The 8 Half-Day Tours in Iceland That Survive a Bad Forecast

1.Half-Day Snorkeling Day Trip with Underwater Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,155 reviews · 3 hours · from $140Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide at Silfra in Thingvellir National Park for a three-hour, small-group snorkel between the American and Eurasian plates. You’ll wear a drysuit or wetsuit, float through water with remarkable visibility, and receive free photos. Guides such as Doris, Anil, Wilmar, and Hugo are known for patient help with first-time snorkelers.

“Loved the whole experience, would have liked to spend a little more time in the lagoon area”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Half-Day Vatnajokull Glacier Small Group Tour from Skaftafell

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $199Top rated

From Skaftafell, you’ll ride close to Falljökull, strap on crampons, and follow a guide through crevasses, moulins, and meltwater streams. Guides such as Javi, Kate, and Antoine explain glacier science and local history while helping with photos. The group is limited to eight, giving you more time on the ice than larger tours.

“Great day out with Jose (our guide) at Melrakki Adventures. From start to finish he was really professional and made the whole experience very fun! I would 100% recommend doing this activity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Half-Day Combo Tour to Goðafoss, Laufas and The Christmas House

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $127Best value

Travel from Akureyri to Goðafoss, the Laufás turf-house museum, and the year-round Christmas House with The Traveling Viking. Your guide handles the driving, stories, and entrance fee at Laufás. Guides such as Jon, Graham, and Lilja have earned praise for their humor and local knowledge. The group can include up to 35 people.

“Guide was very experienced. Local and was able to share a lot of personal information about the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Demanding Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Half-Day Tour from Skaftafell

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · from $225

From Skaftafell, a private Glacier Bus takes you to Falljökull for roughly four hours on the ice. With a certified guide, glacier gear, and a group of up to eight, you cross the glacier tongue and enter a natural ice cave. Guides such as Magnus, Fi, August, Brooke, and Bart have been praised for safety and clear instruction.

“Thus was the highlight of my trip. It was a magical experience as I imagined. Seeing inside the glaciers was mind blowing! Magnus did such a wonderful job of ensuring safety for the group and educated us about the glaciers. He was funny and Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Half-Day Vatnajökull National Park Glacier Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 83 reviews · from $147

Spend four hours exploring Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, with an English-speaking guide and a group capped at eight. A 4x4 ride cuts 20 minutes of walking, then you learn to use crampons before a three-hour hike through icefalls and crevices. Guides such as Maria, Aosta, and Florence have earned praise for clear, friendly instruction.

“Amazing. Highly recommend. Do this 3 hour hike, not the 2 hour one! But you need to be fit. We went high up onto the glacier. Excellent guide and only six in our group.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.From Grundarfjordur: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 49 reviews · from $205

From Grundarfjörður port, you’ll spend five hours touring Snæfellsnes with an English-speaking guide. See Kirkjufell and its waterfall, the shipwreck-strewn black sands of Djúpalónssandur, Lóndrangar, Arnarstapi, and Búðir’s black church. Guides such as Beggi, Jennifer, and Daniel have led engaging trips, though bring food and expect a brisk schedule.

“The tour was wonderful. however, the guests on the tour stated they were hungry and it was decided a stop that was to be 45 minutes was extended to 1.5 hours. I feel we most likely missed additional stops/view/sights due to this. I should have asked during the tour but declined to do so. I had come prepared with sandwiches for my husband and I and did not require an extended stop at a restaurant area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Whale Watching and Northern Lights Half-Day Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $176

Spend 2 to 3.5 hours at sea looking for humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises, then return in the evening for a 2 to 3-hour northern lights cruise. Heated cabins, warm flotation overalls, WiFi, toilets, and seasickness tablets are included. Guide Jonathan is especially helpful with night-sky viewing and cameras.

“Incredible trip with great tour guides…especially Jonathan on the lights portion. He was incredibly helpful with cameras, information, and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Godafoss Waterfall & Turf House Half-Day Tour from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $137

Leave Akureyri Port for Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, then follow the Fnjóskadalur route to Laufás, a preserved 19th-century turf farm. You get a comfortable coach, English commentary, WiFi, and a return to the cruise terminal in about three and a half hours. Bring sturdy shoes and windproof layers.

“Very nice scenic drive. Great guide. Fascinating history and beautiful waterfalls. Great photo opportunities”

Check availability →Read our full review