Reykjanes secret G spots – raw edition

The most unusual part of this day is Leidarendi Cave, where you leave the road and scramble into a lava tube formed by two eruptions roughly 1,000 and 2,000 years ago. The cave brings you close to Iceland’s volcanic past in a way a roadside viewpoint cannot. I also like the tiny group, capped at four people, and the chance to see Reykjanes away from the usual coach stops. The main consideration is physical effort: crawling, squeezing, walking on rough ground, and hiking in Icelandic weather are part of the deal.

I especially like the flexible guiding from Damian and Premmi. On one outing, wind, snow, rain, sleet, hail, and sunshine arrived in quick succession, and the route changed to match conditions and interests. That sort of personal handling is useful here. The tradeoff is the $270 price, which is far above a standard bus excursion, and the day can run longer than the advertised 8 to 9 hours.

Key points at a glance

• Leidarendi Cave comes first: Plan on about two hours underground, with colorful lava formations and a rougher back route.
• Four people maximum: This feels closer to a private outing than a standard group tour.
• Reykjanes has more than the Blue Lagoon: You visit lava, geothermal ground, a lake, volcanic craters, and power infrastructure in one day.
• The guide can adjust the day: Weather and your preferences may shape the route, with extra sites possible when conditions allow.
• Bring serious outdoor gear: Hiking shoes, warm layers, gloves, hats, and waterproof clothing are practical choices.
• The price buys personal attention: At $270 per person, the value depends on how much you want an active, less predictable day instead of a simple sightseeing loop.

Why Leidarendi Cave sets the tone

I would think of this as a cave trip with a Reykjanes road tour attached, not the other way around. Leidarendi is the part that gives the day its character. You enter a lava tube created in two separate eruptions, then walk through rock shaped by molten lava rather than by water or ice.

The scenery underground is described as notably colorful. You may see different textures and shades where the lava cooled at different times. The cave is not presented as a polished attraction with broad paths and easy access. A route through a narrower, more scrambly entrance can reach less frequently visited sections before you enter the more familiar part of the cave.

That detail matters. You are not simply stepping into a lit tunnel and following a flat walkway. You need to be comfortable placing your hands and feet carefully, moving through confined spaces, and accepting muddy or uneven conditions. The cave portion lasts about two hours, so this is a substantial part of the day.

Damian and Premmi are serious speleologists, which adds useful depth here. You can expect more than a quick explanation about lava tubes. The guiding focuses on how the cave formed and on the wider volcanic forces that shaped Iceland. I would ask questions as you go, since this is one of the strongest reasons to choose a specialist-led outing.

Kleifarvatn brings a quieter Iceland

After the cave, the tour heads to Kleifarvatn Lake, a striking body of water surrounded by volcanic ground. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, which is enough for a look, photographs, and a short pause after the more active cave section.

The lake is sometimes compared with Scotland’s Loch Ness, including local stories about a possible monster. Treat that as folklore, not a wildlife promise. The appeal is the mood: open water, volcanic surroundings, and a sense that the area has not been arranged solely for sightseeing.

I like this stop because it gives the day a change of pace. The itinerary is not just one geothermal site after another. You move from an enclosed lava tube to a broad, quiet lake, then back to steaming ground. That variety helps justify the full-day format.

Still, the lake stop is brief. If you want a long lakeside walk, this tour does not appear designed for that. You get a scenic pause rather than a dedicated lake excursion.

Seltún is geothermal Iceland in plain view

At Seltún Geothermal Area, you see mud pools, hot springs, and steaming ground spread across a field of unusual colors. The 30-minute visit is short, but the site gives you a clear look at geothermal energy without needing to enter a cave or take a long hike.

The smell and sound can be as memorable as the colors. Boiling mud, rising steam, and hot ground make the area feel active, but you should follow the marked route and your guide’s instructions closely. Geothermal sites are not places for casual wandering.

This stop also helps explain why the Reykjanes Peninsula has such strong ties to geothermal power. The tour later includes views connected with the Blue Lagoon area and a power plant, so Seltún is part of a bigger story. You are seeing both the wild surface effects of underground heat and the way Iceland uses that heat.

The half-hour timing works well if you want a broad sample of Reykjanes. It may feel rushed if geothermal features are your main interest. The guide’s explanations are important because they turn a short stop into something more than a few photographs beside a steaming pool.

The Blue Lagoon area beyond the bathing pool

The Blue Lagoon portion is easy to misunderstand. This is not primarily a bathing visit. The listed price does not include admission to the lagoon, and the itinerary focuses on volcanic ground around it.

One part takes you up to admire a steaming crater formed during the Reykjanes Fires in the 13th century. Another stop gives you views of the Blue Lagoon area, including the large dirt walls built to defend it and the nearby power plant. You may also see a borehole connected with the plant.

That combination is useful because it shows the working side of the region. The Blue Lagoon is famous for warm blue water and spa facilities, but the surrounding area also contains roads, energy infrastructure, defensive earthworks, and raw volcanic features. I find that contrast more interesting than treating the lagoon as an isolated attraction.

Admission to the Blue Lagoon itself is not included. If you want to bathe there, you need to arrange that separately and account for the added cost and time. The tour can still be worthwhile without entering the water, especially if your priority is geology and volcanic scenery.

Some outings have also included a hike toward an active eruption or a viewpoint near an active lava flow, with the exact route shaped by current conditions. That is a major potential highlight, but I would not treat it as a guaranteed feature of every departure. Volcanic activity and safety conditions can change, and the guide may substitute other sites.

A flexible day, not a fixed checklist

The stated duration is about 8 to 9 hours, beginning with pickup at 8:30 a.m. One detailed outing lasted closer to 11 hours because of extra stops, hiking, and changes made during the day. I would leave the evening open rather than booking a tight dinner reservation.

This flexibility is one of the tour’s best features. When conditions changed repeatedly during the day, the guide adjusted the plan and offered alternative locations or activities. That is especially valuable in Reykjanes, where weather can turn quickly and outdoor sites may not be comfortable or safe at every moment.

It also means you should not expect a rigid, minute-by-minute schedule. The listed stops provide the framework, but the actual day may include additional locations if the guide can fit them in. You might get a surprise viewpoint, a smaller volcanic site, or a different route into the cave.

The small group makes this practical. With a maximum of four people, it is easier to discuss preferences and respond to changing conditions than it would be on a large bus. The guide can spend more time answering questions and can avoid some crowded approaches, including a back way into Leidarendi.

What $270 buys you

At $270 per person, this is an expensive day if you compare it with a basic coach tour around Reykjanes. The value comes from the combination of transport, a very small group, specialist cave guiding, route flexibility, and access to less conventional stops.

I would consider the price reasonable for someone who wants active exploration and personal attention. If you are traveling as a group of two to four, the cost also makes more sense because you are getting an experience that functions much like a private tour without having to arrange every detail yourself.

The value is weaker if you only want to see Seltún, Kleifarvatn, and the Blue Lagoon area from easy viewpoints. You could choose a simpler outing for that. This tour earns its price through the cave, the hiking, the flexible schedule, and the possibility of seeing volcanic areas that larger groups do not reach.

The Blue Lagoon admission is extra, so build that into your budget only if you plan to bathe. The listed stops around the lagoon do not require that admission.

Clothing and fitness are not minor details

Take the physical guidance seriously. Hiking shoes are recommended, but sturdy hiking boots would be a sensible choice for the cave and rough outdoor ground. Wear layers, gloves, a hat, and waterproof outer clothing. Heavy-duty clothing is not excessive here.

I would pack for every type of weather at once. One outing experienced wind, snow, sunshine, rain, sleet, and hail in the space of a day. That is not a reason to avoid the tour, but it is a reason to avoid cotton, thin sneakers, and an optimistic view of the forecast.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The day can include hiking, climbing, scrambling, squeezing, and crawling. The cave is the clearest test, but outdoor volcanic sites can also involve uneven ground and exposed weather.

The experience suits healthy, active people who enjoy being outdoors in imperfect conditions. It is less suitable if you need level paths, a predictable schedule, or a warm vehicle between very short stops.

Pickup across Reykjavik and the peninsula

Pickup begins around 8:30 a.m. and is offered in most locations in Reykjavik, as well as Grindavik, Vogar, Sandgerdi, Gardur, Keflavik, and Hafnir. That wide pickup area is handy if you are staying outside central Reykjavik or near Keflavik.

Because the group is so small, confirm your pickup details carefully when booking. The experience is also near public transportation, though the included pickup is the easier choice for a full day with outdoor gear.

Vehicle arrangements may occasionally change. One outing used a regular car because the intended 4×4 was being repaired. The guide apologized and still delivered the planned stops plus extra locations, but this is a useful reminder to ask ahead if a 4×4 vehicle is important to you.

Who should book this Reykjanes outing?

I would choose this tour if you want to understand Iceland through its geology rather than simply collect famous sights. The mix of cave, lake, mud pools, crater, volcanic ground, and power infrastructure gives you a fuller sense of the peninsula.

It is also a strong pick for families with active older children and teens. A group that included ages 13 to 53 managed the day, but fitness and comfort with confined spaces still matter. I would not book it for a young child who dislikes crawling or for anyone who wants a gentle sightseeing ride.

This is a good match for repeat visitors to Iceland, too. If you have already seen the Golden Circle or the standard Reykjavik highlights, Reykjanes offers a less familiar kind of day. The guide’s experience with caves and volcanoes can add meaning to places you might otherwise pass without understanding.

I would skip it if your main goal is a long, relaxed Blue Lagoon visit. The lagoon itself is not included, and the focus is the surrounding volcanic region.

Booking, cancellation, and weather notes

The tour is offered in English and accepts mobile tickets. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, but a reservation made within 12 hours of departure is confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Since the experience depends on good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average lead time of about 66 days. If you are visiting during a busy season or need a particular date, I would not leave this one until the last minute.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a demanding, personal, geology-focused day and you are happy to trade a fixed schedule for flexibility. The lava cave and the small group are the strongest reasons to go, while the guide’s ability to adjust the route can make the day especially rewarding in unsettled weather.

Skip it if you want an easy bus tour, a guaranteed active-volcano visit, or Blue Lagoon admission included in the price. For the right person, $270 buys far more than transport between viewpoints. It buys time underground, close guidance in difficult conditions, and a chance to see Reykjanes as a working volcanic region rather than a string of postcard stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. Pickup is offered in most locations in Reykjavik and in Grindavik, Vogar, Sandgerdi, Gardur, Keflavik, and Hafnir.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately 8 to 9 hours. The day can run longer if the guide adds stops or adjusts the route.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is four people.

Is Blue Lagoon admission included?

No. Admission to the Blue Lagoon is not included. The tour visits volcanic features and infrastructure around the Blue Lagoon area.

What should I wear?

Wear hiking shoes and heavy-duty clothing suitable for changing weather. Warm layers, waterproof clothing, gloves, and a hat are recommended.

Do I need to be physically fit?

Yes. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The experience can involve hiking, scrambling, squeezing, and crawling in the lava cave.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For other cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.