Iceland · 1-HOUR EXPERIENCES
Good 1-hour experiences fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 11 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor to Akurey, Engey, or Lundey with an English-speaking naturalist guide. You will watch puffins, eider ducks, guillemots, terns, and other seabirds from the boat, using free binoculars. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets help in cool weather, and guides such as Frida add lively puffin facts to the hour-long outing.
“Guide was knowledgeable. Perfect amount of time to circle the island.”
Fly with Norðurflug from Reykjavik Domestic Airport over colorful mountains, lava fields, craters, hot springs, and geothermal power plants. Your English-speaking pilot explains the sights, then lands for about 15 minutes beside a remote geothermal area. The small group fits up to six people, and exact departure time depends on weather and availability.
“It was amazing and spectacular!’ Max was a very nice pilot and tourguide. If your hesitating… go for it, it’s wonderful!”
You’ll ride with up to 12 people around Vestmannaeyjar on a one-hour RIB safari. Expect sea caves, seabirds, puffins, dramatic rock shapes, and stories about island life. Warm protective clothing, a float suit, and life jacket are supplied. Guides such as Albert, Chris, and captain Omar have been praised for their personal stories and skilled handling.
“This was an amazing trip. The employees were all very professional and friendly, and we felt like we were in good hands at all times. The scenery was breathtaking. The stories and anecdotes and information provided were interesting and well told. Our guide was a young woman named Chris and she was fantastic. I can't possibly recommend this trip enough.”
Leave Reykjavik for a one-hour guided 4WD buggy ride across lava fields, muddy trails, snow, and mountain tracks. Safari Quads supplies thermal coveralls, helmets, gloves, ski masks, and rain gear. You can drive with a valid license or ride as a passenger from age six. Guides have included Artur, Domas, Thomas, and Sir Cactus.
“This was a great experience heading out into the beautiful countryside on the edge of the city. Our guide Sir Cactus was enthusiastic, helpful and being an true Icelander, very knowledgable too!”
Meet Puffin Adventures at Hafnarhólmi in Bakkagerði for a one-hour RIB safari along East Iceland’s coast. Local brother guides take up to 12 people past nesting cliffs, puffin colonies, seals, seabirds, and possibly whales. Warm gear is provided, but you must arrange your own transport.
“This Puffin Zodiac Tour was AMAZING! Our guides were extremely kinda, funny, and knowledgeable about Bakkageri and the Borgarfjörður eystri area (their parents grew up there!) After taking an exciting zodiac ride to the cliffs on the sea to view many species of nesting birds, we took a ride along the harbor to see seals and a waterfall. We even had BONUS whale watching time to view a large humpback whale breaching MULTIPLE times!! We got up close and personal and it was incredible. This tour is a must.”
At True Spy Iceland in Reykjavik, presenter David leads a roughly 70-minute multimedia lecture on Sir William Stephenson, the Icelandic-Canadian WWII spymaster linked to Churchill, Roosevelt, Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming, and James Bond. Expect stories, spycraft, historical context, and time for questions in an atmospheric basement setting.
“My sister and I can't praise this enough! We had a phenomenal time with David! He kept us captivated the whole time and really gave us a deep dive into the topic of James Bond. Whether you are a history buff or have no clue about him, please go! It was a highlight of our trip!”
Drive a two-person buggy through Icelandic countryside from Southcoast Adventure’s Brú Base Camp. After a safety briefing, you suit up in a waterproof snow suit and helmet, cross gravel tracks, view waterfalls, and reach places cars cannot. Guides such as Clover and Maggi have helped make this a friendly family outing.
“Awesome tour! Excellent guide! We drove to a beautiful waterfall. Highly recommend! It’s past the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Also there is a DC-3 plane wreck nearby to view. It’s not the Beach DC-3 wreck but a nice addition.”
Enter a real prison cell at Reykjavik Escape and work with 1 to 5 companions to clear your name before execution. You have one hour to find clues, solve riddles, and break codes. The full visit lasts 75 minutes, with an English-speaking host or greeter. Children under 10 need an adult in each room.
Meet your guide at Brú Base near Road 249 for a one-hour off-road ride through Icelandic countryside near Þórsmörk. You will suit up in an insulated cover-all and helmet, then drive a fully automatic two-seater 4x4 buggy across gravel tracks with waterfall views. Bring a license, warm layers, hiking shoes, gloves, and rain gear.
“Tour fantastico, d avventura! Guida top! E rilascio di un gadget a testa! Grazie, da fare”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Aðalgata 32, beside Siglufjörður’s main square, for a one-hour walk through the former herring capital. You’ll see key sights, hear about shark and herring fishing, and get practical ideas for the rest of your Iceland stay. Guide Ólöf Yrr has led this witty, well-paced town walk.
“An excellent, well-paced and informative (and witty) tour of this really interesting town. We heard lots about it’s history and the lives of some of the inhabitants from Ólöf Yrr. Definitely worth booking this tour.”
You’ll share an ATV with one other person and ride for one hour beyond Reykjavik, heading toward Hafravatn lake and Reykjavik Peak. Buggy Adventures provides downtown pickup, overalls, gloves, helmets, safety training, and a guide. The full outing takes about 2.5 hours, though some of the route may use paved roads.
“Riding was mostly on highway with maybe 15 min of off road driving. Also we went very slow. Kind of boring and would not do again.”
Pick a glacier, a harbour or a hot spring.
