Discover Iceland’s untamed volcanic landscapes on this thrilling half-day tour of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Walk among craters, bubbling hot springs, and the dramatic eruption sites near Grindavík town. Guided by experts, witness the raw power that shaped this fiery island.
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Join us for an excursion through the land of hot springs and volcanoes! Discover the mystical Kleifarvatn Lake, stroll through the geothermal valley of Seltún, and marvel at the emerald green crater lake, Grænavatn. This fascinating adventure will reveal how the untamed forces of nature shape Iceland's rugged beauty. Visit Nátthagi, the site of a massive volcanic eruption in 2021, discover Grindavík, a town affected by several volcanic events, and explore the newly formed Sundhnúkagígar lava field.
Our wonder-filled journey begins with a visit to Kleifarvatn, the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, just a 30-minute drive from the capital. It is one of Iceland's deepest lakes, with a maximum depth of 318 feet (97 meters). Surprisingly, Kleifarvatn Lake is not connected to any rivers or creeks and is fed only by the groundwater seeping through the porous lava rocks, distinctive to the area.
According to the legends, a mythical worm-like monster lives in the deep waters of Kleifarvatn. Your guide will share stories about this mystical creature while you enjoy the views of the vibrant hills and unique lava formations.
Next, we’ll visit the Seltún geothermal area in Krýsuvík, renowned for its Mars-like landscapes, full of hot springs and vibrantly colored hills that resemble the surface of another planet. The red, yellow, and grey-colored terrain results from the mineral deposits accumulating on the surface. You will notice the distinctive smell of sulfur in the air—evidence of the highly active geothermal processes. We will walk along the wooden paths, discovering multiple bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and hissing steam vents.
After a short drive, we’ll reach another natural masterpiece, Grænavatn, which means “green lake.” This naturally formed pool is nestled in a volcanic crater and is known for the bright green color of its water. This is due to the high concentration of sulfur in the lake. This serene oasis is a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts. Get your camera ready and capture the uniqueness of Iceland's geology!
Next up is Nátthagi, the area near the Fagradalsfjall volcano, known as the site of the dramatic eruption in 2021. After being dormant for about 6000 years, the volcano awakened with an explosive event that lasted six months, making it the longest-lasting Icelandic eruption of the 21st century. You will see a large lava field where solidified flows have created striking geological formations, including rounded lumps of black rock at the valley's edge, marking the point where the lava stopped. We’ll be able to take a short hike to the Nátthagi viewpoint to get a closer view of this frozen-in-time lava river.
As we reach Grindavík, you’ll be greeted by the eerie silence of a once-thriving town now deeply affected by volcanic activity. Since late 2023, many eruptions in the vicinity have led to road closures and evacuations of the residents, leaving the town empty and deserted.
Recently, the town was reopened and declared completely safe for former residents to return and for visitors to explore. However, most of the houses are still abandoned, and the roads still show visible signs of damage from the seismic shifts. This unique opportunity allows us to observe the raw power of Icelandic nature firsthand.
Next, we will stop at the newly formed Sundhnúkagígar lava field, just outside Grindavik. This land was shaped by some of Iceland’s most recent eruptions, which captured headlines worldwide. Here, you’ll witness the freshly created volcanic landscape with steam still rising from the ground.
After exploring this natural masterpiece, we’ll head back to Reykjavik, driving through the picturesque Icelandic countryside and sharing the highlights of an adventure-filled day. We’ll arrive in the early evening, giving you plenty of time to relax or explore the vibrant capital.
Pick-up starts at 12:00 p.m. from your accommodation or a nearby authorized meeting point in Reykjavik. Everyone's pick-up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is much appreciated.
Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list
This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.
Here you should wait for your guide.
Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.
View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.
Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.
Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favourite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).
Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.
Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy.
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours.
All of our tours are guided in English.
No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.
The standard in Iceland is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs, so you might have to bring an adaptor if you are visiting from UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs.
Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.
The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.
Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.
