South Coast & Katla Ice Cave Adventure From Reykjavik In A 4x4

I was most looking forward to seeing Vikurfjara black sand beach but at the beginning of the tour, our guide said that it was not part of the excursion despite it being advertised as it was. No Wi-Fi on the bus and my scheduled pick up location was changed without my knowledge so I had to walk much further. Many false advertisements and very disappointed that my last day in Iceland was wasted. The guide was great though and the destinations are nice.

Getting to the ice cave was very cool, but the cave itself was little bit anticlimactic. Walk about 15 steps in and then turn around and go back out again. The rest of the stops were really cool and the tour operator was great. Just maybe consider doing a south coast tour without the ice cave.

Be sure to wear waterproof clothing! You will get wet. Excellent tour. Some hiking is involved. Wear good tread shoes.

The actual ice cave was the best part besides 2 waterfalls. The issue is, the photos and the tour guide didn’t disclose that the ice cave is like 20ft and a dead end. So we got all excited to see this ice cave, take 50 steps and it’s done. It was a bit of a letdown. The guide was kinda rude and talking to everyone like a child, he controlled when or if you walked to the bus or stepped on the bus etc. it was a bit strange.

Unique Experience like no other. Kata, our driver was funny and fantastic and kept us safe all day. The cave was larger than some reviewers had mentioned. Really cool experience. Falls and black sand beach were beautiful. Just the right amount of stops along the way

Everything happened as explained. The guide Kelli had given very good and interesting explanations all during the tour. I appreciated the small group allowing us to discover the wild landscape in a good rythmus.

This was a great excursion, we had plenty of time at each stop without feeling like we were just wasting time wandering Our bus driver was very attentive to food and bathroom stops for everyone The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is because there was no wifi on the bus as advertised and it was impossible to get ahold of the company before hand with any questions I had In all I think this was worth it!

Awesome guide was great and very knowledgeable. He took his time and the pace was perfect. The small group allowed everyone to enjoy the cave and take pictures without anyone else in your picture. The tour group 7 people had the cave to ourselves. The black sand beach did not have a crowd. Walking behind the waterfall was tricky as the rocky ground is slippery from the water. Definitely worth the money to take this small group tour!

It was an amazing trip. Valla was an excellent guide and very informative and an absolute pleasure 🙏 Learnt a lot about this beautiful country ❤️

Ice cave was amazing. Also enjoyed the education on the lave and volcano ash. Great scenery and tour

Extraordinary glacial volcanic moon-like experience was the highlight brilliantly driven and guided by Chrissy

The guide was informative and fun. Even though the ice cave was short, the beauty of the designs in the ice was surprising.

From the moment we set off, this felt like a truly special experience. I remember looking at our guide and telling him he had the coolest job in the world — and by the end of the day, I was even more convinced. The super jeep itself was incredibly comfortable, with seats bigger than the armchairs in my first tiny flat, which made the long drive from Reykjavik feel very relaxed. We had several comfort stops along the way, including waterfalls and scenic viewpoints, with dramatic landscapes unfolding throughout the journey. Our guide shared fascinating information as we travelled, translating Icelandic place names and explaining the geography and history of the areas we passed, which added a really enriching dimension to the experience. After stopping for lunch and walking down to the striking black sand beach, we climbed back into the jeep, amused to find people taking photos of us and the vehicle — we joked that we must have looked like a team of volcanologists heading out on an important expedition. Then the adventure truly began. Without warning, our guide veered off the road and drove straight across a vast lava field. As we travelled deeper into the wilderness, snow began to appear and then thicken around us. The ride became wonderfully wild and exhilarating, with the jeep powering through the terrain while we were thrown about in our seats. It was thrilling, surreal and completely unforgettable. Eventually we stopped, unsure where the snow ended and the glacier began. We were fitted with crampons and hard hats before beginning the climb towards the ice cave. With only a small group of seven, the experience felt personal and safe. The cave itself was lit with battery-operated lights, creating a magical, otherworldly atmosphere that felt truly unique. Afterwards, we spent time outside in surprisingly sunny conditions, enjoying the vastness of the landscape and chatting with our guide about Iceland’s volcanic activity and the impact of climate change. The walk and climb required a reasonable level of fitness, but nothing too strenuous for most active travellers. This tour combined adventure, education, humour and breathtaking natural beauty in a way that felt truly unforgettable. A highlight of our trip and something we would wholeheartedly recommend.

Great adventure visiting the South Coast & Katla Ice Cave! Alli was a great guide. Highly recommend.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was truly underwhelming and unpleasant. To start off, we waited for over an hour for our van to pick us up in the cold morning (est pickup time was 8:30-9:00am, our van arrived at 9:30am). We were then forced to sit in the last row of a small sprinter van, given all other seats were taken, where we had to constantly fight for more space with the couple next to us. The last row, given the very tight space, should be suitable for up to 3 people max, not 4. We had to hold onto our heavy backpacks and thick jackets the whole tour. We then stopped at 2 waterfalls where we raced against time, given only 20-30 min for each stop, including bathroom breaks. The main reason we booked this tour was for the ice cave tour near the end, which after a very bumpy and long ride, lasted for 10min only. Our tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but the overall experience was extremely uncomfortable. We will be booking with a different tour next time we visit.

Fantastic day. The guide Alfred (Allí) was very knowledgeable, funny and really bonded with the group. It was a long day, but the journey to Vik was broken by stop at two spectacular waterfalls, with time to explore the black sandy beach and have lunch at Vik. The trip to the glacier by big jeep was fun although bumpy and the ice cave and glacier were stunning.

This tour includes all of the main south coast sights and an extra section driving across old gravel roads to reach a glacier cave. In 2026 this tour goes to a different cave from the one used by other tour companies. The cave is a short walk (10 mins) from where the very comfortable 4x4 bus parks. We were collected at 9am and dropped off just after 6pm.

Great trip picked up in Reykjavik in a lovely back 4 x 4 then travelled down to the south coast for about 1 1/2 hours before a quick stop for refreshments and rest room then onto the first waterfall then onto the ice cave via an off road experience. The ice cave and scenery is stunning then it's Vik for refreshments shopping and the black sand beach extremely windy when we were there the last stop of the day is another beautiful waterfall and long day but worth it.

Prompt pickups- don’t be late! Excellent adventure day with my teenager. We giggled at how “hardcore” the vehicle looked but we really needed it for the off-roading near the glacier. You get to go where the big buses cannot go.

The ice cave was my favorite part of my trip! Guide was excellent and even though the weather wasn't great, everything was beautiful. I was nervous about walking across the glacier to the ice cave, but it was completely amazing and I know I would have regretted it if I didn't do it!

From visiting the ice cave and the surrounding snowy plains, to the black sand beach at sunset to the stunning waterfalls and mountains, this was a truly memorable tour. Jón was our guide and driver, friendly, knowledgeable and competent.

It was unique experience from the get go! The super truck going on such volcanic terrain was fun! The ice cave was like no other I’ve ever seen.

A great tour! The waterfalls were beautiful and we loved the 4x4 ride to the ice cave. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining!

5 stars from start to finish! Ole was a brilliant host. He picked us up on time in an immaculate almost brand new 4x4 super jeep. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the area was brilliant and he made us feel welcome from the start. We had plenty of time to visit each of the waterfalls and even had enough time for extra photo stops that Ole suggested. Highly recommended. We had a brilliant time. Top tip - take snacks for the trip. The food stop was later in the afternoon but that was fine as we were prepared for it.

Fun getting to drive around in a super jeep until weather turned for worse but nature is unpredictable

This trip on the winter solstice was the highlight of our wonderful Iceland trip. Christian, the knowledgable guide, planned the day brilliantly to ensure we saw everything despite the limited daylight, picking up some tourists who had missed their own tour and dealing with some vehicle trouble. As the guide explained, ice caves are affected by the climate and constantly changing, but we were fortunate to be taken several metres under a glacier in a narrow cave. I saw another tourist's complaint that the ice cave we visited didn't look like the photos online - clearly, they weren't listening. The guide also pointed out a small scale northern lights event and allowed those that wanted to observe it - an unplanned bonus.

The pictures and information used to sell this trip are not the same place we were taken. You will see from the attached video the entrance to the Tunnel (you can't call this a cave). The photo is from the end of the Tunnel (about 10m long). Only 6 people at a time can enter so you will only spend about 2 to 5 minutes in it. It is nothing like the images used to promote the trip. Also there is no wifi on the 4x4 (which kept breaking down!).

The landscapes of Iceland are undeniably breathtaking, and this tour allowed us to experience some of the most iconic landmarks along the south coast. The Katla glacier, stunning ice caves, black sand beach, and two magnificent waterfalls were highlights, showcasing the raw beauty of Iceland’s natural wonders. Visiting in November, we understood that the limited daylight would require efficient planning, but unfortunately, there were some major hiccups. Our tour was delayed by an hour because the guide forgot a party of four at one of the stops and had to backtrack to pick them up. While mistakes happen, better communication could have prevented this. According to the party left behind, they had tried calling the company multiple times but couldn’t get through, which was frustrating for everyone involved. This delay meant that our time at each stop was significantly shortened, leaving little opportunity to fully take in the incredible sights. Given the cost of the tour, we expected a smoother experience. It would have been wonderful if the guide had incorporated more commentary about Icelandic folklore, traditions, and history to enrich the experience. Adding this layer would not only make the tour more engaging but also help the company stand out in a competitive market. Overall, Iceland’s awe-inspiring landscapes made up for the logistical shortcomings, but I do hope the company works on improving communication and planning. With some adjustments, they could elevate their tours to match the incredible beauty of their surroundings.

Felt like travelling through a magical world- glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic ash, black sand beaches- hour to hour you’re experiencing something new and not a single wasted second- everywhere you turn there’s something amazing. Great guide with brilliant knowledge and felt safe but adventure-full!

This trip was AMAZING! We had no idea what to expect and we had the best day! Daniel was our tour guide and he is a natural at his job. He provided great historical information along the way and drove his monster 4x4 like a pro. His playlist was epic and he was funny as well as patient, making sure everyone was safe throughout the adventure. I would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone who appreciates the power and force that nature can exude.

This tour was absolutely amazing!! A day packed with adventure. Never thought I would ever climb a glacier in my life! Jón made it exceptional with his hospitality and humor. Thank you so much for a great day!

By the end of the summer, there wasn't much of a cave left, but the vistas at the glacier were spectacular. Daniel's driving and narration were quite fun and noteworthy. Waterfalls were really great but not too much different from so many others. Black sand beach stop offered unique views.

We were very sad, we missed this wonderful trip, since our ship hit bad weather & we were late arriving in port. But the tour operator was kind enough to give us a refund, since it was No fault of ours. Sincerely appreciated his professionalism & courtesy. Would definitely recommend this trip ,since this was going to be our second time, doing the trip. We will definitely do it again, when we come back. Thanks

We were picked up near our apartment by Adonis (our tour guide) in an off-road truck. He was very kind and told us ALOT about Iceland and its history and answered all of our questions. We were a family of 4 and there were also 2 other people with us in the truck. Everyone came along well and we had a great time. Adonis also had a nice playlist for us with Icelandic songs. On our tour we visited 2 Waterfalls, the Katla-Icecave and also the black beach. He told us many facts about animals, glaciers, history and also Icelandic mythology. In general we really enjoyed this trip and were very happy about having Adonis as our tour guide. We would recommend a tour with GravelTravel and in particular with Adonis.

Very nice day beautiful waterfalls and the ice cave was a unique experience. Our guide was excellent!!! The rain was hard at times but you just make the best of it.

Unbelievable experience. Best thing we did in Iceland. Would highly suggest wearing hiking boots and water resistant clothes. We didn’t and got a little wet but it was still amazing!

This tour was amazing! Our guide, Siggi, was very knowledgeable and had some great stories to share. The hike on the glacier and visiting the ice cave was the highlight for me!!

4 golfing buddies from Switzerland & Dubai, spent a week at the Troon South Beach Hotel. Staff very friendly with a huge thanks to Karen & Stewart for golf recommendations and bookings. We had a great time all round and now discussing our 2025 gof tour based at the South Beach Hotel – a huge thanks from all of us.

A really unique experience Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful overall Well organized and professional tour. Definitely recommend it

Our driver/guide “Snyper” was wonderful! He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging throughout the entire excursion. This is a newer company so we were lucky to have been on the tour ourselves. It turned out being a private tour which really capped off our Iceland experience. We were the only ones in the GlacierIce Cave which was totally awesome. He also made additional stops which was not on the itinerary which made us feel like VIPs. Cruise port pickup was timely. The vehicle was very comfortable. Food/Toilet breaks very convenient.

We spent an excellent day with Roggi, our informative tour guide, who expounded on items of interest as we sped down the highway to Vik in a luxurious 4WD. The visit to the ice cave in the glacier was a highlight. On the way back, we stopped at some spectacular waterfalls and the black sand beach.

4x4 Mercedes bus was nice. But.... no wifi and USB ports were USB D?? Everyone has USB C so no one could charge phones. Ice cave was a long walk through up to.knee deep snow. Cold and windy Cave was only about 40ft. Deep. Not what you see in brochure. Was definitely an experience, but not what the brochure implies. Black Beach was nice. You have very short time 20-30 min max at each spot. Not enough time to get a meal

The most memorable part of the trip was climbing into an ice cave at Katla glacier. I will long remember this excursion.

We had 4 locations to cover. However the tour guide didn’t give us more than 25 mins at 3 of them. We were back in Reykjavik by 5 and wished we could have spent more time at few of the locations to explore around. Ice caves were worth the visit wherein we spent 2 hours exploring around. I wished we could have spent a bit more time at waterfalls and black sand beach as well

Loved this trip, the guide was very friendly and informative. Going off road to the ice cave was a highlight. Would definitely recommend it.

The weather was crazy but we had a fabulous time on this tour. Our guide was a very skilled driver and did everything he could to make the tour enjoyable even with changes he had to make due to weather. We were bummed to have missed the ice cave but he took us to a deserted black sand beach, which was so cool. Would definitely go on a tour with this guide again!

This was a FULL day as we left from Reykjavik. The stop at the Black Sand Beach was moved due to the weather so we went there on the way back from the Ice Cave. Truly stunning. As we got closer to the ice caves, we were really happy to be in a vehicle with such massive wheels as the terrain was WOW. Once we arrived Valthor was so patient making sure we were all fitted safely with our crampons. The walk up to the ice cave took all of our concentration though a rope was available to help our footing up the narrow and icy steps. The ice cave we went into was pretty small only a few at a time could fit inside due to this Ice Cave being in its infancy (cant wait to go back in a few years to see its growth) The scenery was so incredibly beautiful and majestic and Valthor spent some time telling us about the history of that region. The onto Black Sands beach with its Basalt rocks and cave. It was spectacular but it was more white than black due to the snow - it was a bit of a blizzard (cant do anything about the weather). You could tell the love for the country and they have such great respect for the history and the impact volcanoes and glaciers have had in their part of the world. We made 2 stops on the drive back to Reykjavik (a beautiful water fall with back lighting) and a really nice tourist stop with shops, restroom facilities and a variety of food options. It's a long day of being in a vehicle but to see what we saw, to experience what we experienced, to have our senses fully awakened, we would definitely recommend this tour. If you are into serious 4 x 4 this is the place to go as its like being in heaven up on the glacier and these guys really know how to use their vehicles to the max - we had an absolute hoot all day - we got chatting to Valthor when we were dropped off and he and gravel travel are a really cool organisation with great customer service and knowledge and they are small (like 4 people wokring small so go and support these guys) - I will be booking with them again for definite.

My favourite tour this trip. Amazing views. A true adventure. Our guide was amazing. I would definitely recommend this tour, once in a lifetime for me visiting a natural ice cave.

Pros , cave was fantastic, 4 wheel and guide was good Cons . Mainly during jan hardly have 4 hours of sunlight and it’s impossible to cover cave , black sand beach and waterfalls, so we saw beach and waterfalls in dark only which is not worth it Recommend to go for cave tour only during , this tour is not worth the money