Iceland never disappoints when it comes to the best tourist destinations. From frostbitten winters, creeping glaciers, and sparkling ice caves to bubbling volcanoes, steaming fumaroles, and geothermal pools, there is something for everyone. The natural landscape offers extraordinary opportunities for different experiences and adventurous activities.
Ice-caving tours are perfect for people who do not like intensive activities but still want an exciting encounter. The ice caves start forming in winter, after which glacier operators search for new ones to explore during the new season. The dazzling blue interiors and intricately designed sculptures are their main attributes, giving tourists the perfect platform to take breathtaking pictures. That makes the adventures great for photography enthusiasts and nature lovers. The more you delve deeper into the ice caves, the more sculptures and glassy ice sheets you find.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon or Vatnajökull Glacier are some of the best places to visit for ice cave activities. Depending on your schedule, you can choose an ideal tour, but multi-day tours are the most rewarding. You can explore the ice caves and top that experience with an excursion of other attractions like black sand beaches and waterfalls.
Tip: Ice caves are potentially dangerous, and proper caution is advisable. They can fill with water during the hot seasons and disappear, so time your visits during winter only. Early booking is a good idea. Your tour guide will advise on the proper gear, including helmets and warm attire, where applicable.
Lack of scuba diving qualifications should not hinder you from enjoying the clear blue waters of Iceland. You can immerse yourself in the next best thing – snorkeling in Silfra Fissure, where the only requirements are a dry suit, mask, fins, neoprene hoods, and gloves.
The glacial spring is part of Þingvellir National Park, approximately 45 minutes from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. The multifaceted area has a fascinating geology, given its location between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, with similar adventurous activities. As the most inviting site in Þingvellir, Silfra Fissure consists of panoramic scenes and an unimaginable aquamarine environment that has led to its selection as one of the top snorkeling and scuba diving sites in the world. The clarity of the water is often a sight to behold, enabled by numerous years of natural cleansing and filtering.
Tip: The water at Silfra Fissure never freezes, meaning you can visit any time of the year. However, ensure you follow all the rules and regulations, including the physical requirements, before signing up.
You get multiple options if hiking is your go-to adventurous activity. You can choose glacier hiking if you want to traverse the dark crevices, towering frozen walls, and creaking glacial landscapes that Iceland offers. Take note of the possible dangers associated with the activity beforehand. You will need a certified guide and all the essential apparel for its success.
The other hiking option that could be more thrilling than glaciers is the central highlands. The prime hiking haven of Landmannalaugar awaits you to take advantage of all the extraordinary formations that include red, yellowing, and green hillsides, steaming geothermal pools, and trickling glacial rivers. The unique landscape comes from rhyolite, a lava rock known for slow cooling, creating a colorful landscape that is enough to leave a lasting memory.
Even though Landmannalaugar has become very popular and favorable to visitors and locals in the recent past, it is only the beginning of the hiking trail. It takes several days to cover the expansive area – the Laugavegur hiking trail. You can stop at any mountain hut under the Icelandic Touring Association, with all essential utilities like running water, showers, and bathrooms available.
Tip: Most of the central highlands are inaccessible during winter. That means the earliest you can plan your trip is late June and the latest, in mid-September, depending on the weather.
River Rafting
Rafting has always been a favorite for many locals, and more tourists are picking it up. The rivers may not be as dramatic as other parts of the world, but they provide enough challenge to make the experience unforgettable. The best part is that you can always choose the difficulty you can endure according to your expertise. Some rivers are classified as level 4 and above, while the easiest to navigate is level 2.
Note: Most of the water bodies are glacial, meaning the prodigious icecaps are the source of the water. The best time to explore them is between May and September. Some rivers to try are Hvíta´ river, Jökulsá Austria, and Vestari Jökulsá.
You can never exhaust adventurous activities when visiting Iceland, especially when working with a renowned tour company that prioritizes your preferences without compromising your safety. In addition to the above, you can try snowmobiling, skiing, kayaking, and surfing, among other activities. You can also explore some of the most memorable places in the country, like the ones below.
The Golden Circle – The golden circle was initially the golden triangle, consisting of popular locations like Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir area, and the Golden Waterfall or Gullfoss.
Vik Beaches On the South Coast – The impressive coastline around the picturesque Vik village is as stunning as other Iceland tourist destinations. The black beaches are some of the top non-tropical beaches globally, especially with the stunning surrounding.
The Blue Lagoon – This is the number one site in Iceland, known for its geothermal pool with rejuvenating powers.
Skaftafell National Park – This is suitable if you want short hiking trails like the Svartifoss waterfall, which has black basalt columns within its vicinity.
Book Your Adventure
Deluxe Iceland offers numerous adventures for individuals, couples, and families. Privately guided tours that allow you to tour the warm and cold sides of Iceland in equal measure are available, as well as self drive tours with some personal guidance from us. You can choose whatever you like to do, and we will ensure it happens successfully, whether it is a Northern Lights adventure, family winter adventures, or fire & ice tours.