Top 5 South Iceland Helicopter Tours: An Expert Review
South Iceland is just really something else, isn’t it? The area is known for its dramatic scenery: massive glaciers, very impressive volcanoes, and coastlines that definitely grab your attention. Seeing this all from a car, is just so incredible, yet witnessing it from above in a helicopter? It’s just next-level. This article takes you over five tours that provide just really unforgettable views and help you experience the region in an outstanding way.
1. Glacier Landing Helicopter Tour from Reykjavik
Okay, so here’s the deal: many South Iceland helicopter adventures depart right from Reykjavik, is that right? I mean, it just makes access super convenient, doesn’t it? So, this tour’s claim to fame is a touchdown right smack on top of a glacier. Imagine it! After soaring over some really stunning landscapes—think geothermal hotspots, just incredible volcanic fields, maybe even the city itself fading below—you will very carefully land on a big, icy expanse. Walking on a glacier is actually already pretty cool, yet arriving there in a helicopter? That very certainly raises the bar.
This trip usually last between an hour or two all told, so including both your flying time, and the time you have exploring, to actually snap pictures on the glacier. Do dress pretty warmly, though! Even during the summer months, a glacier’s surface tends to be quite chilly, right? I really appreciate how some operators offer these cool noise-canceling headphones so that you may hear the pilot sharing some interesting stuff as you’re in flight, right?
It’s really great when tour operators offer things, to ensure they really can cater to a wider audience, because that is inclusive and thoughtful. Remember that pricing could actually vary based on how long it is, yet glacier landings actually tend to come with a more deluxe price tag, just given logistics and everything. Even still, judging by all the comments and photos, I would very gladly say that many feel it’s some well-spent money. Want even more information? Read our full review: Glacier Landing Helicopter Tour from Reykjavik Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Glacier Landing Tour)
2. Volcano Helicopter Tour
Right, so Iceland has, what, around 30 active volcanic systems? You know, it could be said that the land there just always kind of feels a bit like its rumbling just below the surface. So, getting up into the air to peek into a few craters? So different! A “volcano helicopter tour,” is just so incredible—this is where things start to get pretty exciting, right?
The flight paths might often just take you over some famed spots such as Eyjafjallajökull (try actually saying that one three times fast!), so which disrupted air travel way back when it blew its top in 2010. So it just gives you a new way of really grasping these mighty forces as opposed to looking at them, say, on TV or perhaps photographs, don’t you think? To go one step even beyond a flyby, certain excursions also include an actual landing somewhere near a geothermal area. I am very positive that this allows everyone on board to get some pretty unique pictures as steam vents actually his all around. It’s an amazing backdrop when the lighting is pretty much spot on, right?
Flights generally take off right from Reykjavik’s domestic airport yet tour lengths may just change so always check the small details. With certain operators, I’ve heard of there being options available to fully customize what is being seen or how much time you have actually got set aside; that sounds neat if you’re hoping for something quite specific. For rates on the other hand— expect that some volcanic close ups do actually increase the price bracket, yeah? More Information here: Read our full review: Volcano Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Volcano Tour)
3. South Shore Sightseeing Helicopter Tour
If it is about experiencing “a bit of everything,” on Iceland’s South Shore by helicopter, this one is really up there. Tours generally encompass just views featuring the black beaches at Vik, right? Then just consider the sharp sea stacks standing proudly offshore. You’re almost getting to fly past some waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss too (where so the brave are even allowed to step behind cascading water; that is so memorable!). That alone probably sells most, eh? What’s truly incredible is how different something just feels at several altitudes, alright?
Depending on the weather one might very likely see just glaciers such as Sólheimajökull Glacier during the course. Certain routes even stretch towards Dyrhólaey—is that just one iconic rock arch rising dramatically straight out from the ocean. Just keep your eye peeled regarding any puffin colonies there (during summertime particularly). The flying time actually is just variable yet I’d suggest estimating about 60 – 90 mins when factoring travel to start place off included along the experience from start/finish. As per expenses -it has a rather vast offering- meaning prices stay reasonable generally for such sight-filled experiences too here, got that?
When flying along these coasts always inquire what their contingency plan could just entail when clouds obscure views. Nobody really anticipates issues yet it’s nicer for them explaining beforehand. Check the amazing South Shore of Iceland here: Read our full review: South Shore Sightseeing Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (South Shore Tour)
4. Golden Circle Helicopter Tour with Geothermal Landing
Most of the folks visiting Iceland will always want “to see” their famed Golden Circle. What if rather we tried seeing things right away quite differently instead! Taking-to the heavens has just made something standard very memorable right?. You’ll actually soar beyond Gullfoss waterfalls enormous falls cascading powerfully into a valley. Think too concerning Geysir—that’s that bubbling place erupting hot springs like mad on short periods, isn’t that fascinating.
This edition has some advantage however; many packages involve actual set down smack-dab amidst those bubbling geothermal fields somewhere along paths during excursion!, pretty fantastic right?! This kind actually adds truly tactile touches along incredible panoramas. Those trips generally cover up between possibly 1 – 2 hours just including brief time allotted taking exploration when planted onto ground plus all related travels towards spots for starting trip included during. Ensure everyone’s really equipped appropriately before heading there especially considering weather’s nature as really unpredictable across whole circle zone even so! Cost points could seem quite significant perhaps so check into tour operator cancellation clauses and terms very closely!. Experience the Golden circle here: Read our full review: Golden Circle Helicopter Tour with Geothermal Landing Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Golden Circle Tour)
5. Highlands Helicopter Tour
Have you been really aiming to see truly wild pieces still mostly beyond where people could even access usually?. Look into excursions into Highlands if someone want getting into isolation at full measure! Those take one further where vehicles cannot always tread. Just envision this rugged terrains plus desolate valleys completely different above somewhere around that other viewpoint indeed, does anyone truly anticipate things going slowly at Highlands, isn’t that nice!?
Paths taken differ quite broadly here. Maybe tours can involve glacier lake near Landmannalaugar’s area. Perhaps someone heads toward Thorsmork’s canyons for having perspective regarding landscapes built from flood deposits/carved due massive glaciers constantly around periods during the eras, maybe? Certain offers bring forth both photo stops combined exploration through hidden falls possibly available solely just through routes using birds’. Journey durations always fluctuate heavily this type generally expect that entire operation encompassing travelling towards departures off will probably wrap after somewhere close at/beyond almost a maximum towards approximately two hrs or above during particular tours for those spots, sounds cool if not rush, agreed!? Expect this comes premium pricing due its exclusivity so plan financially beforehand already okiedokie! More Highlands experience is waiting for you here: Read our full review: Highlands Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Highlands Tour)