Reykjavik: Iceland South Coast & Glacier Snowmobile Tour

The best part of this 10-hour outing is the change of scale: you leave Reykjavik by bus, rumble up toward Mýrdalsjökull in a specially modified glacier truck, then ride a snowmobile above the South Coast. With clear skies, the views from the glacier can be remarkable. I also like that the day includes two major waterfalls, so you get more than a single adventure stop.

I love the practical setup. Protective clothing and safety gear are supplied, and the glacier team gives a proper briefing before you ride. I also like the capable bus drivers, especially Herman, who has been praised for explaining roadside sights and even stopping when the northern lights appeared. The catch is the long drive for what may be about an hour on the snowmobile, and you must share one machine with another person.

Key points to know before you book

• The glacier ride is the main event: Reach the ice by modified truck, then follow the guide across Mýrdalsjökull on a shared snowmobile.
• Two famous waterfalls are included: Stop at Skógafoss on the return journey and visit Seljalandsfoss, with a walk behind it if conditions allow.
• The road time is substantial: The trip to the snowmobile base takes about two and a half hours, with a service stop along the way.
• Warm clothing still matters: Outer protective gear is supplied, but bring warm gloves, thick socks, and a neck warmer.
• You need a driver’s license: One snowmobile is shared by two people, and the activity is not suitable for children under eight.
• The value depends on your priorities: At $332 per person, this makes sense if the glacier ride is a must, but a non-activity South Coast tour may show more sights.

The long road south from Reykjavik

This trip begins at the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, the main home of Reykjavik Excursions. The building is marked, and the terminal staff can direct you to the correct bus. You return to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

The first part is transport rather than a fully narrated sightseeing tour. That distinction matters. Some drivers, including Herman, have offered plenty of useful commentary about Icelandic life and places along the route. Other departures may feel more like a straightforward coach transfer. You should be ready for either style.

The drive to the snowmobile base takes roughly two and a half hours. That is a lot of sitting, but South Iceland gives you plenty to look at through the window. On a clear day, the journey itself feels like part of the outing, with open farmland, distant mountains, and changing weather across the coast.

There is a stop at a service station, useful for bathrooms and buying food. It is not a full meal break, so do not count on having time for a leisurely lunch before the glacier activity. Bring snacks and drinks from Reykjavik, especially if you prefer more than a quick purchase along the way.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which helps pass the time. Still, I would bring a power bank, headphones, and something to eat. The return drive also takes time, and the waterfall stops break it up rather than removing the need for a long ride.

Reaching Mýrdalsjökull by glacier truck

At the Adventure Ground, you leave the regular coach and prepare for the glacier section. A specially modified glacier truck carries the group upward toward the snowmobile area. This transfer is not just a dull shuttle. The vehicle is built for rough snow and ice conditions, and the climb adds a little drama before the actual ride begins.

The weather can change quickly. One departure reached the glacier in snow blizzards and reduced visibility, while another had clear conditions and wide views. The operator runs the activity in Icelandic weather, so you should expect conditions to shape the experience. Clear skies can reveal impressive views from above. Cloud, wind, and snow may turn the ride into a more rugged adventure with less scenery.

At the base, staff provide protective clothing and safety equipment. You still need to dress sensibly underneath it. Bring warm socks, solid winter layers, gloves, and a neck warmer. One rider found the supplied balaclava rather thin, so a warmer covering around your neck and face is a useful addition.

The glacier guides give a safety briefing before you set off. Their job is to help the group ride at a comfortable pace and understand the route. You need a valid driver’s license, so pack it with your travel documents rather than leaving it at your accommodation.

What sharing a snowmobile really means

One snowmobile is shared by two people. That usually means taking turns driving and riding, so this is not a private machine for each person. If you are booking with a partner or friend, decide in advance who wants to drive first. If you arrive alone, the operator will need to pair you with someone.

The snowmobile section is commonly described as lasting about an hour, with additional time spent being transported up and down in the glacier truck. That ratio is important when you judge the $332 price. You are paying for transport, equipment, staff, a glacier setting, and the other sightseeing stops, but the actual motorized ride is only one part of a long day.

The ride itself is the reason to choose this trip. You get the unusual feeling of crossing a glacier under your own control, rather than simply viewing ice from a roadside. The guide-led format also helps keep the activity orderly and safe. You do not need previous snowmobile experience according to the supplied details, but you do need to follow instructions and meet the driving requirement.

The experience can feel thrilling without being an all-day endurance test. Some people will want more time on the machine. Others will find the hour-long ride just right, especially when cold weather and a full coach journey are part of the day.

The glacier team has received strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and clear about the ice. A guide may also share information about the glacier and point out features along the route. Conditions can lead to surprises, too. One group had an unexpected ice cave experience, but this should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the itinerary.

Lunch, waterfalls, and the journey home

After snowmobiling, you return to the Adventure Ground and have time for lunch before heading back. Food and drinks are not included, so budget for this separately. The available stop may be practical rather than leisurely, and people who need a substantial meal should carry something extra.

The return route includes Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. It drops in a broad, powerful curtain and makes an easy visual reward after the glacier activity. You can get close enough to appreciate the force of the water, but spray and wind may make waterproof layers useful.

Skógafoss is also one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, so expect a popular sightseeing stop rather than a quiet wilderness visit. Its appeal is immediate: even with limited time, you get a memorable view and a clear sense of scale.

The second major stop is Seljalandsfoss. Its special feature is the path behind the falling water. If weather and trail conditions permit, you can walk around the back of the cascade for a different view. This is one of the most distinctive waterfall stops near Reykjavik, but it is also the place where waterproof clothing matters most.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss is not guaranteed. Rain, ice, wind, or safety concerns can close the path. Bring a rain jacket and protect cameras and phones. Even if the rear path is unavailable, you still see the waterfall from the front.

Some departures include more than two waterfall views during the return journey, depending on the exact route and timing. You should treat the two named waterfalls as the dependable sightseeing stops and any extra pause as a bonus.

How the guides affect the day

There are two different guide experiences here. On the glacier, specialist snowmobile guides lead the ride, explain the equipment, and help the group manage the route. This is the part where direct instruction matters most.

On the bus, the driver may or may not provide extensive commentary. Herman has been singled out for making the long journey more interesting, explaining landmarks, helping with practical needs, and spotting the northern lights on one evening departure. Marti was also praised for handling difficult snow and road conditions with care.

Those personal touches can make a long day feel much better, but they are not something you can book by name from the supplied details. The official activity language is English, and the snowmobile staff speak English during the experience.

Do not expect a traditional guide walking beside you through every South Coast stop. The bus transfer is the backbone of the day, while the glacier staff take charge of the active portion. That arrangement suits you if you mainly want reliable transport and a well-run snowmobile ride. It may disappoint you if you want constant historical commentary or a fully narrated South Coast tour.

Is $332 a fair price?

At $332 per person, this is an expensive day by ordinary sightseeing standards. The cost includes the bus, Wi-Fi, glacier transport, snowmobile ride, protective clothing, safety equipment, English-speaking staff, and the waterfall stops. You are also paying for access to a glacier activity that is difficult to arrange independently.

The value is strongest if snowmobiling is high on your Iceland wish list. You get a major adventure without arranging a separate vehicle, special equipment, glacier transport, and guides. The waterfalls add useful sightseeing to a day that might otherwise be mostly about the activity.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to explore the South Coast. The long drive leaves limited time for each stop, and a standard South Coast excursion without snowmobiling may let you see more places for less money. You should also remember that one snowmobile is shared, so the price does not buy a private ride for each person.

I would compare this with the cost of a separate glacier excursion before booking. If the glacier ride is the highlight you want, combining it with the waterfalls saves you from giving up a full day for transport alone. If you are undecided about snowmobiling, choose a sightseeing-focused South Coast trip instead.

Who should book this excursion?

This trip suits active visitors who want one strong adventure during an Iceland stay. It is a good fit for couples, friends, and families with children aged eight or older who meet the driver’s license requirement and are comfortable sharing a machine.

You should be happy with a long coach day. The scenery helps, but you still spend many hours in transit. People who dislike long bus rides may find the schedule tiring, especially if the weather reduces visibility on the glacier.

Pack for changeable conditions rather than relying only on the supplied outer gear. I would bring:

• Warm gloves
• Thick socks
• A neck warmer
• Waterproof layers for Seljalandsfoss
• Snacks and drinks
• A driver’s license
• A phone or camera with weather protection

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Iceland schedule is still shifting, but the practical decision is simpler: book it only if you accept the long transfer and shared snowmobile in exchange for a glacier ride.

Should you book the South Coast snowmobile tour?

Book this experience if you want the day’s main story to be riding a snowmobile on Mýrdalsjökull, with two famous waterfalls added along the way. The glacier truck, supplied safety gear, capable activity guides, and chance of wide mountain views make it a memorable choice when conditions cooperate.

Skip it if you want a relaxed South Coast day, more time at each waterfall, or a lower price. The ride is relatively short compared with the full 10-hour schedule, and the bus commentary can vary by driver.

For the right person, this is a strong Iceland splurge. Bring warm gear, carry food, share the machine with a good attitude, and treat the waterfalls as valuable extras rather than the main reason to pay the premium.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, the home of Reykjavik Excursions. The building is marked.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the tour last?

The full activity lasts 10 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has an English-speaking live guide, and English is the listed activity language.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy food during the service stop and have lunch at the Adventure Ground, but bringing snacks and drinks is sensible.

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring a driver’s license. Warm gloves, thick socks, and a neck warmer are also useful for the glacier ride.

Can children join the snowmobile tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under eight years old.

Do I get my own snowmobile?

No. One snowmobile is shared by two people. The supplied details do not specify how long each person drives.