Reykjavik: Iceland South Coast & Glacier Snowmobile Tour

The big draw here is the snowmobile ride on Mýrdalsjökull, reached by a specially modified glacier truck. You climb high onto the ice, suit up, and ride across a glacier rather than simply viewing one from a roadside lookout. On clear days, the views from the top can be remarkable.

I like the smart pairing of a thrilling activity with two of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. I also like the practical setup: protective clothing, safety equipment, bus transport, and onboard Wi-Fi are included. The tradeoff is the long drive from Reykjavik, often about 2.5 hours each way, for roughly an hour on the snowmobile.

Key points to know before booking

• Mýrdalsjökull is the main event: You reach the glacier in a rugged modified truck before riding on the ice.
• One snowmobile is shared by two people: Plan to take turns driving and riding.
• The journey is long but scenic: A service stop breaks up the trip, though you should bring snacks and drinks.
• The waterfalls come on the return: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss provide a gentler finish after the glacier activity.
• Herman and Marti have led some departures: Guides can vary, so do not book expecting a particular person.
• Bring your driver’s license and warm extras: A license is required, and a neck warmer, warm socks, and good gloves are useful.

The real value of a glacier day trip from Reykjavik

At $332 per person, this is not a cheap day out. I would judge the price by the amount of transport and specialist gear included, not just by the time spent driving a snowmobile.

You get a full-day bus trip from central Reykjavik, glacier transport in a modified truck, protective clothing, safety equipment, the snowmobile ride, and stops at two major waterfalls. If you want both an active glacier experience and a South Coast sampler, the package makes sense. If you mainly want to see waterfalls, a sightseeing tour without the glacier activity may give you more time at each stop for less money.

The most important point is to set your expectations correctly. This is not ten hours of snowmobiling. The ride itself is around an hour, while the rest of the day covers transport, changing, safety instructions, the glacier truck journey, lunch time, and waterfall visits. I think that is fair for an Iceland day tour, but the long road time will matter to you if you dislike sitting on a bus.

Leaving Reykjavik from BSI Bus Terminal

The meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, the home of Reykjavik Excursions. The building is marked, and staff at the terminal can direct you to the correct bus.

The bus ride south is a major part of the day. Some departures include a short stop at a service station, usually around 30 minutes, giving you time to use the restroom and buy food. Food and drinks are not included, so I would carry snacks and a drink rather than rely on a quick stop.

Free Wi-Fi is available on the bus, which is useful during the long ride. The drive itself may not always function as a fully guided sightseeing tour. Some drivers provide plenty of commentary, while others mainly handle transport and timings. Guide names reported on departures include Herman and Marti, but staff can change.

Herman received especially warm praise for pointing out places along the route, explaining local life, and making an unscheduled stop when the Northern Lights appeared. That kind of extra attention can make a long bus day feel far more personal, but you should treat it as a bonus rather than part of the guaranteed program.

Riding the modified glacier truck to Mýrdalsjökull

The approach to the glacier is part of the adventure. At the Adventure Ground, you leave the ordinary coach behind and board a specially modified glacier truck. This vehicle carries the group over rough, snowy ground toward the snowmobile base.

The truck ride adds useful context. You are not simply parking beside a glacier and walking a few steps to an activity. You are heading into a harsher, higher setting where weather and snow conditions shape the day. One account described extra off-road driving when the truck became stuck in heavy snow, which gives you a fair idea of how changeable the conditions can be.

Some departures reach roughly 900 feet above sea level. If clouds lift, the view from the glacier can be wide and dramatic. If weather closes in, you may get snow, wind, and reduced visibility instead. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a fact of Iceland’s high country. A clear day produces the best photographs, but poor weather can still make the ride feel like a genuine Arctic outing.

Getting suited up for the snowmobile

At the glacier base, the staff organize the group, provide protective clothing, and explain how to use the snowmobiles. Safety equipment is included, and the guides give a briefing before the ride begins.

You should still dress with care underneath the supplied gear. Bring warm socks, solid gloves, and a neck warmer. One useful tip is to pack a neck warmer because the provided balaclava may feel thin around the face and throat. Conditions on a glacier can be much colder than they feel in Reykjavik.

You also need a driver’s license. The supplied information does not specify a special license category, so bring your valid driving license and confirm any questions with the operator before departure.

The minimum age is eight. Children under eight cannot join this activity. The most important group rule is simple: one snowmobile is shared by two people. If you are traveling with a partner, you can take turns driving. If you hoped for a private machine, this arrangement may disappoint you.

What the snowmobile ride feels like

The snowmobile section is the heart of the day. You follow the guide across the glacier, with time to enjoy the ice, snow, and mountain views rather than rushing through a short photo stop.

The guides play a large role here. They explain the glacier area, help riders get comfortable, and keep the group together. You can expect a proper briefing and support during the ride. The pace is intended to be thrilling but safe, and the group is looked after at different comfort levels.

The ride has been described as lasting about an hour, including the time spent on the glacier. That may sound brief after such a long journey, but the activity also includes gearing up, riding the glacier truck, and returning to the base. I would view it as a focused adventure rather than an all-day motorsport session.

If your main goal is to drive a snowmobile for several hours, this may not be the right product. If you want a memorable first glacier ride within a larger South Coast day, it is a strong fit. The shared machine also makes it more social, though you should agree in advance with your partner about taking turns.

After the ride, you return to the Adventure Ground and have time for lunch. Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately and pack extra food if you prefer more than a service-station stop.

Skógafoss gives the return journey a grand finish

The return route includes Skógafoss, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls. It is a powerful stop after the glacier, with a broad curtain of water dropping beside the South Coast road.

The attraction here is scale. Skógafoss does not require a complicated hike to appreciate. You can get close to the falls and take in the spray and thunder, though the wet conditions mean waterproof outer layers are useful. Your stop time will be limited by the day’s schedule, so treat it as a focused visit rather than a full exploration of the surrounding area.

This is also where the tour works well as a mixed itinerary. After the cold, active glacier section, Skógafoss gives you a classic Iceland view without asking you to do much more than walk from the bus and look.

Seljalandsfoss and the chance to walk behind the water

The final major stop is Seljalandsfoss. Its special feature is the path that can take you behind the falling water, if weather and trail conditions permit.

Walking behind a waterfall is a very different experience from viewing one straight on. You see the water from inside the spray zone, and the changing light can make the scene feel almost theatrical. You will also get wet. Bring waterproof clothing and protect phones and cameras.

Do not assume the rear path will always be open. Weather, wind, ice, or safety conditions can prevent access. Even from the front, Seljalandsfoss is a memorable stop, but you should regard the behind-the-falls walk as weather dependent rather than guaranteed.

The two waterfalls help break up the long drive home. One is broad and forceful, the other is known for its unusual viewing path. Together they add variety to a day that could otherwise feel dominated by the glacier transfer.

The bus ride, guide style, and daily rhythm

The schedule is roughly ten hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. You leave from BSI Bus Terminal and finish back at the same meeting point.

The day has a clear rhythm:

• Bus from Reykjavik toward the South Coast
• Short service stop for restrooms and food
• Transfer to the modified glacier truck
• Safety briefing and protective clothing
• Approximately one hour of snowmobiling
• Return to the Adventure Ground and lunch time
• Stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss
• Bus return to BSI Bus Terminal

The bus commentary can vary. Some drivers offer a lively running explanation of landmarks and local life. Others provide a more basic transfer service. This matters because the road time is long. If you want detailed sightseeing commentary throughout the day, ask about the guiding format before booking.

The snowmobile staff are the consistent strength of the active portion. They handle the gear, explain the machines, and help the group manage the glacier conditions. In bad weather, their judgment becomes especially important.

Is $332 a fair price?

I think the value depends on how much of the package you will use. For a first-time visitor who wants one major adventure and two famous waterfalls in a single day, the price can be reasonable. The specialist glacier vehicle and included equipment save you from arranging separate transport and rental gear.

The price is harder to justify if you are interested only in snowmobiling. The long transfer means the actual ride occupies a small part of the ten-hour schedule. You are paying for access to a remote glacier, transport, equipment, staff, and the waterfall route as much as for driving the machine.

Compared with booking a simple South Coast sightseeing day, this tour gives you a far more active centerpiece. Compared with arranging a dedicated snowmobile outing, it gives you less time on the machine but adds the waterfalls and Reykjavik transport.

I would also add the cost of lunch and snacks when planning your budget. Bring a camera with protection from spray, and do not forget that the supplied clothing may not cover every comfort need, especially around your neck, hands, and feet.

Who should book this Iceland adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want a physical highlight in your Iceland itinerary but have only one day for the South Coast. It suits adults, families with children aged eight and over, and first-time snowmobile riders who like having guides and safety support close by.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy changing scenery. You move from Reykjavik to open South Coast views, then from a rough glacier truck to snow and ice, followed by two very different waterfalls.

I would hesitate if you want a relaxed sightseeing day, dislike long bus rides, or need a private snowmobile. I would also think twice if your schedule has little flexibility, since glacier weather can affect views and the walk behind Seljalandsfoss may not be possible.

Pack a driver’s license, warm socks, strong gloves, a neck warmer, snacks, drinks, waterproof layers, and a phone or camera cover. English is the tour language, and the activity is not suitable for children under eight.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if Iceland’s weather forecast looks uncertain, though they do not change the fact that the glacier portion depends on conditions.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if snowmobiling on a glacier is high on your Iceland wish list and you want Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss added to the same day. The snowmobile ride is the clear highlight, while the glacier truck and waterfall stops make the long transfer worthwhile.

Skip it in favor of a longer South Coast sightseeing tour if you want more time at waterfalls, beaches, or other stops. At $332, this is best understood as a specialist glacier adventure with sightseeing attached, not as a full South Coast tour with a small optional activity.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts 10 hours. Starting times depend on availability when you book.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at BSI Bus Terminal.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The schedule includes a stop where you can buy food, and lunch time is available at the Adventure Ground.

Is the snowmobile private?

No. One snowmobile is shared by two people.

What equipment is included?

Protective clothing and safety equipment for the snowmobile ride are included.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You should bring your driver’s license.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and activity information are in English.

Can children join the tour?

Children aged eight and over can join. The activity is not suitable for children under eight.