Top 5 activities in Iceland
Iceland has so many things to do and it can seem overwhelming what to pick. There’s endless nature to see and an abundance of tours and activities to join. I have tried most of what’s on offer in Iceland and I’ve found that I keep going back to the same five tours over and over again. These are the must do’s if you ask me but you don’t need to do any other. So here you go, my top 5 activities to book for your Iceland trip:
Katla Ice Cave
There’s not many places in the world where you can visit as magical ice caves as Iceland. The caves in the glacier of Katla are open year-round which is a huge benefit, but they are also super impressive. The drive in there goes through an incredible desert/moon landscape and then you reach the glacier. You’ll be equipped with crampons and a helmet and then you can go explore the caves and tunnels carved into the ice. A really incredible experience!
Book with Arctic Adventures
2. Whale Watching
I love whales and seeing them in real life is something you just can’t miss. Iceland is home to over 20 whale species, for example, Orca, Blue Whale and Humpback whales. The Humpback is the most common and can be spotted all over Iceland. What’s really nice is that the waters directly outside Reykjavik have a lot of whales. So all you need to do is to go down to the harbour, hop on a boat and go see these gentle giants. I recommend to book the RIB express trip for best chances to see the whales.
Book either from Reykjavik or from Akureyri.
3. See the Northern Lights
September to March is northern Lights season in Iceland. The aurora is a stunning show when it’s on, but it can be hard to catch. You’ll need clear skies and a strong KP-index in the forecast. And ideally you also need to be out of the city to stay away from light pollution. If you want to maximise your chances to see them I recommend going on a tour. Then you’re in the hands of an experienced local guide that knows exactly how to spot them.
Book either a small group tour or a Northern Lights & Lava Tunnel tour for an extra adventure.
4. Go Ice Climbing
Ice climbing is a real adventure where you get to properly challenge Iceland. You start with a hike up the glacier and then your guide will teach you how to use ice axes and crampons to climb up a vertical ice wall. It’s a lot of fun and actually easier than you might think. If you want a full on and full day adventure, I highly recommend this one.
5. Dive in Silfra
Silfra is located just 45min from Reykjavik and is a super unique diving and snorkeling spot. Silfra is located on the rift between two tectonic plates, the Eurasian and North American. They drift apart by 2cm each year and create a crack. In this crack comes up the clearest glacial water you can imagine. The sight is above 100m and it feels like flying when you snorkel on the surface. The tour is available year-round and I recommend the snorkeling tour
Book with Arctic Adventures
