From Reykjavik: South Coast, Plane Wreck, & Beach ATV Tour

Iceland saves its drama for the open road. This 10-hour outing combines a two-hour ATV ride on Sólheimasandur with the famous DC3 plane wreck, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, Dyrhólaey, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss. I like that it joins an active adventure with Iceland’s best-known South Coast sights, rather than making you choose between scenery and speed.

I also like the practical setup: transport from central Reykjavik, an experienced guide, helmets, face masks, and insulated cover-alls are included. The main catch is cost, at $299 per person, and an odd-numbered party must pay extra for a single ATV. You also need a valid driver’s license if you plan to drive.

The two waterfalls give the return trip a fine finish, and the ATV run adds something you cannot get from a coach window. Guides such as Henrik and Ragnar have earned especially warm praise for their good humor, kindness, and clear information. Still, weatherproof clothing matters, since the coast can be cold, wet, and windy even when Reykjavik looks pleasant.

Key points to know before booking

• Two hours on a black-sand beach: The ATV portion is the heart of the day, with open views toward the coast, mountains, glacier, and Dyrhólaey Peninsula.
• The DC3 wreck is part of the ride: You cross the stark Sólheimasandur sands to reach the famous 1973 plane wreck.
• Two major waterfalls on the way back: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss provide powerful contrasts to the dark beach and open coast.
• ATVs are shared by two people: A valid driver’s license is needed to drive, while solo riders and odd-numbered groups pay for a single ATV on site.
• The outing takes about 10 hours: It is a full day with substantial road time from Reykjavik, but that makes the South Coast accessible without changing hotels.
• The equipment is helpful, not complete: Cover-alls, helmets, and balaclavas are supplied, but you must bring warm clothing and waterproof shoes.

Why this South Coast day works so well

I like this tour because it gives you several different versions of Iceland in one day. The route begins with a long drive from Reykjavik, then shifts into an ATV outing on a beach that feels almost otherworldly. After the ride, the waterfalls offer a more traditional Iceland experience, with rushing water, spray, and easy viewpoints.

This is not a quiet sightseeing loop. The ATV ride adds noise, motion, and a little grit. You will cross the desert-like sands of Sólheimasandur, look toward the sea and mountains, and stop at a plane wreck that has become one of the South Coast’s best-known sights.

The day is also useful if your schedule is tight. You do not need to rent a car, plan the route, or decide which South Coast stops fit together. The tradeoff is that you spend much of the day on the road, and the tour’s fixed schedule leaves less freedom than a self-drive trip.

Leaving Reykjavik for Sólheimasandur

The meeting point is the BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, since the day starts with transport out of the city and the schedule has several major stops to fit in.

As Reykjavik falls behind, the journey heads along Iceland’s South Coast. The route is one of the reasons this day takes 10 hours. You are not simply traveling to a single attraction, but crossing a large stretch of southern Iceland before returning to the capital.

The scenery changes as you go. The city gives way to wide open views, mountains, dark volcanic ground, and the distant Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. You might find the road portion long, especially if you prefer short excursions, but it also lets you see why the South Coast is such a popular first taste of Iceland beyond Reykjavik.

The ATV ride across Sólheimasandur

At the Adventure Ground, you gear up for the ATV ride. The package includes an experienced and qualified guide, a helmet, a balaclava face mask, and an insulated cover-all. Boots may be available depending on the weather and your own footwear, but I would not count on them. Bring waterproof shoes.

The ride lasts about two hours, which is long enough to feel like a real activity rather than a quick photo stop. You ride across the black sand of Sólheimasandur, a broad, stark area shaped by volcanic forces and glacial water. The dark ground, pale sky, mountains, and distant ice create a setting that feels very different from the green hills and waterfalls seen later in the day.

ATVs are shared by two people. That arrangement keeps the listed price at $299 per person, but it is important to understand how the driving works before you book. You need a valid driver’s license to drive a quad bike. If you are traveling alone or your party has an odd number, you must book a single-rider ATV and pay the added charge on site.

The guide leads the group and keeps the activity controlled. That matters on open ground, where the scenery can make the ride feel wild even though the outing is organized and supervised. Henrik has been singled out for being experienced and fun, while the wider guide team has earned praise for being friendly and helpful.

I would see the ATV section as the tour’s main selling point. The waterfalls are easy to pair with other South Coast trips, but riding over black sand toward the plane wreck gives this excursion its own character.

The DC3 plane wreck and the empty beach

The DC3 aircraft crashed on the sands in 1973. Its stripped metal body now sits against the stark black beach, creating one of Iceland’s most recognizable modern sights.

Reaching it by ATV makes the stop more memorable than simply arriving by road. You cross the open sands and approach the wreck as part of the ride, with the beach and mountains around you. The setting is spare and exposed, so the aircraft feels less like a museum object and more like a remnant left in a huge natural space.

This is also a place where conditions matter. Wind, rain, and cold can make the beach feel severe. The supplied cover-all and face mask help, but your own warm layers still do the real work. Wear clothing that can handle spray and mud, and bring shoes that remain comfortable on wet ground.

You will have time for the wreck and coastal views, but this is not a private, slow-paced photography session. The exact feel of the stop depends on the day’s weather, the group, and the operating schedule. I would come ready to enjoy the scene rather than expect perfect light or unlimited time.

Views toward Dyrhólaey and Mýrdalsjökull

The ATV route also gives you views toward Dyrhólaey Peninsula, the southernmost tip of Iceland. From the coast, you can look along the dramatic shoreline and out toward the water. The peninsula helps give the beach a sense of scale, especially when the weather opens up the view.

Inland, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier provides a striking contrast. The glacier sits above the darker volcanic ground, linking the coast to the ice-covered high country beyond. One of the useful details from the day is that you may see the glacier from a viewpoint, even if clouds partly cover it.

These sights are not separate, long stops in the same way as the waterfalls. They are part of the visual reward of the ATV route. I like that arrangement because the scenery stays connected to the activity. You are not just being driven to a viewpoint, then back into a vehicle. You are crossing the beach while the coast, peninsula, mountains, and glacier form the backdrop.

Skógafoss brings the big waterfall moment

On the return to Reykjavik, the tour stops at Skógafoss. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, and it is easy to understand why. Water drops in a broad, powerful curtain, creating a strong contrast with the quiet, dark sands of Sólheimasandur.

Skógafoss is the more forceful waterfall experience of the two. You can expect spray near the base, so your waterproof outer layer earns its place here as well. If the weather is clear, the waterfall photographs well from a distance. If the air is wet and gray, it can feel even more dramatic, though your camera may need protection.

The stop is long enough to make the visit worthwhile. Ragnar, one of the drivers praised for being kind and informative, was noted for allowing a good amount of time at each waterfall. That is an important detail for a full-day trip. A rushed three-minute stop can make a famous sight feel pointless, while a proper pause lets you look, take photographs, and enjoy the sound of the water.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss gives the day a different waterfall experience. Here, you can walk behind the falling water, a feature that makes this stop more active than a standard viewpoint.

Expect spray and wet footing. Waterproof shoes are specifically required as part of the preparation advice, and this is where they matter most. A hooded jacket or the supplied face covering can help, but you should still protect phones and cameras.

Walking behind a waterfall changes the way you see it. Instead of viewing a single wall of water from the front, you get a curved view outward through the falling stream. It is a memorable final stop, but the path can feel wet and uncomfortable if you arrive without proper layers.

The two waterfalls work well together. Skógafoss gives you scale and force from the front, while Seljalandsfoss gives you a closer, more enclosed encounter. After the open beach and plane wreck, the waterfalls add sound, spray, and movement before the drive back to Reykjavik.

What $299 per person really includes

At $299 per person, this is not a budget South Coast transfer. You are paying for a full day of transport, a guided two-hour ATV ride, safety equipment, and several major sights in one package.

The value is strongest if you want the ATV ride. If you mainly want Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and coastal viewpoints, less expensive sightseeing trips may suit you better. The plane wreck and black-sand ride are what justify the higher price.

The shared ATV setup also affects the calculation. Two people can use one quad bike, but a solo rider or odd-numbered group faces an extra single-rider charge. A group of four fits the arrangement neatly. A group of three should budget for the additional cost rather than being surprised at arrival.

Lunch is not included. Bring food and water for the long day, since the supplied details do not promise a meal stop. You should also budget for warm clothing if your Iceland wardrobe is thin. The cover-all protects you during the ride, but it does not replace a proper base layer, waterproof outerwear, and solid shoes.

The flexible booking terms help if your weather plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms do not remove Iceland’s changeable weather, but they make planning less rigid.

Who should choose this adventure

I would recommend this tour to you if you want more than a standard coach day. It suits active visitors who like machines, open spaces, and a little cold-weather challenge. It also works well for first-time Iceland visitors who want to combine famous sights with one unusual activity.

It is a good choice for couples or pairs because the ATVs are arranged for two people. Groups should check their numbers carefully, since an odd total means paying for a single rider.

The tour is not suitable for children under eight or for pregnant women. Anyone who does not have a valid driver’s license can still ask about the arrangement, but the stated requirement applies to driving the quad bike. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

I would think twice if you dislike long road days, cold wind, wet shoes, or fixed schedules. The ATV ride is exciting, but it is not a gentle scenic cruise. The beach is exposed, and the weather can shape the entire experience.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring a driver’s license, warm clothing, waterproof shoes, and a packed lunch. I would also keep your phone in a waterproof pouch during the waterfall stops and ATV ride.

Arrive at BSI Bus Terminal at least 15 minutes early. The tour is conducted in English, and transport has received a 97 percent perfect-score rating, so the road portion is an important part of the service, not just a way to reach the activity.

The equipment list is generous but not complete. You receive the helmet, balaclava, and insulated cover-all, while boots depend on conditions and your footwear. Dress for the beach first, then expect to use those same layers around the waterfalls.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 44 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the guides and the ATV run. Henrik is described as experienced and fun, while Ragnar is praised for being kind, informative, and generous with time at the waterfalls. Those details suggest the human side of the day is one of its strengths.

Should you book the ATV and waterfall day?

Book it if the black-sand ATV ride and DC3 wreck are the experiences you most want from Iceland’s South Coast. You will get a full day of scenery, two major waterfalls, glacier and peninsula views, and a guided activity that feels different from ordinary sightseeing.

Skip it if you only want waterfalls or are trying to keep costs down. At $299, the tour earns its price through the ATV portion, equipment, transport, and the amount of ground covered. Plan for the single-rider surcharge if your group is odd-numbered, bring serious warm and waterproof clothing, and expect a long day.

For the right person, this is a strong one-day mix: fast on the beach, quiet beside the glacier, loud at the waterfalls, and pleasantly unlike a routine bus tour.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including transport from Reykjavik, the ATV ride, the plane wreck stop, the coastal scenery, and visits to Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

Where does the tour meet in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal in the city center. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV portion lasts two hours and takes place on the black-sand beach of Sólheimasandur.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. A valid driver’s license is required to drive a quad bike.

How many people share one ATV?

One ATV is provided for two people. Single riders and groups with odd numbers must book a single-rider ATV and pay the extra charge on site.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes an experienced guide, an ATV per two people, an insulated cover-all, a helmet, and a balaclava face mask. Boots may be available depending on the weather and your footwear.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under eight and pregnant women cannot take part in this activity.