Description
Discover why the South Coast is one of Iceland’s essential journeys, filled with dramatic waterfalls, wide ocean views and landscapes shaped by fire and ice.
The route brings together Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Sólheimajökull and Vík, creating a beautifully varied day of natural wonders and memorable viewpoints. A thoughtfully planned route makes the day feel effortless, leaving you free to enjoy the views, stories and unforgettable photo moments.
That break between tours matters. It gives you time to reset before the guides evaluate cloud cover and drive away from city light. Homemade hot chocolate adds warmth during the evening search, but the Northern Lights remain a natural event and no sighting can be promised.
Itinerary
Reykjavík pick-up
Begin the daylight tour
Begin the adventure with a comfortable departure from the confirmed meeting point, then watch the landscape open into lava fields, coastal lowlands and distant glaciers.
Skógafoss
Waterfall and upper viewpoint
One of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, Skógafoss drops in a single dramatic curtain from cliffs that once met the ocean. The lower viewpoint puts you close to its roar, while the upper platform reveals the river, green highlands and South Coast beyond.
Reynisfjara
Basalt coast and sea stacks
Explore the deep-black shoreline of Reynisfjara beneath sculpted basalt cliffs, with Reynisdrangar standing offshore in the crashing Atlantic. This is Icelandic coastal drama at its finest; because sneaker waves can reach far up the beach, follow the warning system and guide guidance at all times.
Sólheimajökull
Glacier view from land
An outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, Sólheimajökull brings Iceland’s world of ice within dramatic view. Its cracked surface, blue tones and dark bands of volcanic ash form an ever-changing landscape shaped by movement, meltwater and the powerful forces beneath the ice.
Seljalandsfoss
Waterfall beneath the cliffs
A ribbon of glacier water falls from the former sea cliffs at Seljalandsfoss, framed by mossy rock and wide views across the coastal plain. The famous path behind the waterfall lets you experience the power, sound and light of the cascade from a completely different angle.
Reykjavík interval
Transition between the two tours
Vík is a colourful coastal village set between green mountains, black-sand beaches and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Its hilltop church and ocean viewpoints create a classic South Iceland scene, while the village offers a welcoming pause on the journey east.
Northern Lights search
Route chosen from the forecast
Travel away from artificial light, enjoy hot chocolate and search for aurora in the best available conditions.
What is included
- Guided South Coast sightseeing tour
- Separate guided Northern Lights bus tour
- Return transport from Reykjavík
- Homemade hot chocolate during the evening tour
- Free Wi-Fi where available on the vehicles
What do I need to bring
- Warm layers for a long winter day
- Waterproof and windproof outerwear
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Hat and gloves
- Food, snacks and water
- Tripod or night-capable camera if desired
Good to know
Pick-up: Use the exact Reykjavík stops and times shown on your voucher; the daylight and evening sections may have separate meeting instructions.
- Minimum age is 8 years and the tour operates in the darker season, normally August–April.
- Northern Lights sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- This is a very long combination day, so bring food and plan for changing temperatures.
- Routes and stop order can change with weather, daylight, roads and aurora forecasts.
Highlights
- Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss
- Reynisfjara and Sólheimajökull
- Evening aurora hunt away from city lights
- Homemade hot chocolate after dark
South Coast and Northern Lights Tour – Frequently Asked Questions
Your daytime South Coast sightseeing tour and evening Northern Lights search are two separate departures on the same day. After returning to Reykjavík from the coast, you join the later evening tour; your voucher confirms the times and collection details for both sections.
The route brings together two of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, with Reynisfjara’s black-sand shoreline, views of Sólheimajökull glacier and time around Vík. The guide may adjust the stop order for weather, road conditions and daylight.
Allow approximately 14 hours from the first Reykjavík collection until the end of the evening Northern Lights tour. It is a full winter day, so keep your evening plans flexible.
After dark, the guide takes the group away from Reykjavík’s brighter city lights and uses current weather and aurora forecasts to choose the most promising area. Clear skies and aurora activity are natural conditions, so sightings cannot be promised.
Yes. The evening Northern Lights section includes homemade hot chocolate, a warming treat after time spent looking out under the night sky.
Wear warm layers with a waterproof, windproof outer shell, sturdy walking shoes, hat and gloves. Bring food, snacks and water for the daytime route, and a tripod or night-capable camera if you would like to photograph the aurora.
The tour is designed for travellers aged 8 and over who want a complete South Coast day followed by an evening aurora experience. It is best suited to guests comfortable with a long day and time outdoors in changing winter weather.
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