Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur

The best part of this tour is the change of scenery. You ride from the base near Mýrdalsjökull glacier across streams, gravel tracks, black lava sands, and a remote beach, then stop at an abandoned aircraft wreck and the Jökulsá river. It is far more varied than a simple beach ride.

I like the easy skill level and the way guides such as Anthony, Hannis, Remmy, and Bjarki mix safety advice with local facts and good humor. I also like that the route brings you close to places you might otherwise visit separately, including the black beach, glacier, coast, and wreck. The main point to check is group size. The advertised maximum is 15, but one group reported nearly 40 people, which meant more waiting and less time at each stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Black lava sands and river crossings: Expect wet, muddy, uneven ground rather than a smooth track ride.
• A scenic route near Mýrdalsjökull: You’ll see the glacier, coast, Dyrhólaey peninsula, mountain foothills, and glacial outflow areas.
• Two people per ATV: You share one machine, changing driver at stops if you wish. Solo riders and odd-numbered groups pay an extra local charge.
• The aircraft wreck is included: The route follows the coast to the famous abandoned plane, with time for photos.
• Beginner-friendly but still exciting: No previous ATV experience is needed, though a valid driver’s license is required to drive.
• Plan for Icelandic weather: Warm clothing is essential, and waterproof layers, warm gloves, and the supplied boots will make a real difference.

Riding from the Mýrdalsjökull base camp

You meet at Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia, the Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp near Vík. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, which gives the staff time to check you in, fit your helmet and balaclava, and get you into the insulated cover-all.

The base is not in central Vík, so allow time to reach it. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You finish at the same meeting point, making this easiest to fit into a South Iceland road trip if you have your own transport.

Before starting, the guide explains the route and basic ATV handling. You do not need previous experience, and the activity is rated easy. That does not mean dull. The route includes gravel, sand, streams, mud, and uneven ground, so you still need to pay attention and follow instructions.

A valid driver’s license is required if you plan to drive. You ride two people per ATV, with one person driving and one sitting behind. At the stops, you can usually switch places. If you are traveling alone or have an odd-numbered group, a single rider may be charged extra locally.

That two-per-machine setup is worth thinking about before you pay. If both people want equal driving time, the arrangement works well when you swap at a stop. If you strongly prefer your own ATV, ask about a private option or an individual machine before booking. One rider specifically felt that driving alone would have been better than sitting behind for part of the route.

Crossing streams onto Katla’s black lava sands

The first stretch takes you across small rivers and toward the broad black sands created by volcanic activity around Katla. The color is striking, but the real appeal is the sense of space. There are no cheerful beach cafés or rows of umbrellas here. You get dark sand, open sky, glacial water, and a rough coastline shaped by fire and ice.

The ATVs let you cover ground that would be tiring to reach on foot. You move across gravel tracks, sandy stretches, and glacial outflow plains, with the route changing under your wheels. Water crossings add a little excitement without requiring advanced riding skills.

This is also where the weather matters most. The beach can be windy, and it may be hard to hear the guide during a stop. Rain is possible, even when the tour begins under clear skies. One group finished in heavy rain but stayed comfortable because the supplied equipment worked well.

Still, do not treat the cover-all as a complete substitute for sensible clothing. Bring warm layers and waterproof gear. Warm gloves are especially useful, since one rider found the supplied gloves insufficient. Mud is also part of the deal, and the provided boots are a smart choice over footwear you want to keep clean.

Glacier views and the coast toward Dyrhólaey

At the black beach, the guide stops the group so you can look back toward Mýrdalsjökull and along the coast toward Dyrhólaey, the small peninsula at the southern end of Iceland. This is one of the quiet pleasures of the tour. You are not simply racing from one attraction to the next. The guide gives you time to take in the shape of the coast and the contrast between the glacier above and the dark volcanic plain below.

The setting also makes a strong photo stop. Guides have been praised for taking pictures of the group and suggesting poses, which is useful when everyone wants a photo together. Bring your camera or phone, but protect it from spray, rain, and grit.

The trade-off is that the quality of the stop depends partly on the size and pace of the group. A small, well-managed group can pause without much fuss. A large group may crowd the best photo spots and spend too much time waiting for people to finish taking pictures.

If photography is your main goal, ask about the likely group size before departure. If you would rather spend more time riding than arranging group shots, choose a quieter departure if available or consider a private tour.

Following the coast to the abandoned aircraft wreck

The route then follows the coast to the famous aircraft wreck. This is an unexpected bonus for anyone booking mainly for the black sands. The old plane gives the ride a clear destination and adds a human-made object to an otherwise stark setting.

You get time to stop, take pictures, and hear about the site from the guide. The wreck is one of the strongest parts of the route because it is visually unusual and easy to remember. It also breaks up the ride nicely. You are not sitting on the ATV for two straight hours.

The wreck stop can become crowded if several groups arrive or if many people want a large number of photos. That is not a safety issue, but it can slow the outing. You may need to be patient and accept that you will not have the place to yourself.

Even so, reaching the wreck by ATV feels more rewarding than simply driving close to a roadside viewpoint. The ride across black sand and open volcanic ground is part of the attraction. You see the site as one piece of a larger route rather than as an isolated photo stop.

The Jökulsá river and mountain foothills

From the wreck, the tour continues toward the Jökulsá river and up toward the foot of the mountain. This section brings more changes in surface and scenery. You can expect river crossings, rougher tracks, cliffs, streams, and views back across the open plains.

Several stops are built into the route for information, photos, and driver changes. This is helpful for beginners because you are not asked to maintain the pace for the entire ride. The guide can explain what lies ahead and point out risks before you cross a stream or tackle a rougher patch.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Anthony has been described as calm, funny, and confident on the route. Hannis has taken photos and helped make the ride feel personal. Remmy and Bjarki have also been praised for their friendly approach. The strongest guides do two jobs at once: they keep the group safe and make the geology easy to understand.

You may also find that the pace varies. Faster riders can enjoy a more energetic outing, while beginners are allowed to take things more slowly. The guide sets the pace for the group, so do not expect a private race. If your party has mixed ability levels, this flexibility is useful. If everyone wants a fast, independent ride, a private booking is likely the better fit.

Returning beside the mountain

The return follows the mountain back toward the base. By this point, you have seen the main variety that makes this route worthwhile: glacier views, black sand, water, volcanic ground, coast, wreck, and mountain terrain.

The final section is not just a ride back to the parking area. It gives you another angle on the surroundings and lets you settle into the rhythm of the ATV. The route feels active without demanding technical riding skills, which explains why families with teenagers and first-time riders have enjoyed it.

You should still expect a physical outing. The ride can be windy, wet, and bumpy. Holding on and staying alert takes more effort than sitting in a sightseeing bus. That is part of the value, but it is not the right choice if you want a warm, dry, passive way to see the South Coast.

The full ATV experience lasts about two hours. The schedule includes the briefing, stops, and return to base, so the actual time spent moving continuously will be less than two hours. That is normal for a guided ride and gives you time to change drivers and hear about the area.

What the $206 price gives you

At $206 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill two hours. You are paying for the ATV, guide, safety gear, insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava, plus access to a route that links several hard-to-reach settings.

The value is strongest if you already want an active South Coast outing and would otherwise spend time and money visiting the black sands, aircraft wreck area, and surrounding tracks separately. You also get a guide who handles route finding, safety, and basic interpretation of the volcanic and glacial surroundings.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a quick photo at the beach or wreck. In that case, a self-guided sightseeing stop may be cheaper, though it will not give you the same access by ATV or the same sense of movement through the terrain.

The price also needs to be judged against the shared ATV arrangement. Two people ride per machine, so you are not automatically paying for a private vehicle. If you want one ATV per person, confirm the cost before you arrive. An odd-numbered party may face an additional single-rider charge payable locally.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 48 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Iceland dates are fixed, especially during a busy season. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Group size can change the feel of the ride

The stated maximum is 15 people, but one group reported close to 40 people, arranged in two rows of 10 ATVs with two riders on each. That is a significant difference, and it affected the pace, photo stops, and overall comfort of that outing.

A large group can create three problems. You may wait longer at crossings, spend less time at scenic stops, and have more interruptions when inexperienced riders need help or reminders. Another rider described repeated stops caused by people ignoring instructions while trying to film social media videos.

This does not cancel out the many strong points of the ride, but it is the most important practical issue to clarify. Ask the operator to confirm the expected group size for your departure. If you want more control, fewer pauses, and more independent riding, look into a private tour.

A smaller group is also better for hearing the guide on a windy beach. It makes photo stops easier and gives the guide more time to adjust the pace. For a family group or first-time riders, that extra attention can be worth paying for.

Who should book this ATV tour

You should consider this ride if you want to see South Iceland from a different angle and enjoy being outside in changeable weather. It suits beginners, families with older children and teenagers, couples, and anyone who prefers an active excursion to a standard sightseeing stop.

It is particularly good for people who want variety. The route is not only black sand. You cross water, follow the coast, see an aircraft wreck, reach the river, and ride near the mountain. That range gives the two-hour outing a full feel.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, wind, mud, or bumpy transport. The supplied gear helps, but Icelandic weather remains Icelandic weather. You should also reconsider if every person in your group wants to drive alone. The standard arrangement is two riders per ATV.

A private booking makes the most sense for groups with different riding abilities, people who want more photo time, or anyone concerned about a crowded departure. It may also help if you want to avoid waiting for other riders to follow instructions.

Practical preparation for a smoother ride

Arrive 30 minutes early. Wear warm layers and bring waterproof clothing, even if the forecast looks friendly. Bring warm gloves of your own if your hands tend to get cold, and use the supplied boots if the conditions are wet or muddy.

Keep your camera protected. The scenery deserves photos, but the route includes water, wind, sand, and rain. Your guide may take group pictures, but you should not count on every stop being quiet or empty.

If you are sharing an ATV, decide in advance who wants to drive first. Use the stops to switch places. If your group has three, five, or another odd number of people, ask about the extra single-rider charge before the tour begins.

Finally, listen to the guide. The route is rated easy, but the terrain is real, and safe riding depends on following instructions at crossings and rough sections. The best guides are friendly and relaxed, but their safety rules are not optional.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want an active way to see the black sands near Vík and value variety over a simple viewpoint visit. The combination of Mýrdalsjökull views, volcanic ground, streams, coast, aircraft wreck, river, and mountain tracks gives you a memorable slice of South Iceland in about two hours.

The strong 4.9 rating from 502 ratings and 99 percent recommendation fit the experience described here: the guides, scenery, clean equipment, and beginner-friendly route are the main strengths. The weak point is possible crowding, especially if the actual group is much larger than the stated maximum.

Before paying, confirm the group size and the cost for a solo ATV if that matters to you. If those details work for your party, this is one of the more unusual ways to experience the South Coast, and a good alternative to spending the day at the busier Reynisfjara area.

FAQ

Where does the ATV tour begin?

It begins at Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia, the Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp near Vík in South Iceland.

How long does the ATV experience last?

The ATV experience lasts approximately two hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Do I need previous ATV experience?

No. Previous ATV experience is not required, and the activity is rated easy.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. A valid driver’s license is required if you want to drive the ATV.

How many people ride each ATV?

Two people ride each ATV, with one person driving and one as a passenger.

Is there an extra charge for a solo rider?

Yes. If you travel alone or have an odd-numbered group, there is an additional charge for single riders, payable locally.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, an ATV for two people, an insulated cover-all, a helmet, and a balaclava face mask.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You meet and finish at the Mýrdalsjökull Base Camp.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.