Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Small-Group Day Tour from Reykjavik
Description
No car required! Embark on an unforgettable journey to one of Iceland’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Travel from Reykjavík along the scenic South Coast, stopping at the iconic Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss on our way to Vík. From here, climb aboard a powerful Super Jeep for an off-road ride across dramatic volcanic plains leading to the Katla Glacier, an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull. Step inside the ever-changing Katla Ice Cave, where striking blue ice is streaked with layers of volcanic ash, creating a surreal landscape found nowhere else on Earth. Often likened to the “dragon glass” of Game of Thrones, the cave offers a glimpse into Iceland’s raw and untamed beauty. Your certified glacier guide will provide fascinating insights into the cave’s formation and history, while ensuring your safety with all necessary gear included. This is a rare opportunity to explore a living glacier and witness the powerful forces of fire and ice at work - an adventure you’ll never forget.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with a morning pick-up from select locations in Reykjavík. From Iceland’s vibrant capital, you’ll journey along the scenic South Coast, home to some of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. As you travel, enjoy views of charming villages and dramatic landscapes carved by glaciers and volcanoes. The route takes you to the picturesque town of Vík, where the final guests join the group before continuing east toward your glacier and ice cave experience.
Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, cascading 60 meters (197 feet) down a towering cliff into a mist-filled pool below. Its raw power and stunning surroundings make it a must-see destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts. On sunny days, vibrant rainbows frequently appear in the spray, creating a magical and unforgettable experience.
You arrive in Vík and transfer from the minibus into a Super Jeep, which will take you off-road on an exciting journey to the glacier.
Now it’s time to gear up with crampons and step onto the glacier! Prepare to immerse yourself in a cinematic landscape as you explore the stunning blue ice and striking black volcanic ash of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. Your certified glacier guide will share expert insights about this incredible natural wonder. Please note: Ice caves are dynamic natural formations that constantly change due to weather, temperature, sunlight, and precipitation. This means the cave’s appearance may differ from the photos you’ve seen. On each tour, you’ll visit the best accessible, naturally formed ice cave available—carefully selected based on current conditions and safety. Because nature is always shifting, every visit offers a truly unique experience.
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most distinctive waterfalls, renowned for the footpath that lets you walk behind the cascading curtain of water. Plunging 60 meters (197 feet) from ancient sea cliffs, this breathtaking waterfall provides a unique vantage point and unforgettable photo moments. Get ready to feel the spray, and be amazed by the view!
You’ll arrive back in Reykjavík in the evening, concluding your unforgettable day of adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Please note that the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes - thank you in advance for your patience. We only serve the pick-up locations specified in our pick-up list. Please select the closest pick-up point to your accommodation.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- What to bring: Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, food & drinks (available to purchase en route), sturdy hiking boots, head-wear and gloves
- Minimum required age to participate: 6 years old
Reviews(327)
Overall the tour was great but expensive. It was a long day! Organising the groups in Vik was not well organised so our bus passengers were mixed with others. Apparently South Coast Adventure, who organised the Ice Cave part of the tour, did not know that 4 of us were on a cruise ship so the time we returned to Vik and hence Reykjavik was critical. One super jeep had a puncture which delayed our departure from Vik by 1 hour. Our driver was superb and got us back in time to the ship but we had to miss a waterfall stop. The other passengers may have felt unhappy about missing that stop.
Hi Elaine, glad the driver got you back to the ship on time, that's the part that really matters on a cruise day. Sorry the waterfall had to be the casualty. We've noted the coordination feedback and passed it along to the team. Arctic Adventures Team
We booked through get your guide and the process was very easy. Our guide was humorous, knowledge, friendly and kept us informed every step of the way. We had booked a couple of other cave tours on the island and Katla in our opinion was the best, so if you're deciding between just 1 to visit. We would highly recommend Katla. Absolutely stunning, you cannot imagine how beautiful the area is, especially in snow. The cave itself is awe-inspiring and magical. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Artic Adventures and Katla caves
Hi there, thanks for this. Awe-inspiring and magical in snow is Katla at its most dramatic. Glad it earned the top spot over the other caves you visited. Arctic Adventures Team
This was a very well organised tour which delivered what was promised in the description. It was an unique and exciting experience. The glacier guide was very knowledgeable. Unfortunately one of the other all-terrain vehicles had a puncture, which delayed our return from Vik. We were worried about getting back to our ship, but the driver did a great job to return us on time and safely. Vojtek was also very informative, making the two hour drive more interesting. I would recommend this company.
Hi Graham, thanks for this. A well-organized tour that delivers on its description is the baseline, and handling a puncture without missing the ship is going beyond it. Arctic Adventures Team
Lili our guide was fabulous. She was kind, informative, and kept us on track so we got the best use of our time/tickets. Our ice cave tour was a once in a life memory that will be a highlight of our trip to Iceland. The waterfalls we stopped at were breathtaking as well.
Hi Chris, glad the ice cave was the highlight. A guide who keeps the group on track so nothing gets rushed or missed is what makes a packed day feel easy. Arctic Adventures Team
Lili was a wonderful tour guide and driver. She was very friendly and welcoming. Frikki was our guide at the ice cave itself, and he was also very friendly and easy to chat with. He made sure no one felt rushed and took the time they needed for the climb. He made multiple stops where he waited for everyone to catch up while telling those around him facts about the glacier and volcano. I wouldn't hesitate to book with Arctic Adventures again if I'm ever able to visit Iceland again.
Hi Jenny, good to hear this! Two welcoming guides across the same day and nobody feeling rushed on the glacier: that's the whole Katla tour running smoothly. Arctic Adventures Team
Excellent adventure. Wear warm water wicking clothes. The climb was a little difficult , a little scary but the scenery was amazing and worth it. Ale provided the safety gear and instructions. The ride over the terrain to get to the cave was fun. Franklin was funny, personable and provided a lot of cultural information, shared his knowledge and made the long drive comfortable
We had a terrible day. Our pick up was to be between 8 and 8:30. At 8:50 I contacted your office to be informed we had been moved to the 9am tour . No contact to tell us this so we then had waited 1 /3/4 in the rain for our pickup. Then the guide didn’t tell the truth and tried to blow us off. We had hired boots from you that he told us he knew nothing about so we would like a refund for those please. At about 11:30 I got a call from your office demanding to know where we were for our 11:30 tour .I tried to explain that I had no idea what she was talking about and that our tour was at 8 am and was moved to 9am to which she told me there was no 8am tour . I had to hang up. Anyway would not book another tour with Artic Adventures and would not recommend the company to anyone
Hello there, we're sorry the day went this way. We would like to take a proper look on this on our end. Please send us an email at info@adventures.is with your booking reference so we can investigate. Arctic Adventures Team
Brilliant tour, interesting & stunning. Teenage son absolutely loved it
Hi Mary, a teenage seal of approval is hard to earn. If the ice cave and the South Coast won him over, you know the day was good. Arctic Adventures Team
The best trip our family has done in Iceland - bar none! Yes, it is a very long day, but the tour guides (particularly Ale) make it absolutely amazing. Can’t recommend this highly enough! (I’ve uploaded photos my kid took of our tour guide Ale!)
Hi there, glad the family loved it. A long day that still earns "best trip in Iceland" means the energy and the stops both held up the whole way through! Arctic Adventures Team
Horrible company to book through, no flexibility whatsoever! Please find a different company to book with :)
