Heading to Iceland? The Southeast Coast of Iceland is a bit farther than the normal Iceland itineraries, but it’s SO WORTH IT, especially if you want to see Jökulsárlon glacier lagoon! If you’re worried about the distance, just keep in mind that not only did I do this roadtrip in a day (from and to Keflavik), but I also went straight from a red-eye flight to the car rental place, got my car, and drove nearly 5 hours to get there and then back! Totally worth it!
Length: Full Day (or longer)
Cost: About $80 for gas + food money
Tips: Bring good hiking shoes and a warm jacket
Before you rule out driving all the way to the Southeast coast of Iceland, let me just throw it out there that the glacier lagoon, black sand beach with iceberg rocks, and black basalt waterfall were some of the most breathtaking things I saw during my whole trip.
In fact, the only day I had free was the day I arrived, but I was so ambitiously determined to see them, that as soon as I landed in Iceland at 5:30am, I rented a car, fumbled with the GPS, and drove 5 hours across the entire south coast of Iceland to get there.
I spent about 3 hours total at all of the stops I made, then drove back to my hotel in Keflavik for a total of a 13 hour roadtrip. I was beyond tired, but didn’t mind the drive that much, because the scenery along the way is just so incredible. It’s definitely doable in one day, but if you have extra time, I’d highly suggest staying or camping around Skaftafell National Park, and combining the South Coast roadtrip with the Southeast one!
Here are the stops I made on my Southeast coast roadtrip:
Skaftafell National Park is the perfect first stop because it’s the easiest one to find, and also to enter into GPS. It has clean bathrooms, a little cafe, and tons of information in case you need it. Skaftafell National Park is at the base of the massive glacier called Vatnajökull, which can be easily seen from miles away from the park.
There are several hiking routes you can take in Skaftafell depending on what you want to see, and how ambitious you are about exercising. There’s also a camping area in case you want to pitch a tent and stay the “night” (there was 24 hours of sunlight when I was in Iceland).
Luckily, the one thing I wanted to see at Skaftafell National Park, was the one thing that was on the easiest hike! Svartifoss is famous for being a waterfall that cascades down a wall of black basalt rocks (those cool column-shaped rocks) and is just as awesome to see in person as it sounds.
The hike is easy, despite the clusters of tourists clad in intense hiking gear and lacking breath, and you even pass two other waterfalls on the way to it!
If you haven’t already seen a glacier or glacier lagoon, go to Jökulsárlon right after Skaftafell (there’s another one on the way but not as cool). Even though I had seen photos of it online, my mind was absolutely blown by how illusory this place was.
If there was ever a time for me to actually think “my life’s a movie”, it was definitely at Jökulsárlon, which is why it’s one of my most highly recommended places to stop at in Iceland! It’s about 30 or 40 kilometers east of Skaftafell if you just keep driving on the main road.
I could have sworn there was a sign with an actual name for this beach, but I can’t seem to find it online…that being said, if you go here, please take a picture of the sign and let me know what the actual name is! Anyway, the beach is across the street from Jökulsárlon, and you’ll probably see some cars or trailers in the parking lot.
What makes this black sand beach so awesome compared to all the other ones is that the black sand is actual fine grain sand instead of little pebbles, and more importantly…there are iceberg rocks all along the shoreline! It’s like a beach straight out the movie Frozen!!
This is the other glacier lagoon I was referring to as “not as cool” as Jökulsárlon, but on an overall scale of coolness, it’s still pretty high up there! It’s literally just down the road from Jökulsárlon if you head back west, at the base of the volcano (covered in glacier), Öræfajökull, which makes for a pretty epic background.
It’s a smaller lagoon, but there’s still a bunch of really big icebergs floating in it that broke off from the glacier! You can even pay extra to go on a “glacier walk”, although they were all way too expensive for my little adventure budget.
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Nicely written, enjoyed the pics and videos. The name of that beach is Diamond beach, looking forward to seeing it in Aug 2018.
I think they came up with that name much after I wrote this post as I only saw a sign in Icelandic for it haha, but definitely appropriate! Hope you enjoy it, it's one of my favorite places to have seen on Earth!
What is this group thing to iceland that you mentioned?? I'd love to visit! Iceland is on top of my wishlist right now!
Did Island as well, just great! Trick suggested by a local, if you want to make the entire tour of the Island. there is almost always a side with good weather, start with it.
Alyssa, I don't know if you already did, but I recommend Madagascar
Ha!!! That is a good tip lol I probably should have done that, it rained almost every day I was there! I haven't done Madagascar, but it's definitely high up on my list! Thanks!
Just discovered your blog ( through Belgian newspaper) . Iceland is really a great place! We did the entire tour of Iceland ( Road1) few years ago amazing places.
One of the place we would like to revisit! ( although it seems that it is really crowed those days. When we went there, we saw may be 5 to 10 cars per day max. except in Reykjavik,
Gorgeus woman, great life story ! Greetings from Serbia ( yes we heard about your blog here), great idea !!!!
This is exactly what I want to do! I love love love traveling but am nervous about going alone (safety-wise). Any tips?
Iceland was extremely safe! I did get approached by a guy looking for a ride to the next town, but I just pretended like I was on the phone and got in the car and locked it haha! As long as you're always aware of your surroundings, and can give a good death-stare, you should be fine! ....Pepper spray is comforting to have as well lol.
Just waking up this morning I was looking up places I've been dying to visit and then I stumbled upon your blog. I love it! I can never find a friend who would agree to just get up and go.. So I've been meaning to take a trip alone even though it sounds scary at times! Thank you for all your tips and if you ever need a traveling buddy - I'm down!! Haha thanks again :)
You have made me a fan. I want to be like you when I grow up, even though we're the same age. I know your single, and thats cool, but you don't really go to all those cool places alone do you?
Lol yes I go alone. Mostly because it's hard to find friends who will just book random flights like I do! I always meet new friends, or even find people on social media in the same place who I've met up with! Thank you for the kind comment, I hope you get to travel soon!
Alyssa, You beautiful adventurer. This is an excellent article. As you know, I will be in that exact section at the end of August. I'm going to take the tour around Reykjavik and then travel along the coast line up to and just North of Vik. Plan to see the places you have listed here and if I have time travel further North to so the Glacier Lagoon you have listed above. Ill get you a photo of the sign. Plan to do a a day hike and camp around Vik and see Dyrhólaey. Will definitely share! Thank you so much for all of the advice and for this blog! Keep up the amazing work! <3
Amazing!!!! You're going to have such a great time! I'm working on the road trip I did to the Northeast coast that was REALLY cool as well! Can't wait to see your pics!
Been dying to get to Fjallsárlon Glacier Lagoon -- looks beautiful. How long was your entire stay in Iceland?
By far one of the most amazing places I've ever seen! The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon next to it was my absolute favorite, but the whole country is just so freaking awesome!!
I know! I believe that's where I wrote it was filmed? Definitely one of my favorites as well!