Booking choice: The South Coast Sagas tour, from $165 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Every South Coast day tour stops at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and for many guests they are the highlight. They are very different: at Seljalandsfoss a path loops behind the curtain of water; at Skógafoss you stand in the spray at the bottom or climb a staircase to the top.
Stop times are short, 40 to 45 minutes on the Your Day Tours minibus, so it pays to know what you want to do before the doors open.
The quick answer
You get about 45 minutes at Seljalandsfoss and 40 at Skógafoss on the Your Day Tours minibus. You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss when the path is open (it may close in icy winter weather) and you will get wet. At Skógafoss, walk to the base or climb several hundred steps to the viewing platform. Gljúfrabúi, the gorge waterfall, is only on some tours.
How long do the tours stop at each waterfall?
Between 20 and 45 minutes at each, depending on the tour; the tours with Gljúfrabúi split their Seljalandsfoss time between the two falls.
Stop times are from the Viator listings, and the order of stops can change on the day.
| Tour | Seljalandsfoss | Gljúfrabúi | Skógafoss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your Day Tours minibus | 45 min | No | 40 min |
| EastWest South Coast Sagas | 20 min | 20 min | 40 min |
| Back to Iceland summer minibus | 20 min | 20 min | 40 min |
| Nicetravel | 30 min | 30 min | 30 min |
| Reykjavik Excursions coach | 30 min | No | 30 min |
Want the most time behind Seljalandsfoss? The minibus stops for about 45 minutes.
Check dates for the South Coast minibus tourCan you walk behind Seljalandsfoss?
Yes, when the path is open: a loop path runs behind the 60-metre fall into a shallow cave and out the other side.
The loop takes most people 15 to 20 minutes with photo stops. You will get soaked by spray even on a dry day, so wear a waterproof jacket and trousers, and shoes with real grip: the rock is wet and the steps are steep in places. Put your phone in a pocket between shots.
Is the path behind Seljalandsfoss closed in winter?
It can be: the path may close when it is icy, and you then view the falls from the front.
Closures depend on the day's conditions, not a fixed date. Even when it is open in winter, the spray freezes on the rocks, so ice cleats help. More on the dark months in the South Coast in winter.
What is Gljúfrabúi, and which tours go there?
Gljúfrabúi is a waterfall of about 40 metres hidden inside a narrow gorge, about a five-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss.
To see it you step into the gorge along a shallow stream, so waterproof boots help. It is on the EastWest, Back to Iceland and Nicetravel itineraries, but not on the Your Day Tours minibus or the Reykjavik Excursions coach. On those, it is usually too far to add in 45 minutes if you also want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss.
Want the hidden waterfall? South Coast Sagas stops at Gljúfrabúi and is rated 4.9.
Explore the South Coast Sagas tourWhat is special about Skógafoss?
It is one of Iceland's biggest waterfalls, about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, and on sunny days its spray throws rainbows.
You can walk across the flat gravel right up to the base, where the spray hits hard. It has appeared in films and series including Thor: The Dark World, Game of Thrones, Vikings and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. A local legend says a settler hid a chest of gold behind the falls, and that a ring from the chest is in the nearby Skógar Museum.
How many steps are there at Skógafoss, and is it worth the climb?
Several hundred: sources give counts from about 370 to 527, and the climb takes about 10 to 15 minutes for most people.
The platform at the top looks straight down the fall and along the river toward the sea, and the Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail starts behind it. With 40 minutes you can do the climb or a long visit to the base, but doing both is a rush. Decide on the bus: climb first while you are fresh, then finish at the base if time allows.
Both waterfalls, Sólheimajökull and the black beach in one day: check your date.
Check dates for the South Coast minibus tourIs Kvernufoss on the tour?
No. Kvernufoss is a 30-metre walk-behind waterfall about 15 minutes' walk from the Skógar Museum car park, but no tour on this site stops there.
It is a good reason to come back with a rental car one day. On a tour, stick with the two big falls and use your time well.
What are the best photo tips for the two waterfalls?
Protect your lens from spray, shoot wide, and look for the rainbow with the sun behind you.
- Seljalandsfoss: the classic shot is from behind the falls looking out; in the evening light the sun sets behind the water.
- Skógafoss: step back from the base for the whole fall and any rainbow; from up close, everything gets wet.
- Carry a microfibre cloth and wipe the lens between shots.
- A phone in a waterproof pouch is easier than a camera behind Seljalandsfoss.
- Guests note that the minibus windows are not always clean, so save your best shots for the stops.
Frequently asked questions
Do you get wet at Seljalandsfoss?
Yes, if you walk behind it. Guests say you get wet even when it is not raining, so wear waterproofs.
How tall are Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss?
Both are about 60 metres tall; Skógafoss is also about 25 metres wide.
Which South Coast tours include Gljúfrabúi?
The EastWest South Coast Sagas tour, the Back to Iceland summer minibus and the Nicetravel tour. The Your Day Tours minibus does not stop there.
Is there a fee at the waterfalls?
Drivers pay parking at both. On the tours, fees are covered in the price.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
South Coast Sagas Small-Group Tour
- Pickup and drop-off at designated Reykjavik meeting points
- Driver-guide with live commentary, up to 19 guests
- Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík
Your South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus
- Pickup and drop-off at designated Reykjavik bus stops and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal
- English-speaking driver-guide, small group of up to 19
- Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull viewpoint, Reynisfjara and Vík
South Coast Summer Day Tour by Minibus
An even smaller group, with a stop at Gljúfrabúi
