All year

Iceland's South Coast Itinerary: Waterfalls & Black Sands

Glaciers, ice beaches and a lagoon that empties into the sea.

Plan the perfect 2-3 day South Coast road trip. Discover Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with our expert guide.

A mesmerizing drive along Iceland's southern edge, where dramatic waterfalls plunge from sheer cliffs and glaciers meet the raging Atlantic Ocean.

Distance

760 km

Driving

10h driving

Days

2-3 days

Summer Vehicle

Any car

Winter Vehicle

4x4 recommended

Compare 4x4

Season

All year

What to Wear

Waterproof pants & jacket MANDATORY. You will get soaked at the waterfalls.

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The Deep Dive

Seljalandsfoss

The waterfall you can walk behind. Prepare to get soaked, but the view of the world through a curtain of water is unique.

Skógafoss

A perfect wall of water. Legend says a Viking settler buried a chest of gold behind the falls. You can climb the 500+ stairs for a view from the top.

Reynisfjara Black Beach

The world's most famous black sand beach, guarded by massive basalt columns. It is beautiful but dangerous—beware of the 'sneaker waves'.

Worth the detour

Lava Centre (Hvolsvöllur)

An interactive, high-tech exhibition about volcanoes and earthquakes. Essential to understand what you are seeing outside.

Visit Website

Kvernufoss

A ten-minute walk from the Skógar Museum car park, behind the old turf buildings: a waterfall you can walk behind, usually with nobody in it.

The Drive

Driving the South Coast (Route 1) is visually stunning but demands respect. You will be driving along the bottom edge of Iceland, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and glaciers/volcanoes on the other. The road is fully paved and generally wide, but it is notoriously windy—gusts near Reynisfjara and Vík can be strong enough to push a car. In winter, black ice is common. The drive from Reykjavík to Vík is straightforward, but if you push to Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon), expect a very long day behind the wheel.

Logistics & Timing

Driving time. Reykjavík to Vík is ~2.5 hours (one way) without stops. To Jökulsárlón is ~5 hours (one way).

Recommendation. Do NOT try to reach the Glacier Lagoon and back in one day in winter. It's dangerous. In summer, it's a 14-hour adventure.

Gas and food. Fuel up in Hvolsvöllur or Vík. Food options are great at the Black Beach Restaurant (Reynisfjara) or the soup company in Vík.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you do the South Coast of Iceland in one day?

You can drive from Reykjavík to Vík and back in a single day (about 5 hours of driving). However, driving all the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and back in one day is a grueling 10-hour drive and not recommended.

Is Reynisfjara black sand beach dangerous?

Yes. Reynisfjara is notorious for 'sneaker waves'—powerful, unpredictable waves that surge much further up the beach than normal. Never turn your back to the ocean and observe the warning light system at the entrance.