Every part of Iceland is incredible, but the South Coast is my absolute favorite! It’s one of the most picturesque and stunning regions in the country, offering a perfect mix of towering waterfalls, rugged cliffs, and sweeping black sand beaches—all within a single day’s journey.
This area is so unique that it’s often featured in movies and music videos, and it’s easy to see why. The South Coast captures the wild, untamed beauty of Iceland like no other place. As we explore together, you’ll experience the magic of this region up close, feeling the power of nature with every step.
With me as your guide, you won’t just see the sights—you’ll feel like you’re exploring Iceland with a friend who’s excited to show you all the hidden gems and must-see spots. Whether it’s your first time in Iceland or you’re returning to discover more, this tour will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Itinerary
PICK-UP
Before our expedition, I will pick you up directly from your accommodation or the place of your choice in the Reykjavik area.
GLJÚFRABÚI WATERFALL
Gljúfrabúi 40m (131 ft) waterfall is one of Iceland’s most gorgeous hidden gems. It’s tough to find a place that is so unique and unrealistic as Gljúfrabúi. I will say no more, and I’m so excited to take you there!
SELJALANDSFOSS WATERFALL
Thanks to the melting glacier cap of the well-known hero of the year 2010, Eyjafjallajokull. Today we have a chance to admire one of the most exciting waterfalls in Iceland.
Seljalandsfoss is a 60m high (200 ft) waterfall.
What makes this waterfall so special is the path that allows my guests to walk behind the waterfall in the summer.
Don’t worry about getting wet. I have you covered. We have a few raincoats on board, which I make available to my guests on request.
Unfortunately, during the winter season, due to safety reasons, the path it’s closed.
SKÓGAFOSS WATERFALL
Skógafoss is wide at 25 m (80 ft), 60m high (200 ft) waterfall.
You can experience his charm in two ways. First, if you are not afraid to get a bit wet, the flat surrounding underneath allows you to walk right up to the waterfall. The second way is the viewing platform at the top of the waterfall. If we are blessed with sunny weather, you will have a chance to admire often a double Rainbow at Skogafoss. Used as a set of many famous movie productions, Skógafos is also the beginning of Iceland’s most famous hiking trail, the 22 km (14 ml) Fimmvörðuháls Pass.
DYRHÓLAEY
Dyrhólaey cliffs are approximately 120m high (390ft) and form a small peninsula with a historical lighthouse. Dyrhólaey is home to a large Atlantic Puffins population between May and September. When the weather is good, it’s a perfect place to admire magnificent views of the Mýrdalsjökull glaciers, the black sand beach, and the massive rock formations of volcanic origins.
REYNISFJARA
According to National Geographic, Reynisfjara is one of the Top 10 none tropical beaches you should visit. This famous black-sand beach is located in the middle of the Icelandic South Coast near the small village of Vík. With basalt columns, a cave, black sand, and Reynisdrangar 66m(216 ft) rock pillars, Reynisfjara is truly a unique place.
SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL
We will come close to the Sólheimajökull, a glacial tongue, part of the Myrdalsjokull ice cap, which is home to one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, Katla. Sólheimajökull offers breathtaking views of Iceland’s rugged landscape and is a popular spot for glacier hiking and ice climbing.
I will be happy to arrange a 2-3 hours glacier hike at an additional price.
KVERNUFOSS WATERFALL
A short and enjoyable hike through the surrounding canyon will lead us straight to the second hidden gem of the Icelandic South Coast. Kvernufoss is a 30m high (98 ft) waterfall. And just like at Skogafoss, Skogafoss, we may be fortunate enough to witness a lovely rainbow on a sunny day while admiring its beauty.
REYKJAVIK
Straight from there, we will go to your hotel or place of your choice in the Reykjavik area.
ALL YEAR
EASY
YOUR ACCOMMODATION OR PLACE OF YOUR CHOICE (FREE PICK-UP IN REYKJAVIK)
STANDARD GROUP UP TO 4 PEOPLE (MAXIMUM UP TO 8 PEOPLE)
370KM/230MI/10-12H
I do my best to make my trips as comfortable as possible. That’s why I provide complimentary hot chocolate to keep as WARM 🙂 Additionally, I offer crystal clear Icelandic South Coast Glacial water in my car at no extra charge.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Guiding Services
Private Transportation
Wifi access
Crampons
Rain gear – pants and coats
Tolls
Parking fees
What's extras
Personal Expenses
Souvenirs
Food, Drinks, Snacks
*Please note that while we offer pre-designed tours, all private tours offered by Arctic Mike might be customized if possible. We always work with our clients to tailor the itinerary to ensure it fully meets all your needs and expectations.
*I will be happy to answer all your additional questions! Feel free to contact me. You may also find answers to commonly asked questions in the FAQ section
What my guest's
Neely S March 2024
If you’re looking for an amazing Iceland guide, look no further than Arctic Mike! We took a short weekend trip to Iceland from the US in hopes to see the northern lights and tour around the south coast and golden circle. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate for the northern lights, and we began the trip a bit disappointed, unsure of what to expect for our weekend. We booked 2 days of touring with Mike, and I can’t begin to express how much we enjoyed him! Mike is a dream of a tour guide – he knows the island like the back of his hand and knows all the tricks to avoid crowds and where to take the best photos. He is a wealth of knowledge and shared just about everything there is to know about Iceland (and more)! A tour guide can really make or break your trip, and since we only had 3 days in Iceland, and 2 with Mike, it was a gamble for sure, but it’s safe to say we hit the jackpot with him! If/when we return, we would absolutely book with Mike again. Until then, I will be dreaming of his famous homemade hot chocolate!
Loulou February 2024
My friend and I went on a trip with Mike to the South Coast and everything from pick-up to drop-off was perfect. Not only did Mike take us to beautiful spots but he gave us crampons so that we could walk further from tourists. This made our trip feel so much more special and we were able to get some amazing pictures! Mike knows all the best angles!! We stopped on the way to pet some horses and they were very friendly. We also went on a little glacier walk and had some great conversations along the way. Mike is very knowledgeable about Iceland and the spots we were visiting so we learned a lot. I can’t forget to mention Mike’s homemade hot chocolate which was incredible!! Even after our trip Mike stayed in touch and gave us restaurant and activities recommendations. Overall, I could not recommend Mike enough it felt like we spent the day with a local friend who showed us around his favorite spots.
colleydog February 2024
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Tomy H January 2024
We did two private tours (Golden Circle and South Coast tours) with Mike and both times, he was amazing! He has way exceeded our expectations and I can say Mike is the best tour guide we ever had. He took us to many non-touristy areas, making the whole experience more enjoyable and fun. These places were spectacular and Mike took many great photos of us. We stopped by to restaurants that were booked by Mike and lunches were amazing. I had the best tomatoes in one of the restaurants he booked for us for lunch. Mike ensure that our travel is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. He is very knowledgeable about buildings, history and culture of Iceland. We’ve learned a lot about Iceland from him. He’s also very flexible with the itinerary and that we can make changes to accommodate our wants. For example, he took us to places where we can fly our drone and had amazing shots.
Mike is very friendly, generous, kind and approachable. We would definitely recommend Mike to anyone who is going to Iceland. And one thing, he made a bloody delicious hot chocolates. It’s probably the top 2 or 3 hot chocolates we ever had. Thank you Mike for guiding and hosting us. It was truly an amazing trips!
Tas_wanderers November 2023
We were lucky enough to get to spend two days with Mike showing us around the South Coast and the Golden Circle. We had the most magical and memorable days. Mike was an amazing guide and 5/5 isn’t a high enough score- easily a 10/5 🙂
Mike had great knowledge of the areas we visited and the history. His stories were engaging and informative. He knew how to avoid the crowds with the order of the activities and he took the most amazing photos of our family so we have those memories forever. We went to places we wouldn’t have dared even try to go to without Mike taking us, and we always felt safe and looked after. Our only complaint was he doesn’t do more tours in the winter – because we absolutely would have booked them too!
Mike was brilliant with our daughter and was a lot of fun, adding a stop she could feed Icelandic horses, which she absolutely adored.
If you are wanting to see the best of the Golden Circle and the South Coast (and taste the best hot chocolate ever!) and want the best guide there is – book with Mike. Mike is the best and you will have the most amazing time.
Suzy November, 2023
The Golden Circle and The Secret Lagoon Private Day Tour:
Artic Mike’s Golden Circle tour was an absolute delight. From hiking around an extinct volcano to witnessing geyser eruptions, each moment was a breathtaking encounter with Icelandic wonders. The Secret Lagoon’s thermal pool provided relaxation, and lunch at the Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse was a unique culinary experience amidst tomato plants. Artic Mike’s thoughtful itinerary and comfortable Mercedes V Class made this tour unforgettable.
Icelandic South Coast Private Day Tour:
Embarking on the South Coast tour with Artic Mike felt like exploring a friend’s favorite places. The journey included hidden waterfalls like Gljufabui and iconic ones like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. A lunch break at Skógafoss Bistro and a hike to Sólheimajökull Glacier added to the adventure. The Black Sand Beach at Reynisfjara provided a stunning finale. Artic Mike’s attention to comfort, including hot chocolate and Icelandic mineral water, made this tour exceptional.
In both tours, Artic Mike’s service was outstanding—knowledgeable, attentive, and ensuring nothing was too much trouble. The combination of remarkable destinations and his warm hospitality turned these trips into cherished memories. Highly recommend!
Laura C. October, 2023
Arctic Mike was absolutely amazing! Four of us spent 2 days with him and covered the golden circle and south Coast. He planned the perfect itinerary making sure we got to certain sites at the right time based on the level of crowds, sunrise/sunset. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a great overview of the history and culture of Iceland. He has a great personality and is really easy to talk to. He included special touches like hot chocolate (with whip cream!!), a stop at an incredible greenhouse for lunch and was an amazing photographer. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Laura S. October, 2023
Two of the BEST days with Arctic Mike exploring Iceland. Warm, friendly, knowledgeable and the best photographer. Mike truly goes the extra mile for those on his tour. By the end of two days he feels like family! Thank you Mike, you made our trip so memorable! Book with Arctic Mike, you’ll be so happy you did!
Julie G. October, 2023
We had the most INCREDIBLE time with Arctic Mike over the past two days. He truly thinks of everything and goes above and beyond to ensure you have the BEST experience. He took us to the most majestic places in Iceland, had amazing knowledge of the country and is an excellent photographer, capturing all our wonderful memories. If you are coming to Iceland no other way to do it then with Arctic Mike.
Marita September, 2023
If you’re thinking about doing a tour in Iceland do it with Arctic Mike. He’s knowledgeable, funny, and all around amazing. He was flexible with our tour so we’d be able to hit the sights when they weren’t super busy. Always accommodated us and made sure he had water, proper gear, and an overall great time. He also takes AMAZING pictures (seriously great angles and gets the landmark in the shot perfectly). We can’t say enough great things about him. We did the golden circle tour and his south coast tour. Both days were wonderful. Honestly, can’t recommend him enough. 10/10.
Lynsey S July, 2023
Our family spent two PERFECT days touring with Mike. There is a reason that he gets such excellent reviews. First of all, Mike has an amazing personality and is genuinely such a good guy. He is incredibly knowledgeable and has put a lot of time and effort planning his tours to perfection. We really did feel like we were traveling with a good friend. Not only is Mike a great tour guide for adults, he is fantastic with kids. Loved it!
Susan July, 2023
We are happy to leave another well-deserved 5-star review for Mike. We are a couple in our 60s, and Mike guided us on full-day tours of the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Communications was excellent from the start, and we were met at the cruise port seamlessly for our first tour and dropped of at our hotel each day. Mike is extremely knowledgeable about Iceland, including its history and geology. He has an easy style, and did everything he could to be sure we were comfortable and didn’t feel rushed at any of the sights–a major advantage of a private guide vs a group tour. He organized our tour so that we could see very popular sites when they were less likely to be overrun with large bus tours. I am not the steadiest on uneven terrain, but Mike made a special point to be there to lend a hand so that I could see a waterfall inside a cave! He also had excellent recommendations for other things to do on our own. We felt very taken care of and privileged to experience the magic of Iceland with Mike.
Maria Magdalena May, 2023
Spędziłam trzy dni w towarzystwie Arctic Mike.To były wakacje mojego życia!!! Jest bardzo sympatycznym,wesołym,świetnie przygotowanym przewodnikiem.Udzielał mi odpowiedzi na wszystkie zadane przezemnie pytania.Podróżowałam z rodziną i każdy z nas miał te same odczucia.Zapewnił nam ubrania przeciwdeszczowe ,dzięki temu niezależnie od pogody mogliśmy się cieszyć otaczającym nas pięknem Islandii😍❤️ No i ta gorąca czekolada ze śmietaną😋którą serwuje była wisienką na torcie!
Dziękujemy za super spędzony czas i niesamowite wrażenia! Do zobaczenia następnym razem Mike🤗
Maciej K. May, 2023
Our trip with Mike started at the airport. From that moment the best vacation of our lives began. We never got bored with him.
Except beatiful places he showed us, he was able to interest our child ( it is almost impossible).
He is a great guide.
Marina C. March, 2023
Anna M. March, 2023
My friends and I did a tour of the waterfalls, glaciers and black sand beach and it was amazing! Mike was so accommodating and made it a great experience for our first time in Iceland. He told us so much about the history and culture. He also took so many pictures for us and made the tour really fun. I saw so much in just a day and made long lasting memories. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone traveling to Iceland. You won’t be disappointed!
Andrea S. October, 2022
I can’t say enough about how wonderful Arctic Mike was during our stay in Iceland! We booked him for private tours for two days plus the drive to the airport on our last day. First day was Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon. The second tour was the South Coast Tour (which was truly amazing!!). I have difficulty walking far and Mike did everything he could to help me make the most out of our tour, including climbing up behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, something I never imagined I could do. He was excellent with communications leading up to the trip and the whole time we were there, including excellent restaurant recommendations and apps to watch for the Aurora. He took such good care of us, was knowledgeable, considerate and fun. If there were more than 5*****’s I would give them all to Mike!
Angel September 2022
Listen. I read Artic Mikes review before booking. Everything said is absolutely true! Mike went above and beyond to make sure our group was taken care off. Exceptional service is when someone goes above and beyond and Mike did just that. Great driver. Knowledge about Iceland. We learned so much fun facts. Great photographer. Overall great tour guide. I couldn’t even think of a complaint if I had one. Some people have special callings in life and Mike has found his. He was funny, caring and smart. Everyone in our tour group was happy and glad we choose Mike. So do yourself a favor and book with Mike. I’m a researcher so I looked up other tour guides and non compared to Mike. I’m glad we booked him.
Kristina J September, 2022
Mike offered such a memorable experience. The word “kind” isn’t even close to how genuinely thoughtful he is. Every single excursion was well thought out and planned for. He took our group wants and made them all happen. He was very compassionate to one of our group members who had difficulty moving around; he went as far as getting a step-up for them, parked in such a way that the person could easily get in and out, and never once made them or anyone feel bad or that they were missing out. To say he accommodated is an understatement.
He has a great sense of humor, an abundance of knowledge, and a welcoming and friendly spirit.
Mike and the experiences he provided were some of the best we’ve had.
If you’re looking to spend your hard earned money wisely, Mike is it.
Jean-Nicholas V August, 2022
Mike est un guide passionné, qui connaît et aime son pays d’adoption. Grâce à lui, nous avons découvert la côte sud de l’Islande, ses plages emblématiques, ses chutes grandioses et ses glaciers chatoyants. Mike est calme, attentionné et de très agréable compagnie. Il sait également prendre de très belles photos, bien cadrées. Dans sa voiture parfaitement propre, nous avons été confortables et en sécurité. Je recommande vivement cette expérience spectaculaire qui nous a fait irrémédiablement tomber en amour avec l’Islande.
Jennifer L. July 2022
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mike. we did two trips with him, The Golden Circle and the South Coast. Mike ensured that both days were perfect. There was never a feeling of being rushed, he is so knowledgeable of everything Icelandic he answered my non stop questions and made sure we got to see everything we wanted to do. Mike knew i wanted to see horses or sheep because i was talking non stop about so he made sure i got to see both and meet some horses. He is a great photographer for you as well and knows literally every spot for the best photos. Mike times his tours perfectly so you avoid the big tour groups and busses as much as possible. He is so kind, funny, and makes you feel comfortable and welcome right from the first minute. It was my boyfriend and I traveling but i would have felt 100% safe and comfortable as a solo or small group of female travelers as well. if you get a chance to go for the tomato farm for lunch on a tour with Mike, please do, it was absolutely beautiful in both food and the space and science behind the infrastructure. thank you Mike for making this one of our most memorable vacations yet. i will be raving about and recommending Arctic Mike for the foreseeable future every time anyone literally mentions Iceland.
Susan M. June, 2022
I don’t usually tell people what to do…but book this experience with Michal. It’s a no-brainer. Some tour guides are knowledgeable but boring, some are fun but not so knowledgeable about the area – Michal was a perfect combination of both. He knows so many interesting facts about the people and culture of Iceland, knows all the great spots for a Golden Circle or a South Iceland tour, is VERY safety conscious and an all-around super guy. Even my hard-to-please kids said the tour with Michal was the high-light of their Iceland experience. We started the morning as strangers and left as friends with a greater appreciation for everything Iceland. We look forward to returning to Iceland and one of the reasons is to book another excursion with Michal.
Kim B. June, 2022
We spent two days with Arctic Mike. One to the golden circle and one to the south coast. Both were phenomenal. We had four in our group, my daughter, her friend and my friend. It was AMAZING. Besides the magical country side of Iceland…Mike couldn’t have been more accommodating. He adjusted our first day to give us the best chance of seeing things better due to rain. He knew where all the best photo spots were and helped us with wonderful photos. He had fantastic stories and information about everything he saw. He always made sure we had enough bathroom breaks. We randomly would pull over to visit other sites because we wanted to. his hot chocolate, vehicle and his company were the best! We cannot wait to return. I have traveled a ton all over Europe and other locations. This was by far the best tour/s I have been on. I recommend to get this on your itinerary if you are heading to Iceland!!
Sarah B. May, 2022
Mike is the best!!!
He was so knowledgeable and showed us more than we ever could have found on our own. We did the South Coast tour and saw so much in one day. Mike never made us feel rushed and was genuinely wonderful to spend the day with. I highly recommend his tours
Julia H. May, 2022
Wow, what an amazing tour! We had four ladies (in our late twenties) and we had the best time ever. Arctic Mike was the funniest, most informative, and safest tour guide. He was the perfect mix of personal and professional and this was our favorite part of our Iceland trip. We would have paid triple for this experience, a must do!!!
Thank you Mike!
Alanna May, 2022
This was such a great experience, Michal is an great host who shows you some truly beautiful places! My friend and I loved this excursion; we saw everything we wanted to see and felt safe (even with some crazy weather) the whole time! If you’re in Iceland I highly recommend booking this excursion, you won’t regret it!
Kathryn Maj, 2022
The tour with Mike was phenomenal!! He is so personable and truly the best host. The knowledge he poses is amazing and very informative. The hot cocoa was definitely made with love and he took amazing pictures of us at every stop. He also would make sure we knew where we were going and gave us some time to ourselves at each destination which was nice. If you’re debating on doing the tour, trust me and the rest of the incredible reviews and DO IT! You will not regret it!
Carole M. April , 2022
We took two tours with Michal: the Golden Circle and Southern Iceland. We give Michal 5 stars based on a number of reasons. His personal knowledge of nature, culture, and history provided us a lot of information to understand Iceland. Very comfortable car, hot chocolate, loaner clothing, phone ports, heated seats —all there ! He has a winning and kind personality with an impressive command of four languages. He took us to places we never would have found on our own, always managing to keep an eye on us and our relative abilities. He even charmed other travelers to move out of the way for a picture. We sincerely believe Michal was worth every penny we spent for the tour. He’s the best!
Lynn T. April, 2022
We just finished a seven hour tour with Mike to the southern part of iceland. What a very knowledgeable person. Extremely safe and comfortable vehicle. Mike made us feel so safe and secure and brought us to the most amazing places. We really enjoyed ourselves and will keep this memory forever. If you get the opportunity to take a tour with Mike we would totally recommend it. He has a great sense of humor. He’s very intelligent.
Gene March, 2022
Happy to say this was probably the best tour experience of my life. Mike is an absolute treasure, living up to the fantastic Airbnb reviews and a recommendation from someone we know, who said our trip to Iceland would not be complete without him.
Imagine you were able to experience the natural wonders of Iceland with a friend who had vast knowledge of the country’s geography, history, food and culture, and was passionate about sharing that knowledge freely. This friend was also an affable, charismatic, considerate guy, and a fantastic driver as well! That’s what it’s like to be in a tour with Mike. He lives up to the stellar reviews. There is literally nothing we would have changed about our South Coast tour with the one and only Mike!
Paul February, 2022
Jennifer February, 20022
This was the best tour. You can and should absolutely believe all of Mike’s 5-star reviews. He is knowledgeable, organized, funny, thoughtful and keeps to a clean and clear schedule. He made our trip to Iceland the best ever and I will recommend to any friend or family traveling to Iceland that if they do nothing else, they should book tours with Mike. We did 3 tours and he provided airport pickup and drop off. Everything that he offers is totally professional and personable. He is the single best tour guide I have ever worked with. Book right now. You will not be disappointed!
Adventurer February, 2022
Mike is an amazing guide and made our family to Iceland. His trips were fantastic, he was great company and we felt very at home with him. We did the South of the island and the golden circle tours, both were excellent and Mike’s attention to detail is exceptional. Mike is very knowledgeable about Icelandic history and culture and we had the most wonderful time with him. We highly recommend him and his tour and would definitely meet up with him again when we return.
Thanks Mike for helping us create wonderful memories.
Emi L. October, 2021
We want to thank You Arktic Mike for an absolutely wonderful trip and experience!!!!
Mike know the area perfect. He explain facts, history, landmarks, figures, local customs and more.He Can make your trip insightful and memorable. We had a great time , the car was super comfortable. We will definitely be back. Highly recommend!!! 🙂
Stephanie E. September 2021
My mother and I spent two days with Mike, doing both the southern Iceland trip and the Golden circle. I definitely recommend doing both. We are SO grateful for the experiences we had with Mike. It was just the two of us and we felt like we had VIP treatment! Mike went above and beyond to make this a once in a lifetime experience. He was flexible, extremely professional and so kind. We hit all the most amazing places, and in an order that ensured we missed crowds. Mike is so incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Iceland! We have traveled all around the world and this was the best private tour experience we have ever had. Do not hesitate and book your private tours with Mike! You will not regret it!!! It will take your trip to Iceland to the next level!!! Thank you Mike!!!!! We will be back!!! 🙂
Julien August 2021
Michal may be the most fun tour guide in Iceland. He’s full of personality but also makes you feel very comfortable during the trip. He provides you with warm and cool beverages in the car. He clearly knows the area well and loves sharing his knowledge. You could find all these locations without a guide, but it would be much less fun. Michal’s tour is a must.
Evi August 2021
We had the absolute best time on this experience! If you do only one thing in Iceland, make sure it’s the Southern Coast with Michal! The places you will visit are beautiful, and Michal was an exceptional host, the most hospitable. He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and provided us with coffee and water throughout the drive. We had great conversations throughout the day and felt like we were driving with a friend. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone wanting to visit the Southern Coast of Iceland. Thank you Michal for the great memories!
Kathryn June, 2021
Michal was an AMAZING host who really took great care of us on our first tour in Iceland.
He will take you to all of the best spots on the south coast and a few secret spots that you’d never see on a larger tour.
He loves to chat and will tell you awesome stories about Iceland! He was even kind enough to give us a long list of recommendations of places we had to visit over the rest of our trip.
He absolutely made our trip awesome!
Thanks again Michal!
Copyright 2024 Arctic Mike ehf.
