Explore the Waterfalls of the South Coast

Want waterfalls without the crowds today? This South Coast day packs in Iceland’s famous sights with a small group and real time at the water. I like the limited-to-6 setup, which keeps the stops calm and personal, not rushed. You also get repeated moments where you can look from behind or inside the action, which is a big part of why the photos land.

Two things I especially like: the variety of waterfall styles, from cave viewpoints to cliff drops, and the way a professional guide/driver helps you get there smoothly and understand what you’re seeing. The only real consideration is the day is weather-dependent, and in winter the walk-behind path at Seljalandsfoss can close due to icy trail conditions.

Key Highlights You Will Care About

• A maximum of 6 travelers, so you feel like you are riding with a small crew instead of a bus tour.
• Cave and behind-the-waterfall viewpoints at multiple stops, great for photos and up-close water power.
• Easy meetup near Hallgrimskirkja, with the tour starting from Eiríksgata 2 at 9:00am.
• Gljufrabui can soak you, so waterproof boots and clothes matter more than you think.
• Skogafoss scale plus a climb, with a huge drop and a top viewpoint option.
• Less-frequented canyon views at Kvernufoss, a quieter neighbor to Skogafoss.

Why This South Coast Waterfall Day Feels More Personal

This is a full 10-hour South Coast run from Reykjavik that stays focused on waterfalls, not random scenic stops. What makes it feel different is the small-group limit of 6, paired with a professional guide/driver who keeps timing realistic.

You meet up outside the famous Hallgrimskirkja area, and the tour starts from Eiríksgata 2 at 9:00am, then returns you back to the same meeting point at the end. That round-trip convenience matters because Iceland days can feel like a lot even when the driving is straightforward.

The stops are frequent enough to keep the excitement high, but not so back-to-back that you are sprinting. The overall rhythm gives you time to walk, reframe photos, and actually look at what is happening around you, not just check it off.

Price and What You Actually Get for It

At $266.16 per person for about 10 hours, this is not a budget-price tour, but the structure makes the cost easier to justify. You’re paying for transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus parking fees, plus the guide skill that helps you get the most from each stop.

You also get a day that concentrates on a handful of high-impact waterfall experiences, including some that are still less crowded than the biggest, most famous picture points. Admission is mostly free across the stops described, and for key ones like Gljufrabui and Seljalandsfoss, the admission is explicitly included.

What is not included is also clear: lunch and snacks are on you. For me, that means you should plan to eat before you start and then carry something simple for later, since you will likely want fuel between waterfall moments.

Getting Rolling From Reykjavik at 9:00am

The day starts at 9:00am and ends back at the meeting point, Eiríksgata 2 (101 Reykjavik). If you are building your Iceland itinerary, this is the kind of day you want early, not late, because weather can change quickly.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, and it is offered in English. In practice, that matters because waterfall days often involve short walks, quick route decisions, and weather updates, so clear communication from your guide keeps everything smooth.

Because this is limited to 6 travelers, you should expect a more flexible feel at stops. If someone needs an extra minute to warm up, get a different shot angle, or handle slippery footing, the group is small enough to accommodate.

Thorsteins Grove: A Quiet South Coast Waterfall in a Forest of Caves

Your first stop is Thorsteins Grove, described as a peaceful south coast setting that is not widely known. The waterfall here is tucked into a rare Icelandic forest, surrounded by small caves that are worth exploring.

This is a great opening stop because it sets the tone. Instead of starting with the biggest celebrity waterfall and getting traffic stress right away, you ease into the day with a calmer experience and more breathing room around the falls.

You get about 30 minutes here, and admission is free. That time is short, so focus on what matters: walk slowly enough to notice the caves, but do not get stuck doing one perfect shot while the light changes. If you like waterfalls that feel intimate and slightly mysterious, this is the stop that will likely win you over.

Gluggafoss and Merkjarfoss: Seeing the Water From Inside the Cave

Next comes Gluggafoss, paired with Merkjarfoss. This is one of the most beautiful south coast waterfalls, and it also stays relatively under the radar.

What makes this stop special is the small cave that allows you to view the waterfall from behind and to feel the water’s power up close. That means you are not just photographing the waterfall from the standard front angle.

Your guide also focuses on how the area looks from a geology perspective, including the appearance of the falls and the effects of volcanic eruptions in the past. If you have ever wondered why Iceland’s waterfall scene looks the way it does, this is where it clicks a bit.

You get around 30 minutes, and again the admission is free. This is one of those places where a steady stance helps, since caves and rocks can be slick depending on conditions.

Stóra-Dímon: A Short Hill Hike With Big South Coast Views

After the waterfalls, you shift to a hill walk at Stóra-Dímon. It is described as a small hill with one of the most beautiful views of Iceland, and the stop is about 30 minutes.

This is not a long hike day, so you do not need heavy planning. Think of it as a reset between waterfall moments, with a chance to step away from the water sound and take in the wider surroundings.

What you are really gaining here is perspective. When you see the south coast from higher ground, it helps you understand the terrain you were driving through and why the waterfalls are where they are.

Wear shoes with good grip. Even when the hike is short, you are still on Iceland terrain, and that can mean uneven ground or thin ice in colder months.

Gljufrabui Waterfalls: The Photo Stop That Can Soak You

Now for one of the most dramatic photo opportunities of the day, Gljufrabui Waterfalls. It sits right next to Seljalandsfoss, but it is tucked into a small grove, which makes the view feel tucked away and focused.

The big practical tip here is also the biggest theme of the stop: you might get soaked. Bring waterproof boots and clothes, and watch your phone or camera. Even if you are not walking directly into the mist, waterfall spray can travel farther than you expect.

You get 30 minutes, and admission is included. Because this is a short window, I recommend deciding early if you want the classic angle first, then use your second pass for a different angle as your position changes. Small movements change the lighting around the spray.

If you are the kind of traveler who loves waterfall photography, this stop is often what people talk about after the fact because it combines access with atmosphere.

Seljalandsfoss: The Walk-Behind Waterfall Experience, Plus Winter Reality

Seljalandsfoss is the standout here for most people, and for good reason. It is the famed walk behind the waterfall, letting you see the falls from all directions.

This is 30 minutes, and admission is included. When conditions are good, it is exactly the kind of experience that makes your brain go, oh wow, I have never seen a waterfall like this.

Here is the winter consideration: the path behind the waterfall can be closed when conditions are icy. The good news is you still see it from the outside viewpoints, but the full walk-behind experience depends on safety.

So if you are visiting in winter, keep your expectations flexible. Check the conditions at the time and trust your guide’s call. Waterfalls are beautiful, but slippery trail safety comes first.

Skogafoss: A 60m Drop and a Stair-and-Trail Climb

After Seljalandsfoss, you go to Skogafoss, another south coast must-see. It is described as one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a 25m wide fall and a 60m drop.

This stop gives you about 30 minutes, with admission free. The iconic part here is that you can hike up the trail to get a top view. Even if you do not climb all the way, the mid-level viewpoints still help you understand the scale.

This is a great moment in the day because the waterfall’s size changes the whole mood. You feel the power from farther away than some of the smaller falls earlier, and the sightlines tend to be strong for photos.

Bring layers. Wind at Skogafoss can make your plans change fast if you are underdressed, and that is extra annoying when you only have a short time window.

Kvernufoss: The Quieter Canyon Neighbor With a View From Behind

To end the day, you visit Kvernufoss, described as the less known neighbor of Skogafoss. It sits in a small canyon, and you can get an impressive view from behind the waterfall.

This stop is 30 minutes, with admission free. If you felt Skogafoss was amazing but too busy or too big, Kvernufoss often feels like the more personal finale. The canyon setting naturally frames the scene, and it gives you a different kind of feeling than the wide open drop.

This is also a smart finish because you have already done the big moments. By the time you reach Kvernufoss, you are better at spotting the best angles quickly, and you know your gear and footing needs.

Take one calm walk through the area, then spend your second pass on shots that let the canyon walls show scale.

Timing, Weather, and What to Pack

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the tour can be canceled, and you are typically offered a different date or a full refund. In other words, do not plan something else that day that you would feel stressed about, especially during shoulder seasons.

For packing, focus on the stops that involve mist and slick surfaces. Gljufrabui is the clearest warning sign, since it can soak you, and the tour explicitly tells you to bring waterproof boots and clothes and to watch your phone or camera.

Even for stops marked with free admission, expect walking on mixed terrain. Shoes with grip make the day more enjoyable and less tense. If you can, bring a waterproof layer for your upper body too, since wind and spray show up where you least expect them.

One more practical note: lunch and snacks are not included. I would plan to eat before or bring a simple snack so you are not relying on vending or random café stops during a waterfall day.

Who Should Book This South Coast Waterfall Tour

This tour fits best if you:

• Love waterfalls but want a day that stays efficient and not chaotic
• Prefer a smaller group over a large bus with strangers
• Want a guide who can explain what you are seeing, not just point and move on
• Enjoy both short walks and photo moments with variety

It might not fit if you want a long hiking day or a slow, unstructured wandering experience. The stops are mostly short, about 30 minutes each, so if you want hours at one place, you may feel slightly rushed.

Also consider season and your tolerance for schedule changes. With weather requirements and a winter path closure possibility at Seljalandsfoss, you need flexibility to get the full walk-behind experience.

Should You Book Explore the Waterfalls of the South Coast?

If your top goal is waterfall variety, good photo access, and a relaxed day with a small maximum group of 6, I think this one is worth serious consideration. The combination of cave viewpoints, walk-behind moments, and a scale-heavy finale at Skogafoss gives you a full waterfall range in a single day.

I would book it if you want an organized Ring Road day without micromanaging driving and parking. The pickup from the Hallgrimskirkja area, the professional guide/driver, and the included transport and parking fees remove a lot of friction.

I would hesitate only if you are traveling in a period when icy paths are likely and you cannot handle losing the walk-behind portion at Seljalandsfoss. If the weather is poor, the tour may move or cancel, so build a little slack into your Reykjavik plan.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 10 hours.

What time does the tour start, and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 9:00am. The meeting point is Eiríksgata 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and snacks are not included.

Are the waterfall admission tickets included?

Admission is described as free for several stops, and admission is included for Gljufrabui Waterfall and Seljalandsfoss.

Is there any winter risk with the walk-behind waterfall?

Yes. The path behind Seljalandsfoss can be closed in winter due to icy conditions on the trail.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.