Top Iceland Outdoor Activities

This is the perfect way to explore Iceland’s incredible scenery and meet the Icelandic horse. Get out in the open air and ride an Icelandic horse from the stables in Vik to a picturesque black sand beach. No need to worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before—this experience is suitable for beginners and goes at a slow and calm pace. Note: riders must be ages 10 and older and cannot weigh more than 220 lbs (100kg).

The Vatnajökull glacier ranks among Iceland’s top natural attractions, but exploring the icy terrain without a guide is dangerous. On this half-day tour, delve into the Skaftafell National Park with a certified guide and discover a world of ice formations and deep crevasses. With all the necessary safety equipment included, enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 people.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Icelandic experience—and get up close and personal to real volcanic lava—during this show in Reykjavik. Book tickets in advance to secure your seats, or upgrade for a premium experience that includes balcony seats, drinks, and a lava gift. Whichever you select, watch as your host handles real molten lava in a controlled environment for a safe but lively encounter.

Explore one of Iceland’s unique geological features during this small-group tour. Snorkel between the North American and European tectonic plates at the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. This area is known as the Silfra Fissure and is home to a number of unique marine species as well as incredible shades of blue. All necessary snorkeling equipment is provided as well as GoPro photos taken during the excursion.

Have only limited time for sightseeing in Iceland? Enjoy a flexible way to explore one of the country's longest lava tunnels on this tour of Raufarhólshellir. Equipped with a helmet and headlamp, you'll see some of the tunnel’s most notable features, and will learn about the changing colors of the rock formations from a guide. This tour departs regularly, making it easy to slot into even the busiest sightseeing schedule.

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.

Explore the volcano Eldfell and the coast of Heimaey Island on this small group ATV tour. YOur guide will show you all around the island and show you all it has to offer. You’ll visit Prestvik beach and hear the story of how the islands were founded. You’ll also have some spectacular views. Each ATV can seat two, and are not difficult to drive. But each driver must hold a driver’s licence.

Sometimes whale watching cruises on huge boats make it hard to be able to actually see the ocean life unless you board first and claim the best spots. This whale watching tour from Husavik is on board an RIB boat limited to just 12 passengers, so you’re never in competition for the best vantage points. Plus, its easy to stay warm and safe with an included warm suit and life jacket.

Take an unforgettable walk on pure ice on this guided glacier hike experience on Sólheimajökull in southern Iceland. Accompanied by a professional guide, set off from the foot of Sólheimajökull, a frozen tongue of solid ice, and thrill at the experience of walking across the frozen valley. Put on your crampons and discover natural ice formations, crevasses, shafts, and ridges as you benefit from the professional guide’s knowledge and support to ensure a safe, informative, and unforgettable experience.

Get up close and personal with puffins on this eco-cruise from Reykjavik. With your local nature guide, step aboard a custom boat that lets you glide right up to Akurey Island's jagged shore to watch the seabirds in their natural habitat. Enjoy engaging commentary about the puffins' biology and behavior from your guide. Includes the use of binoculars for viewing birds and a multi-lingual audio guide app.

Explore the Icelandic wilderness near Reykjavik, including areas inaccessible by car or bus, on a guided all-terrain vehicle (ATV) adventure ascending Reykjavik Peak (Mt. Esja). After a hotel pickup and a safety briefing and practice spin at the headquarters, ride your ATV through varied terrain to enjoy panoramic views of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Located just outside of Reykjavik, the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel is one of the most accessible natural wonders in the country. This half-day tour takes you inside the tunnel—a feat only available on a guided tour—where you can see magnificent geological features that have been created by ancient lava flows. Hotel pickup upgrade available.

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.

The Skaftafell-Vatnajökull National Park is home to Europe’s largest glacier and the icy landscapes offer a dramatic backdrop for a hiking adventure. This guided glacier hike across Falljökull Glacier ensures a personalized experience, with a small group of up to 15 participants, and full instruction provided.

Many glacier tours in Vatnajökull National Park require travelers to walk from the parking lot to the glacier terminus, eating into their time on the ice. On this tour, maximize your time on Falljökull glacier by traveling as near as possible in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Explore moulins, crevasses, and other formations in the company of an Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides-certified guide.

Iceland’s Faxaflói Bay is home to diverse marine life, including dolphins, puffins, and whales—but knowing where the wildlife is likely to appear requires skill and experience. On this small-group rigid inflatable boat (RIB) tour from Reykjavik, zoom across the waves with your guide and reach the action swiftly. Wrapped up warm against the cold, discover scenic views along the way, and enjoy personal attention from your guide.

The colossal icebergs of the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon cannot be missed during your time in Iceland. Departing from Reykjavik, this tour combines a visit to the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon with a stop at the Skógafoss waterfall, and gives you the chance to spot the magical northern lights—weather and visibility permitting. Pickup and drop-off in central Reykjavik are included.

Embark on a thrilling off-road adventure to witness the majestic Katla ice cave from Vik. Venture in a 4WD vehicle across rocky terrains until you reach the magnificent Mýrdalsjökull glacier—the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland. Then, strap on the provided caving equipment and follow your guide to uncover the blue formations hidden beneath the glacier’s surface. You’ll have ample time to contemplate and photograph the majestic ice tunnels.

Combine pre-booked admission tickets to the Perlan Museum’s Wonders of Iceland exhibition with a planetarium show, all thanks to this two-part, time-saving sightseeing package. Choose from a range of admission times throughout the day, make your own way to the Reykjavik museum, and explore immersive highlights like the world's first indoor ice cave. Then, watch a northern lights show in Iceland's only planetarium.

Discover Iceland’s most iconic wildlife with a 2 hour whale and puffin tour from Húsavík on an RIB speedboat. Enjoy views of the Skjálfandi Bay as you skim along the coast, covering an expansive territory in the high-powered craft. Watch for massive blue whales and acrobatic humpbacks, and learn about life beneath the surface from your experienced guide. During the breeding season of mid-April through mid-August, visit ‘Puffin Island’ to find a thriving colony of brightly-colored birds before returning to Húsavík.

Seeing Iceland’s south coast in a single day can feel rushed or impersonal on large coach tours, but this small-group experience offers a more comfortable and flexible way to explore. Travel from Reykjavik in a luxury minibus through volcanic landscapes, stopping at highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and the Solheimajökull glacier.

Indulge in a thrilling adventure on Sólheimajökull Glacier, featuring ice climbing and a guided hike across stunning icy terrain. With certified glacier guides, small group sizes, hotel pickup, and all gear provided, safely explore crevasses, ridges, and vibrant blue ice while scaling a frozen wall—no prior experience needed. Perfect for adventurers seeking an off-the-beaten-path, hands-on glacier experience in Iceland.

Tick off the highlights of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route in just one day, and enjoy a more personal sightseeing experience, on this small-group tour from Reykjavik. Settle into a comfortable, climate-controlled vehicle with Wi-Fi access, and ride seamlessly between dispersed sights. Along the way, see the Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, Thingvellir National Park, and Kerid Crater, and learn more from your guide's in-depth commentary.