South Coast Iceland: 2-Day Blue Ice Cave & Jokulsarlon Tour

A blue ice cave is the sort of place that makes Iceland’s scale feel personal: you walk through ancient ice, close enough to see its shifting blue tones, then spend time on a glacier that formed it. This two-day trip packs those experiences alongside south-coast waterfalls and Jökulsárlón’s floating icebergs.

I like the mix of big-name sights and time on the ice, especially the 1.5-hour glacier hike after the cave. I also like that the overnight stop gives you a real chance to look for the Northern Lights, rather than rushing back to Reykjavík the same evening.

The trade-off is a full schedule with considerable time in the minibus, and the south coast’s weather can rearrange plans. The Aurora is never guaranteed, and the vehicle has felt cramped to some passengers, so this suits you better if you value seeing a lot over having a leisurely pace.

Key points before you book

• The ice cave and glacier hike are the main event: Expect a short walk to the cave, then about 1.5 hours on a glacier with a guide and provided glacier gear.
• You see two very different waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss has a path behind the falling water, while Skógafoss drops 60 meters into a gorge.
• Jökulsárlón is more than a viewpoint: Icebergs break away from Breiðamerkurjökull, drift toward the Atlantic and can be pushed back onto shore by tides and wind.
• The overnight stay adds an Aurora opportunity: Your guide may take you out if the forecast and sky conditions look promising, but no one can promise a sighting.
• Pack for a busy two days: Pickup begins around 8:00 AM, the group can include up to 18 people, and the itinerary may change with weather.
• Budget for meals and footwear: Breakfast is included, but lunch and dinner are not. Hiking boots can be rented when booking.

From Reykjavík to the south-coast waterfalls

Pickup is from selected locations in central Reykjavík. Be ready at your assigned spot by 8:00 AM; the pickup process can take about 30 minutes as the minibus collects the group. You will be asked to provide your accommodation address so the operator can tell you the nearest pickup location.

The small minibus carries up to 18 participants and has Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board. That is a practical way to cover the long distances, though space is not unlimited. One passenger found the bus too cramped, so pack lightly and keep anything you want during the drive easy to reach. Larger luggage can stay in Reykjavík if you arrange storage there.

Your first stops bring you to two of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is notable for the path that leads behind the cascade. The walk gives you a different angle on the falling water, but expect spray and potentially wet footing. A waterproof outer layer and shoes with grip are sensible, especially if conditions are damp.

Skógafoss offers a different kind of drama. The river Skógá drops 60 meters over a cliff into a narrow gorge, then continues toward the Atlantic. You will have time to take in the falls and the surrounding terrain, though the itinerary is active and the stop is one piece of a much larger day. Bring your camera, but leave room to enjoy the view without making every stop a photo session.

The blue ice cave and glacier walk

The ice cave is the tour’s signature experience. A short hike takes you to the cave, where you can look at the blue ice from inside rather than from a distant viewpoint. The exact appearance and size of a natural cave can vary, and it is worth going in with an open mind. The experience is less about finding a grand cavern than seeing the ice up close and noticing how its colors and shapes change as you move through it.

After the cave, you meet guides for a glacier hike on an outlet glacier connected to one of Iceland’s largest glaciers. The walk lasts about 1.5 hours. Glacier gear and ice-cave equipment are included, while hiking boots are not, though you can rent them when booking. Check your footwear needs before departure rather than assuming ordinary trainers will be enough.

The glacier walk adds useful context to the cave. You are not just seeing a pocket of blue ice; you are walking on a much larger ice formation and learning how glaciers shape the land around them. The hike has been described as beginner-friendly by one participant, but it is still a walk on ice. Follow your guide’s directions and be ready for changing weather and footing.

Guides have included Thora, Pali, Halldor, Yohan, Shen Ji and Oscar. The names will vary by departure, but the guide’s role matters here: they manage the practical side of the ice activities while explaining what you are seeing. Some have also made extra stops for photos or given the group time to stock up on supplies. That flexibility can make a packed itinerary feel more human.

The overnight stop and Northern Lights chance

In the evening, you reach a three-star hotel in southeast Iceland. Breakfast is included the next morning, but dinner is not, so plan to buy it separately. The tour information says you will have a chance to do so before meeting your guide for an update on the Northern Lights.

If the forecast and sky conditions are favorable, the guide will look for a suitable place to watch the Aurora. Treat this as a bonus, not the reason to book. The Northern Lights are a natural event, and cloud, weather and activity can all prevent a sighting. A clear forecast is not a guarantee.

If the sky cooperates, be prepared for the cold and wind. One person who saw the Aurora reported that the viewing spot had little shelter from the wind. Bring warm layers you can stand outside in, even after a full day of sightseeing. If the lights do not appear, the tour still includes the waterfalls, cave, glacier, beach and lagoon, so your two days are not riding on one uncertain event.

Black sand, seabirds and Jökulsárlón

The tour also visits a black sand beach where birds and other wildlife may be present. Iceland’s black shorelines make a striking contrast with white surf and ice, but coastal conditions can be rough. Keep a safe distance from the water and follow the guide’s instructions. The stop is a chance to watch the shore as well as take pictures.

The next morning begins after breakfast with Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon is about 200 meters deep and is fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Icebergs float away from the glacier toward the Atlantic. Tides and wind can push some back onto the shore, making the nearby beach a place to look for ice scattered across dark sand.

This is one of the tour’s strongest reasons to travel so far southeast. The lagoon gives you time to watch the ice move and change position, rather than treating it as a static backdrop. Conditions matter, though. Poor weather can limit the view, and a return visit may be useful if the first stop is obscured. The schedule has allowed for an extra stop when weather made photos difficult the evening before, but you should not count on that being possible every time.

After the lagoon, you begin the long drive back to Reykjavík and are dropped at your accommodation or the designated central pickup location. This return leg is part of the cost in time as well as the price. You cover a large stretch of the south coast in two days, which is efficient, but it means a lot of sitting between walks.

What the $718 price covers

At $718 per person, this is not a low-cost way to see the south coast. The value comes from combining transport, a two-day itinerary, a three-star hotel, breakfast, ice-cave equipment and glacier gear. You also avoid arranging separate transport and activities for the cave and glacier hike, which can be hard to coordinate on your own.

The price does not include lunch or dinner, and hiking boots are an extra rental if you need them. Add those costs when comparing the tour with other options. The small-group format, with a maximum of 18 participants, is another practical benefit: it is more personal than a large coach tour, though the minibus can still feel tight when full.

For the strongest value, think of this as a guided package for reaching several distant sights in little time, not as a slow, low-mileage retreat. If you have only a short stay in Iceland and want waterfalls, ice, a glacier walk, a lagoon and an Aurora chance, the bundle is compelling. If you want long stops, quiet time or flexibility to linger wherever the weather is best, a three-day trip may suit you better. One participant who loved the itinerary felt that three days might have made the pace easier.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Weather can still force changes or cancellations. In extreme conditions, the local operator may help arrange another activity when possible, and a price difference may be refunded.

Who should take this tour

This trip suits you if you want to cover the south coast’s major sights without renting a car, and if the chance to walk on a glacier matters more than having a relaxed schedule. It also works well if you like having a guide handle the route, explain the sights and make practical calls when the weather shifts.

It is a less natural fit if long drives leave you tired, you prefer to explore at your own pace, or you need a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting. The schedule is ambitious, but that is also its strength: in two days, you get a taste of several very different parts of Iceland.

I would book it for the ice cave, glacier walk and Jökulsárlón, with the Aurora as a welcome extra. Bring warm, waterproof layers, pack a small bag, arrange boots if needed and keep your expectations flexible. If you can spare an extra day, consider a slower trip; if time is tight, this one makes a strong case for the miles.

FAQ

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available at selected locations in central Reykjavík. Provide your accommodation address, and the operator will tell you the closest pickup point. Be ready by 8:00 AM; the pickup process usually takes about 30 minutes.

How large is the tour group?

The tour is limited to 18 participants and travels by minibus.

How long is the glacier hike?

The guided glacier hike lasts about 1.5 hours. Glacier gear is included.

Are hiking boots included?

No. Hiking boots are available to rent when you book.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The tour includes one night in a three-star hotel in southeast Iceland, along with breakfast.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included. Breakfast is included.

Can I see the Northern Lights?

Possibly, if the sky and forecast are favorable. The guide may take you to a suitable viewing spot, but the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. Weather and operational conditions can change the schedule. Activities may be canceled in extreme weather, and the operator may assist with alternative activities when possible.

What is included in the $718 price?

The tour includes minibus transport, Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board, one night in a three-star hotel, breakfast, glacier gear and ice-cave equipment. Meals other than breakfast and hiking boots are not included.