Mýrdalsjökull: South Coast ATV Quad Bike Safari

The best part of this ATV safari is the variety packed into two hours. You race across the wide black sands of Sólheimasandur, stop at the famous DC3 plane wreck, then cross streams and follow the Jökulsá River toward a mountain valley. The scenery keeps changing, from empty beach to glacier-fed water and stark volcanic ground.

I like the friendly, capable guides, who adjust the pace to the group and explain the local geology, Icelandic history, and plane wreck. I also like the supplied gear, since wind, rain, and sand can make an exposed ride uncomfortable. The main drawback is weather: rough conditions can close river crossings or prevent the longer route, so the scenery and exact itinerary are never guaranteed.

Key points to know before you book

• The two-hour tour is the better choice: It includes more varied riding, extra photo stops, river crossings, and time at the beach and plane wreck.
• You ride across Sólheimasandur: The open black-sand plain gives you room to build speed when conditions and the group allow.
• The DC3 wreck is part of the route: You visit the remains of the 1973 aircraft crash on the sand.
• You share one ATV per two people: Odd-numbered groups and solo riders need to pay for a single-rider ATV locally.
• Guides make this suitable for beginners: The route is manageable for first-time riders, with instruction and close supervision.
• Weather can change the ride: Heavy rain, wind, or high water may remove river sections or alter the route.

Riding out from Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp

Your meeting point is Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar Road 222. Look for the Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia sign at the Mýrdalsjökull Base location. One useful detail: the base may be farther up the road on the left than the booking app suggests, so keep going rather than stopping at the first possible entrance.

The staff begin with a short safety briefing and instructions for operating the ATV. You need a valid driver’s license to drive. The standard setup is one ATV shared by two people, with one person driving and the other riding behind. If you want to drive alone, or your group has an odd number, arrange a single-rider ATV and expect an extra payment at the base.

The supplied equipment is a real benefit. You get an insulated cover-all, helmet, balaclava face mask, and gloves, with boots available depending on the weather. You should still arrive in warm clothing and waterproof shoes. In cold months, base layers matter, and your hands may need extra care. One practical tip from the experience: thin wool gloves under heavier gloves can help keep your thumbs warm.

The base has been described as a welcoming place, with tea and coffee available on site. There may also be a friendly dog around the premises, a small bonus while you wait for the group to get ready.

Crossing the black sands of Sólheimasandur

Once the group sets off, the ATV route moves onto Sólheimasandur, a broad black-sand plain shaped by volcanic activity and glacial water. The surface can feel smooth near the beach, then rougher on tracks leading inland. That change gives the ride more interest than simply driving back and forth along one flat stretch.

The open beach is where the activity feels most exciting. Guides may let you pick up speed when the group is comfortable and the surface is safe. They do not simply force every rider to travel at one pace. Experienced drivers may get more freedom, while beginners can follow a steadier rhythm and build confidence.

You should not mistake this for a private off-road session. You ride as part of a group, and the guide has to keep everyone together. Faster riders may need to slow down for others, but that is a sensible trade-off for safety and organization. The guides keep watch, explain where speed is appropriate, and help if a section feels difficult.

The beach is exposed, so expect wind. On a wet or stormy day, the air can feel fierce, and sand or spray may reach your visor and clothing. The supplied cover-all helps, but waterproof layers and warm gloves remain worthwhile.

Stopping at the 1973 DC3 plane wreck

The famous DC3 wreck is the signature stop for many people on this route. The aircraft came down on the sands of Sólheimasandur in 1973, and its remains now sit in a stark setting of black earth, open sky, and distant mountains.

The ATV makes this stop far more practical than trying to reach the site on foot. You can leave the base by vehicle, ride across the plain, and arrive at the wreck as part of a guided route. The guide shares information about the aircraft and the surrounding area, then gives you time for photographs.

This is not a polished attraction with lots of facilities around it. The appeal comes from the contrast between the battered metal fuselage and the empty volcanic plain. You get a strong sense of isolation, though the site itself can be busy at popular times. The guide helps give the stop context, which makes it more than a quick photograph.

Plan on taking pictures, but keep your attention on the conditions. Wind, rain, and cold can make it unpleasant to linger without the right clothing. Your helmet and balaclava help during the ride, while the cover-all gives you a useful outer layer for the stop.

The beach, Dyrhólaey, and views toward the glacier

The route continues toward the coast, where you get views of the black-sand beach and the Dyrhólaey peninsula. Dyrhólaey is the southernmost tip of Iceland, and its dark coastal form gives the view a clear focal point.

From the beach, look inland toward Mýrdalsjökull. The glacier may appear in the distance above the rough volcanic ground, depending on cloud and visibility. This is one of the strongest parts of the ride because you see the sea, black sand, mountain valleys, and ice in one broad view.

The scenery can feel almost unreal, especially in winter or under low cloud. In summer, purple lupines may appear in the fields, adding a flash of color to an otherwise dark setting. The route does not depend on a single viewpoint. You keep changing position, so the relationship between glacier, coast, river, and valley becomes clearer as you ride.

The exact visibility is out of your control. Wind can push clouds over the glacier, while rain can flatten the view. Even then, the ride still offers plenty of texture and motion. The black beach and open plain remain impressive in poor weather, though Dyrhólaey and the glacier may be less distinct.

River crossings and the mountain valley finish

The most varied part of the longer route comes after the beach and plane wreck. You follow the Jökulsá River and cross water before entering a mountain valley. These crossings are not simply decoration. They change the feel of the ride and give you a chance to handle a different surface under the guide’s direction.

Water levels depend on weather. Heavy rain can make some rivers too high to cross, and the guide may need to shorten or reroute the activity. This happened on at least one stormy outing, when the river sections were not passable but the group still reached the beach and aircraft wreck.

That flexibility matters. You should book this as an outdoor adventure rather than a fixed sightseeing transfer. The staff choose a safer route when conditions demand it, and a shortened route can still include the beach and plane. If stream crossings are a major reason for booking, ask about current conditions when you arrive.

The valley finish gives the tour a quieter ending. Instead of staying on the exposed coast, you move into mountain scenery with the river nearby. It is a good contrast to the open beach and adds a sense that you have seen several sides of southern Iceland in a short time.

What the guides add to the ride

The guides are one of the strongest parts of this activity. Names praised in the feedback include Bjarki, Paul, Anthony, Pawel, Magni, Oskar, Gully, Dulli, Hinrick, and Barduroli. Different guides lead different departures, but the pattern is clear: they provide riding instruction, watch the group, and add stories about the area.

Anthony has been especially appreciated for his warm manner with families and children. Pawel was praised for explaining where riders could safely increase speed while keeping an eye on the full group. Bjarki has been noted for taking photographs and sharing stories, while Oskar gave a solo rider a detailed explanation of the volcanoes, beach, and plane wreck.

The useful thing is not just the information. A good guide changes the experience from a convoy ride into a guided outing. You learn why the ground looks the way it does, hear more about the aircraft, and get help when a rough patch or water crossing feels uncertain.

First-time riders are welcome, but you still need to take the safety briefing seriously. The route is not described as highly technical, and beginners have completed it comfortably, yet an ATV can feel lively on rough ground. Follow the guide’s line, leave room between vehicles, and do not chase the fastest rider.

One hour or two hours?

The activity lasts between one and two hours, depending on the option you book. The one-hour trip works if your schedule is tight or you mainly want a taste of ATV riding and a visit to the plane wreck.

I would choose the two-hour option if you can fit it into your day. It gives the guide more time to include the beach, different surfaces, photo stops, river sections, and the mountain valley. Several people who initially booked the shorter option switched to two hours and felt the extra time was well spent.

The longer outing also makes the price easier to justify. At $144 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, especially if two people need to pay for separate single-rider ATVs. But the fee includes a guide, riding equipment, the ATV, and access to remote scenery that would be difficult to reach independently.

The value depends on what you want from southern Iceland. If you only want to see the plane wreck, a separate visit may cost less, though it will not give you the ATV ride, coastal run, or river route. If you want an active outing with several distinct stops, two hours gives you much more than a short spin around a base.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a good fit for couples, families with older children, and first-time ATV riders who want guidance rather than a self-led rental. Children under eight cannot take part, and pregnant women should not book it. Anyone driving must bring a valid driver’s license.

Families can share an ATV and take turns if the operator allows it within the group arrangement. The activity has worked well for mixed-age groups, though very young children are excluded and cold weather can make the ride harder for anyone who struggles with wind.

You will like it if you want movement, open scenery, and a bit of controlled adventure. You may prefer a standard sightseeing tour if you dislike cold, wind, rough tracks, or the possibility that weather will change the route.

Small groups are available, and some departures have been very small. A solo booking has even resulted in a private-style outing, though you should not count on that. Group size and the level of personal attention can vary.

Timing, transport, and practical value

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp yourself, so allow time to find the correct point on Ytri Sólheimar Road 222. The base is on Iceland’s southern coast, and the activity works best as part of a day exploring the surrounding area.

If you are driving from Reykjavík, the journey can take about two and a half hours according to one outing, so do not squeeze the ATV ride into an already rushed schedule. You can combine it with other sights near the southern coast, but leave room for changing road and weather conditions.

English is the listed tour language. The provider is ICELANDIA, operating from the Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia base. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later, which helps when your Iceland itinerary depends on the forecast.

The activity has an overall rating of 4.8 from 470 reviews, with especially strong praise for the guides, scenery, equipment, and two-hour format. That rating should not hide the weather limitation, but it does support the idea that this is a well-run experience rather than a basic ATV rental.

Should you book the Mýrdalsjökull ATV safari?

Book it if you want to combine the DC3 wreck with a real ride across black sand, coastal views, river crossings, and a mountain valley. Choose two hours if your budget and schedule allow. The extra time is where the activity earns its price.

Bring warm layers, waterproof shoes, and a driver’s license. Expect wind, accept that the route may change, and listen closely to the guide. If you want the most reliable sightseeing day possible, poor weather may make a standard coach tour more suitable. If you want an active way to see the southern coast and do not mind a little mud, cold, and uncertainty, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the ATV safari meet?

Meet at Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar Road 222. Look for Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia at the Mýrdalsjökull Base location.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts between one and two hours. Check the available starting times and choose the two-hour option if you want the full route with more scenery and riding.

How much does the ATV experience cost?

The listed price is $144 per person.

Is one ATV provided for each person?

No. The standard arrangement is one ATV for every two people. Solo riders and groups with an odd number must book a single-rider ATV and pay for it locally.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive an ATV.

What equipment is included?

The activity includes an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava face mask. Boots may be provided depending on the weather. A guide and the ATV are also included.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, warm clothing, and waterproof shoes. Extra warm gloves and base layers are useful in cold weather.

Can bad weather change the route?

Yes. Heavy rain, strong wind, or high water can affect the route. River crossings may not be possible, and the guide may adjust the activity for safety.