Midnight Sun ATV Tour

At nearly midnight, Iceland can still look like afternoon. This midnight sun ATV tour takes you from Reykjavik into Hólmsheiði, where you climb mountain trails while the sun remains above the horizon. You get broad views toward the capital, fresh air, and a strange but wonderful sense that bedtime has been postponed by nature itself.

I like the two hours of actual ATV riding, rather than a short motorized taster, and I like the practical setup: hotel pickup, protective gear, instruction, and coffee at basecamp. The main drawback is the price, $255 per person, and you should also expect cool, wet weather even in summer.

Key points

• Ride beneath the midnight sun: June and July offer Iceland’s brightest late-night conditions, with sunlight close to midnight.
• Climb two mountain areas: The route heads through Hólmsheiði and toward Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell for views over Reykjavik.
• Get two hours behind the handlebars: The full outing lasts about three and a half hours with transport.
• Choose shared or solo riding: ATVs fit two people, but a single-rider option is available.
• Expect changing weather: Helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear are supplied when needed.
• Pickup is built in: Hotel and designated bus-stop pickup and drop-off cover many locations around Reykjavik.

Why the midnight sun changes the whole ride

Most ATV outings are built around speed, mud, or rough ground. This one adds a very Icelandic feature: daylight at an hour when your body expects darkness. In June and July, you can sit on a mountain near midnight with the sun still lighting the sky and the city below.

That timing gives the tour its character. You are not merely squeezing a motor excursion into a busy daytime schedule. You are heading out after dinner, leaving Reykjavik behind, and reaching open ground at a time when the capital is settling down.

The light can also shift quickly. One moment may feel bright and clear, while clouds cover the sun and a light rain begins. That is why the supplied clothing matters. One rider initially thought the clothing seemed excessive, then found it useful once the clouds and rain arrived. Bring outdoor clothing and comfortable shoes, even if the forecast looks friendly.

This is a seasonal experience in the truest sense. The midnight sun period is especially useful here in June and July, and the tour is designed around that unusual summer light. If you want a dark-night adventure, this is the wrong choice. If you want to make the most of Iceland’s long summer evenings, it is a strong fit.

From Reykjavik pickup to Hólmsheiði

The tour includes pickup and drop-off from hotels in Reykjavik, along with several central bus stops. You need to be ready around 20:00, with pickup generally taking place between 20:00 and 20:30. The activity description also refers to an evening departure around 21:00, so confirm your exact time when booking.

Pickup points include City Hall, the Culture House, Reykjavik Bus Terminal, Hotel Cabin, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, Grand Hotel Reykjavik, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura, and several other hotels and bus stops. Cruise passengers can use Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal as a listed pickup and drop-off point.

If your hotel is outside the regular pickup zone, you will be assigned a nearby bus stop. This is not a major problem, but it is one more detail to settle before the day of the tour. If you are unsure where to wait, contact Safari Quads before departure.

The drive to basecamp is part of the transition from city to countryside. You begin on asphalt, then leave the paved road for the rougher tracks around Hólmsheiði. Since transport is included, you do not need to arrange a taxi to the basecamp or find your way back after the ride.

Basecamp preparation and the 30-minute safety briefing

At basecamp, allow about 30 minutes for safety instruction and preparation. This is valuable even if you have driven an ATV before. If you have never operated one, the instructors walk you through the controls and the basics before you head onto the trails.

You must be at least 17 years old and hold a valid driver’s license to drive. Passengers can be as young as six, but children do not drive. Every ATV can carry two people, so couples, friends, and families can share a machine if that suits them.

An odd number of participants creates a practical issue. If your party has one, three, five, or another odd number of people, one person must be booked as a single rider. Check the booking options carefully rather than assuming the last person can simply ride alone.

The equipment provided includes a helmet, gloves, overalls, and a ski mask. Rain gear is available if conditions call for it. You need to bring your driver’s license, comfortable shoes, and outdoor clothing. Rental shoes are not included, so avoid arriving in footwear you would hate to get wet or dusty.

The stated weight limit is 220 kilograms, or 485 pounds, per person for a single or shared rider arrangement. Pregnant women and wheelchair users cannot take part.

Two hours on the ATV trails

Once you leave basecamp, you first travel a short distance on asphalt before taking the off-road route. The riding section lasts two hours, which gives the tour enough time to feel like a real outing rather than a quick lap around a small course.

The route passes through the vicinity of Reykjavik and heads into the mountain area around Hólmsheiði. You climb trails toward Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell, with the machines handling the uphill sections while you focus on steering, pace, and the ground ahead.

The terrain is part of the appeal. You are not simply sitting on a vehicle while someone else takes you to a viewpoint. You have to make your own way along the tracks, respond to the surface, and learn how the ATV behaves on climbs and descents.

That said, this is still a guided activity. The instructors lead the group and help you settle into the controls. One useful feature is that groups may be split according to riding comfort. Faster riders can form one group, while more cautious drivers can choose a slower pace. This gives first-time drivers room to learn without feeling pushed.

You should not confuse this with a race. The experience is about the combination of driving and scenery, and your best pace is the one that lets you enjoy both. If you are nervous, say so during the briefing. The staff can explain the machines and place you with a group that matches your comfort level.

Hafrafjall and Ulfarsfell viewpoints

The first mountain climb gives you the basic reward of the tour: open air, a higher viewpoint, and a long summer evening spread across the sky. Once you reach higher ground, pause and take in the unusual hour. Sitting on a mountain near midnight with sunlight still reaching your face is the sort of moment that makes this excursion different from a standard off-road ride.

The route then continues toward another mountain with an even better view of Reykjavik. Ulfarsfell is known as a hiking mountain, so you might pass walkers on the way. The contrast is amusing and memorable: hikers are making their way uphill on foot while you continue along the trail on an ATV.

From these heights, the capital becomes part of the view rather than the place you are trying to escape. You can look back toward Reykjavik and see how quickly the city gives way to open ground. The excursion does not take you into Iceland’s remote interior, but it offers a simple way to reach mountain scenery without committing to a full-day drive.

The views are likely to be the strongest part for anyone who is less interested in motorsports. You get the thrill of the ride, but the reward is the position you reach at the end of the climb. Give yourself time to breathe and look around instead of treating every stretch as a chance to go faster.

Weather, clothing, and the practical reality

Icelandic summer weather can change without much warning. The midnight sun may be shining, then clouds can move across the route and bring light rain. The supplied overalls and rain gear are not decorative extras. Use them.

Wear comfortable shoes with enough support for getting on and off the ATV. The tour does not include rental footwear, and the supplied gear does not replace your own shoes. Outdoor layers are sensible because the temperature can feel different on an exposed mountain than it did in the city.

The long daylight can fool you into dressing for a warm afternoon. Remember that this is still an evening excursion, and the wind on higher ground may make it feel cool. The safest approach is to dress for changeable weather rather than for the date on the calendar.

Coffee at basecamp is included, but food is not. Eat before pickup, especially if you tend to get hungry during active outings. The tour lasts three to four hours in total, with about three and a half hours listed as the usual duration including transport.

Is $255 a fair price?

At $255 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for a guided ATV excursion, hotel transportation, protective gear, the two-hour ride, and access to mountain viewpoints close to Reykjavik. The price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to arrange transport and if you value a distinctive evening rather than a basic vehicle rental.

The two hours of riding help the value. A shorter trip would feel expensive at this rate, but this outing gives you time to learn the ATV, travel through changing terrain, climb two mountain areas, and enjoy the view before returning to basecamp.

Shared riding can also affect the value. Two people may use one ATV, which makes the experience more social and can reduce the per-person cost compared with booking separate machines, if the available booking choices allow that arrangement. If you strongly want your own ATV, select the single-rider option.

I would compare this price with other paid activities in Reykjavik, but I would not compare it with a free viewpoint or a self-guided walk. This is a hands-on excursion with transport and equipment. You are paying for access, instruction, and the chance to cover ground that would take longer on foot.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

This is a good choice for you if you want an active evening outside Reykjavik without giving up a full day. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups with mixed driving experience. A six-year-old can ride as a passenger, while drivers must be 17 or older with a valid license.

It also works well for a group that cannot agree on speed. The option to separate faster and more cautious riders means beginners do not have to pretend to be experts, and confident drivers do not have to crawl along the whole route.

You may prefer another activity if your main goal is a quiet nature walk, a polished sightseeing bus ride, or a remote wilderness outing. The ATV creates engine noise, and the focus is partly on operating the vehicle. You also need to accept supplied protective clothing and a possibility of rain.

This is not suited to wheelchair users or pregnant women. Riders must also fit within the stated weight limit, and anyone driving needs to bring a valid license.

Booking, cancellation, and return to Reykjavik

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. That flexibility helps when Iceland’s weather or your wider schedule is still uncertain.

Keep the pickup details in front of you. You may leave from your hotel, but a no-pickup-zone hotel means using an assigned bus stop. Listed locations cover much of central Reykjavik, the cruise terminal, and several major hotels.

After the second mountain, you descend toward basecamp, return the equipment, and ride back to your hotel or designated drop-off point. The full experience takes about three to four hours, so you should be back in Reykjavik late in the evening.

Safari Quads operates the experience, and English is the stated tour language. Victoria is one of the guides associated with the tour, and the guiding team handles the briefing, route, and group pacing.

Should you book the Midnight Sun ATV Tour?

Book it if you want a distinctly Icelandic evening, enjoy active outings, and like the idea of driving across mountain tracks while the sun remains in the sky. The strongest reasons are the two-hour ride, the views over Reykjavik, and the rare June and July timing.

I would skip it if $255 feels too high for a motor activity, if you want silence and solitude, or if wet weather would ruin your evening. For everyone else, this is a memorable way to use Iceland’s long summer light, with enough instruction and flexibility to suit both first-time drivers and more confident riders.

FAQ

How long does the Midnight Sun ATV Tour last?

The full activity lasts about three to four hours, with transportation included. The ATV driving portion lasts two hours, and the safety briefing takes about 30 minutes.

When does pickup take place?

You need to be ready around 20:00. Pickup generally takes place between 20:00 and 20:30, though the activity information also refers to an evening departure around 21:00. Confirm your exact pickup time when booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Reykjavik City and from listed bus stops. If your hotel is in a no-pickup zone, you will be assigned a nearby bus stop.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes, every ATV driver must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Passengers do not need to drive.

Can two people share one ATV?

Yes. The ATVs can carry two people at once. A single-rider option is also available. If your party has an odd number of people, one participant must be booked as a single rider.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The tour provides a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear when needed. Bring your driver’s license, comfortable shoes, and outdoor clothing. Food and rental shoes are not included.