Top South Iceland Nature and Wildlife Tours

Explore Iceland's Westman Islands and discover history, culture, and adorable wildlife on a guided tour. Settle into your seat on a minibus and ride over to Herjólfsdalur and Kaplagjóta to visit a small puffin colony. Walk down into the center of the Eldfell crater where the volcano once erupted. See the biggest puffin colony in the world at Stórhöfði then receive admission to Herjólfstown for an exclusive look at the first Viking family that settled on the islands.

Experience the rare sensation of visiting a natural ice cave on this small-group tour. Board a Super Jeep in Vík and go off the beaten track into the Icelandic wilderness. You'll leave the regular tourist trail behind as you journey through a landscape of majestic mountains and glaciers toward the Katla Ice Cave.

While many tours in Iceland make pit stops at glaciers, fewer take you over them and close enough to discover their otherworldly features. With this small-group tour, take an easy glacier hike to see ice formations, crevasses, and water cauldrons that you’d miss just stopping for a look.

Enjoy a unique way to experience the scenic landscapes of South Iceland—and benefit from hands-on instruction and support along the way—on this small-group, family-friendly horseback-riding tour. After making the trip from Reykjavik, meet your guide, grab your gear, and get saddled up on your horse. Then, set off through meadows, farms, and along trails to immerse yourself directly in the picturesque scenery.

Both off-the-beaten-path and within the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon hot springs live up to their evocative name. Tucked away in the small village of Fludir, the hot springs are not as popular as other nearby attractions, but offer unbeatable natural luxury and comfort, plus amenities such as changing rooms, a shower, and a bar and restaurant. Book your ticket in advance to ensure a smooth visit.

Indulge your inner geologist—and take an educational break on your tour of the south coast—by visiting Iceland's state-of-the-art Lava Centre. Learn all about the birth and growth of Iceland, one of the world’s largest volcanic islands, which, over millions of years, has been shaped by countless volcanic eruptions. Skip the line, and get the best price, by booking in advance.

If you’re looking for an experience in Iceland where you witness a rare natural wonder—this is the ideal option. The tour gives you access to somewhere that you wouldn’t be able to reach alone—an ice cave that sits underneath Katla Volcano. Travel with ease up to the ice cave in a Super Jeep. It’s a safe experience as you are given a helmet and crampons, and a guide leads the way so you don’t get lost.

Hop on a quad bike to witness Iceland’s majestic puffins on this family-friendly adventure in Vestmannaeyjar. Fasten your helmet and join a small group as you venture off-road through lava fields, zip along pitch-black beaches, and marvel at the seabirds in their natural habitat on the island's shore. Enjoy engaging commentary about the puffins’ behavior from your local guide, with plenty of time for photos.

One surefire way to get away from Iceland's crowds? Get on the water. On this tour, you'll see the Sólheimajökull Glacier from a different perspective—from a kayak. After dressing in the included dry suit and learning the basics of kayaking, you'll paddle out behind your guide into the gorgeous lagoon. You'll glide around the icebergs anchored in the water, snap quick photos between paddling, and get to know this wild slice of paradise.

Step inside a Super Jeep to explore Thorsmork, the highland region fringed by three major glaciers. Known for its rugged and dramatic terrain, Thorsmork is best explored on foot or by off-road vehicle; this tour offers the perfect solution as you’ll travel by specially adapted Jeep, designed to handle the terrain with ease, and stop for short hikes through the day.

Cruise through snow and ice on Langjökull, one of Iceland’s largest glaciers, on this guided tour. Take a ride in a 4x4 monster ice truck and enjoy the Icelandic scenery on the ride to the glacier. Then, suit up in the provided gear, learn how to drive the snowmobile, and follow your guide as you speed through ice and snowfields.

Get close to red-hot molten lava by going to an Icelandic Lava Show. It’s a safe and fun experience, as safety goggles are provided, and an experienced professional will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about lava. Enjoy the thrill of being able to touch cooling lava and hear it sizzle. All your burning questions will be answered, as this experience includes an interactive Q&A session at the end of the show.

Access Landmannalaugar’s remote Highlands by super jeep, reaching areas inaccessible to standard buses. With a maximum of just 6 guests, this tour offers a premium small-group experience with more flexibility and personal attention. Enjoy over 3 hours on site, including an optional guided hike to Brennisteinsalda or free time to explore and relax in natural hot springs.

Make exploring beyond Reykjavik city limits easy, and look forward to discovering Icelandic countryside highlights that many other visitors miss, on this horseback-riding tour. Following pickup from the city center, head to the farm, where you’re saddled up on your horse. From there, follow your guide on a ride through forests, past geothermal areas and hot springs, and along other picturesque vistas.

Small-group experience with maximum 19 guests for a more personal, flexible, and premium journey along Iceland’s South Coast. Travel in comfort, avoid crowds, and enjoy more time at each highlight with a knowledgeable local driver-guide.

Strap on your crampons and embark on a thrilling Jeep ride to explore Iceland’s Katla Ice Cave (under the volcano). Trek with a guide as you journey down naturally sculptured tunnels until you find yourself surrounded by the surreal beauty of glacial blue ice. There's have ample time to photograph the majestic landscape and learn about geology from your guide.

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour bundle for Iceland’s Golden Circle, Reykjanes Peninsula & Blue Lagoon, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavik Walking. Discover geysers, waterfalls, lava fields, coastal villages, glaciers, and city landmarks across Iceland’s most iconic regions. GPS-triggered stories play automatically with offline access, making it easy to explore by car and on foot. Blue Lagoon entry not included. Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates Like having a tour guide along for the drive Purchase one tour per vehicle.

Explore Thorsmork, a unique area located between three glaciers, on this customizable, small-group tour. Travel through the rugged wilderness in a Super Jeep to Thorsmork for an optional hike. Traverse rough roads and glacial rivers in the jeep to the Volcano Huts Resort for an included lunch stop before continuing on the adventure.

Buckle up your saddle and embark on a riding adventure atop a sturdy Icelandic horse. Cross through lava fields, trot through green forests, and journey along the slopes of the Reykjafell mountain with your English-speaking guide leading the way. Instead of discovering the area by foot, cover more ground by riding horseback.

Ride an Icelandic horse across open moors and fields, then look for minkes, humpbacks, porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins on a whale-watching cruise from Reykjavik. This full-day experience takes in the best of the country’s wildlife and scenery, both on land and at sea. Practice Iceland’s unique tölt gait and learn how horses arrived in Iceland almost a millennium ago, then search the waters of Faxaflói Bay while enjoying sweeping views of the rugged coastline.

Ride one of our friendly Icelandic horses through the wild beauty of South Iceland, crossing rivers and open fields before reaching the dramatic coastline near Reynisfjara, Iceland’s world-famous Black Sand Beach. This unforgettable journey combines some of the region’s most striking scenery: volcanic sands, wide-open landscapes, glaciers, mountains, waterfalls, and the ever-changing North Atlantic coast. On clear days, you may spot the Westman Islands offshore or catch views toward Skógafoss in the distance. Your Icelandic horse is perfectly suited to the terrain and known for its calm nature, sure-footedness, and smooth tölt gait. Whether you are riding for the first time or already love horses, your guide will make sure you feel comfortable, safe, and well looked after throughout the experience. More than a horseback ride, this is a chance to connect with Iceland’s landscapes, horses, and rural traditions in a truly memorable way.

Explore Iceland’s Golden Circle at your own pace, and enjoy the freedom to go further afield, with this private day trip from Reykjavik by luxury SUV or spacious Mercedes Sprinter van. Follow the famed driving route to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal field, and Gullfoss waterfall, and customize your experience with optional additional stops.

Landmannalaugar is a spectacular natural landscape known for its geothermal hot springs, colorful rock formations, and crystal-clear rivers. Explore the sand, gravel, and lava of this rugged terrain with ease by traveling in a Super Jeep. Along the way, visit Ljótipollur crater lake, and have a chance to bathe in a geothermal pool if you wish.