Reykjavik: South Coast, Glacier Hike & Northern Lights Combo

Iceland packs a lot into this 16-hour South Coast and Northern Lights combination. You’ll walk behind Seljalandsfoss, step onto Sólheimajökull with a certified glacier guide, see Reynisfjara’s black sand and basalt cliffs, then finish with a second outing to seek the aurora.

I like the smart pairing of fixed sights and weather-dependent magic. The waterfalls and beach will be there; the Northern Lights hunt gives you one more chance to catch something that cannot be scheduled. I also like that glacier gear is supplied, including crampons, helmet, harness, and ice axe.

The catch is simple: this is a very long day, and the aurora and glacier sections can be cancelled by conditions. One recent booking reported that both were cancelled and requested compensation, so you should book this for the full South Coast first, with the Northern Lights treated as a hopeful bonus.

Key points to know before booking

• Two tours in one day: You visit the South Coast in daylight, return to Reykjavik around 7:00 PM, eat dinner, then head out again for the Northern Lights.
• A real glacier walk: Sólheimajökull is explored with a certified guide and supplied safety gear, not simply viewed from a roadside.
• Three major South Coast sights: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Reynisfjara each offer a different kind of Icelandic drama.
• Food is your responsibility: Bring snacks, drinks, and a water bottle because meals are not included.
• Boots matter: You need sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support, EU size 35 to 50, so crampons can be fitted.
• Aurora insurance of sorts: If the Northern Lights do not appear, you can rebook that part for free.

Why this combination works for a short Iceland visit

At $270 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. It is priced as two outings joined together, with transport from Reykjavik, a guided glacier walk, glacier safety equipment, the South Coast stops, an evening aurora hunt, and complimentary Northern Lights photos.

I see the value if you have limited time and want several major Iceland experiences without arranging separate transport. A rental car would give you more control, but it would not provide a glacier guide, glacier gear, or an organized aurora search. You also avoid the work of planning a route that stretches from the capital to the South Coast and back.

The tradeoff is control. You spend much of the day with the group and must follow the road schedule. The first part ends around 7:00 PM, then you have time for dinner before the second pickup. It is efficient, but it is not relaxed.

I would choose this if you want maximum variety from one booking. I would not choose it if you prefer slow meals, long stops, or a quiet evening after a day outdoors.

The morning ride from Reykjavik to the South Coast

Pickup is offered from authorized locations in Reykjavik, and the pickup process can take up to 30 minutes. Keep that in mind when you step outside. The advertised starting time is not necessarily the moment you leave the city.

The drive takes you through some of southern Iceland’s most dramatic scenery. On a clear day, you may see Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, and volcanoes around the Westman Islands offshore. Those views depend on weather, but the route itself is one of the main reasons to take this trip.

You should bring food and drinks for the road. Nothing is included, and the day is too long to rely on a rushed dinner break alone. A small backpack is useful for layers, snacks, water, gloves, and rain gear.

Seljalandsfoss: the waterfall you can walk behind

Seljalandsfoss gives you one of the tour’s most unusual stops. A path leads behind the falling water, creating a view through the curtain of the waterfall toward the surrounding countryside.

The path can be wet, so pack waterproof clothing rather than trusting a standard jacket. Rain gear is specifically recommended, and waterproof trousers are a sensible addition. You may want to keep your phone protected as well.

This is a short stop with a clear payoff, but it is not a dry, polished viewing platform. You are close to moving water, spray, and slippery conditions. Wear shoes with solid grip and expect to get damp.

Sólheimajökull: stepping onto moving ice

The glacier hike is the most active part of the day. At Sólheimajökull, a certified glacier guide provides the required equipment: helmet, harness, ice axe, and glacier crampons.

The guide also explains how the glacier formed, how it moves, and why crevasses develop. You may hear ancient ice crack as the glacier shifts. That detail gives the walk more meaning than simply standing on a white field. You are seeing ice as a moving natural feature, not a frozen backdrop.

Your footwear is important here. The tour requires sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support, and crampons must fit your boots. The minimum shoe size is EU 35 and the largest accepted size is EU 50. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.

The supplied gear is a strong part of the price. Glacier walking without the right equipment is not a sensible do-it-yourself activity, and the guide handles the technical side. Still, you need to arrive dressed for cold and wet weather, with warm layers, waterproof outer clothing, hat, gloves, and scarf.

The glacier section may be cancelled if conditions make it unsafe. That is disappointing, especially when it is one of the main reasons to book, but glacier safety has to come first. The information available here does not promise a replacement or compensation, so you should understand that the day’s plan can change.

Reynisfjara and the Atlantic coast

Reynisfjara is Iceland’s famous black sand beach, backed by dark basalt formations and a cave. Offshore, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the Atlantic, giving the coast a stark, almost otherworldly appearance.

I like this stop because it feels different from the waterfalls and glacier. The beach is broad, dark, and exposed, while the basalt columns show the geometric side of volcanic rock. The sea stacks add a strong focal point, especially when waves roll in beneath them.

You should treat the beach as a place for views, not a casual swim or barefoot stroll. The tour information highlights the Atlantic waves and the beach’s exposed setting, so stay alert near the water and follow your guide’s directions. Bring a warm waterproof layer, since the coast can feel raw even when Reykjavik seems comfortable.

The stop also adds useful context to the rest of the day. Iceland’s volcanoes did not only create mountains and glaciers. They also produced the black rock, columns, caves, and sea stacks you see here.

Skógafoss and the 527-step view

Skógafoss is the final major waterfall stop in the daylight portion. Water drops in a broad sheet, and on clear days sunlight can create rainbows in the spray.

A path with 527 steps climbs beside the waterfall. You can stay below for the classic front view, or climb for a higher look over the falls and the surrounding area. The steps make this stop more demanding than a simple roadside photo stop, though you do not have to treat the climb as a requirement.

I would save a little energy for Skógafoss. The glacier walk and beach exposure may already have taken something out of your legs, and the full climb adds effort late in the South Coast portion. If you prefer to remain below, you still get the main waterfall view.

Together, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss make a good pair. One lets you approach from behind, while the other gives you a broad frontal view and an optional climb.

The dinner break and second pickup

You return to your original Reykjavik pickup point at about 7:00 PM. You then have time to eat dinner before being picked up again from the same location for the Northern Lights outing.

This pause is practical, but short. Plan your meal before the day begins, and know where you can get food near your drop-off point. Since food is not included, carrying snacks for the daylight tour is still wise.

The split also helps the day feel less like one continuous ride. You get a chance to warm up, eat, and change layers before heading back outside. Still, the total schedule is approximately 16 hours, so this is not a good fit if you need an early night or find long days outdoors difficult.

Hunting for the Northern Lights

The evening tour heads into the countryside away from Reykjavik’s city lights. The goal is to find a darker, clearer location where the aurora might appear in green, yellow, white, or sometimes purple.

No guide can promise the Northern Lights. Clear skies, darkness, and solar activity all need to cooperate, and the tour information is direct about that uncertainty. You should think of this as a search, not a guaranteed show.

The guide will make the best effort to find suitable conditions, and complimentary photos are included if the aurora appears. That is useful because night photography can be tricky, especially when you are cold and tired. The exact quality or number of photos is not specified, so treat them as a pleasant extra rather than the main reason to book.

If the Northern Lights are not visible, free rebooking is available for the aurora portion. Check the practical details at booking, including future availability, but this policy makes the uncertain evening section less risky.

The second pickup after dinner is also valuable for visitors with only a few nights in Iceland. You do not have to give up a separate evening to chase the aurora. The cost is your energy and flexibility.

What to wear and pack for 16 hours outside

Your clothing will affect the day more than any camera or souvenir. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket and trousers, hat, gloves, scarf, sturdy hiking shoes, water, snacks, and a small backpack.

The tour does not include hiking boots. Your own boots must be suitable for the glacier and large enough for crampons, with sizes EU 35 through EU 50 accepted. Good ankle support is specifically required.

I would pack the following:

• Warm base and mid layers
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Hat, gloves, and scarf
• Sturdy hiking shoes with ankle support
• Water bottle
• Filling snacks
• Small backpack
• Rain protection for your phone and camera

Do not bring sandals or flip flops. They are not permitted, and they would be poor footwear for the waterfall paths, beach, and glacier.

Who will get the most from this day

This tour suits you if you want the major South Coast sights, a guided glacier experience, and an organized Northern Lights hunt in one package. It is especially useful when you have only a short stay in Reykjavik and do not want to rent a car.

The minimum age is eight. The combination is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the long duration may challenge younger children even when they meet the age rule. You need to manage uneven outdoor paths, cold weather, the glacier walk, and possibly the 527 steps beside Skógafoss.

The strongest fit is an active adult, older child, or family with realistic expectations about the pace. You should be comfortable with a full day, changing weather, and the possibility that the glacier or aurora portion will not operate.

The guide’s role matters here. The English-speaking guide leads the glacier section and handles the supplied safety equipment. One recent booking specifically praised the guide as friendly and helpful, which is encouraging, though no guide name is provided and the staff member may vary.

Should you book the South Coast and Northern Lights combo?

Book it if you want maximum Iceland variety in one long day. The waterfalls, Reynisfjara, glacier, volcano views, and aurora search cover a lot of ground, and the included glacier gear helps justify the $270 price.

Skip it if you dislike fixed schedules, cannot manage a 16-hour day, or would be upset by cancellations caused by weather. The South Coast sights are the dependable core. The glacier walk and Northern Lights are the exciting but uncertain parts.

For the best chance of enjoying it, arrive with proper boots, eat well, carry food and water, and think of the aurora as a bonus rather than a promise. If you can accept that bargain, this is a practical way to see a remarkable stretch of southern Iceland without arranging several separate tours.

FAQ

How long is the combined tour?

The total duration is approximately 16 hours. You return to your original Reykjavik pickup location around 7:00 PM, have time for dinner, and then leave again for the Northern Lights hunt.

What sights are included on the South Coast portion?

The tour includes Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull. On a clear day, you may also see Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, and volcanoes near the Westman Islands.

Is glacier equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a helmet, harness, ice axe, and glacier crampons. You must bring sturdy hiking shoes with good ankle support so the crampons can be attached.

What shoe sizes are accepted for the glacier hike?

The minimum shoe size is EU 35, and the largest accepted size is EU 50. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.

Is food included?

No. You need to bring your own food and drinks. You have time to get dinner in Reykjavik between the South Coast tour and the Northern Lights tour.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora cannot be promised because visibility depends on conditions. If the Northern Lights are not visible during your outing, free rebooking is available for that part of the tour.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years old. The experience is not suitable for children under eight or for people with mobility impairments.