Buggy Adventure: Off-Road Thrills in South Iceland

The best part of this tour is the route itself. You take a two-seater 4×4 buggy across streams, ruts, gravel tracks, and black sand fields near Eyjafjallajökull, then pause for wide views of Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands. I like the mix of driving and scenery, and I like that beginners get a proper guide, safety gear, and an automatic vehicle. The main catch is simple: two hours goes quickly, and the $250 price is a serious addition to an Iceland trip.

I also like the way this tour reaches ground that an ordinary rental car cannot handle. You may pass small waterfalls, look up toward a hanging glacier, and circle an isolated mountain around Dímon. The pace can be lively, especially when following a guide such as Thorthu, so this is not a gentle sightseeing ride for anyone who dislikes bumps or sudden splashes.

Key points at a glance

• Markaðsfljótaurar provides the real off-road action: Expect tundra-like sand fields, rough tracks, rocky sections, and small stream crossings.
• The views go beyond the windshield: Stops look toward Seljalandsfoss, Eyjafjallajökull, and the Westman Islands.
• Automatic two-seater buggies keep the driving approachable: You do not need to manage a manual gearbox while handling uneven ground.
• Guides set the tone: Robert, Thorthu, Ingimar, and Victor are among the guides praised for friendly, reassuring, or energetic tours.
• You need proper clothing and a driving license: The operator supplies the helmet, suit, and balaclava, but not your warm layers or waterproof footwear.
• Odd-numbered groups need careful booking: Shared rides place two people in each buggy, so one single-rider buggy is required for an odd-sized group.

Starting at Brú Base on Road 249

You meet Southcoast Adventure at Brú Base Camp on Road 249, near Hvolsvöllur. This location works well as a southern Iceland side trip, especially if your day already includes the area around Seljalandsfoss or the Eyjafjallajökull region.

The outing lasts two hours from the start of the guided activity. At base, your guide gives a short safety briefing, helps you into an insulated cover-all, and supplies a helmet and buggy balaclava face mask. You still need to arrive with warm outdoor clothing underneath. Iceland can feel cold even in summer, and an open buggy leaves your hands, face, and footwear exposed to wind and spray.

Bring a valid driver’s license. The information provided does not specify a separate age requirement for drivers, so check the booking details if a young person plans to drive. Children under five cannot join, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

The buggies are two-seater, fully automatic 4×4 vehicles. They are road legal and safety-inspected, with roll cages, safety belts, and double A-arm suspension. Those details matter on rough ground. You still feel the bumps, but the suspension and secure seating make the ride more manageable than a basic off-road vehicle.

Getting used to the buggy before the rough ground

After the briefing, you take your place in the buggy and follow the guide. Automatic transmission removes one task from the learning curve, so you can focus on steering, speed, and the track ahead.

That does not mean this is effortless. The ground changes quickly. You may move from gravel to loose sand, then handle a rut or a shallow stream. A guide leads the way and sets the pace, but you remain responsible for driving your own vehicle. The experience is best for someone who wants to take part, not simply sit back while a driver does everything.

Shared rides mean two people per buggy. This arrangement suits couples, friends, and parent-child pairings who are comfortable sharing the drive. The supplied information does not explain how driving time is divided, so ask the operator if both people in your buggy want a turn.

If your group has an odd number, reserve one single-rider buggy. If you book only shared rides, the additional fee is charged on-site. This is an easy detail to miss, and it can turn an otherwise smooth arrival into an avoidable payment problem.

Across Fljótshlíð toward Eyjafjallajökull

The route runs through the countryside between Fljótshlíð and Eyjafjallajökull. This gives the ride a strong sense of place. You are not simply circling a prepared track beside the base. You are moving through open country shaped by volcanoes, glacial water, gravel, and shifting sand.

Eyjafjallajökull is the glacier-capped volcano known around the world for its 2010 eruption, though this tour is about the terrain and views rather than a formal eruption site visit. From the buggy, the scale is the main point. A glacier can look distant from a road, then feel much closer when you are moving beneath its slopes on rough ground.

The route also includes small waterfalls and stream crossings. Water gives the ride its most playful moments, but it is worth keeping your expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise large river crossings or a particular waterfall by name. Conditions can change, so the amount of water and the exact route may vary.

A practical tip: keep your hands firmly on the wheel near ruts and rocks, and do not wear anything you would hate to get dusty or splashed. The cover-all helps, but it is part of an outdoor ride, not a guarantee that every layer stays pristine.

Markaðsfljótaurar and the thrill of rough ground

Markaðsfljótaurar is the tour’s main playground. These tundra-like sand fields around Dímon offer the kind of open, raw setting that makes a buggy useful. A normal car cannot simply leave the marked road and cross this ground, while a suitable 4×4 buggy can handle the route under guidance.

The action comes from the changing surface. You may cross loose sand, bump over deep ruts, climb rocky slopes, and splash through small streams. One account of the ride describes following the guide at a fast pace with little time to think twice before tackling the next section. That sounds exciting, but it is also a useful warning: this can feel more intense than the cheerful phrase buggy adventure suggests.

Your guide controls the group pace and route. Thorthu is praised for leading an especially energetic outing, while Ingimar is described as kind, relaxed, and reassuring. Robert is singled out for a brilliant guiding job, and Victor for being fun and informative. Guides can differ in style, but the core service remains the same: safety setup, route leadership, and help along the way.

The double A-arm suspension and roll cage are not decorative specifications. They are important when the vehicle moves over uneven ground. Even so, people with back problems should not book, and anyone expecting a smooth sightseeing ride should choose another activity.

Views of Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands

One of the best pauses looks toward Seljalandsfoss, the famous waterfall on Iceland’s South Coast. The buggy tour does not replace a dedicated stop at the waterfall, but the viewpoint gives you a different angle from the usual roadside visit. Instead of standing at the base of a well-known attraction, you see it as part of a broad sweep of southern Iceland.

The route also provides views toward Vestmannaeyjar, the Westman Islands, offshore. On a clear day, the islands add a striking line to the horizon and remind you how much open space surrounds the South Coast. The view depends on weather and visibility, as it does throughout Iceland, so do not treat the island sighting as guaranteed in every condition.

The scenery is not limited to those named viewpoints. The ride can include a large hanging glacier seen from below and a small, isolated mountain that the buggy route circles completely. Those details help explain the appeal of this outing. You are not only chasing speed. The vehicle lets you reach positions where the shapes of the glacier, plain, and mountains feel more immediate.

Still, the tour is active. Stops are part of a moving adventure, not long scenic pauses with a full photography setup. If you want extensive time at Seljalandsfoss, book a separate visit and use this experience for the off-road section.

What the equipment does and does not cover

Southcoast Adventure supplies an insulated cover-all, helmet, and balaclava face mask. This is useful protection against wind, dust, and light spray, and it reduces the amount of special gear you need to pack.

You must provide:

• Warm layers, with non-cotton clothing preferred
• A waterproof jacket and waterproof pants
• Warm hat or other headwear
• Warm gloves, socks, and a scarf
• Suitable hiking boots or shoes

The distinction matters. The supplied cover-all is not a complete Iceland outfit. Wear several warm layers beneath it, and choose footwear that can cope with wet ground. The activity information specifically requires appropriate hiking boots or shoes, so casual canvas trainers are a poor choice.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you cannot bring alcoholic drinks into the vehicle. Snacks are also not included. Since the activity lasts two hours, eat beforehand or carry food for after the ride.

Is $250 a fair price?

At $250 per person, this is not a budget excursion. For two people sharing a buggy, you are paying for a guided off-road route, a specialized vehicle, safety equipment, clothing layers supplied by the operator, and access to rough ground that an ordinary rental car cannot reach.

I think the value depends on what you want from South Iceland. If your ideal day is a list of famous waterfalls viewed from paved roads, the price may feel high for a two-hour activity. If you want to drive through streams, sand fields, and rough tracks while seeing the countryside from a very different angle, the cost is easier to justify.

You also need to factor in the intensity. The price buys an active experience, not a private sightseeing vehicle and not a long glacier excursion. The tour is only two hours, so the action is concentrated. That can work well in a busy itinerary, but it may leave you wishing for more time once you get comfortable.

The perfect score from 12 reviews gives the experience a strong record, with repeated praise for the scenery, river crossings, buggy handling, and guides. I would still read the high rating in context: this appeals most to people who enjoy physical outdoor activities and a little controlled roughness.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to couples or friends who want to share a vehicle, families with children old enough to meet the operator’s requirements, and confident beginners who would like to drive without learning a manual gearbox.

It also suits people who have already visited the main South Coast sights and want something more active. The route adds a new side to the region, with sand fields and streams instead of another roadside waterfall.

You should think twice if you have back trouble, dislike bumpy motion, are pregnant, or want a quiet photo tour. Children under five cannot participate. You also need a driving license, proper outdoor clothing, and a willingness to follow the guide across changing ground.

The guide style may shape your day. If you want a lively adventure, Thorthu’s fast-paced approach may suit you. If you prefer a calmer feel, Ingimar’s relaxed manner sounds closer to what you want, though guide assignments are not guaranteed. One especially nice touch reported from the operation is a follow-up video sent after the ride, but do not assume every tour includes a video unless the company confirms it.

Final verdict: book it for the driving, not just the view

Book this tour if you want to take the wheel and feel South Iceland’s rough ground under the tires. The strongest reasons are the stream crossings, the Markaðsfljótaurar sand fields, the views toward Seljalandsfoss and the Westman Islands, and the chance to see glacier country from an unusual position.

Skip it if $250 feels too steep for two hours, or if you prefer long, quiet stops at major sights. For the right person, this is a memorable addition to a South Coast trip, especially when you want more than another stop beside the Ring Road.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if Iceland’s changeable plans are still taking shape, but the key decision is your comfort with the activity itself. Expect bumps, spray, open countryside, and a lively pace, then pack accordingly.

FAQ

Where does the buggy tour meet?

The meeting point is Southcoast Adventure at Brú Base Camp on Road 249, near Hvolsvöllur in South Iceland.

How long does the buggy adventure last?

The guided buggy adventure lasts two hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live guide speaks Icelandic and English.

What type of buggy will I drive?

You will use a two-seater, fully automatic 4×4 buggy. The vehicles are road legal, safety-inspected, fitted with roll cages and safety belts, and equipped with double A-arm suspension.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes. You must bring a driver’s license.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

The operator provides an insulated cover-all, helmet, and buggy balaclava face mask.

What should I bring?

Bring warm non-cotton layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, warm gloves, socks, a scarf, and suitable hiking boots or shoes. Snacks are not included.

Can children or pregnant women join?

Children under five cannot participate. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.