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

The beach holds a broken secret. This 10-hour South Coast outing pairs a two-hour ATV ride across Sólheimasandur’s black sands with visits to Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, giving you both Icelandic adventure and classic waterfall scenery in one long day. I like the unusual route to the DC3 plane wreck and the chance to see Dyrhólaey Peninsula and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier from the coast.

I also like that the tour includes warm coveralls, a helmet, and a balaclava, useful protection in Iceland’s fickle weather. The main drawback is the price, $299 per person, and the fact that two people share one quad bike. If your group has an odd number, you must pay extra on site for a single-rider ATV.

The tour leaves from BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik, so you should arrive at least 15 minutes early. A valid driver’s license is required to drive, lunch is not included, and the ATV portion is not suitable for children under eight or pregnant women.

Key points to know before you book

• The ATV route crosses Sólheimasandur: You ride through a stark, desert-like stretch of black sand toward the famous DC3 aircraft wreck.
• The ATV ride lasts two hours: That gives the adventure real substance rather than reducing it to a quick photo stop.
• Two people share one quad bike: Bring a companion if you want to drive with someone you know, and plan for an extra charge if you need a solo ATV.
• The waterfalls come later: Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss are visited on the return toward Reykjavik.
• You can see major South Coast sights from the ATV area: Dyrhólaey Peninsula and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier are part of the wider view.
• The price includes useful riding gear: An insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava are included, while boots depend on the weather and your footwear.

Why this South Coast combination works

I like this outing because it joins two very different sides of Iceland. The waterfalls are easy to appreciate and photograph, while the ATV ride gets you onto the open black sands of Sólheimasandur, a setting that feels far removed from Reykjavik.

Many South Coast day trips focus on viewpoints and short walks. This one adds a practical activity in the middle of the day. You are not simply looking at the coast from a roadside stop. You are riding across it, with the DC3 aircraft wreck as the destination.

The tradeoff is time. A 10-hour day is a serious commitment, and the route includes transport from Reykjavik, a two-hour ATV session, and two waterfall stops. You will see a lot, but this is not a slow, unhurried outing. It suits you best if you want a full day of major sights with a strong adventure element.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 44 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the ATV ride, the guides, and the amount of time spent at the waterfalls. Henrik is singled out as an experienced and entertaining ATV guide, while Ragnar is praised for being kind, informative, and generous with waterfall time. That matters here because a long day depends heavily on good pacing and clear instruction.

Leaving Reykjavik from BSI Bus Terminal

Your meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal in the center of Reykjavik. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure so you are ready when the group leaves.

The day begins with a drive along Iceland’s South Coast. The transport portion is not just a way to reach the ATV base. It takes you from the city into wide-open coastal scenery, with mountains, dark beaches, and views toward the southern glaciers.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the schedule when booking. Since the full outing lasts 10 hours, plan your Reykjavik day around it. This is not a short activity you can squeeze between breakfast and an evening reservation.

Bring warm clothing even though insulated coveralls are supplied. Icelandic weather can shift quickly, and the included gear is meant to help with the ride rather than replace every layer you may need for the full day. Waterproof shoes are specifically recommended.

Riding across Sólheimasandur’s black sands

The central activity is a two-hour quad-bike tour at the Adventure Ground on Sólheimasandur. You receive a helmet and balaclava, plus an insulated cover-all. Boots may be available depending on weather and the shoes you bring, so waterproof footwear remains the safest choice.

You need a valid driver’s license to operate an ATV. Two people share one quad bike, which keeps the standard price based on two riders per vehicle. You should decide in advance who wants to drive and who is happy to ride as a passenger.

This arrangement is worth understanding before paying. A couple or pair of friends can share the vehicle without a problem, but a group of three or five will not fit neatly into the standard setup. Single riders and groups with odd numbers must book a single-rider ATV and pay the additional amount on site.

The ride crosses a stark, desert-like area of black sand. The appeal is not speed or complicated off-road technique. It is the combination of open space, volcanic ground, mountain views, and the feeling of reaching a place that is difficult to visit in an ordinary rental car.

The guide’s role is important. You receive instruction and ride with an experienced guide, making this a reasonable choice if you have never driven a quad bike before. Henrik receives particular praise for his experience and sense of fun, which suggests that the activity can feel lively without losing its safety focus.

Still, you should be honest about your comfort level. An ATV ride requires attention, and the weather may make the ride colder or wetter than expected. If you are mainly interested in quiet scenery, the quad-bike portion may feel more active than you want. If you want a memorable reason to visit Sólheimasandur, it is the heart of the day.

Reaching the DC3 plane wreck in 1973

The ride includes a stop at the famous DC3 plane that crashed on the beach in 1973. The aircraft sits on the black sands of Sólheimasandur, creating one of the most unusual sights on Iceland’s South Coast.

The plane wreck gives the ATV ride a clear purpose. You are not riding across empty sand simply to burn fuel. You have a striking destination and time to take in the contrast between the damaged aircraft, the dark shore, and the open surroundings.

The wreck is also one reason this route feels different from a standard waterfall tour. The waterfalls are natural showpieces, but the DC3 is an object shaped by a single event. Its presence adds a slightly eerie human detail to an otherwise wild setting.

You should expect the plane stop to be part of the ATV route rather than a separate long visit by road. The supplied details do not specify the exact amount of time at the wreck, so follow the guide’s timing and instructions. The key point is that the ATV ride takes you directly across the sands to it.

Views toward Dyrhólaey and Mýrdalsjökull

The coast near the ATV route offers views toward Dyrhólaey Peninsula, the southernmost tip of Iceland, and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier farther inland. These sights give the ride more visual range than a simple beach outing.

Dyrhólaey is a strong coastal marker, while Mýrdalsjökull brings the scale of Iceland’s glacial interior into view. From the black sands, you can look from the sea toward the mountains and glacier, seeing several types of South Coast scenery in one place.

The views will depend on weather and visibility. Iceland does not promise clear horizons, and the tour information does not guarantee a specific glacier viewpoint during the ATV portion. Still, these sights are part of what you may see while exploring the area, and one direct account notes seeing the glacier from a viewpoint.

This is another reason to bring proper clothing. The open coast can feel exposed, and a warm layer that seems unnecessary in Reykjavik may become valuable beside the beach.

Skógafoss: a powerful waterfall stop

On the way back to Reykjavik, the tour stops at Skógafoss. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, and it earns that attention through sheer scale and impact.

Skógafoss drops in a broad curtain, creating the kind of view that works even if your day has already been full of dramatic scenery. You can expect a stop focused on seeing the falls, taking photographs, and enjoying the setting rather than a long hike.

The amount of time at each waterfall matters. Ragnar receives praise for being informative and allowing a good amount of time at the falls, which is encouraging if you dislike rushed photo stops. The tour still has to return to Reykjavik on schedule, so you should not expect unlimited time.

Skógafoss is a useful contrast to the ATV section. After the noise and movement of the quad bikes, the waterfall gives you a simpler stop where you can stand, look, and take in the scale of the water.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss

The second waterfall is Seljalandsfoss, known for the path that lets you walk behind the falling water. This is the more interactive of the two waterfall stops, but it also demands more care with clothing and footwear.

You may get wet behind the falls, especially when wind pushes spray onto the path. Waterproof shoes are already recommended for the tour, and they are especially useful here. The included cover-all is intended for the ATV ride, so do not assume it will replace a waterproof outer layer for every part of the day.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss gives you a different view from Skógafoss. Instead of facing a broad wall of water from the front, you move around the waterfall and see it from within the spray zone. It is a short, memorable addition to the return trip.

Conditions may affect access and comfort, so listen to the guide. The information provided confirms that you will be able to walk behind the waterfall, but it does not promise a fixed amount of time or identical conditions on every departure.

What $299 includes, and what it does not

At $299 per person, this is an expensive day trip. The value comes from combining transport, a two-hour ATV tour, a guide, riding equipment, the plane wreck, glacier and coastal views, and two major waterfalls in a single outing.

If you booked separate transport and an ATV activity, the total could become complicated quickly. This tour removes that planning work and links the stops in one route. I think the price makes the most sense for you if the ATV ride is a priority, not simply an optional extra.

The included gear helps. You receive an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava. Boots are optional depending on the weather and your footwear, but you should still bring waterproof shoes. Extra warm clothing is not included, and neither is lunch.

Pack food or budget time and money for a meal during the day if a stop allows it. The supplied details do not identify a specific lunch stop, so do not count on a provided meal. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

The most important hidden cost is the single-rider ATV charge. The standard arrangement is one ATV for two people. If you are alone, or your group has an odd number, you must pay extra on site for a solo ATV. Ask about that cost before booking if your group does not divide evenly.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this tour if you want your South Coast day to include a real activity rather than only scenic stops. It is especially suitable for couples, pairs of friends, and small groups who are comfortable sharing a quad bike.

You should also choose it if the DC3 plane wreck appeals to you. The wreck is not a minor roadside extra. Reaching it by ATV across the black sands is one of the tour’s defining features.

The day suits people who can handle a long schedule, changing weather, and a mixture of riding and short sightseeing stops. It is not suitable for children under eight or pregnant women, and every driver must have a valid license.

I would look elsewhere if you want a relaxed South Coast outing with a leisurely lunch, extensive hikes, or guaranteed clear glacier views. The schedule is full, lunch is not included, and the weather always has a vote in Iceland.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are helpful if your Iceland plans are still shifting, but they do not change the need to prepare for a demanding 10-hour day.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

The meeting point is BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The full tour lasts 10 hours. The ATV portion lasts two hours.

How many people share an ATV?

Two people share one quad bike under the standard arrangement. Single riders and groups with odd numbers must book a single-rider ATV and pay extra on site.

Do I need a driver’s license?

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

What clothing should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and waterproof shoes. An insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava are included, while boots may be provided depending on the weather and your footwear.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight are not permitted on this tour. Pregnant women are also not permitted to participate.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve the tour and pay later.

Should you book this ATV and waterfall tour?

I recommend booking it if you want a packed South Coast day built around the black-sand ATV ride. The route to the 1973 DC3 wreck is unusual, the two-hour ride gives the activity real weight, and the later stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss cover two of Iceland’s essential waterfalls.

The strongest practical advice is to book with the ATV pairing in mind. Two people fit the standard setup neatly. An odd-numbered group should confirm the solo-rider cost before committing to the $299 price.

Bring serious warm layers, waterproof shoes, and food for the day. If you accept the long schedule and the extra cost of a single ATV when needed, this is a lively and memorable way to see the South Coast beyond the usual roadside viewpoints.