A glacier snowmobile beats most Iceland souvenirs. This day trip strings together Mýrdalsjökull snowmobiling and the big-ticket waterfalls—Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss—so you get both adrenaline and jaw-dropping scenery in one long day. It’s built around reaching the glacier by a specially modified truck, then riding out on the ice when conditions allow.

I also like the real-world pacing: you’re not just staring out a bus window. You’ll gear up at the Adventure Ground, get safety instructions, and then have a dedicated block of time for the ride before heading back to Reykjavik.

One thing to plan for: it’s a long day on the road, and food and drinks aren’t included. Add in the fact that one snowmobile is shared by two people, and you’ll want to arrive ready with warm layers and a snack plan.

Key Highlights Worth Booking For

• Glacier snowmobile time on Mýrdalsjökull with protective clothing and safety gear provided
• Skógafoss stop for one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls
• Seljalandsfoss walk-behind when weather permits
• Specially modified glacier truck to reach the snowmobile area
• Long South Coast scenic drive with comfort stops along the way
• English live guide plus strong on-site guidance where it counts most

Why This South Coast Day Hits So Hard

This tour works because it mixes two kinds of Iceland magic. You get the high-energy stuff—snowmobiling on a real glacier—then you land in waterfall country, where the power of the water does the talking. Skógafoss brings the drama with a wide, thundering drop, while Seljalandsfoss gives you a different kind of wow: the chance to walk behind it when the weather cooperates.

And since it’s run as a full-day out-and-back from Reykjavik, you’re not forced to piece things together with multiple rentals or transfers. If your Iceland time is tight and you want a single plan that covers both glacier thrills and classic South Coast stops, this is one of the cleaner options.

Reykjavik Pickup at BSI Bus Terminal and the South Coast Drive

The day starts at the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik. It’s the home base for Reykjavik Excursions, and the meeting building is marked. You’ll be traveling with a group in a coach, with free Wi‑Fi on board—handy for passing time (or saving space in your phone for later photos).

Expect a substantial road transfer. It’s not a quick hop to the glacier. The upside is that the South Coast drive gives you repeated “how is this real?” moments along the way, plus there’s at least one service stop for bathrooms and quick food options.

Here’s the balanced truth: the bus ride may not be a super deep, constant narration. One way this tour tends to feel is that the real instruction and storytelling ramps up more at the glacier operation than on the coach. If you love commentary during every mile, you might find the coach portion more practical than dramatic.

Adventure Ground Setup: Glacier Truck and Safety Briefing

Once you arrive at the Adventure Ground, the pace changes. This is where you stop being a passenger and start becoming an ice-day participant.

You’ll gear up with protective clothing and safety equipment provided for the snowmobile ride. You’ll also meet the team that runs the glacier portion and get a safety briefing before you go out. This matters because you’re riding on an icy surface with changing conditions, and glacier operations are not the place for guesswork.

Then you’ll transfer using a specially modified glacier truck—basically the “get serious about traction and reach” vehicle. It’s not just transportation. It’s part of the day’s excitement and helps make the snowmobile time feel like a real expedition instead of a quick roadside stop.

If weather allows, the conditions can make the views from higher points breathtaking. And even when the weather is messy, you still get that glacier-at-work feeling: cold air, real altitude, and that distinctive ice texture everywhere you look.

Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull: What You’re Actually Getting

This is the heart of the tour. You’ll ride on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, which is a serious location—big ice, real scale, and the kind of contrast that makes your camera work overtime.

What the ride is like

You’ll have protective gear on, and you’ll follow the lead of the guides who set expectations for speed and group movement. Your priority is safe control, not trying to “win” the glacier.

Also note a key practical detail: one snowmobile is shared by two persons. That means you’re riding tandem on a single machine with your partner. If you’re traveling solo, that shared setup affects how you’ll plan your comfort and communication with your riding partner. It’s normal for this style of tour, but it’s good to know before you show up thinking it’s a private machine for every person.

Ride time expectations

The tour is built around a full day, but the snowmobile block is the focused part. Based on the way the experience is run, you should plan on a concentrated riding window—often around an hour once you’re suited up and organized—plus time for briefing and the truck transfer.

One more tip from common on-the-spot lessons: the gear you get helps, but don’t count on it to cover everything for cold hands and neck comfort. A thin balaclava can leave you wanting a warmer neck layer, and cold gloves will ruin the fun fast. If you want to maximize comfort, bring your own neck warmer and plan for warm socks under whatever you wear.

Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss: Two Waterfalls, Two Different Kinds of Awe

After the glacier time, you head back and the tour plugs you into two of the South Coast’s biggest waterfall hits.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is often the most photographed waterfall in Iceland for a reason. It’s wide, powerful, and photogenic from multiple angles. You’ll get a stop that’s long enough to watch the falls in motion and get your shots, without feeling like you’re on a treadmill.

If you’re someone who likes to “see it first, then photo second,” Skógafoss is forgiving. Even if wind and mist mess with your picture, the experience still lands.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a different story. This is the waterfall where the feature is the walking option—you can walk behind the falls if weather permits. That conditional piece matters. If the wind is rough or the area is too slippery, they may not allow it or you might not enjoy it as much as you hoped.

When it does work, walking behind Seljalandsfoss gives you a more tactile view of Iceland’s power. You stop thinking about postcard angles and start thinking about scale, sound, and how fast the water hits the rock.

A small but real timing advantage

These waterfall stops help break up the return journey to Reykjavik. On a day this long, the stops keep your energy from flatlining. You’re not just sitting. You’re stretching, seeing, and resetting mentally.

Timing, Food, and What to Pack for a 10-Hour Day

This tour runs about 10 hours end to end, with timing that depends on the day’s schedule. That’s long enough that you’ll feel it in your legs if you don’t manage comfort.

Food and drinks

Food and drinks are not included. In practice, you usually get time to grab food along the way, and there’s also time to enjoy lunch around the Adventure Ground area. But because meals aren’t included, you should plan to bring snacks and keep a water strategy.

I strongly recommend packing at least a couple of snack items and something warm (like a tea bag in a thermos if you travel that way). If you end up hungry, the glacier ride still happens, and hunger makes the cold feel sharper.

The warmth checklist

You’ll have protective clothing and safety equipment, but you’re still moving in winter conditions. Bring:

• Warm base layers (the kind that don’t trap sweat)
• Gloves you trust (cold hands kill the vibe)
• Warm socks
• A neck warmer to pair with the provided balaclava
• Layers you can add or remove during the bus ride

Also, bring your ID as required. You’ll need a driver’s license for this experience.

The “who’s this for” comfort fit

If you’re the type who gets cold easily, treat this as a warmth-focused day, not just a fun outing. The better prepared you are, the more the glacier time feels like pure freedom instead of endurance.

Price and Value: Is $332 Worth It?

At about $332 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on. But it also isn’t overpriced in a way that feels disconnected from what you’re buying.

You’re paying for:

• Transport from Reykjavik via coach
• Access to a glacier operation
• Protective gear and safety equipment
• A snowmobile ride on a glacier
• A glacier truck transfer
• Waterfall stops that are classic South Coast anchors

The key value lever is that you’re combining the two hardest-to-arrange elements in one day: glacier riding plus major waterfall viewing. If you tried to build glacier access yourself, you’d quickly run into higher costs and more planning stress, especially if you don’t want to deal with gear, transfers, and coordination.

Is it still a “splurge”? Sure. But it’s a splurge that converts into memories that are hard to replicate—especially because you’re not just visiting; you’re actively doing something on real ice.

Who Should Book (and Who Should Skip)

This tour makes the most sense if you:

• Want one full day that covers glacier thrill and iconic South Coast waterfalls
• Enjoy hands-on activities more than “look and move on”
• Are traveling with someone you can ride tandem with on the snowmobile
• Can handle a long bus day and stay flexible with weather

It’s not a fit if:

• You’re traveling with children under 8 years (not suitable)
• You hate cold-weather gear days
• You’re expecting a private snowmobile setup (the ride is shared by two people)
• You need guaranteed behind-the-falls access at Seljalandsfoss regardless of conditions

Guides, Real-World Experience, and the “Herman” Factor

One of the strongest signals from the experience is the quality of support where it matters: the glacier operation team and the people running the day. Names you may hear include Hermann/Herman and Marti, and those guides tend to be the difference between a basic activity and a day that feels like it has personality.

The best version of this tour has two things working together:

1. A glacier guide who explains what you’re looking at and how to ride safely.
2. A driver who keeps the day flowing, handles surprises, and fills the gaps with useful info.

Sometimes the coach portion feels more “get there” than “teach you the whole way,” but the snowmobiling side is where the day earns its keep.

Should You Book This Reykjavik South Coast Glacier Snowmobile Tour?

If your goal is a single, high-impact day from Reykjavik that mixes glacier snowmobiling with Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, I’d book it—especially if you’re comfortable dressing warm and you accept the shared snowmobile setup.

I’d hesitate only if you:

• Want a lighter day with fewer hours on the road
• Don’t like cold-weather physical activity
• Assume food is included (it isn’t)
• Really need constant guided narration on the coach portion

Bottom line: for most visitors, this tour is a strong “do the big stuff” package with a thrill centerpiece and classic waterfall payoff. Prepare for the cold, bring snacks, and you’ll likely leave with a story that beats every photo back home.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik South Coast & Glacier Snowmobile Tour?

The tour is listed as 10 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik.

Is food included on this tour?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What do I need to bring?

You need a driver’s license.

Do I share a snowmobile?

Yes. One snowmobile is shared by two persons.

What age is the tour suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 8 years.

Is protective clothing provided for the snowmobile ride?

Yes. Protective clothing and safety equipment are included for the snowmobile ride.

Is there a live tour guide, and what language?

Yes. The live tour guide operates in English.

Is Wi‑Fi available during the bus ride?

Yes. Free Wi‑Fi is available on board the bus.