldhraun lava field. Ten minutes is brief, but enough to see the moss-covered lava formations and understand the unusual softness of the green covering against the dark rock. Stay on designated paths and avoid stepping on the moss, which is fragile.

At Hofskirkja, you have about 15 minutes to see the 19th-century turf church. It is described as the last turf church built in Iceland. Its grass-covered roof and mossy surroundings make it a small, quiet contrast to the waterfalls and beaches. This is a quick photo and history stop rather than a long visit.

Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the trip’s major payoffs. Wind and tides move icebergs through the water, so the view changes while you are there. The stop lasts around 40 minutes, and seals may be seen in the lagoon or resting nearby, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

A short walk away is Fellsfjara, better known as Diamond Beach. Ice fragments from the lagoon collect on the black sand, where waves and wind shape them into different forms. You have around 20 minutes here. The contrast is the point: pale, clear or blue-tinged ice against dark volcanic sand. Take care near the water and do not handle or climb on the ice.

The time at both sites is enough for a good first look, but not a long, unhurried visit. If these are the places you most want to photograph, have your camera ready and keep track of the guide’s return time. The schedule has more to fit in.

The Blue Ice Cave by Superjeep

The ice cave excursion is the headline event on day two. A superjeep takes you into Vatnajökull National Park, where a local cave guide leads the group to an ice cave. The listed three hours cover the expedition, including the vehicle journey and guided activity; they should not be read as three hours spent inside the cave.

These caves form as water freezes inside glaciers in Iceland’s winter temperatures. Each year, melting, refreezing and shifting ice can create new caves and reshape existing ones. That makes the visit a glimpse of something temporary, not a fixed attraction that looks the same every season.

The blue tones and sculpted ice are the reason this stop can feel unlike anything else on the route. But the time you spend inside depends on conditions and the group. Some people find the cave visit short, and crowding can slow movement through narrow sections. I would approach it as a guided, carefully managed look at a changing natural space, not an open-ended cave exploration.

Safety comes first. Weather can make the ice cave visit unsuitable, and the operator may substitute other activities when possible, with a refund of the price difference. The route order can also change. That flexibility is sensible in Iceland, where guides have to weigh road and weather conditions against a fixed sightseeing plan. Several guides, including Mika, Monica, Hakon and others, have been praised for keeping groups informed and adapting stops when conditions shift.

After the cave, the tour returns to Jökulsárlón before heading back toward Reykjavík, with a refreshing stop in Vík along the way. Expect a long return drive. Having Wi-Fi, a book, a show downloaded or simply a plan to nap can make the final stretch easier.

The Overnight Stay and What to Pack

Accommodation and breakfast are included, which is a major practical advantage on this route. You avoid finding a room near the lagoon yourself and can continue the itinerary the next morning without driving back to Reykjavík overnight. The exact accommodation is not specified, so do not book on the assumption that you will stay at a particular hotel.

Dinner is not included, and neither is lunch. Check what meal options are available at the accommodation or along the route, and budget accordingly. Some people have enjoyed the overnight setting for night-sky viewing, including northern lights, but sightings depend on conditions and are not part of the guaranteed itinerary.

Bring warm, waterproof layers and sturdy hiking shoes. Iceland’s weather can turn quickly, and several stops involve damp or uneven ground. The operator recommends a moderate level of physical fitness, and the minimum age is eight. There is no need to pack a full suitcase: only small carry-on luggage, such as a backpack, is allowed on the vehicle.

If you are staying in Reykjavík before or after the trip, ask your hotel about storing your larger bags. NICE Travel also offers free luggage storage at its office on Fiskislóð 45, Space M. Have any luggage put away before pickup so it does not delay departure.

What the Guide Adds

A good guide matters on a route this long. The strongest guide experiences described by customers are specific: Mika is praised for clear explanations and adjusting plans around weather, Monica for being generous with information and time, and Hakon for keeping to schedule without making the trip feel hurried. These are examples, not a promise of who will lead your departure.

The ice cave portion uses a separate local guide, so you may have one guide for the road trip and another for the cave. That division makes sense: the cave guide handles the conditions and route inside the glacier area, while the main guide manages transport and the broader South Coast day.

Not every account of the journey is flawless. One person reported worrying driving, including phone use, and the operator responded that safe driving is a priority and that the driver received a warning. Other accounts describe calm, careful driving through snow and shifting road conditions. I would take both points seriously: ask your guide to address any safety concern promptly, and remember that Icelandic roads can become difficult in poor weather.

Is $689 Good Value?

The $689 price makes most sense if you value having the route organized, transport handled and a bed included. You are covering a large distance, visiting multiple major sites, and taking a guided superjeep excursion to an ice cave. Booking those elements separately would require more planning and could add up, especially with accommodation and transport.

There are trade-offs. Meals beyond breakfast are extra, and many stops are short. You also depend on weather and road conditions, so the itinerary is not a guarantee that every activity will happen exactly as scheduled. If you have several days, rent a car, and want to linger at each waterfall or beach, a self-drive plan could offer more freedom. But that brings the responsibility of long-distance driving and winter conditions.

The tour is especially suited to you if you have limited time in Iceland, want the headline South Coast sights in one organized trip, or prefer not to drive. It is also a sensible choice for solo visitors who would rather join a small group than arrange transport and lodging alone. It is less suitable if you need a slow pace, want a long glacier hike, or expect extended time inside the ice cave.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. For weather cancellations, the operator says you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since conditions can also change the order of the route, keep some flexibility around this trip if you can.

Should You Book This South Coast Tour?

Book it if you want waterfalls, black sand, the glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach and a blue ice cave in one two-day plan, with transport and a night’s accommodation sorted. The best reason to go is the combination: the cave is a special highlight, but the waterfalls and coast make the journey worthwhile even before you reach the ice.

Skip it if you want to set your own pace or spend a long time at each stop. For most people with only a short stay in Iceland, though, the packed schedule is a fair trade for seeing so much without having to drive the South Coast yourself. Bring warm waterproof gear, expect a long ride home, and treat the cave as weather-dependent.

FAQ

What is included in the $689 price?

The price includes the guided two-day tour, hotel pickup and drop-off in Reykjavík, overnight accommodation, breakfast, a professional guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, Wi-Fi and the tour activities.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Breakfast is included, but you need to pay for lunch and dinner separately.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup takes place between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. Be ready at your assigned pickup point from 8:30.

Can I meet the tour instead of using hotel pickup?

Yes. You can meet at the NICE Travel office at Fiskislóð 45M, 101 Reykjavík. Notify the operator directly and arrive before 8:20 a.m.

Can I bring a suitcase?

No full-size suitcase is allowed on the vehicle. Only small carry-on luggage, such as a backpack, is possible. Luggage storage is available at the NICE Travel office, or you can ask your hotel about storage.

How much time is spent inside the ice cave?

The cave expedition is listed as three hours, including the superjeep ride and guided activity. The time actually spent inside the cave can be shorter and may vary with conditions and crowding.

What should I wear, and is there a minimum age?

Wear warm, waterproof clothing and good hiking shoes. The minimum age is eight, and participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if weather cancels the ice cave visit or the tour?

The ice cave activity may be canceled for weather or safety reasons. Other activities may be offered when possible, with the price difference refunded. If the experience itself is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.