The 5 Off-Road Safaris in Iceland That Earn Their Price

1.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 973 reviews · from $159Our pick

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat trip with up to 12 passengers. Your English-speaking guide, possibly a marine biologist such as Matteo, Rui, or Zara, leads you to Puffin Island and whale-rich Skjálfandi Bay. Warm overalls are supplied, but expect a brisk, bumpy ride.

“Very nice experience and approach, we got useful information. Thanks to our guide and the captain.”

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2.Mýrdalsjökull: South Coast ATV Quad Bike Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 470 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $144

Ride a guided ATV across Sólheimasandur’s black sands, stop at the famous DC3 wreck, view Dyrhólaey and Mýrdalsjökull, then cross rivers into a mountain valley. The two-hour trip gives you more terrain and photo stops. Guides including Anthony, Pawel, Bjarki, and Magni are praised for safety, local stories, and friendly help.

“Honestly the highlight of my trip! The guide was absolutely incredible and really made the effort with us. We went to the airplane crash site and black sand beach and it was amazing. He had a lot of knowledge and took lots of photos for us. The tour was just myself and my partner and it was actually really nice just being us! The route we took seemed to be more on the challenging side but it was amazing! Moments where I felt slightly nervous the guide was there to help. Highly recommend!”

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3.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180Top rated

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat safari across Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide may lead you to humpback, minke, blue whales, dolphins, and Puffin Island during the April to August season. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm safety overalls supplied. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and a serious chance of wildlife.

“Well organized & professional. Give & Captain excellent. Only downside was not being able to get close pictures of Puffins, otherwise, really great. Saw many whales.”

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4.Reykjavik Peak with Safari Quads ATV

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129Best value

Safari Quads takes you from Reykjavik into open country on a guided ATV ride to Lake Hafravatn and Reykjavik Peak. Choose a solo or shared quad, learn the controls before setting out, and follow guides such as Paula, Marco, or Daria across gravel, mud, snow, and rocky mountain tracks. Warm overalls, helmets, gloves, and pickup are included.

“Absolutely brilliant tour. We were picked up by Marianne who was so lovely and jolly. We were taken on the tour by Paula who was amazing and we had so much fun. It was snowing on and off during the tour and the snowy scenery was amazing. The suits they provide were really warm and cosy. Would love to do this again if we were staying longer. Fab day had by us.”

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5.Lake Mývatn ATV Guided Safari Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 42 reviews · 2 hours · from $223

Drive a side-by-side UTV around Lake Mývatn with an English-speaking guide such as Björn or Birke. After a 20-minute safety briefing, you spend about 85 minutes riding roads and rough tracks, with a short scenic stop. Helmets and overalls are provided, but drivers need a valid license.

“Ontzettend gave ervaring gehad! Voor de tijd had het geregent dus het terrein was op sommige plekken lekker modderig. Onze gids had een fijn tempo en stopte af en toe om ons meer uitleg te geven over de natuur en het leven op IJsland. Echt een aanrader! ☺️”

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