From Reykjavik: Explore the Waterfalls of the South Coast

Waterfalls come in every shape here. This 10-hour small-group trip from Reykjavik combines Iceland’s famous south coast sights with quieter stops that many day tours skip. I like the group size of six, which should make the ride and guiding feel more personal, and I like the chance to hear geology from a trained geologist rather than only getting quick photo-stop commentary.

The tour also includes a hike up Stóra-Dímon, a small hill known for broad views over the south coast. The main tradeoff is the long day in a vehicle, with about two and a quarter hours at the start and two and a half hours on the return drive. Winter can also close some areas for safety.

Key points to know before booking

• Six waterfall stops in one day: See Thorstein’s Grove, Gluggafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, and Kvernufoss.
• Geology is central: Your guide explains how volcanic activity, water, and ice shaped the scenery.
• Two very different experiences: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are famous and busy, while Thorstein’s Grove, Gluggafoss, and Kvernufoss offer a quieter feel.
• A short hill hike adds variety: Stóra-Dímon provides one of the day’s best viewpoints.
• Small-group transport: The tour uses a Jeep or SUV and takes no more than six people.
• Pack your own lunch: Food and drinks are not included, and waterproof clothing is strongly advised.

Why this south coast day is different

Iceland’s south coast is easy to reach from Reykjavik, but a standard day trip often focuses on a short list of famous names. This outing follows the Ring Road to those major sights, then adds less familiar waterfalls and a hill walk.

That mix is the main reason to consider it. You get the instant drama of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, but the day does not stop at the most photographed places. Thorstein’s Grove and Gluggafoss offer a quieter start, while Kvernufoss gives you another waterfall near Skógar without simply repeating the same view.

The guide is a professional geologist, and that matters in Iceland. You are not just looking at falling water. You are seeing the result of volcanic rock, glacial activity, erosion, and changing watercourses. Jasmin, the guide named in several highly positive comments, was praised for explaining volcanoes and waterfalls clearly and for choosing stops with care. The tour is also available in English or German.

At $259 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the south coast. Still, the price includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, a professional geology guide, a small group, and several stops that are not part of the usual short list. The value is strongest if you care about context and a less routine route, not simply checking off two famous waterfalls.

Meeting at Hallgrimskirkja and heading south

Pickup is at Reykjavik bus stop 8 by Hallgrimskirkja. Iceland’s city bus stops can be spread around central Reykjavik, so check your position before the morning begins and arrive ready for the scheduled departure time.

The first drive lasts about two hours and 15 minutes. That sounds long, but it is part of the bargain for reaching several stops in one day. You will spend much of the day seated in a Jeep or SUV, with walks and photo stops breaking things up.

A small vehicle should make the ride more comfortable than a large coach, especially when the guide is explaining what you are seeing along the route. It also makes this a better fit for someone who prefers conversation and questions over a large tour group. The vehicle is not a substitute for walking comfort, though. Bring sturdy shoes and expect outdoor conditions to affect the pace.

Thorstein’s Grove: a quieter first stop

After the long southbound drive, the first visit is Thorstein’s Grove. You have around 30 minutes for a walk, sightseeing, and photographs.

This stop helps set the tone. It is not one of the two headline waterfalls that appear in most first-time Iceland itineraries. Instead, it gives you an early look at the softer, less expected side of the south coast. The appeal is not only the waterfall itself, but also the chance to hear why water follows particular channels and how the surrounding rock affects the shape of the fall.

Thirty minutes is enough for a short walk and photographs, but not for a long hike. Keep your camera and waterproof layer easy to reach. In wet weather, the ground around any waterfall can become slippery.

Gluggafoss, also called Merkjárfoss

A short five-minute drive brings you to Gluggafoss, also known as Merkjárfoss. The visit lasts about 30 minutes.

The name refers to the way the water passes through openings in the rock. That makes Gluggafoss a good place to pay attention to the geology, not just the volume of the water. It has a different character from the broad curtain at Skógafoss and the famous path behind Seljalandsfoss.

This is one of the stops that gives the tour its point of difference. You are less likely to feel that the whole day is built around the same postcard view. Instead, each waterfall offers a separate lesson in how water cuts through Icelandic rock.

Seljalandsfoss and the famous route behind the fall

Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, and you get roughly 30 minutes there. Its great feature is the walking path that can take you behind the falling water when conditions allow.

That path is the part most people remember, but it is also the part that demands sensible clothing. Spray can soak you quickly. Waterproof outerwear is not a nice extra here, especially if the wind pushes water onto the trail.

Conditions matter. Winter ice may restrict access, and the operator says some areas can close for safety. Do not treat the advertised stop as a guarantee that every path will be open in every season. The waterfall is still worth seeing from accessible viewpoints, but the experience can change with weather.

A half-hour goes quickly. You will have time for the main view and photographs, but not an unhurried walk around the entire area. That is typical of a day covering six waterfall locations.

Gljúfrabúi, the waterfall tucked into the cliff

Gljúfrabúi is close to Seljalandsfoss, so the tour visits both during the same section of the day. The name is often associated with a waterfall partly hidden inside a narrow canyon, giving it a more enclosed feel than its famous neighbor.

This stop adds a little adventure without turning the outing into a demanding trek. Expect around 30 minutes for the visit and walk. The ground can be wet, and sturdy hiking shoes will help you keep your footing.

The pairing works well. Seljalandsfoss gives you an open, recognizable view and the chance to walk behind the fall when safe. Gljúfrabúi feels more enclosed and less obvious from the main approach. Seeing both helps you understand why the south coast has more variety than a simple list of big waterfalls suggests.

Lunch in the Southern Region

The schedule allows a 30-minute lunch break somewhere in Iceland’s Southern Region. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to bring your own lunch, snacks, and water.

This is a small but important planning detail. Ten hours is a long time to spend outdoors, and the waterfall stops do not replace a proper meal. Pack food that is easy to eat in a short break, and keep a drink within reach during the drives.

The exact lunch setting is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular restaurant or café. Think of it as a practical pause in the day rather than a dining experience.

Stóra-Dímon and the view over southern Iceland

The highlights include a hike up Stóra-Dímon, described as a small hill with one of the most beautiful views of Iceland’s south coast. This is the part of the trip that gives you height and perspective after several close-up waterfall stops.

A short hill walk can feel like a welcome change from vehicle travel. From above, the area makes more sense as a whole. You can take in the broad southern scenery rather than looking only at a single stream or cliff.

The published stop-by-stop schedule does not assign a separate time block to Stóra-Dímon, so the exact timing may depend on conditions and the guide’s plan. That is worth keeping in mind if the viewpoint is your main reason for booking. The tour promises the hike, but weather and safety can affect outdoor plans in Iceland.

Skógafoss: the big classic

After the lunch break, the drive continues for about 30 minutes to Skógafoss. You get roughly 30 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, and walking.

Skógafoss is the showstopper of the day in terms of scale. Water drops in a broad, powerful sheet, and the viewing area gives you a strong sense of its size even if you only stay near the base. It is an excellent place to compare with the narrower or more enclosed falls earlier in the day.

There is also a stairway and higher viewpoint in the Skógar area, but the supplied schedule only allows about half an hour. Do not assume you will have time for a longer uphill walk unless the guide confirms it. If you want a few good photographs, move promptly and keep an eye on the meeting time.

Skógafoss is a busy stop compared with the lesser-known locations. That is not a flaw, but it changes the mood. The tour’s strength is that Skógafoss is only one part of the day, not the whole experience.

Kvernufoss, a quieter ending near Skógar

A five-minute drive takes you to Kvernufoss, with another 30-minute visit. This waterfall is near Skógafoss but offers a different experience, which makes the short transfer especially useful.

Kvernufoss is known for a path that can bring you behind the falling water when conditions permit. As with Seljalandsfoss, you should expect spray and wet ground. The stop is a good final contrast after the open power of Skógafoss.

The nearby location also keeps the day efficient. You do not lose another long stretch of driving just to find a different waterfall. Instead, you get one more walk, one more set of photographs, and one more chance to hear how rock and water shape the area.

The return to Reykjavik

The drive back takes about two and a half hours, returning you to bus stop 8 by Hallgrimskirkja. By then, the day will have included six waterfall locations, a hill walk, a lunch break, and a large amount of road time.

That final drive is the main physical cost of this trip. If you want a slow day with long walks at one or two locations, this is not the right format. If you want to cover a wide stretch of the south coast in one day and prefer a guide-led route, the structure makes sense.

The small group helps here. Six people or fewer means less time spent loading a large bus and more chance to ask about the places you have just seen. The guide’s geology background is particularly useful on the return, when the scenery outside the window can become a moving lesson rather than just a long ride.

What to wear and pack

I would treat the packing list seriously. Iceland’s weather can shift quickly, and waterfall spray is part of the experience.

Bring:

• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• Food and drinks for the lunch break
• Warm layers suitable for the season
• A camera or phone protected from spray

Crampons are provided in winter when icy conditions require them. You still need proper footwear, and you should expect some areas to close if conditions are unsafe. This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the walks, uneven ground, and possible ice make mobility an important consideration.

Who will get the most from this tour?

You should consider booking if you want:

• Six different waterfall stops in one day
• A small group rather than a large coach
• Explanations about volcanoes, rock, and water
• A mix of famous sights and quieter locations
• Reykjavik pickup and drop-off
• A full south coast day without planning several separate transfers

You may prefer another tour if you want a relaxed pace, a guaranteed restaurant lunch, or lots of time at each waterfall. The schedule gives most stops only 30 minutes, so this is a sightseeing circuit with short walks, not a full hiking day.

The tour suits adults, families, and older children who can manage outdoor walking. It is described as suitable for all ages, but you still need to judge the weather, footwear, and walking surface for your own group.

Is the $259 price good value?

At $259, you are paying for more than transport to two famous waterfalls. You are getting a 10-hour outing, a small group capped at six, a professional geologist guide, Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, six waterfall locations, and the Stóra-Dímon viewpoint.

The price makes the most sense if you value the guide’s subject knowledge. Jasmin received especially strong praise for explaining volcanoes and waterfalls and for taking the group to places that many standard routes miss. That kind of specialist guiding is the main reason to choose this over a basic south coast transfer.

It is less compelling if your priority is simply the lowest-cost way to see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. You will need to supply your own food and drinks, and much of the day is spent on the road. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility, but they do not change the basic value calculation.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a small, geology-focused day that goes beyond Iceland’s standard waterfall pair. The mix of Thorstein’s Grove, Gluggafoss, Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Kvernufoss, and Stóra-Dímon gives you both famous scenery and less familiar stops.

Skip it if you dislike long drives or need a fully accessible outing. Pack lunch, wear waterproof layers, and accept that winter conditions may change the route. For the right person, the guide’s geology background and the smaller group make the $259 price easier to justify.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes at bus stop 8 by Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts 10 hours, including transport, waterfall visits, the lunch break, and the return to Reykjavik.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Which waterfalls are visited?

The route includes Thorstein’s Grove, Gluggafoss, also called Merkjárfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Kvernufoss.

Is Stóra-Dímon part of the tour?

Yes. The experience includes a hike up Stóra-Dímon for views over Iceland’s south coast.

Is lunch included?

No. You need to bring your own food and drinks. A 30-minute lunch break is included in the schedule.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered in English and German.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes are also strongly recommended.