BusTravel Diamond Beach Day Trip
14 hours · BusTravel Iceland
from $211 per person Check availability →
Small-Group Minibus, Hotel Pickup
From Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Tour
from $229 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Meeting point
- Pickup included
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Run by
- Gateway to Iceland (GTIce)
Overview
This Gateway to Iceland day trip packs the entire South Coast into a single long loop from Reykjavik, running in a minibus with no more than 19 passengers and a driver-guide who gives live commentary the whole way. Pickup runs between 7:30AM and 8:00AM from hotels and designated bus stops across the city, including the cruise terminal and domestic airport, and the day can stretch to 14 or even 16 hours door to door.
The route heads down the coast with a break in Vík, then reaches Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon for a 45-minute sightseeing stop in summer conditions. A quick photo stop at Foss á Síðu follows, and after roughly an hour and a half of driving the tour arrives at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon for an hour, followed by 30 minutes at Diamond Beach. An amphibian boat ride on the lagoon is available at extra cost. The return leg includes a turf church photo stop at Hof, dinner in Vík, and a 30-minute stop at Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall.
It suits travellers who want the glacier lagoon and the classic South Coast stops without hiring a car, and who can handle a very full day. Reviews repeatedly say the long hours feel worthwhile, though one warned that Seljalandsfoss can arrive after dark in the darker months.
From$229 per person
Duration14 hours
Rating4.8 from 456 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Professional and local driver/guide
- Live commentary onboard
- Pickup and drop off from designated bus stops and hotels
- Small-group tour
Not Included
- Food and drinks (available for purchase during stops)
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup, ReykjavikPickup from designated hotels and bus stops between 7:30AM and 8:00AM, with dozens of listed locations including the cruise terminal and domestic airport.
- Drive south, Vík breakA 2.5-hour van drive down the South Coast, then a 30-minute break with shopping and sightseeing in Vík.
- Fjaðrárgljúfur canyonAfter a 45-minute drive, 45 minutes of sightseeing at the canyon. This stop is seasonal and weather dependent.
- Foss á Síðu photo stopA short 15-minute transfer, then 10 minutes for photos at this waterfall, where wind can push the water upward.
- Jökulsárlón and Diamond BeachRoughly 1.5 hours of driving to the lagoon for an hour of free time, followed by 30 minutes at Diamond Beach. The amphibian boat ride on the lagoon costs extra.
- Hofskirkja and dinner in VíkA 10-minute photo stop at the turf church at Hof, then after a long drive a 45-minute dinner break in Vík. Food is not included.
- SeljalandsfossA 30-minute stop at the waterfall, which you can walk behind, before the final two-hour drive back to Reykjavik and hotel drop-off.
- BusTravel Diamond Beach Day Trip$211
- 14 to 15 Hour Day Trip$225
- Small-Group Minibus, Hotel Pickup (this tour)$229
- Gray Line 14.5-Hour South Coast$234
- Reykjavik Excursions Guided Day Trip$234
- Boat Ride Included, 14 Hours$292
- Reykjavik Excursions Boat Tour$328
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points from the booking page and from what travellers report will help you decide whether this tour fits.
- Very long day. Plan for 14 to 16 hours, with some reviewers describing returns around 11PM or even midnight. Several said the sights at the stops made the tiring journey worth it.
- Dress for weather. The operator recommends warm, windproof and waterproof clothing, outdoor shoes and rain gear. Reviewers mention rain on their trips and note the tour ran regardless.
- Food is extra. Meals and drinks are not included. There is a dinner stop in Vík, where lamb soup and black dough pizza are among the food options, and there are chances to buy food during other breaks.
- Small group feel. The tour runs on minibuses with a maximum of 19 passengers, and reviewers describe the guides as knowledgeable and generous with stories about Icelandic history and folklore.
- Winter aurora chance. Between September 1st and April 1st the driver watches for Northern Lights on the return leg if the sky is clear and activity is strong. One reviewer described the day ending with an aurora display between rain showers.
$229from, per person
14 hoursduration
4.8across 456 guest reviews
19guests at most
- Seasonal stops vary. The canyon stop is summer only and depends on conditions, and one reviewer noted arriving at Seljalandsfoss after dark in the darker season. The operator can also delay, alter or cancel the tour for weather or other unsafe conditions.
Common issues. The tour needs a minimum of 6 participants to run, and if numbers fall short you are offered an alternative departure or a full refund. Weather can also force delays, changes or cancellation, with a full refund in that case. One reviewer felt the late arrival at Seljalandsfoss, in the dark, cut the experience short. The amphibian boat ride and all food cost extra.
Common Questions
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops and hotels in Reykjavik are included, with dozens of listed locations including suburbs, the cruise port and the domestic airport. If your hotel sits in a restricted area you will be picked up at a nearby designated bus stop. Pickup happens between 7:30AM and 8:00AM.
How Long Is The Tour?
The tour is scheduled for 14 hours, though the booking page says the day can run 14 to 16 hours. Reviewers have described returns between 11PM and midnight.
Is Food Included?
No. Food and drinks are excluded, and you can buy them during stops. There is a dinner break in Vík, Iceland's southernmost village, where the booking page mentions lamb soup and black dough pizza.
Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of weather or unsafe travel conditions you also get a full refund, and if the minimum of 6 participants is not reached you are offered an alternative departure or a refund.
Is The Boat Ride On The Lagoon Included?
No, the amphibian boat ride at Jökulsárlón carries an additional cost. You can also simply admire the icebergs from the shore during the hour-long stop, and one reviewer who took the boat called it highly recommended.
What Should I Bring, And Is It Suitable For Children?
Bring rain gear and outdoor clothing, with warm, windproof and waterproof layers and outdoor shoes recommended. Icelandic law requires child seats or boosters, and you can ask the operator by email or phone to provide one. Specific accessibility limits are not mentioned, so raise any mobility questions with the operator before booking.
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