Iceland is open for travel: Volcanic eruption in Iceland 2024
This safe and exciting helicopter tour shows the volcanic eruption site on the Reykjanes Peninsula from above.
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This exhilarating tour, starting from Reykjavik Airport, will take you to the scenic volcano eruption area. Even though it may sound daunting at first, there’s no need to worry! This is a fissure volcano, meaning it causes no disruption to air traffic, and it is entirely safe to fly above it. See the hot, steaming lava spewing from the narrow fissure and flowing on the fresh lava field formed after the recent eruption. Volcanic eruption alone is a rare occasion itself, but for it to happen in the same location within the span of one year is even more remarkable!
We’ll end our extraordinary helicopter flight with a scenic route over Iceland’s capital and see the famous attractions from above before taking off at Reykjavik Airport.
The area around the new eruption site near Grindavik is currently closed for safety due to ongoing volcanic activity and risks. The only way to see it is by taking a helicopter tour of the Reykjanes eruption area. Check the SafeTravel website for updates. If it's declared safe in the future, you can drive from Reykjavik and hike the designated paths to see the previous eruption sites.
There are no restrooms at the area just nature 😊 We do recommend that people use the restrooms in Grindavík where we stop for lunch before we start the hike.
The best and safest way to visit a volcano is with a guided tour. Expert guides will be able to lead you to the eruption site, choosing the most secure paths and the optimal distance to observe the newly formed lava fields so you can get the best, safest, and most enjoyable experience. You can choose the hike to the eruption site when hiking paths are open or book a helicopter tour and see the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula from above!
Make sure that you are prepared before heading out to the volcano. We recommend wearing hiking clothes and packing a backpack with:
It is not obligatory to be accompanied by a professional guide to visit the site. However, taking a guided tour is safer than visiting the eruption site as fellow travelers will accompany you, and a local professional guide will ensure your safety.
According to the Environmental Agency of Iceland, walking on the lava is forbidden and can be very dangerous. The top layer can easily break when stepped on, causing hazards to people. The lava at Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a unique geological monument that we must respect and protect. It is important for visitors to leave no traces such as throwing stones at the lava or making inscriptions on it. Lavas are under special protection according to art. 61 of the Nature Conservation Act. One of the biggest risks of walking on new lava is breaking the top layer over an unknown lava tube. Falling into a lava tube that's still several hundred degrees Celcius can lead to injuries.
The new Grindavik eruption is part of the ongoing volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula that began in 2021. Volcanic eruptions have been frequent, with four occurring in 2024 so far. For the latest updates and to learn more about the newest eruptions, please check updates on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
