20 Best Adventure Tours in Iceland
If you’re looking for an adventure, Iceland is the perfect place to go. With so many different tours to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you. Here are some of the best adventure tours in Iceland.
These tours will take you all around the exquisite land of fire and ice. On our visit we explored Iceland’s magical island for 8 days celebrating my big 3-0. It’s like you’re on a different planet— lava tunnels, a black sand beach covered in ice diamonds, blue ice glaciers, waterfalls galore. From snowmobiling glaciers to diving between tectonic plates, there’s so much to see and do in Iceland that you will be captivated. These are the 20 best Iceland adventure tours to show you the country in all its natural glory.
20 Best Adventure Tours in Iceland
The Lava Tunnel ADVENTURE Tour in Iceland
Raufarhólshellir
One of the best tours in Iceland you can’t miss is The Lava Tunnel tour in Raufarhólshellir. This is a short 1-hour tour – great for travelers short on time and is totally worth the visit. Your guide will walk you down a path of lava from the Leitahraun eruption into the tunnel. When you enter – the colors of the lava rock formations change as you walk. RAINBOWS of blues, orange, rust, purple and more will take your breath away.
Lava Tunnel Tour- 3 hr
Golden Circle, Glacier Snowmobiling Tour
Explore Thingvellir National Park by bus, with scenic photo stops along the way. The tour stops along the golden circle at main attractions like watching the geothermal activity of Geysir Geyser. Then you head to the Langjokull glacier for a snowmobile adventure! After a detailed safety lesson, put on your protective equipment, and off you go to ascend to the glacier’s summit!
This is one of the best adventure tours to experience all this beautiful area has to offer.
SAFETY ADVICE
I grew up riding snowmobiles along the snowy trails of Michigan, across frozen lakes, and anywhere else we could find snow haha Snowmobiling is so much fun, you’ll love driving around the snowy glaciers.
Snowmobiles average around 500 lbs (227 kg), with an avg speed of 100-150 mph (160-241 kph) you can kill someone or yourself if you’re not careful.
Not to scare you, but to help you understand the potential dangers, here are some of my personal experiences with snowmobile accidents to help you learn from: I once crashed into a tree as my while trying to look over my shoulder and was sent flying off and over my sled. My mom fell through the ice with her machine. My dad’s caught fire when the engine got too hot burning through his snow gear. My dad’s 2 friends were killed in a snowmobile race.
It’s 110% necessary that you follow your guide to avoid dangerous terrain. Learn how to control and drive the machine before your ascent. If you are not comfortable driving the machine at any time, stop and let your guide know. Read more on snowmobile safety tips here.
Northern Lights Adventure Hunt
Reykjavik
The Northern Lights are notoriously hard to find. Best time to see the northern lights (aurora borealis) in Iceland is in the winter months of November – February. You have a good chance to see the lights in October and March too though. To maximize your chances of seeing nature’s light show, you will want an experienced aurora hunter leading you.
Northern Light Tour (5 hr) With a Professional Photographer
ION Adventure Hotel
Take a break from your adventure tours in Iceland at the ION Adventure Hotel. Built with the optimal viewing of the northern lights in mind, this is a great place to stay for light chasers. You can watch the northern lights from your room, or the many viewing areas the hotel offers. I mean if you’re going to adventure, you might as well do it 24/7
Crystal Blue Ice Cave Adventure Tour
When is the best time to see the blue ice caves in Iceland? During the winter months of course! This adventure tour takes you to explore a rare natural phenomenon: the ethereal blue ice caves in Vatnajökull National Park. We saw some breathtaking scenery before we even reached the mouth of the cave.
Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark
Spend a day exploring a UNESCO-listed geopark in Iceland’s scenic Reykjanes Peninsula. Discover the local hidden gems such as the famous Reykjanes Lighthouse, and the Bridge Between Continents. After exploring the lakes and hot springs of the region, you’ll soak in the famous glowing blue water at the Blue Lagoon.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Black Sand Beaches, Waterfalls Plus more
Glacier Hiking Experience Adventure Tour
Sólheimajökul Glacier
Put on your crampons and grab your ice pick, because you’re hiking a glacier! Don’t forget a good set of hiking boots and waterproof outerwear for this extreme adventure.
Diving The Silfra Adventure Tour
Dive into the crystal-clear cold water of the Silfra fissure! Silfra is a crack in the Earth made by the movement of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The glacial water that fills the fissure has been filtered through underground lava rock for decades, giving divers over 100 meters of underwater visibility as they dive the big crack, Silfra hall, Silfra Cathedral, and the Silfra Lagoon.
Snorkeling The Silfra Fissure Tour
For non-certified divers- also includes hotel pickup.
South Coast: Fire & Ice
Learn how Iceland became known as the land of fire and ice on this full-day tour around the south coast. You’ll visit Skógafoss waterfall, take a guided walk to Sólheimajökull glacier, the black sand beach and more. Plus there is a unique lava show with real molten lava where you’ll learn all about Iceland’s volcanoes, and how they have affected the local town of Vík.
SUP Into The Forgotten Fjord
Escape to serenity on a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) tour to the secret fjord of Hvalfjordur. Seldom seen by visitors to Iceland this is one adventure tour you won’t want to miss. If you’re lucky you could see whales and other local wildlife, such as eagles, and seals.
Game of Thrones Tour in Iceland
Seltjarnarne
Game of Thrones fans will love this unique tour in Iceland. The tour takes you to three different film locations (see the schedule below). There are over 20 different film locations across the country so the tour company also offers a 10 hr customized route that geeks you out.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pause At: Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir Iceland
Bloody Gate in Game of Thrones.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Thorufoss, Laxa i Kjos River, Thingvellir Iceland
We visit the waterfall seen in the scene where the dragon torched a goat herder and her flock and snatched one goat to eat.
Duration: 20 minutes
Visit: Hengill, Hengill, South Region
This is where Bryanne of Tarth and the Hound fought over Aria.
Duration: 30 minutes
Volcano Hike Adventure Tour
Fagradalsfjall Active Volcano
Hike up the newest edition of the volcanos in Iceland with a native geologist. geological features about the development of the eruption and the lava field. The eruption at Fagradalsfjall started on March 19, 2021. This unique adventure tour gives you the chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience with nature.
Silver Circle Day Tour
Canyon Baths, Waterfalls
Most people know about the Golden Circle, but what about the Silver Circle? This adventure tour in Iceland explores the western region of the country including the village of Reykholt, Hraunfossar, and Barnafoss waterfalls, then into the magical woodland area of Husafell.
Puffin Tour by RIB Speedboat
Downtown Reykjavik
This is another one of Iceland’s best tours – PUFFINS! Speed around Faxaflói Bay and the islands of Engey, Lundey, and Viðey, and get up close to colonies of adorable puffins. If you’re a bird watcher, you’ll appreciate multiple other migrating bird species so bring your telescope lens! Enjoy the incredible backdrop of Mount Esja and the city’s colorful skyline.
Golden Circle Day Trip with River Rafting Adventure Tour
from Reykjavik
River rafting in ICEland?! Yes! But don’t worry – you’ll be wearing a wet suit to keep you warm as you float your way down the crystal blue glacier river. But before that, you’ll be spending time exploring the world-famous Golden Circle.
Whale Watching Adventure Tours in Iceland
The best time to see whales in Iceland is during the peak summer months of June, July, and August, sightings can happen from April – to late September though.
Recommended Read: DEVELOPMENTS IN ICELAND TO PROMOTE ECO-FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE WHALE WATCHING!
I hope you find the best adventure tour in Iceland for you!
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