Snowmobiling on Eyjafjallajökull

Eyjafjallajökull is a different world from the road below. This three-hour outing from Brú Base Camp pairs a bumpy Super Jeep climb with about an hour on a snowmobile, high above Iceland’s south coast. On a clear day, you may see from the Westman Islands toward Ingólfsfjall and across part of the highlands.

I like two things in particular: the Jeep ride gets you to the snowline without a long hike, and the snowmobile portion is short enough to suit many first-time riders while still giving you time to take in the glacier. The guides also make scenic stops, and outings have reached quiet areas with no other groups nearby.

The main catch is that the snowline moves. Your total trip can be about two hours in winter or stretch to four in summer, so don’t plan a tight connection afterward. At $250 per person, it is a substantial splurge, especially if you need a single-rider supplement.

At a glance

• Start at Brú Base Camp: The meeting point is on Road 249, about five minutes down the road from Seljalandsfoss.
• Ride up in a modified Super Jeep: The uphill drive takes about 35 minutes each way and is part of the adventure.
• Spend about an hour on the glacier: The snowmobile ride is guided, scenic, and described as a good length for first-time riders.
• Plan for changing trip times: The listed duration is three hours, but seasonal snow conditions can make the outing shorter or longer.
• Know how the sleds are priced: Each snowmobile fits two people, but the $250 price is per person. A third person in an odd-numbered booking rides alone and needs a single supplement.

Leaving the coast for Eyjafjallajökull

The tour begins at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp, on Road 249 near Seljalandsfoss. After checking in, you get a safety briefing, put on an insulated coverall and helmet, and take a balaclava for your face. You’ll ride in a modified Super Jeep toward the glacier.

That drive is more than a transfer. It carries you up the mountain slopes to the changing snowline, where the snowmobiles are kept. The ride takes about 35 minutes each way, though the route and total trip time depend on where snow can be reached. You are not driving yourself up the mountain, and you do not have to trek to the snowmobiles under your own steam.

Expect the Jeep portion to be lively. One family outing included a guide answering questions during the ascent, keeping the group together, and stopping at scenic viewpoints. The vehicle ride is a useful part of the day, but it also means that the glacier time is only one part of a three-hour excursion.

Getting ready for the snow

The guide explains safety procedures before you head uphill. You are supplied with an insulated coverall, helmet, and snowmobile balaclava. Wear warm outdoor clothing underneath, including a long-sleeved shirt, and bring sturdy hiking boots or waterproof shoes. The operator specifically says appropriate footwear is required, and it is not included.

Leave the jeans, sandals, open-toed shoes, and high heels at home. Backpacks are not allowed, so pack light and keep anything you need to carry to a minimum. You should also bring a driver’s license and an ID card; a copy of the ID card is accepted. The information provided does not explain who must show a license to operate a snowmobile, so check that point with the operator if it affects your booking.

The extra outer layer matters. Conditions on a glacier can be cold and exposed, and you’ll be glad not to rely on ordinary street clothes. The coverall helps, but it does not replace proper footwear or warm layers. Dress for the weather before you arrive, rather than expecting the supplied gear to do all the work.

One hour on the glacier

At the snowline, you switch from the Jeep to a snowmobile. The ride itself lasts about an hour, with a guide leading the way. This is pitched as a scenic, fun introduction rather than a long-distance expedition, a sensible format if you want a taste of glacier travel without devoting an entire day to it.

The setting is the main reward. You are up on Eyjafjallajökull, looking across the south coast from a height that makes the familiar lowland scenery feel newly vast. In ideal conditions, the view can reach the Westman Islands, extend along the coast to Ingólfsfjall, and take in a large part of the highlands. Those views depend on the weather, so treat them as a possibility rather than a promise.

Guides may stop at viewpoints for photographs. On some outings, they have also found areas without other groups, giving riders room to enjoy the snowy peaks more quietly. That kind of solitude depends on the day and route, so it should be considered a bonus, not a guaranteed feature.

The snowmobile is shared by two people, not by strangers. If you book as a pair, you share one sled. If your party has an odd number, the third person rides alone and must book the single supplement or pay it when contacted. That can change the cost considerably, so confirm the arrangement before you reserve.

The return to Brú Base Camp

After the glacier ride, you return by Super Jeep to the same base camp. The itinerary allows about 35 minutes for this descent, although the exact timing depends on conditions and the snowline. The activity ends where it began, which makes it easy to plan around a visit to Seljalandsfoss, just a short drive away.

The advertised duration is three hours, but it is not a fixed clock. In winter, reaching snow is easier and the full outing may take around two hours. In summer, the Jeep may need to climb higher to reach the snow, and the trip can stretch to four hours. The snowmobiling remains about an hour; it is the approach and return that shift.

I would leave breathing room in your day. This is especially important if you have a timed tour or a long drive planned afterward. Check the available start times when booking, and avoid assuming the shortest seasonal estimate will apply to your date.

What $250 buys you

At $250 per person, this is a premium outdoor activity. The fee covers a guide, a snowmobile for every two people, the Super Jeep approach, an insulated coverall, helmet, and balaclava. You are paying not only for the hour on the snow, but also for the vehicle and guide needed to reach a snowline that changes through the year.

The value depends on what you want from a South Coast day. If you mainly want to see the glacier from a distance, this is an expensive way to do it. If riding a snowmobile on Eyjafjallajökull is a highlight in itself, the guided access and supplied outerwear make the price easier to understand. The short ride also keeps the commitment manageable compared with a full-day outing.

Remember that the price is per person, not per sled. Two people share a machine, and the third person in a group of three needs a single-rider supplement. If you are traveling as a solo rider, ask about the single price before booking rather than assuming you will be paired with another person.

The experience has earned a 4.8 rating from 44 reviews. The strongest praise centers on capable, friendly guides, safe group management, striking views, and a fun Jeep ride. One guide named Iggy was singled out by name. A morning outing also included warm coffee or hot chocolate afterward, but do not count on a drink unless the operator confirms it for your departure.

Who will enjoy this ride

This tour suits first-time snowmobile riders and anyone who wants a guided, scenic outing rather than a full day on the glacier. It is also a good fit if you are already visiting Seljalandsfoss and want to trade a ground-level view for a high one. The included outerwear reduces the amount of specialist gear you need to arrange, though you still need suitable boots and warm clothes.

Families can consider it too: the stated minimum age for passengers is six. The experience is not just a snowmobile ride, since the Super Jeep drive and stops are part of the day. Still, the age limit alone does not tell you whether every child will be comfortable with the ride or weather, so use your judgment and ask the operator about your family’s needs.

This may not suit you if you dislike cold, exposed conditions, want a long snowmobile expedition, or need a precise end time. The snowline can make the total duration vary by season. And if you are trying to keep costs down, the per-person price and possible single supplement are worth weighing against the rest of your Iceland plans.

Bookings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Those terms help with planning, but they do not remove the need to check your chosen departure time and confirm any single-rider charge.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if the idea of riding on Eyjafjallajökull excites you, you are comfortable spending $250 per person, and you can keep your schedule flexible. The Super Jeep ascent, about an hour on the snow, and the chance of broad coastal views make it a well-rounded way to experience the glacier.

Skip it if the price is a stretch or you need a fixed-duration activity. Before you commit, check the seasonal timing for your date, confirm the single-supplement cost if your party is an odd number, and bring proper hiking boots. Those details are small, but they make the difference between a smooth glacier outing and a day spent wishing you had planned differently.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp on Road 249, near Hvolsvöllur and about five minutes down the road from Seljalandsfoss.

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration is three hours. Depending on the season and how far the Super Jeep must travel to reach snow, it can take about two hours in winter or up to four hours in summer.

How long is the snowmobile ride?

The snowmobiling itself is about one hour.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a guide, one snowmobile per two people, an insulated coverall, a helmet, and a snowmobile balaclava.

Are hiking boots included?

No. Appropriate hiking boots or waterproof shoes are required but not included.

How many people share a snowmobile?

Two people share each snowmobile. The operator does not pair strangers on a sled.

What happens if our group has three people?

The third person rides alone and needs to book the single supplement. Confirm the extra cost when arranging your booking.

What is the minimum age for passengers?

Passengers must be at least six years old.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license, an ID card or copy, warm and comfortable clothes, a long-sleeved shirt, and hiking or waterproof shoes suitable for outdoor conditions.

Can I cancel without a fee?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.