The 20 best adventure tours in Iceland will take you all around the exquisite land of fire and ice. 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 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 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 that 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
Stop 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
Stop At: 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 to the volcanos of 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.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I hope you find the best adventure tour in Iceland for you!
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60 comments
All of these tours look incredible! What an outstanding guide. I will saving this post for future trip planning!
A brilliant guide! Planning to go for the Northern Lights and this has been so informative!
Squeeee – you found so many cool adventurous options! I like the sound of the tours that I’d be worried to do on my own…like the volcano tour of the glacier tour… but all of these look incredible! Iceland is so flipping beautiful!
We spent 10 days in Iceland a few years ago, and it sounds like we need to go back because we didn’t do ANY tours! We had our itinerary booked full of hikes, hot springs and scenic drives, but there’s so much more to explore in this beautiful country. Thanks for this list for future reference; everything looks like such a blast!
I chose the Silver Circle Tour! I’d love to get into the Icelandic forest.
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Such a comprehensive guide! Thanks for putting this together!
Going this year to Iceland is my biggest dream! Your photos are incredible and is so much value in this guide 🙂
I’m so glad you found it helpful! I would be so grateful if you pinned and booked any of the tours through my post! 🙂
WOW! I am SO jealous! Iceland in on the top of my bucket list. It looks incredible!!!
As it should be! It’s one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been too, pretty pricey but worth it!
This guide is so good! I really want to visit Iceland – it’s been on my list forever. Saving this for later – for when I finally get to go!
Yey! Thanks for saving it, I hope you make it there. It’s 100% worth the journey.
Iceland is a on my must do to travel and I can’t wait till I can go there! Looks like there are endless things to do, the South Coast Fire & Ice tour seems especially interesting, where you get to see a bit of everything.
For sure, that’s a great one if you are tight on time. I would love to do the lava tunnel and see all the beautiful colors 🤩🌈
They totally all sound awesome! But, on my bucket list is the Volcano Hike Adventure Tour! I soooo want to do this! You did a wonderful job writing this article, and will save.
Oh thank you!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 the volcano hike tour is awesome. Next I wanna do the lava cave 🔥
Throughly enjoyed this post. So many amazing things to do the one I really want to do and to pick just one is the Volcano Hike one. I know my sister Muriel would love to do that as she has done one in Hawaii ..
That seems to be a popular choice! I really want to do the lava tunnel one!
I want to do them all lol. For sure I would have to do one of the northern lights tours and the cave tour, but also hiking the glacier would be a ton of fun. …. sigh….too many options.
hahah right?! Iceland has so much cool stuff to do it’s crazy. My dream is to see the northern lights, I still haven’t though 🙁 we visited in May so the midnight sun was out and no chance of northern light,
Iceland seems like such an adventurous destination! I think the snowmobile adventure on a glacier would be really fun, and I’d also love to relax in the Blue Lagoon. And my husband would definitely want to do the whale watching tour! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I have my eye on the lava tunnels and the northern lights 🤩 there are just so many options! I hope you’re able to do the ones you want one day!
Iceland is one of those destinations that reminds of the magic of mother nature.
100% agree.
Iceland looks amazing! I’d love to see the northern lights and there are so many other great tour suggestions here. Thanks so much for sharing!
Of course! I hope you make it there one day, so much beauty!
Oh, wow! I had no idea there was so much to choose from. It would be hard to narrow down from all these options. I think the northern lights would be one of my favorites, but so many of them sound amazing! Thanks for gathering them all in one place.
You’re welcome! I hope it was helpful for you. The northern lights are top of my bucket list!
Iceland looks stunning! As a Game of Thrones fan, this tour would be first on my list, but I want to do them all.
Right? That’s the hard part is deciding which ones you want to do. The GOT tour looks really cool, I’d be down for that one!
This is a REALLY helpful post. We have Iceland on our list (had to cancel one trip already 🙁) and we were looking for an overview like this. Thanks!
I’m so glad I could help!! Pin the post so when you’re ready to start booking you can click right to that tour! 🤗 I hope you make it there soon!
Iceland is definitely on my bucket list. I didn’t realize there were so many unique things to do! The Volcano hike sounds like something I’d LOVE to experience. And thanks for the snowmobile advice. Never been on one (yet), but good to know!
Snowmobiles can be dangerous for people who have never ridden one before, so I felt it should be mentioned. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and hope you make it to the volcano hike one day!
Whoa, these tours look seriously amazing! I’m definitely all about that puffin tour; what a cool experience!
Oh, what an incredible post! Iceland has so much to offer and it has always been high on my travel list! Would love to go on a every single adventure!
Adventure element gives a special twist to this selection of tours. In the same time any trip to Iceland is kind of adventure. I love puffins and want to see more of them, so puffin tours are for me. Thanks for sharing!
I agree, Iceland is an adventure country with all the nature, animals, and things to do outside.
I want to do it ALL! Diving the fissure seems like such a once in a lifetime thing…but then again, so do they all.
We had a great visit to Iceland and saw a lot. But when I went through your blog post, I can see we had lots more adventures to plan for a return visit. Snorkelling or scuba diving the Silfra Fissure was already on our radar. And of course returning when the northern lights were active. But who can pass up o a chance to see puffins?
We missed the puffins and lights when we visited, but they as well as the lava tunnel are at the top of our list for the next visit!
Wow! Such an epic guide to Iceland! I would so do the northern lights hunt adventure but absolutely all of these look like such fun.
OMG I want to do all of these. We visited the blue lagoon and trekked inside a glacier, but the lava tunnels, ice caves and northern lights are still top of the bucket list. What adventures!
Yes us too! The lava tunnels and northern lights are at the top of my list too!
I can’t decide which tour I would do first! Iceland has so much to offer! Thanks for such a neat list.
What a fantastic and useful post. I have been reading more and more posts about Iceland recently which has resulted in it climbing higher and higher on my “to visit” list. I would love many of the the tours that you mention. The rainbow tunnel, geothermal lagoons, volcano hikes and Northern light tour all sound amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you found it helpful! The rainbow tunnel and northern lights are also at the top of my list for our next visit!
All of these tours look incredible!! I am saving this post for future reference.
I love Iceland so much! You have been to so many great spots! I’d love to spend another day in the Blue Lagoon!
Oh my, Iceland looks amazing. It’s still on my list and I always knew it was cool, but honestly had no idea about all these cool experiences! Where do I start? That’s the question 😁
I LOVED this! I was able to hike a volcano, snorkel in the Silfra fissure, check out the black sand beaches, and relax at the Blue Lagoon while I was in Iceland. However, I did not have the opportunity to experience all of these. I would really love to go glacier snowmobiling next time.
Wow! You were able to do a lot while you were there! We missed the Silfra fissure but were still able to do a lot of things – especially because we visited in May with the midnight sun ☀️
I am seeing so much more about Iceland and travel lately. Looks like there are a lot of fun adventures there to keep you busy for months!
I’ve been planning a trip to Iceland in my head forever! Reading this post makes me really determined to actually make it happen!
Iceland was at the top of my bucket list since I first saw a photo on Pinterest in 2015 😂 it didn’t disappoint.