South Coast and Black Beach Tour

About this experience

Exploring the amazing and mystic South coast, with its spectacular waterfalls, steep mountain hills, and wavy Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.

What's included

Itinerary

1. Tour stop

   Urriðafoss is a waterfall in the Þjórsá river in South Iceland. It is located between the villages of Selfoss and Hella. Though not incredibly tall, it is mighty with a water flow of 360 m³ (12,700 ft³) cubed per second. That's more than half the flow of Dettifoss in North Iceland, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Uriðafoss is a famous river for salmon fishing in the summer.

2. Tour stop

   Hvolsvöllur is a small town of 950 people in south Iceland, conveniently located by the Ring Road. It is often traveled through or stopped by those exploring the South Coast or encircling the country. A great stop for refreshments.

3. Tour stop

   Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall that can be fully encircled, situated on the South Coast of Iceland with a drop of 60 meters (200 feet). Due to the waterfall's closeness to the Ring Road and remarkable natural features, it is one of Iceland's most popular and toured falls. Dignified and scenic, the waterfall is one of the most photographed hallmarks in all of Iceland. Seljalandsfoss waterfall, part of the river Seljalandsá, has its origins beneath the glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The volcano underneath this ice cap was the one that erupted in 2010 and made havoc at airports all over Europe. The rapids of the falls are relatively narrow but fall from a tall cliff that once marked the country's coastline. The ocean is now found across a stretch of lowlands and is apparent from the place. Seljalandsfoss has been part of several Hollywood tv shows, for example, Star Trek: Discovery.

4. Tour stop

   Gljúfrabúi (or Canyon Dweller) is a stunning waterfall located at Hamragarðar in South Iceland, close to its more famous match, Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It is one of the hidden pearls of the South Coast and thus an excellent spot for photographers and those seeking to admire nature in calm. The 40 meters (131 feet) tall Gljúfrabúi is hidden behind a large cliff that faces out towards Iceland’s South Coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Because of its effective ‘hiding place,’ Gljúfrabúi is missed by most travellers, even though thousands of people visit Seljalandsfoss, less than a kilometer away, every day. A stream, the Gljúfurá, runs through a cleft in the cliff, and those who wish to approach the falls must do so by wading through these waters. A small space opens up after a few meters of traveling through a narrow valley, and here, Gljúfrabúi tumbles before a great boulder, which is easily climbable for some great photos.

5. Tour stop

   Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most incredible and beautiful waterfalls, with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet). Almost all South Coast tours will visit Skogafoss. Found on the Skógá river, this mighty waterfall is visible from Route 1 and is a fantastic place to stop. The river beneath Skógafoss holds a large char and salmon population and is thus a preferred spot for fishers in the summertime. Due to the quantity of spraying the waterfall offers, at least one rainbow is present whenever the sun appears behind the clouds. The soil beneath the waterfall is very level, enabling visitors to walk right up to the wall of water. So naturally, you will get wet, although it can be pretty tempting on a summer’s day. Skógafoss can also be seen from the top as a steep staircase leads to an observational platform above the waterfall. Several nesting seabirds can be found on the path up.

6. Tour stop

   Reynisfjara is Iceland's most famous black-sand beach located on the South Coast of Iceland, just near the small fishing town of Vík í Mýrdal. Visitors to Reynisfjara must be made well aware of the potential dangers present at the beach. First of all, the rolling, roaring waves of Reynisfjara are extreme, often pushing far further up the coast than many would assume. Those are called sneaker waves, and they can appear when least expected, even on strangely still days. No significant landmasses are connecting Antarctica and the beaches of Reynisfjara, meaning waves have thousands of kilometers to grow. Visitors are advised never to turn their back on the waves and keep a safe distance of at least 30 meters (98 feet). Aside from these sudden and dramatic shifts in the tide, the rip currents offshore are infamous for their strength and ability to drag helpless people out into the cold open ocean. As a result, several fatal accidents have occurred at Reynisfjara.

7. Tour stop

   Vík í Mýdral, or just Vík, is the southernmost town on the Icelandic mainland, found 186 kilometers (110 miles) from the Reykjavík capital. Often visited by those traveling the popular sightseeing route along the South Coast, it is a beautiful place for a lunch stop and recharge. Though it only has around 300 residents, the village is trendy amongst tourists for its convenience and beautiful landscapes.

Know before you go

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels