South Coast, Waterfalls and Vík village from Reykjavik

Iceland’s South Coast packs waterfalls, a glacier, black sand and a small village into one long day from Reykjavík. The bus covers a lot of ground, so this is a practical way to see the region if you don’t have a car, though you’ll spend several hours on the road.

I like two things in particular: the variety of the stops, from standing near a glacier to walking behind a waterfall, and the guides’ mix of local history, geography and personal stories. The coach has free Wi-Fi, and pickup is available from central Reykjavík locations.

The trade-off is time. The tour lasts about 10 hours, but each named sightseeing stop gets just 30 or 40 minutes, and bad weather or traffic can make an already full day feel tighter.

What to know before you book

• Seljalandsfoss lets you walk behind the falling water. The path can leave you soaked, so bring waterproof outerwear if you want to try it.
• Skógafoss is a 60-meter waterfall with a short visit. Thirty minutes may not be enough to climb the steps and also explore below at a relaxed pace.
• Reynisfjara brings black sand, basalt columns and Reynisdrangar sea stacks together. Stay mindful of your time on this 40-minute stop.
• Sólheimajökull is a glacier with a retreating edge. The visit includes a walk toward a small lake formed by the glacier’s retreat.
• Vík makes a useful lunch and leg-stretch stop. It sits beneath high cliffs near the South Coast’s volcanic shore.
• This is a large-coach day, not a small-group outing. The tour can carry up to 99 people, and the schedule depends on keeping to time.

A full South Coast day from Reykjavík

The route heads south from Reykjavík through open countryside toward Iceland’s southernmost village, Vík. The changing views are part of the trip: you are not simply being shuttled between attractions, but crossing a broad stretch of the country with a guide explaining what you are seeing.

That distance also explains the tour’s format. A 10-hour outing sounds generous, but the drive and four main sightseeing stops compete for the day. You get a broad introduction to the region rather than the freedom to linger at each place.

The coach is climate-controlled, and free Wi-Fi is included. Reviews describe comfortable buses and efficient driving, though on some departures the group may be large enough that asking questions can feel less natural than on a small-group tour.

Pickup is offered from accommodation or a designated bus stop, with the BSÍ Bus Terminal as the meeting point. Be ready at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before departure. The stated start time is 9:00 am, and the tour returns to its starting point.

Skógafoss: a powerful first stop

Skógafoss drops 60 meters and is known for its heavy spray, which can produce a double rainbow when conditions cooperate. Its scale is immediate: you can take in the full waterfall from below, while a staircase beside it leads to a higher viewpoint.

The planned stop is 30 minutes. That is enough to see the falls from the lower area and take photos, but it may not be enough to climb the steps and spend much time close to the water. If you want both views, move quickly and keep an eye on the return time.

The waterfall is also a starting point for the Fimmvörðuháls walking route toward Þórsmörk, and it has appeared in films including Thor: The Dark World and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Those details add context, but the main attraction is still the rushing water and the spray around the base.

Reynisfjara: black sand and basalt

At Reynisfjara, the volcanic black sand gives the beach a different character from the waterfalls and green fields inland. The stop also brings you close to columnar basalt and the Reynisdrangar rock formations rising from the sea.

You have 40 minutes here, so treat it as a focused visit rather than a long beach walk. Take time to look at the basalt and sea stacks, then leave room to get back to the coach on schedule.

The South Coast can be cold, wet and windy even when the scenery is clear. Conditions can change during the day, and the tour runs in all weather, so a waterproof jacket and warm layers are sensible even if Reykjavík looks mild when you set out.

Sólheimajökull: a glacier’s changing edge

Sólheimajökull offers a close look at a glacier and the terrain at its edge. The tour includes a walk up to a small lake formed as the glacier has retreated, a useful reminder that this is not a fixed wall of ice but a changing feature.

The stop lasts 40 minutes. Expect a walk rather than a glacier hike: no guided glacier trek is included in the described tour. Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots, particularly if the path is wet or uneven.

For many people, seeing a glacier in person is the day’s most striking contrast with the waterfalls and beach. The short visit gives you a chance to look closely and take in the surroundings, but not to explore the area at length.

Vík: a village stop and a break in the day

Vík is a small village beneath high cliffs, and it makes a natural pause on a long route. The surrounding South Coast is known for its dark volcanic shore and dramatic rock formations, with Reynisfjara nearby.

Lunch is not included, so plan to buy food during the day. Vík has been used as a lunch stop, with time to eat and stroll, but the schedule is tight enough that you should not assume you can sit down for a leisurely meal and still explore extensively.

This break matters as much for comfort as for scenery. After several hours of coach travel and outdoor stops, a chance to eat and walk around can help you reset before the return journey.

Seljalandsfoss: the walk behind the waterfall

Seljalandsfoss is famous for a path that lets you walk behind the falling water and emerge on the other side. It is a distinctive way to experience a waterfall, but the spray makes waterproof clothing essential if you plan to take the path.

The scheduled stop is 30 minutes. You will need to balance the walk behind the falls, photos and time to return to the bus. The trail can be wet, and the visit is not the place to wear clothes you need to keep dry for the rest of the day.

The waterfall is part of the Seljalandsá river, which begins at the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. That connection gives the stop a little more meaning than a quick photo opportunity: water from Iceland’s glacial highlands feeds the falls you see here.

The guide and the coach shape the day

The guides are a major part of what makes this route worthwhile. Names including Ritchie, Unnur, Dori and Eric have been associated with clear commentary, Icelandic history, geography and stories along the drive. Some guides also help with photos or make sure everyone is back on the bus before departure.

You’ll hear much of the commentary through the coach speakers. That works well for sharing information with a large group, but it can make a more personal conversation harder than it would be on a small tour. If you have a question, ask when the guide is available at a stop or before the coach sets off.

The maximum group size is 99, so don’t book this expecting an intimate outing. The benefit is an organized, straightforward way to cover several far-flung places without driving yourself. The cost is less flexibility and less time at each stop.

What the $100.30 price gets you

At $100.30 per person, the price covers the bus, guided tour, free Wi-Fi and pickup from your accommodation or a bus stop. The transfer is described as carbon-neutral in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies. Food and drinks are extra.

The value is strongest if you want to see several headline sights in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself. You get transport between Reykjavík and the South Coast, a guide to provide context, and stops at four distinct natural sites, plus time around Vík.

It is less appealing if you want to spend hours at the beach, climb every set of waterfall steps, or explore the glacier area at your own pace. The stops are short by design, and there is a lot of driving. Think of it as a sampler that makes the South Coast accessible in a day, not a substitute for a slower visit.

Pack for spray, rain and a long ride

Bring waterproof outerwear, warm layers and sturdy walking shoes. Waterproofs are especially useful at Seljalandsfoss, where the route behind the waterfall can soak you, and they will also help if the weather turns during the outdoor stops.

Pack food money for lunch and consider bringing snacks. No food or drinks are included, and the route has long stretches between stops. One section of the drive can last around an hour and 45 minutes, and there are no toilets on the coach, so use facilities when they are available.

Keep your day bag organized so you can get off the bus quickly and return on time. The tour fits a lot into one day, and a late return is possible depending on traffic. Avoid scheduling a tight connection or an evening activity that cannot be moved.

Is this the right South Coast tour for you?

Book this trip if you have one day, want to see the South Coast’s best-known sights, and prefer a guide and coach to arranging your own transport. The mix is unusually satisfying: two major waterfalls, a glacier, black sand and a village stop offer a good sense of how varied the region is.

Choose a different format if you value long visits, a small group or a slower pace more than the number of sights. For this tour, the bargain is coverage and convenience; the compromise is time at each place.

At 96% recommended and rated 4.8 from 1,247 ratings, it has a strong record, but the practical limitation remains the same: this is a big day with short stops. If that sounds like a fair exchange, it is a solid way to meet the South Coast. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before departure; weather-related cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours. It starts at 9:00 am and returns to the meeting point in Reykjavík.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is BSÍ Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 in Reykjavík. Pickup from accommodation or a designated bus stop is also offered.

How early should I be at my pickup point?

Be ready at your designated pickup location 30 minutes before departure. Pickup vehicles carry the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

Which places does the tour visit?

The main stops are Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Beach, Sólheimajökull Glacier and Seljalandsfoss. The route also includes time around Vík.

How much time is planned at the main stops?

The stated stop times are 30 minutes at Skógafoss, 40 minutes at Reynisfjara, 40 minutes at Sólheimajökull and 30 minutes at Seljalandsfoss.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Vík is used as a lunch stop, and you should budget for your own meal.

What should I wear?

Dress for all weather conditions. Waterproof clothing is especially useful if you want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss, and sturdy walking shoes or boots are recommended.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The tour information says most people can participate. It operates in all weather conditions, and the maximum group size is 99.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.