Top South Iceland Outdoor Activities

If you’re looking for an experience in Iceland where you witness a rare natural wonder—this is the ideal option. The tour gives you access to somewhere that you wouldn’t be able to reach alone—an ice cave that sits underneath Katla Volcano. Travel with ease up to the ice cave in a Super Jeep. It’s a safe experience as you are given a helmet and crampons, and a guide leads the way so you don’t get lost.

This is the perfect way to explore Iceland’s incredible scenery without being stuck on a crowded bus. Get out in the open air and ride an Icelandic horse from the stables in Vik to a picturesque black sand beach. No need to worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before—this experience is suitable for beginners and goes at a slow and calm pace.

Take an unforgettable walk on pure ice on this guided glacier hike experience on Sólheimajökull in south Iceland. Accompanied by a professional guide, set off from the foot of Sólheimajökull, a frozen tongue of solid ice, and thrill at the experience of walking across the frozen valley. Put on your crampons and discover natural ice formations, crevasses, shafts and ridges as you learn about the formation and history of this frozen wonderland.

Spend a half day hiking around southern Iceland's Sólheimajökull glacier with a small group on this tour. Follow your hiking guide over the rugged terrain and learn about the glacial formation as you walk. All necessary equipment included.

Experience the thrill of speeding over Iceland’s rivers, waterfalls, and glaciers on a zipline adventure in the seaside village of Vik. This 1.5-hour excursion combines exciting ziplines with hiking through Iceland’s dynamic landscape. The zipline course is just 3 minutes from the Vik Hi Hostel (the meeting spot) and ends with a walk back to the hostel so you can spend more time adventuring and less time in transit.

Get close to red-hot molten lava by going to an Icelandic Lava Show. It’s a safe and fun experience, as safety goggles are provided, and an experienced professional will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about lava. Enjoy the thrill of being able to touch cooling lava and hear it sizzle. All your burning questions will be answered, as this experience includes an interactive Q&A session at the end of the show.

Both off-the-beaten-path and within the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon hot springs live up to their evocative name. Tucked away in the small village of Fludir, the hot springs are not as popular as other nearby attractions, but offer unbeatable natural luxury and comfort, plus amenities such as changing rooms, a shower, and a bar and restaurant. Book your ticket in advance to ensure a smooth visit.

The adventure begins long before you reach the ice cave on this tour of the Langjokull Glacierglacier, a great choice for thrill seekers. Traveling by off-road vehicle allows you to conquer the otherwise impassable roads of the glacial highlands, while a snowmobile ride reveals other-worldly terrain at the mouth of the ice cave.

The black lava sands of South Iceland are wonderful to look at, but this quad biking tour offers a deeper sensory connection with the landscape. Beginning close to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, head down to the black lava sands fields, which derive from the dormant volcano Katla, then continue along the coast to the famed aircraft wreck, onto the Jökulsá river and up to the foot of the mountain.

If you've already done the typical sightseeing tours of South Iceland, embark on a unique adventure that will give you a brand new perspective. Journey to the ice cap of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which covers Katla, one of Iceland’s largest volcanoes, and jump aboard a snowmobile for a thrilling experience driving around the ice cap and excellent views over South Iceland.

Explore the Westman Islands of Iceland and discover history, culture, and adorable wildlife on this shared tour. Settle into your seat on a minibus and ride over to Herjólfsdalur and Kaplagjóta to visit a small puffin colony. Walk down into the center of the Eldfell crater where the volcano once erupted. See another puffin colony in Stórhöfði then receive admission to Herjólfstown for an exclusive look at the first viking settlement.

Get up close and personal with an Icelandic glacier on this small-group tour in Solheimajokull. Fun for climbers of any level of experience, the tour includes instruction in ice climbing technique from your local guide, who will also point out glacier features like crevasses and moulins. Over the course of about 4.5 hours, you’ll have plenty of time to build on your skills and explore several different parts of the glacier.

While many tours in Iceland make pit stops at glaciers—the country is, after all, full of them—fewer take you over them and close enough to discover their interesting features. With this tour, take an easy glacier hike to see ice formations, crevasses, and water cauldrons that you’d miss just stopping for a look. Your climbing crampons are provided, and the guided hike is offered 2-3 times a day so it’s easier to fit into your schedule.

Get a view of the Langjokull glacier while riding a snowmobile on this group tour in Skjol. You’ll ride for about an hour, wearing provided snowmobile suites, gloves, balaclavas, and helmets for protection. Your guide will take you and your group over the snow for views of Hofsjokull Glacier, Kerlingarfjoll Mountain Range, and much more.

Cruise through snow and ice on Langjökull, one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, on this guided tour. Take a ride in a 4x4 monster ice truck and enjoy the Icelandic scenery on the ride to the glacier. Then, suit up in the provided gear, learn how to drive the snowmobile, and follow your guide as you speed through ice and snowfields.

Experience the rare sensation of visiting a natural ice cave on this small-group tour. Board a Super Jeep in Vík and go off the beaten track into the Icelandic wilderness. You'll leave the regular tourist trail behind as you journey through a landscape of majestic mountains and glaciers toward the Katla Ice Cave.

Iceland is famous for its Icelandic horses, a native breed that have a unique gait known as a ‘tölt’. On this tour, experience riding an Icelandic horse and admire the wild landscapes of south Iceland from horseback. Suitable for all levels, including complete beginners, you will have time to learn the basics before heading out and get chance to experience the ‘tölt’.

Secure your spot in advance, and see the Sólheimajökull Glacier from a different perspective on this guided kayak tour. After dressing in the included dry suit, learn the basics of kayaking before paddling out behind your guide into the lagoon. Observe the glacier landscape as you glide around the icebergs anchored in the lagoon.

Join this group tour *max 19* and explore some of the best sites on Iceland’s South Coast. Your guide will pick you up in Reykjavik, then take you out of the city into nature. You’ll stop at several waterfalls, a fishing village, the black sand beach, and a famous lighthouse on Dyrholaey Peninsula. You’ll also try an Icelandic snack, and hear cultural and historical stories from your guide.

Explore one of Iceland’s mightiest natural sites of interest and gain insight into the country’s rich geology on this Sólheimajökull glacier-walking tour. Harnessed up for safety, climb the vertical crevasse walls of the Sólheimajökull glacier with your guide and admire the spectacular scenery you find. Follow frozen routes over the mighty glacier, peer down into huge crevasses, and put your ice axes and crampons to good use on the icy terrain. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 people.

Delve deep into Iceland’s geothermal wilderness and discover breathtaking natural beauty on this full-day Landmannalaugar hiking tour from Reykjavik. Follow your certified hiking guide along rugged hiking trails through the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Admire panoramic views over lava fields, glacial lakes and towering peaks, and gain insight into the region’s complex geology. Head through the mighty Vondugil Canyon and climb the slopes of the Brennisteinsalda Volcano, where powerful geysers shoot hot steam into the air. Descend through the Grænagil Canyon to Mount Bláhnúkur, then take a dip in the soothing hot springs.

Enjoy bird’s-eye views over south Iceland on this 1.5-hour tandem paragliding experience. Take to the skies with a highly experienced professional pilot at the controls, and relax into the comfortable seat harness as you soar over the spectacular landscapes. Gaze down at black beaches, craggy mountains and lava formations; rise and swoop with the thermal currents; and revel in the calmest form of free flight known to man. All equipment is supplied, and your experience includes photos and a video of your once-in-a-lifetime, 10- to 20-minute flight.

Explore the volcano Eldfell and the coast of Heimaey Island on this small group ATV tour. YOur guide will show you all around the island and show you all it has to offer. You’ll visit Prestvik beach and hear the story of how the islands were founded. You’ll also have some spectacular views. Each ATV can seat two, and are not difficult to drive. But each driver must hold a driver’s licence.

Designed to delight travelers with an adventurous spirit, this 4-hour tour gives you the chance to climb and hike on the colossal Sólheimajökull Glacier. In a small group of no more than 10, you’ll conquer the glacier’s frozen curves and crevasses, and admire unique ice formations and jagged ridges. Refine your climbing skills on an ice wall and receive personalized attention from your guide in an intimate group.