Mýrdalsjökull: South Coast ATV Quad Bike Safari

The best part of this South Coast ATV safari is the variety packed into two hours. You cross the black sands of Sólheimasandur, stop at the famous 1973 DC3 wreck, ride beside the Atlantic, and finish among rivers and mountain valleys below Mýrdalsjökull.

I like the way the tour combines scenery with real driving time, rather than treating the ATV as a short photo prop. I also like the guides’ personal touch. Anthony, Pawel, Bjarki, Magni, and others are praised for explaining the area, taking photos, and adjusting the pace to suit the group.

The main consideration is Icelandic weather. High water can close river crossings, strong wind can make the beach wild, and poor conditions may alter the route or replace the ATV trip with another activity. Bring warm layers and expect the tour to feel more exposed than a standard sightseeing stop.

Key points to know before booking

• The two-hour tour reaches the plane wreck, beach, rivers, and valley: The longer outing gives you the full mix of terrain and stops.
• You ride across Sólheimasandur: The broad black-sand plain feels stark, open, and wonderfully strange.
• ATVs are normally shared by two people: Single riders and odd-numbered groups must pay for a single ATV locally.
• The pace can be lively but remains guided: Beginners receive help, while confident riders may get chances to build speed where conditions allow.
• Weather changes the experience: River crossings and glacier access depend on wind, rain, water levels, and route conditions.
• The base camp supplies protective gear: You receive a helmet, balaclava, insulated cover-all, and optional boots, but you still need warm clothing and waterproof shoes.

Riding from Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp

You meet at Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar Road 222. Look for Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia, marked as Mýrdalsjökull Base. One useful detail: the base camp may be farther up the road on the left than the booking app indicates, so do not rely on the pin alone.

The tour begins with a safety briefing and a short lesson on operating the quad bikes. That makes this a reasonable choice for first-time riders, provided you hold a valid driving license and are comfortable taking instructions in English.

You ride two people per ATV as the normal arrangement. This works well for couples, friends, or parents with older children, since one person can drive while the other enjoys the views, then you can switch if appropriate. If you are alone, or your group has an odd number, you need to book a single ride ATV and pay the extra charge on location.

The equipment helps take the edge off Iceland’s cold. The operator provides an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava face mask. Gloves are also supplied according to several detailed accounts of the experience, but I would still bring your own warm pair. One winter rider specifically advised wearing wool gloves under heavier mittens.

Bring a driving license, warm layers, and waterproof shoes. Boots may be available depending on the weather, but do not count on them as your only footwear plan. You should also arrive sober. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and intoxication is a clear reason not to participate.

Sólheimasandur and the DC3 wreck

The first major section takes you across Sólheimasandur, a vast black-sand plain on Iceland’s south coast. The surface gives the ride its special character. You are not simply following a paved road between attractions. The ATVs carry you across an open, dark expanse where the ocean, mountains, and sky can make the area feel almost otherworldly.

The famous DC3 plane wreck is the tour’s most recognizable stop. The aircraft crashed on the sands in 1973 and its stripped fuselage has become one of Iceland’s best-known sights. Reaching it by ATV gives you a more active approach than simply stopping at a roadside viewpoint, and the guide explains the wreck and its story before you take photos.

You should keep your expectations sensible. This is not a private visit to an untouched site. The plane is famous and attracts plenty of attention. The value comes from combining the wreck with the ride across the sand, not from treating the aircraft as the whole outing.

The guides are good at making this stop more than a quick photograph. Pawel has been praised for explaining the plane and keeping the group together, while Bjarki is noted for sharing stories and taking time with pictures. These details matter because the stop can otherwise feel brief and purely visual.

On the two-hour route, you get time to stop without turning the whole trip into a race. The guide may take group photos, explain the setting, and point out features you could easily miss from the driver’s seat.

Black sand, Atlantic wind, and Dyrhólaey

From the plain, the route heads toward the coast. This is where the ATV becomes especially fun. The black beach provides a broad stretch where the group may build speed, depending on the guide’s instructions and the conditions. Riders with experience often enjoy this part most, while beginners can stay at a comfortable pace.

The beach can also be the roughest place to judge the weather. In winter, strong wind has been powerful enough to push people backward even as they tried to walk forward. That sounds dramatic because it is, but it also explains why the supplied helmet, face covering, and insulated suit are useful.

I would not book this expecting a calm beach stroll. You are exposed to Atlantic wind, spray, and rapidly changing weather. The same conditions that make the ride exciting can make it cold and tiring, especially if your base layers are thin.

Across the water, you can look toward Dyrhólaey, the peninsula at Iceland’s southernmost tip. The view gives the coastal ride a clear sense of place. You see the meeting point of black sand, ocean, cliffs, and open sky rather than a collection of disconnected stops.

The guide also points inland toward Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. The glacier sits in the distance and adds a strong contrast to the dark plain. Although the excursion is described as taking place at the foot of Mýrdalsjökull, weather and route conditions mean you should not assume you will reach the glacier itself. One wet and windy outing had to skip the glacier while still offering the beach, wreck, and other terrain.

That is an important distinction. The glacier is part of the setting, but the reliable core of the trip is the black-sand route, the plane wreck, the coast, and the valley section. If seeing ice up close is your main goal, this may not be the right activity by itself.

Rivers, fields, and the final mountain valley

The longer outing adds the most varied riding. After crossing the sand and visiting the coast, you follow the Jökulsá River and head toward a mountain valley. The route may include stream or river crossings, rocky tracks, open fields, and low hills.

These sections make the two-hour booking worthwhile. A one-hour express trip can give you a taste of the ATV and may still reach the main sights, but it leaves less room for varied terrain and photo stops. Several riders who initially chose the shorter option changed to two hours and felt the extra time was well spent.

The river crossings are exciting without being presented as a stunt show. The guide chooses the route and tells you how to approach each section. Water levels can change after heavy rain, so some crossings may be closed or replaced. During a major rainstorm, the water was too high for parts of the route, and the guide adapted the outing to safer roads, the beach, and the plane wreck.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s strengths. You should not expect an identical path every day. The experience depends on weather, water, snow, and the ability of the group. On clear days, you might ride through streams and fields of lupines, then enter a quiet valley. On difficult days, the route may be simpler but still scenic.

The terrain is generally manageable for a first-time rider. One rider described it as not especially difficult, with a team that created a safe feeling through the equipment and instruction. Still, the ATV is a real motor vehicle on uneven ground. You should be prepared for bumps, turns, spray, and moments when you need to slow down and follow the guide closely.

The guides adjust the pace rather than forcing every rider into the same level of speed. Confident drivers may get places to open up the throttle, while the group waits or slows for those who need more time. You should not interpret this as unlimited free riding. It is a guided safari, and safety controls the pace.

How the guide shapes the experience

The guide makes a noticeable difference here because the scenery is huge and the route is active. You need clear instructions before crossings, good group control on open sand, and enough local context to understand what you are seeing.

The strongest guide feedback centers on friendliness, patience, and local stories. Anthony has been praised for explaining Icelandic geography and daily life, as well as working well with children. Pawel has been noted for keeping an eye on the full group and pointing out safe places to increase speed. Magni, Oskar, Gully, Paul, and Bjarki are also singled out for helpful instruction, local information, and a good sense of humor.

The small-group option is worth considering if you prefer direct help. Group size can affect how long you wait at stops and how much personal attention you receive. On quieter departure times, some people have ended up with a very small group or even what felt like a private outing, though you should not book on the assumption that this will happen.

The tour operates in English. You do not need prior ATV experience based on the way the instruction is described, but you do need a valid driver’s license if you plan to drive. Children under eight and pregnant women should not participate.

Is $144 a fair price?

At $144 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. You also need to make your own way to the base camp because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying in Reykjavík, the drive can take about two and a half hours, according to one detailed account, so this works best as part of a South Coast day rather than a quick side trip.

The value improves if you choose the two-hour option. You get substantial riding time, several kinds of terrain, the DC3 wreck, coastal views, Dyrhólaey, glacier views, and a mountain valley. You also avoid paying for a short ATV experience that ends just as you have learned how to handle the vehicle.

The price includes the guide and shared ATV, plus the main protective clothing. That matters in Iceland, where buying or packing specialist outerwear for one activity can add cost and luggage space. The tour also gives you access to terrain you would not reach by ordinary sightseeing vehicle.

A buggy upgrade may be available for an additional 10,000 Icelandic króna per person. Confirm the current option and price before booking, since the supplied details do not present it as part of the standard package. For most people, the regular ATV should be enough. The buggy makes more sense if you want a different vehicle rather than simply more scenery.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option reduce some booking risk. They do not remove the weather risk, but they make it easier to hold a place while your South Coast plans come together.

Who will enjoy this ATV safari?

I would put this high on the list for you if you want an active way to see the South Coast and do not mind getting cold, dusty, wet, or windblown. It suits couples, families with children aged eight or older, first-time ATV drivers, and experienced riders who want a controlled chance to ride faster on open black sand.

It also works well for people who have already seen the main waterfalls and want something more hands-on. The route combines famous scenery with the physical thrill of driving, so you remember the movement between stops as much as the stops themselves.

You may want to skip it if you dislike motorized activities, have limited mobility for uneven terrain, or want a guaranteed glacier visit. Pregnant women and children under eight cannot take part, and anyone without a valid driving license cannot drive an ATV.

Weather-sensitive visitors should keep a backup plan. The company has substituted a snowmobile adventure when ATV conditions were not possible, but that is an operational decision rather than something to assume when booking.

Practical verdict: book two hours if conditions suit you

I would book this tour, especially the two-hour version, if your Iceland trip includes the South Coast and you want more than viewpoints from a car window. The plane wreck is memorable, but the real strength is the complete route: black sand, hard coastal wind, river crossings, mountain scenery, and a guide who keeps the ride safe and enjoyable.

Choose another activity if your main aim is a close glacier visit, a quiet nature walk, or a guaranteed route in all weather. For everyone else, the mix of active riding and stark South Coast scenery gives the $144 price a fair return, provided you arrive prepared for Iceland’s weather and arrange your own transport to the base camp.

FAQ

Where does the Mýrdalsjökull ATV tour meet?

You meet at Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp on Ytri Sólheimar Road 222. Look for Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia, marked as Mýrdalsjökull Base.

How long does the ATV safari last?

The activity lasts one to two hours, depending on the option you book. You can check available starting times when making a reservation.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an English-speaking guide, an ATV shared by two people, an insulated cover-all, a helmet, and a balaclava face mask. Boots may be provided depending on the weather.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive a quad bike.

Can I ride alone on an ATV?

The standard arrangement is one ATV per two people. Single riders and groups with an odd number must book a single-ride ATV and pay for it locally.

What sights are included?

The route includes Sólheimasandur’s black sands, the 1973 DC3 plane wreck, coastal views, Dyrhólaey peninsula, views toward Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, the Jökulsá River, and a mountain valley. The exact route can change with weather and water conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring your driver’s license, warm clothing, and waterproof shoes. Your own warm gloves are also a sensible choice, especially in winter.

Who cannot take part?

Children under eight and pregnant women cannot participate. Anyone who is intoxicated, or has consumed alcohol or drugs, is not allowed to join.