Buggy Adventure: Off-Road Thrills in South Iceland

A two-hour buggy ride here takes you across stream crossings and the broad sand fields of Markaðsfljótaurar, with views toward Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands. It’s a hands-on way to reach parts of South Iceland that an ordinary car cannot handle.

I like two things in particular: you get to drive the buggy yourself, and the route pairs rough, splashy tracks with big open views. The guide leads the way, so you can focus on steering while learning the route as you go.

The main consideration is the $250 per-person price. You’re paying for a guided off-road outing and purpose-built vehicle, not simply a short ride, but it is still a sizable cost for two hours. It also calls for warm, waterproof clothing, even though an insulated coverall is supplied.

• The route heads out from Brú Base: Meet at Southcoast Adventure’s base by Road 249, near Hvolsvöllur.
• Markaðsfljótaurar brings the rough stuff: Expect gravel, ruts, small streams, and sandy ground around Dímon.
• The views reach beyond the track: The route includes viewpoints over Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands.
• Each buggy seats two: Shared rides pair two people in one vehicle; an odd-numbered party needs to book a single-rider buggy.
• A license and proper layers matter: Bring your driver’s license, warm non-cotton clothing, waterproof outerwear, gloves, and suitable boots or shoes.
• The outing is guided and beginner-friendly: You get a safety briefing and protective gear, but you still need to be comfortable driving over uneven ground.

Starting at Brú Base on Road 249

The tour begins at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base, near Hvolsvöllur. After meeting your guide, you get a safety briefing, then a helmet, balaclava face mask, and insulated coverall before heading to the buggy.

That preparation is useful, not ceremony. You are going into an exposed area where the ground may be wet and the ride can throw up spray. The coverall adds a layer of protection, but it does not replace warm clothing underneath or waterproof jacket and pants. Bring those, along with gloves, warm socks, a scarf, and headwear. The tour also requires appropriate hiking boots or shoes, which is sensible on slippery or uneven ground.

The buggies are two-seat, fully automatic 4x4s with roll cages, seat belts, and double A-arm suspension. They are road legal and safety-inspected. Automatic transmission removes one task for a new driver, and the suspension is intended to make the ride more comfortable over rough tracks. Still, this is off-road driving, not a smooth scenic shuttle. You’ll feel the surface beneath you.

A driver’s license is required, so bring it. The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, including alcoholic drinks in the vehicle.

Following the Guide into South Iceland

Once the briefing is done, you head out with the guide through the countryside between Fljótshlíð and Eyjafjallajökull. The guide sets the route and pace, while you follow in your own buggy. That mix gives you the pleasure of driving without leaving you to figure out where the safe crossing or passable track lies.

The terrain changes along the way. You’ll travel over gravel tracks and cross small streams, with the chance of splashes as the buggy passes through water. There may also be deep ruts and rocky slopes. In one account of the route, the guide moved at a brisk pace, leaving little time to overthink each obstacle. That is part of the appeal for some people, but if you want a slow, gentle sightseeing trip, this is not the right format.

A guide named Thorthu has led a particularly energetic outing, while Robert, Ingimar, and Victor have also guided rides. The exact guide for your date is not specified, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise. The role matters: the guide chooses the line through difficult ground and keeps the group moving together.

Crossing the Markaðsfljótaurar Sand Fields

The broad, tundra-like sand fields around Dímon are a central part of the ride. Markaðsfljótaurar offers the open, rough terrain that makes a buggy useful here. In a regular rental car, this kind of ground is not a sensible place to improvise; the purpose-built 4×4 lets you travel through areas that are inaccessible to ordinary cars.

The pleasure is not only speed. You get a close view of the ground as you work over ruts and gravel, then a wider sense of the scale of the region once the route opens out. Small streams and rugged tracks keep the drive active, while the landscape around you gives the ride its South Iceland character.

The experience can feel lively. If you have never driven off-road, listen closely during the briefing and keep a sensible distance from the vehicle ahead. You do not need to arrive as an expert, but you should be ready to follow instructions and handle a bumpy ride. The tour is described as suitable for beginners and adventure lovers, which means the guide is there to lead, not that every stretch will feel effortless.

Waterfalls, Streams, and Wide Views

The route includes hidden waterfalls and small stream crossings, along with viewpoints looking toward Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands. The contrast is part of what makes the outing worthwhile: you’re not just watching Iceland from a roadside pullout, but travelling through its rougher terrain to reach a different angle on the scenery.

Seljalandsfoss is a well-known South Iceland waterfall, and seeing it from a viewpoint along the buggy route gives you a broader sense of its setting. The Westman Islands, also called Vestmannaeyjar, appear across the water from the mainland. Weather and visibility can affect how clearly you see distant features, so think of these as viewpoints on the route, not guaranteed postcard conditions.

There are also reports of a hanging glacier visible from below and a small, isolated mountain that the buggy route circled. Those sights are specific to the route and conditions, rather than a stop you should assume will be identical every time. The strongest expectation is the combination of rough ground, water crossings, and open views.

The guide may also pause along the way. When that happens, take the chance to look around and catch your breath. The ride itself is active, and the scenery can be easy to miss if all your attention stays on the track.

What Two Hours Feels Like

Two hours is enough time for a proper outing without taking up a full day. The clock includes the guided ride and the time needed to get started, including the briefing and gearing up. Exact departure times vary, so check availability for your date.

The pace and feel depend on the ground and the group. You may be concentrating on steering through ruts one moment, then looking out over broad open terrain the next. That variety is a strength, especially if you like an activity that keeps you engaged rather than sitting in a vehicle and watching scenery pass by.

It is also worth being honest about the physical side. You’ll sit in a moving buggy over uneven terrain, and the ride may feel rough. The provider specifically advises against the tour for people with back problems, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. If a bumpy ride sounds uncomfortable rather than fun, choose a gentler way to see the region.

Is $250 Per Person Good Value?

At $250 per person, this is a premium activity. Its value depends on what you want from a South Iceland day. The price covers a two-hour guided buggy ride, the vehicle, and protective items including a helmet, face mask, and insulated coverall. You also get access to ground that a regular car cannot manage, with a guide leading the route.

That makes it a better fit for someone who wants an active experience than for someone seeking the cheapest way to see Seljalandsfoss. If you’re already planning a waterfall stop by road, the buggy tour adds something different: the drive itself is the main event, with the viewpoints and stream crossings along the way.

Remember that the listed price is per person, while the buggy has two seats. Shared rides put two people in one buggy. If your party has an odd number and you choose shared rides, you must book one single-rider buggy; otherwise, an additional fee is charged on site. Check your booking carefully so the vehicle arrangement matches your group.

Clothing, Group Fit, and Useful Planning

I would dress as if you might get wet and chilled, even with the insulated coverall. Wear warm layers that are not cotton, and bring waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, warm gloves, socks, and a scarf. Snacks are not included, so bring some if you want them.

The tour is a natural match for couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy taking turns behind the wheel and sharing a lively outdoor activity. Children under five cannot take part. The supplied information does not specify a minimum driving age, so if that matters for your party, confirm it directly before booking.

The guide speaks Icelandic and English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to choose clothing and buggy arrangements carefully.

Should You Book This Buggy Adventure?

Book it if you want the journey to be an activity in its own right. Driving a two-seat 4×4 across streams and rough sand fields, then stopping for views of Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands, gives you a different sort of South Iceland outing than a string of roadside stops.

Skip it if you are mainly looking for a relaxed sightseeing ride, have back problems, are pregnant, or would rather not spend $250 per person on a two-hour activity. For everyone else, the key question is simple: does off-road driving sound like part of the fun? If yes, bring your license, layer up, and be ready for a bumpy, scenic ride.

FAQ

How long is the buggy adventure?

The guided activity lasts two hours. Check availability for the starting times on your chosen date.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp, by Road 249, near Hvolsvöllur in South Iceland.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes the buggy ride, a guide, an insulated coverall, a helmet, and a buggy balaclava face mask.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, warm non-cotton layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, warm gloves, socks, a scarf, and suitable hiking boots or shoes. Snacks are not included.

Can two people share one buggy?

Yes. The buggies have two seats, and shared rides place two people in one buggy. If your group has an odd number, book one single-rider buggy or an additional fee will be charged on site.

Who should not take this tour?

It is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, or people with back problems.