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

The main event here is not a quick photo stop. You get two hours on an ATV crossing the black sands of Sólheimasandur to the famous DC3 plane wreck, with Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and Dyrhólaey in view. I like that the ride has real time to unfold, and I like that the day also includes two of Iceland’s finest waterfalls.

The main catch is the price, $299 per person, and the ATV is shared by two people. If you are traveling alone, or your group has an odd number, you must pay extra on site for a single-rider quad. You also need a valid driver’s license, warm clothing, and waterproof shoes.

Key points to know before booking

• The ATV ride lasts about two hours, giving you far more than a quick motorized photo stop.
• The DC3 plane wreck dates from 1973 and sits on the black sands of Sólheimasandur.
• Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and Dyrhólaey add big South Coast views beyond the beach itself.
• Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss are visited later in the day, including the chance to walk behind Seljalandsfoss.
• ATVs are shared by two people, and odd-numbered groups need to pay for a single rider.
• The tour runs about 10 hours from Reykjavik, with pickup and departure at BSI Bus Terminal.

Why this South Coast day feels different

Many South Coast outings from Reykjavik focus on waterfalls, cliffs, and a few roadside viewpoints. This one adds a proper outdoor activity in the middle of the day. You are not simply looking at Sólheimasandur from a bus window. You ride across it, stop at the DC3 wreck, and continue toward the coast.

That matters because Sólheimasandur has a stark, unusual character. The black sand stretches beneath open sky, with mountains and glacier ice farther inland. The setting feels spare and exposed rather than lush or developed. Your ATV gives you a direct way to experience that emptiness, though it also means you should be ready for wind, cold, and changing weather.

The tour earns a high 4.9 rating from 44 ratings, and the praise centers on two things: the ATV ride itself and the guides. Henrik is singled out as an experienced, fun ATV guide, while Ragnar is praised for being kind and informative during the driving portion. Those details matter on a long day. A guide who handles safety clearly and keeps the mood light can make the difference between a thrilling outing and a tiring one.

Leaving Reykjavik from BSI Bus Terminal

The day begins at BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The ride south takes you away from the capital and toward the South Coast, where the views gradually open into mountains, beaches, and glacier country.

The full excursion lasts about 10 hours. That is a long day, but the route covers a lot of ground and combines transport, a two-hour ATV outing, the plane wreck, and two major waterfalls. If you have only a short stay in Iceland, this format lets you see several major sights without arranging separate transport.

The tradeoff is a fixed schedule. You will not have unlimited time at each stop, and much of the day is spent in transit. One useful detail from the day’s feedback is that the waterfall stops can receive a good amount of time, which makes the long ride more worthwhile. Still, pack with the full day in mind. Lunch is not included, and extra warm clothing is also your responsibility.

Riding across Sólheimasandur on a shared ATV

At the Adventure Ground, you gear up for the quad-bike section. The operator provides an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava face mask. Boots may be available depending on the weather and your footwear, but you should bring waterproof shoes rather than count on borrowing a pair.

The ATV portion lasts two hours. Each quad is normally shared by two people, so one person drives while the other rides behind, with the opportunity to switch if you both want driving time. You need a valid driver’s license to operate the vehicle. Children under eight and pregnant women cannot take part.

The shared arrangement helps keep the standard price at $299 per person, but it is important to understand before booking. A solo rider or a group with an odd number must book a single-rider ATV and pay the additional charge on site. For a couple or an even-numbered group, the setup is simple. For a solo booking, it can change the final cost.

The ride itself crosses a desert-like area of black sand. The point is not high-speed racing. You are there for the open setting, the rough natural surroundings, and the feeling of reaching places that would be awkward to visit on foot. The guide leads the route and keeps the activity safe, while you take in the mountains, glacier, and coast.

You should expect exposure to the elements. Icelandic weather can make a short outdoor activity feel much longer if your clothing is poor. Wear warm layers under the supplied cover-all, bring waterproof shoes, and protect your face and hands. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you should be prepared to follow the guide’s instructions closely.

The 1973 DC3 plane wreck on the black sand

The DC3 plane wreck is the most unusual stop on the ATV route. The aircraft crashed on Sólheimasandur in 1973, and its remains now sit against the broad black beach. The contrast is striking: a man-made aircraft shell in a stark natural setting, with no ordinary town or road scene around it.

The ATV ride makes this stop more interesting than a standard roadside visit. You cross the sand under your own power, then pause at the wreck before continuing toward the coastline. It gives the outing a clear sense of purpose, rather than making the quad ride feel like a short amusement activity.

Do not expect a polished attraction with many facilities. The appeal comes from the wreck’s isolated position and the surrounding scenery. The beach is open, dark, and dramatic, but it can also be cold and windy. Your cover-all, helmet, and face mask are practical equipment, not decorative extras.

This is also where the tour gives you one of its strongest photo settings. You can frame the old aircraft against the black sand and distant mountain country. The exact view will depend on weather and visibility, but the combination is distinctive even when the sky is gray.

Coastal views of Dyrhólaey and Mýrdalsjökull

After the plane wreck, the route reaches the spectacular coastline. Dyrhólaey Peninsula marks the southernmost tip of Iceland and gives the day a broader sense of place. Instead of seeing only the beach directly around the ATV route, you can look toward the coast and understand how the black sands fit into the larger South Coast.

The view inland is just as important. Mýrdalsjökull Glacier appears in the distance, adding a huge field of ice above the darker coastal setting. One particularly useful detail is that the glacier may be visible from a viewpoint during the return route, though visibility depends on conditions.

I like this part because it slows the day down after the motorized ride. The ATV provides motion and excitement, while the coastal and glacier views give you time to look outward. You get both sides of Iceland here: an active outing and a quiet, spacious setting.

Keep expectations sensible. The tour description promises views of Dyrhólaey and Mýrdalsjökull, but Icelandic weather can obscure distant features. The value is strongest when you treat these as scenic possibilities rather than guaranteed clear-sky photographs.

Skógafoss, the powerful first waterfall stop

On the return to Reykjavik, you stop at Skógafoss. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, and it is easy to see why. Water drops in a broad, impressive curtain, creating a classic South Coast view that works from both close and farther vantage points.

Skógafoss is a useful contrast to Sólheimasandur. The plane wreck and beach are stark and open. The waterfall brings scale, movement, and the familiar green and rocky setting associated with Iceland’s southern waterfalls. After several hours around the coast, the sound and force of the falling water give the afternoon a new rhythm.

You should use your time here well. The stop is included as part of the return route, and the amount of time matters. A short pause is enough for photographs, but a more generous stop lets you appreciate the waterfall rather than simply record it. The driving guide Ragnar is specifically praised for being kind, informative, and allowing good time at the waterfalls.

Your clothing still matters at Skógafoss. Spray and wind can make the area wet, even if the rain has stopped. Waterproof shoes are especially useful because the ground around major waterfalls may be damp.

Walking behind Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is the final major sight listed for the day. Its special feature is the path that lets you walk behind the falling water. That perspective changes the experience completely. Instead of looking straight at the waterfall, you see the water dropping in front of you while the surrounding country opens beyond it.

The path can be wet and slippery, so waterproof shoes are not a minor suggestion. A waterproof outer layer is wise too, even with the supplied cover-all for the ATV portion. If weather or conditions make the rear path unpleasant, you can still view the waterfall from the front, but walking behind it is the distinctive reason this stop is included.

The sequence works well. You start with the most active portion of the day, visit the wreck and coast, then finish with two major waterfalls. By the time you reach Seljalandsfoss, you have already had the excitement of the quad ride, so the waterfall stop feels like a scenic finish rather than another demanding activity.

Is $299 a fair price?

At $299 per person, this is not a budget South Coast outing. The price makes more sense if you place real value on the two-hour ATV ride. You are paying for transport from Reykjavik, a qualified English-speaking guide, ATV equipment, insulated protective clothing, the plane-wreck route, and stops at Dyrhólaey, Mýrdalsjökull viewpoints, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss.

If you only want to see waterfalls, a simpler sightseeing trip may suit you better. The ATV section is the reason to choose this experience, and the cost is harder to justify if you do not want to drive a quad bike or spend much of the day outdoors.

For couples and even-numbered groups, the shared ATV arrangement keeps the pricing clearer. Solo riders and odd-numbered groups need to budget for the single-rider surcharge paid on site. That extra cost should be treated as part of your planning, not as an unexpected detail at the meeting point.

The ability to reserve now and pay later adds some flexibility, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms help if your South Coast plans may change, but they do not reduce the basic cost. Think of this as a full activity day, not a low-cost sightseeing bus.

Who should book this ATV and waterfall tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an active way to see the South Coast and like the idea of pairing a real quad-bike ride with famous natural sights. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged eight or older, provided the children meet the operator’s requirements and are comfortable with a long day.

It is also a good fit if the DC3 wreck is high on your Iceland list. The ATV route gives that stop more character than simply viewing it as an isolated object. The beach, glacier views, peninsula, and aircraft all come together in one outing.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, wind, shared vehicles, or long day trips. You must have a driver’s license to drive, and there is no included lunch. Pregnant women and children under eight cannot join, and a solo rider should expect an extra ATV fee.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour is conducted in English and includes an experienced, qualified guide. You meet at BSI Bus Terminal in central Reykjavik at least 15 minutes before departure.

Bring:

• A valid driver’s license
• Warm clothing
• Waterproof shoes
• Food or money for lunch, since lunch is not included

The operator supplies the helmet, balaclava face mask, and insulated cover-all. Boots may be provided depending on weather and what you are already wearing, but waterproof footwear remains the safer choice.

The activity is weather-sensitive in a practical way. The ATV ride can still be exciting in rough conditions, but distant views of the glacier or peninsula may be less clear. Dress for the ride first, then enjoy whatever the sky gives you.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the South Coast with a clear active centerpiece. The two-hour ATV ride to the DC3 wreck is the feature that justifies the price, while Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss round out the day with two major waterfalls. Guides such as Henrik and Ragnar add confidence and good pacing.

Skip it if you want a cheap, relaxed sightseeing day or if you do not want to share an ATV. For everyone else, especially an even-numbered group that arrives prepared for cold weather and a long day, this is a strong way to combine Iceland’s black sands, glacier views, coastline, and waterfalls in one trip.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours from Reykjavik.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at BSI Bus Terminal in the city center of Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

How long is the ATV ride?

The ATV quad-bike portion lasts two hours.

Is one ATV provided per person?

No. One ATV is normally provided for every two people.

Can I ride alone on an ATV?

Yes, but solo riders and groups with an odd number must book a single-rider ATV and pay the additional charge on site.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You need a valid driver’s license to drive a quad bike.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava face mask. Boots are optional and depend on the weather and your footwear.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should bring food or plan to purchase it separately.

Can children join the tour?

Children under eight cannot take part. Pregnant women are also not permitted to join.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.