Reykjavik: Iceland South Coast & Glacier Snowmobile Tour

Snow and waterfalls make a fine pair. This 10-hour outing links two of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls with a snowmobile ride on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, reached by a specially modified glacier truck. I like the sharp contrast between the quiet, high ice and the powerful falls below, plus the careful gear-up process and friendly glacier crew. The main drawback is the long bus journey for roughly an hour of snowmobiling, and the ride can be cold if you arrive without warm socks, gloves, or a neck warmer.

I also like the practical value: bus transport, Wi-Fi, protective clothing, and safety gear are included in the $332 price. Driver Hermann has earned special praise for adding useful facts and even stopping for visible northern lights when conditions allowed, but the bus portion is not always a fully guided sightseeing tour. Bring your driver’s license, and remember that one snowmobile is shared by two people.

Key points to know before booking

• Mýrdalsjökull by glacier truck: The specially modified vehicle is part of the adventure, carrying you up toward the snowmobile starting point.
• About an hour on the snowmobile: The ride is the day’s main event, with speed adjusted to the group and weather conditions.
• Two famous waterfalls: Skógafoss comes first on the return, followed by Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the falling water if weather permits.
• A long South Coast transfer: The drive to the glacier takes about two and a half hours, with a service stop along the way.
• Cold-weather gear is supplied: Protective outer clothing and safety equipment are included, but your personal warm layers still matter.
• Best for active visitors age eight and older: You need a driver’s license, and children under eight cannot join.

Why this South Coast day trip works

I like this tour because it gives you a real change of scene during one day. You leave Reykjavik by bus, pass through the South Coast, climb toward a glacier, ride a snowmobile across the ice, and return past waterfalls. It is not a slow, detailed sightseeing tour of every village and viewpoint. It is an activity day with major natural sights built around it.

The price is $332 per person. That is a serious amount, but Iceland excursions are costly once you add transport, specialist equipment, trained guides, and access to a glacier. Here, your bus fare, Wi-Fi, protective clothing, safety equipment, glacier truck transfer, snowmobile ride, and waterfall visits are bundled together.

The value depends on what you want from Iceland. If you want a relaxed South Coast tour with lots of stops, this is not the best fit. If you specifically want to ride a snowmobile on a glacier and would otherwise need to arrange transport, clothing, and the activity separately, the package makes good sense.

The early bus ride from Reykjavik

The meeting point is the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, the home base for Reykjavik Excursions. The building is marked, and the terminal staff can direct you to the correct bus. The excursion returns to the same place after the full day.

Expect a substantial ride before the glacier activity. The drive to the snowmobiling base takes about two and a half hours, with a stop at a service station for bathrooms and food. That stop is useful, but do not count on it as a proper meal break. Pack snacks and drinks because food is not included.

The bus has free Wi-Fi, which is a small but welcome touch on a long transfer. The scenery helps, especially when the weather is clear. You might pass stretches of open farmland, mountain views, and changing South Coast scenery, though the amount you can see depends heavily on cloud and weather.

The bus driver can shape this part of the day. Hermann received especially warm praise for explaining landmarks, talking about Icelandic life, and making extra stops when possible. Another account describes Marti handling difficult snow and poor visibility with great care. Still, the bus ride is not guaranteed to function as a full guided tour. Some drivers provide plenty of commentary, while others mainly handle the transport.

That difference matters. You should book this for the glacier experience first, not for a detailed lecture during every mile of the drive.

Reaching the Adventure Ground by glacier truck

At the Adventure Ground, you leave the coach and prepare for the glacier section. The operation supplies protective outer clothing and snowmobile safety equipment, then moves the group uphill in a specially modified glacier truck.

The truck ride is not just a transfer. It is part of the feel of the day, carrying you over rougher ground toward the high ice. A review describes roughly 30 minutes going up and down in the large vehicle, though the exact timing can change with conditions. In bad weather, that rough ride can feel like a small adventure before the snowmobile even starts.

The staff organize the group, provide the equipment, and give a safety briefing. The snowmobile guides have been praised for being friendly, clear, and reassuring. That matters because a glacier is not the place to guess how the controls work or how close to follow another machine.

You must bring a driver’s license. The supplied information does not specify another license category, so check the booking requirements if you are unsure about your eligibility to drive. One snowmobile is shared by two people, rather than each person automatically receiving a machine. You should expect to take turns or share the ride with your companion.

The Mýrdalsjökull snowmobile ride

This is the reason to choose the tour. Once you are suited up, you ride a snowmobile on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, one of Iceland’s major ice caps. The route rises to about 900 feet above sea level according to one account, with the glacier environment providing the day’s most unusual setting.

The ride is described as roughly one hour, with additional time spent traveling up to the snowmobile area and receiving instructions. That is enough time to make the activity feel substantial, but not enough to treat it as an all-day expedition. The long bus ride makes the snowmobile portion feel brief, so set your expectations correctly.

I like that the guides work with different comfort levels. You can enjoy the thrill without needing to race. The pace may vary with the group, and the guides keep an eye on safety. In clear conditions, views from the top can be breathtaking. In cloud, wind, or snow, the experience becomes less about distant views and more about the raw weather and the ride itself.

That weather dependence is important. One person had a thrilling outing during snow blizzards and reduced visibility, while others had clear skies and beautiful views. Both are genuine Iceland experiences, but they are not the same product. You should not book this expecting a guaranteed panorama.

Warm clothing makes a large difference. The tour supplies outer protective gear, but you still need a good base layer and warm personal clothing. Bring especially warm gloves, thick socks, and a neck warmer. The supplied balaclava may not fully protect your neck in wind. Your driver’s license should stay handy for the activity check-in.

The snowmobile guides are a major strength. They explain the glacier, handle the safety briefing, and help nervous riders settle in. Some outings have included an unexpected ice cave experience, but that is not promised in the tour description, so treat it as luck rather than part of the booking.

Lunch and the long return south

After the snowmobile outing, you return to the Adventure Ground and have time to eat lunch. Food and drinks are not included, so use the service station stop to buy something or bring your own supplies. The timing may allow lunch at the base, but you should not expect a catered meal.

The return drive is long, which makes the waterfall stops especially useful. They break up the journey and give you two very different photo and walking experiences. If you are tired after the snowmobile ride, the stops also let you stretch your legs.

Skógafoss, Iceland’s powerful curtain of water

Skógafoss is often photographed for good reason. Water drops in a broad, forceful sheet, creating a dramatic foreground against the surrounding countryside. This is the kind of stop that works even if you have already seen dozens of waterfall photographs. In person, the scale and sound do the work.

You have time to view and photograph the falls, but this is not a long hiking visit. The tour’s focus remains the glacier ride, so you should expect a stop rather than a full exploration of the area. If you want a longer visit around Skógafoss, a dedicated South Coast sightseeing tour may suit you better.

The waterfall can be wet and windy, so keep your phone and camera protected. Your waterproof outer layer from the glacier activity may be useful, though the exact amount of time in the spray depends on the group schedule and weather.

Seljalandsfoss and the walk behind the falls

Seljalandsfoss offers a different experience. If weather permits, you can walk behind the waterfall, following the path around the falling water. The rear view gives you a memorable angle that a normal roadside stop cannot match.

The phrase if weather permits deserves attention. The route behind the falls can be wet or unsuitable in poor conditions, so you should not count on completing it every day. Bring waterproof footwear and clothing if you want the best chance of enjoying the path, though the tour already supplies protective clothing for the snowmobile section.

Seljalandsfoss is a strong final stop because it feels more interactive than a simple viewpoint. You are not only looking at the water. You are moving around it and seeing the falls from inside their spray zone. Allow time to protect your camera and watch your footing.

Some accounts refer to two waterfall stops, while the planned route names Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Either way, you should think of the waterfall portion as a pair of scenic breaks on the way back to Reykjavik, not as a full waterfall circuit.

How the guides affect the day

The glacier crew and the bus driver have different jobs, and the quality of both parts matters. The snowmobile staff receive consistent praise for their friendly manner, clear instruction, and ability to help people feel safe. That is exactly what you want from a glacier activity.

The bus experience may be more variable. Hermann is singled out for commentary, helpfulness, and spotting the northern lights during an unscheduled stop when they were visible. That kind of flexibility can turn a straightforward transfer into a special memory. It is a bonus, not something you can plan around.

The trip is conducted in English. The guide-led portion is strongest around the snowmobile activity, while the road journey may have less commentary. If you want constant information about Iceland’s geology, farms, and history, choose a tour built around a dedicated guide. If you mainly need reliable transport and an exciting activity, this format is more suitable.

Weather, comfort, and practical planning

Icelandic weather can change the character of the trip. Clear skies may open wide views from the glacier, while cloud and snow can limit visibility. Poor conditions do not automatically cancel the fun, but they can reduce the sightseeing value and make the ride colder.

Pack for a full day outdoors:

• Warm base layers
• Thick socks
• Warm gloves
• A neck warmer
• Waterproof shoes or boots
• Snacks and drinks
• A driver’s license
• A protected phone or camera

The tour is not suitable for children under eight. The data does not provide a maximum age, group size, or detailed mobility information, so contact the provider if those points affect your decision. The activity requires getting into protective gear, boarding a glacier truck, and riding a snowmobile, so you should be comfortable with those demands.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while Icelandic weather forecasts develop. Check the available starting time before booking because the excursion lasts about 10 hours and occupies nearly the whole day.

Who will get the most from the $332 price?

I would choose this tour if the snowmobile ride is high on your Iceland wish list. You get the difficult transport to the glacier, the required equipment, a safety briefing, the glacier truck approach, and two famous waterfalls without having to coordinate separate bookings.

It suits couples or friends who are happy to share one snowmobile. It also suits active adults and families with children eight or older, provided everyone is prepared for cold weather and a long day.

I would skip it if you want a broad South Coast tour with many short stops. The drive is lengthy, the snowmobile ride is limited in duration, food costs extra, and the bus may not always provide detailed commentary. A slower sightseeing route would show you more places.

The 4.4 rating from 90 reviews reflects a strong experience with some clear tradeoffs. The most praised elements are the snowmobile ride, the glacier guides, the waterfall stops, and especially helpful drivers such as Hermann. The most repeated caution is simple: it takes a long time to reach the glacier for an activity that lasts about an hour.

Should you book this glacier and waterfall tour?

Book it if you want one big Iceland adventure rather than a gentle day of viewpoints. The snowmobile ride is the main prize, and the glacier truck, protective gear, South Coast scenery, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss make the price easier to justify.

Do not book it expecting a long lunch, a fully narrated bus tour, or guaranteed clear glacier views. Bring food, dress warmer than you think necessary, and accept that weather controls the day. For thrill seekers who want to put real ice beneath the snowmobile, this is a memorable use of a day from Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. Check availability for the specific starting time.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, the home of Reykjavik Excursions.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the BSI Bus Terminal meeting point.

Is the snowmobile ride on a glacier?

Yes. The tour includes a snowmobile ride on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.

Is one snowmobile provided per person?

No. One snowmobile is shared by two people.

Do I need to bring a driver’s license?

Yes. A driver’s license is listed among the items you need to bring.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The route includes a service stop where you can pick up food.

What age is this tour suitable for?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.