Experience Iceland’s crown jewels on this private driver-guided tour from Vík.
Journey past black-sand shores and hidden canyons, marvel at basalt-lined waterfalls, drift among luminous icebergs, and stroll a beach strewn with crystal-like ice—all at your own pace with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Highlights of Our Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach Day Trip
Private hotel pick-up and drop-off in Vík
Wander the winding Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Hike to Svartifoss’ hexagonal basalt falls
Glacier-lagoon boat cruise (optional add-on)
Diamond Beach’s glittering ice “jewels”
Flexible stops—tailor time at each sight
Our Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach Itinerary
Below is our suggested route. We’re happy to adjust timing, add a glacier boat cruise, or include a seaside lunch—just let us know!
Departure from Vík
Your driver-guide will meet you at your accommodation in Vík and set off eastward. In minutes, you’ll pass Reynisfjara’s famous black sands and Reynisdrangar sea stacks, with the imposing Mýrdalsjökull glacier looming beyond.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
First, explore Fjaðrárgljúfur, a sinuous gorge carved by ancient glacial meltwaters.
Follow narrow trails along its rim, pausing at lookout points where the river’s emerald ribbon threads between cliffs. Feel the mist on your face and hear legends of troll maidens said to inhabit the shadowed recesses.
Ample photo opportunities abound as you soak in this verdant marvel.
Skaftafell & Svartifoss Waterfall
Next, we head into Skaftafell Nature Reserve within Vatnajökull National Park.
A moderate hike through birch and lupine fields brings you to Svartifoss, whose 20-meter cascade tumbles before an array of dark basalt columns.
Your guide will explain how cooling lava forged these geometric pillars and how the surrounding ice cap continues to shape the valley. If time allows, extend your walk to glacier viewpoints or the nearby Skaftafellsjökull tongue.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Arrive at Jökulsárlón, a serene expanse dotted with drifting icebergs sculpted into luminous blues and whites.
Stroll the boardwalks or—optionally—embark on a zodiac cruise to glide among the ice. Watch seals poke curious heads above the water and learn how climate shifts influence the lagoon’s evolving shoreline.
Diamond Beach
Just across the road lies Diamond Beach, where chunks of glacier ice wash ashore and glitter like gemstones on the black sand.
Wander its length, feeling the chill of ancient ice beneath your fingertips as waves swirl around these crystalline sculptures. Your guide will point out the best compositions—contrasting the clear blocks against the volcanic sand—and share stories of how each iceberg completes its journey from the ice cap to the ocean to the shoreline.
Return to Vík
Your final leg retraces the coastal highway west to Vík under soft evening light, providing a different perspective before your arrival back in Vik.
Optional Extras to Enhance Your Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach Adventure
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Detour: Add a quick stop at this emerald-green gorge carved by ancient glacial rivers, with rim trails and dramatic viewpoints.
Skaftafellsjökull Glacier Viewpoint: Pause at the roadside viewing platform for sweeping panoramas of the glacier tongue flowing from Vatnajökull ice cap.
Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Cruise – Upgrade to a zodiac excursion among the icebergs for an up-close perspective of calving ice (season and weather permitting).
Ice Cave Visit – In winter months, including a guided walk into a blue-ice cave near Vatnajökull for a surreal subterranean experience.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk – On the return leg, take a short guided hike onto the Sólheimajökull glacier to touch ancient ice and learn about glacial dynamics.
Local Seafood Lunch in Höfn: Extend your day with a stop in Höfn for langoustine soup or fresh seafood while overlooking the harbor before heading back to Vík.
