Reykjavík: Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach

This 11-hour day trip from Reykjavík takes you to four of Iceland's most iconic natural landmarks along the South Coast, combining an active glacier hike with visits to dramatic waterfalls and a world-famous black sand beach.

The centrepiece of the day is a guided hike on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull — Iceland's fourth-largest glacier — located approximately 158 kilometres (98 miles) from Reykjavík. Equipped with harnesses, crampons, ice picks, and helmets provided by your certified English-speaking guide, you will walk across a living glacier and learn about the geological forces that continue to shape Iceland's landscape.

The tour also visits Reynisfjara, a striking black sand beach where powerful Atlantic waves meet towering basalt columns and the legendary Reynisdrangar sea stacks — formations steeped in Icelandic folklore. The beach is consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful non-tropical beaches.

Two of Iceland's most celebrated waterfalls complete the itinerary. Skógafoss plunges 65 metres and spans 25 metres in width, making it one of the country's largest falls. Seljalandsfoss offers something rarer: a path that leads behind the curtain of falling water, giving you a perspective few waterfalls in the world can match.

Minibus transfers from Reykjavík, all glacier equipment, and a certified guide are included throughout the day.

Your day begins with a hotel pickup in Reykjavík, and your minibus heads east along the South Coast. The first major stop is Sólheimajökull glacier, where your certified guide fits the group with crampons, harnesses, ice picks, and helmets before leading you onto the ice. The hike covers glacial features including crevasses, ice formations, and meltwater channels, with your guide explaining how climate and volcanic activity shape the glacier over time.

After the glacier, the tour continues to Seljalandsfoss, where a path behind the waterfall is accessible for most of the year, and then to Skógafoss, where you can stand at the base of the 65-metre falls and feel the spray. The final stop is Reynisfjara black sand beach, where you can explore the basalt column formations and view the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising from the ocean.

• Minimum age: 10 years
• Not wheelchair or stroller accessible
• Not recommended for people with heart conditions
• Sturdy hiking boots are required — inappropriate footwear may result in exclusion from the glacier hike

This tour is designed for travellers who want to experience the full range of Iceland's South Coast in a single well-organised day. Rather than choosing between a glacier hike and a waterfall tour, this itinerary combines both, along with Reynisfjara black sand beach, into one 11-hour journey.

All glacier equipment is included, so there is nothing extra to hire or arrange on the day. Your guide is a certified glacier professional, ensuring the hike is conducted safely and informatively. The minibus format keeps the group manageable, and free Wi-Fi on board means you can share your experience as the day unfolds.

Hotel pickup from Reykjavík is included, making logistics straightforward from the moment you book.