South Iceland contains many of the most popular trips and action tours in the country. Close to Reykjavík is the Reykjanes Peninsula, with the Blue Lagoon, Keflavík Airport, and many wild spots and charming villages; over the Hellisheiði mountain pass lies the tranquil farmland and small towns like Hveragerði, Selfoss and Flúður. The Golden Circle and south coast roads are busy during the summer, and there are several glaciers dotting the coast and volcanoes silhouetted against the skyline. Vík í Myrdal is the halfway point, and Höfn—beneath the mighty Vatnajökull—marks the gateway to the east. To help you out along the way, here are our panel’s best South Iceland action-packed tours.
Best Action Tour
Snorkelling at Silfra
Þingvallavatn
Going snorkelling in the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates took our panel’s collective breath away. “It’s overwhelming in the most magical way,” they said. “There are so many sights and sensations all around you—it’s truly something you won’t be able to experience anywhere else.” The tour is tailored to individual preferences, and can be made more athletic or relaxed, with divers hovering in the sub-zero water in their thick floatation suits.
Runner Up:
ATV Tour & Snowmobiling
Sólheimar, various suppliers
From the Arcanum tours reception at Sólheimajökull you can either go snowmobiling on the top of Mýrdalsjökull, or motoring over the black sands of Sólheimajökull on an ATV. Both are just stunning—highlights include a view of the distant Westman Islands, or the famous DC-3 plane wreck, respectively.
Runner Up:
Ice Climbing
Various locations and suppliers
Another way to get close to a glacier is to take an ice climbing trip. With expert guides, you’ll soon master the technique of scaling an ice wall. “There are plenty of places to do it,” said the panel. “It’s harder than it looks, but thoroughly rewarding.” Note: never venture onto a glacier without an experienced guide.
Other Categories
You can buy a copy of the full Best Of Iceland 2019 magazine—an essential guide to having fun in Iceland, from the best action tours and onwards—here, posted worldwide. We also have a Special Offer double-pack here that also includes our Best Of Reykjavík magazine, about places to eat, see, swim, visit, and shop in the country’s capital city.
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