Katla Volcano Ice Cave Super Jeep Tour from Vík — Arctic Adventures
A 3-hour Super Jeep tour from Vík to the Katla ice cave beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier, run by Arctic Adventures — one of Iceland’s largest outdoor tour operators. Departures from behind the Ice Cave Bistro in Vík. Off-road drive across volcanic terrain to Kötlujökull glacier, then on crampons and helmet through the natural ice cave (blue and black volcanic ash ice). Max 15 travelers. Minimum age 6. 4.4/5 across 245 reviews. From $196.07 per person.
About This Activity
Up to 24h, full refund
Book today, pay nothing until later
Departs Vík — not Reykjavik
Off-road modified 4×4
Crampons and helmet for all guests
Available every season
Arctic Adventures vs Troll Expeditions: Two Katla Cave Tours from Vík
Two main operators run the Katla Ice Cave Super Jeep tour from Vík: Troll Expeditions (product 50287P20, $282.29, 4.7/5 across 1,134 reviews) and Arctic Adventures (this tour, $196.07, 4.4/5 across 245 reviews). Both visit the same geological phenomenon — the natural ice cave beneath Katla Volcano. The differences are worth understanding.
Troll Expeditions is the original Katla ice cave operator, with more reviews, a higher rating, and a reputation for experienced guides (Boris, Gabriel, Hawk, Natti are frequently named). They run their meeting point from the Vikinn Hotel lobby. Arctic Adventures is a larger company running tours across all of Iceland; their Katla cave tour meets behind the Ice Cave Bistro in Vík. Arctic Adventures is $86 cheaper per person at current pricing.
Reviews for the Arctic Adventures tour consistently praise specific guides — Alex, Sylvester, Sebastian, Elías, Leiver, and Peter from South Coast Adventures are all mentioned by name. The most common critical note is variability in guide quality (AW W’s October 2025 review describes a quiet guide who provided minimal commentary) and the ride roughness — which is inherent to the terrain, not specific to this operator.
Jennifer D. (May 2026) specifically recommends the 8:30 AM departure: “Small group was great and we chose the 8:30 so no other tours were there and it leaves time for other activities in the day.”
What Happens on the Tour
Meeting Point — Behind the Ice Cave Bistro, Vík
Important: meet BEHIND the building, facing the sea
The meeting point is in the bus parking lot on the south side of the Icewear/Kronan building in Vík — on the side facing the ocean. Chuck C. (January 2026) flags this specifically: “Pickup point is actually BEHIND the building. Should be mentioned since Google maps only gets you to the front lot.” Address: Austurvegur 20, 870 Vík.
Super Jeep Drive to the Glacier — ~30 Minutes
Board the Super Jeep for the off-road drive across the volcanic terrain between Vík and the Kötlujökull glacier. About 10–15 minutes in, there’s typically a stop for photos at a scenic viewpoint. The terrain is rough — bumpy is the universal description. If you get carsick easily, sit toward the front. Jennifer A. (April 2026): “Such a great experience for our family of 4. If you get car sick easy sit up front — the ride is bumpy!”
Katla Ice Cave — Crampons, Helmet, Glacier Walk
After gearing up with crampons and helmet, you hike up the Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the ice cave. The walk is described consistently as manageable: “not more difficult than an uphill ramp and then back down again” (Susan T., similar Troll tour). Jennifer J. (May 2025) notes her 75 and 78-year-old parents completed it without issue thanks to the maintained paths and rope railings. Inside the cave: blue glacial ice, black volcanic ash layers, and the guide’s explanation of how the cave forms and changes.
The cave size varies by season and year. Sharon N. (March 2026): “I was expecting a small ice cave and it was a long tunnel through the ice which was fantastic.” Phillip S. (October 2025): the cave was smaller in late September — he recommends winter, spring, or early summer for better conditions. Margaret S. (March 2026) describes a challenging return journey due to very bad weather conditions — wet snow causing the vehicle to get stuck repeatedly. Her advice: check weather and ask about conditions before going, particularly avoiding rain.
What’s Included
- Small group Super Jeep ride — off-road to the glacier and back
- English-speaking knowledgeable guide
- Crampons and helmet — all required safety equipment
- Visit to a natural ice cave on the glacier
- Discounted rates for children
Not included: Food or drinks. Transport to Vík (you make your own way). No bathrooms along the route — plan accordingly before departure. Minimum age: 6 years. What to bring: warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, gloves and hat. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How the Tour Unfolds
| Season | Upsides | Downsides | Book Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov–Apr (Winter/Spring) | Best ice conditions — more blue ice visible, larger cave formations | Coldest — dress in serious warm layers | 2–3 weeks |
| May–Jun (Early Summer) | Good conditions, reasonable daylight | Cave starts to melt — visit early in season for best formations | 2–4 weeks |
| Jul–Aug (Summer) | Year-round availability | Cave typically smaller in summer heat | 1–2 weeks |
| Sept–Oct (Autumn) | Cave may be smaller (warm summer melt) | Reviewer recommends avoiding Sept–Oct for largest cave | 1–2 weeks |
Important Information
Tour departs from Vík — not Reykjavik. Vík is approximately 2.5 hours by car from Reykjavik.
Meet BEHIND the Ice Cave Bistro building, facing the sea. Google Maps takes you to the front — walk around.
No bathrooms along the route. Use facilities in Vík before departure.
Check weather before your tour. Margaret S.’s review (March 2026) describes a tour extended to 8 hours due to severe wet weather causing the vehicle to get stuck. Wet snow and rain after a thaw create difficult off-road conditions. Ask the operator about current conditions if the forecast shows rain.
Book the early departure (8:30 AM) for smallest groups and most available time.
Minimum age: 6 years. The tour is noted as family-friendly (Timothy L., October 2025: 13yo, 10yo, and 6yo — all loved it).
What Travelers Said
⭐ 4.4/5 based on 245 reviews — Read all reviews on Viator
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jennifer D, United States — May 2026
Absolutely incredible! Peter from South Coast Adventures was amazing — informative and personable. Small group was great and we chose the 8:30 so no other tours were there, and it leaves time for other activities in the day. Highly recommend!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sharon N, United States — March 2026
The trip was wonderful. I was expecting a small ice cave and it was a long tunnel through the ice which was fantastic. Our guide Sebastian was really great.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kelsey S, United States — October 2025
We loved our tour of the Katla ice cave! Alex was absolutely phenomenal and so great with our kids. He was a wealth of knowledge and had so many interesting things to share about Iceland and Katla. The cave was a little smaller than expected but reasonable in October.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Susan K, United States — November 2025
This is such a fun and unique experience! The scenery is unbelievable. Leiver was the best tour guide. His expertise with off-roading and with exploring the ice cave is unparalleled. He knows it like the back of his hand.
⭐⭐ Margaret S, United States — March 2026
A 3-hour day turned into an 8-hour day due to rough weather (wet snow). The vehicle got stuck multiple times, one tire came off the wheel. The drivers worked hard but were short-staffed. Check the weather — if it’s raining or going to rain, plan around it because the conditions are way too wet for off-road driving.
⭐⭐ AW W, United States — October 2025
The guide was a very nice young guy, but either very new or just not a person of words — we had barely 4–5 mentions about the area or glaciers. The cave was very small and we spent only 15–20 minutes inside. Recommend signing up for early tour. I later found I could have spent the same money for a 3–4 hour glacier walk at Sólheimajökull.
Book the Katla Ice Cave Tour — Arctic Adventures
3 hours, Super Jeep off-road to the Katla ice cave, crampons and helmet included. From $196.07 per person. Free cancellation. Book the 8:30 AM departure for best experience.
Also considering the Troll Expeditions version of this tour? See Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik (Troll Expeditions) — $282.29, 4.7/5, 1,134 reviews. Or browse all Iceland volcano tours at Iceland Volcano Tour.