Booking choice: The South Coast minibus tour, from $133 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
The South Coast tour is not a hike, but it is a lot of short walks on uneven ground in changeable weather. Guests' most repeated tips are simple: good walking shoes, and waterproofs even when it is not raining, because of the waterfall spray.
Below is what to wear in summer and in winter, what to bring in your day bag, and what to rent if you book a glacier hike.
The quick answer
Wear a waterproof, windproof jacket and waterproof trousers over warm layers, and walking boots or shoes with grip. From October to mid-April add winter gear: hat, gloves, a warm mid-layer and ice cleats. Bring a card for lunch and a small day bag; suitcases cannot go on the minibus.
What should you wear on a South Coast tour?
Layers under a waterproof, windproof jacket and waterproof trousers, with walking boots or sturdy shoes that grip on wet rock.
Start with a base layer, add fleece or wool, and finish with the shell. The minibus is heated, so you will be taking layers off and putting them back on at every stop. Avoid cotton jeans: once they are wet from spray, they stay wet for the rest of the day.
Packed and ready? Check your date for the minibus day with Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.
Check dates for the South Coast minibus tourDo you really need waterproof trousers?
Yes, if you plan to walk behind Seljalandsfoss or stand near Skógafoss: the spray soaks you from the waist down.
Guests say to be prepared to get wet even if it is not raining, and one suggests a poncho. Waterproof trousers pulled on over your normal ones for the waterfall stops are the easiest fix, and they also block the wind at Reynisfjara.
What shoes are best?
Waterproof walking boots or trail shoes with a deep tread; the paths are wet, muddy and uneven.
Guests warn about walking over uneven trails. The Seljalandsfoss loop is wet rock and steps, Skógafoss has several hundred stairs, and the walk to Sólheimajökull crosses gravel. If your tour stops at Gljúfrabúi, you step along a shallow stream, so waterproof boots matter more. See Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss for what the paths are like.
How does the packing list change by season?
The shell and boots stay the same; in winter you add warmth and grip.
The operator recommends winter gear from October to mid-April.
| Item | Summer (May to September) | Winter (October to mid-April) |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof jacket | Yes | Yes, insulated or over a warm layer |
| Waterproof trousers | Yes | Yes |
| Mid-layer | Light fleece | Thick fleece or down |
| Hat and gloves | Useful for wind | Essential |
| Footwear | Walking boots or trail shoes | Waterproof boots, plus ice cleats |
| Extras | Sunglasses, binoculars for puffins | Head torch, spare battery (cold drains phones) |
What should you wear in winter?
Warm layers, an insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and boots with grip; ice cleats that slip over your boots help on frozen paths.
The spray at the waterfalls freezes on the rock in winter, and the car parks can be sheet ice. Wind at Reynisfjara makes it feel much colder than the thermometer says. More in the South Coast in winter.
What should you bring in your day bag?
A card for lunch, water, snacks or a packed lunch, and a way to keep your phone dry.
- Bank card (Iceland is almost cashless) for lunch at Reynisfjara
- Water bottle and snacks, or a packed lunch
- Waterproof phone pouch or a zip bag
- Microfibre cloth for camera lenses
- Power bank
- Any medication you need during the day
The Your Day Tours minibus cannot carry or store luggage or suitcases, so do not book it on the day you check out without somewhere to leave your bags.
Wi-Fi on board, bathrooms at most stops and a small group: the minibus day keeps the practical side simple.
Explore the South Coast minibus tourWhat do you need for a glacier hike?
Hiking boots with a hard sole and ankle support, plus warm and waterproof layers; the technical gear is provided.
The Troll Expeditions hike includes harness, ice axe, helmet and crampons. It rents hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers at 1,750 ISK each, and a hat and gloves combo at 3,000 ISK. The Nicetravel hike option says a rental pair of boots is available if you do not have suitable footwear. On the standard minibus tour, Sólheimajökull is a viewpoint only, so normal walking boots are fine.
Walking on the ice is the goal? The Troll hike includes crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe, from $196.
Explore the South Coast glacier hikeWhat about the black beach and the glacier viewpoint?
Wind is the main issue at both: a hood, a buff and sunglasses stop sand and grit blowing into your face.
The walk toward Sólheimajökull crosses black gravel, and the wind comes straight off the ice. At Reynisfjara, no clothing makes the water safe: stay well back from the waves. See the Reynisfjara guide.
Kit sorted? Check your date: free cancellation up to 24 hours before if the forecast turns.
Check dates for the South Coast minibus tourFrequently asked questions
Can I wear sneakers on the South Coast tour?
In dry summer weather, sneakers with a good grip will do, but they get wet at the waterfalls. Waterproof boots are better, and essential in winter.
Do I need waterproof trousers in summer?
If you want to walk behind Seljalandsfoss without getting soaked, yes. The spray reaches you whatever the weather.
Can I bring my suitcase on the tour?
No. The Your Day Tours minibus cannot transport or store luggage or suitcases.
When do I need winter clothing?
The operator recommends winter gear from October to mid-April.
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.
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 & Glacier Hike Small-Group Tour
Walking on the ice with crampons, not just looking at it
Waterfalls, Black Beach & Optional Glacier Hike
The same stops, with a 1.5-hour glacier hike as an option
