A trip to the coast in Iceland isn’t what you’d experience on your run of the mill fly and flop beach holiday. Given the country’s changeable and highly unpredictable weather conditions, the only sensible reason to bring a swimsuit is for those enticing geothermal lagoons. Nevertheless, on our Volcanic Wonders with Grindavik Visit tour, you’ll find yourself right beside the ocean as well as inland as you survey the impact of the Reykjanes peninsula’s ongoing volcanic activity on this once busy port town and its hinterland.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can expect from this compelling day trip within Reykjanes Geopark. It combines Iceland's dynamic volcanic landscapes alongside its authentic and interesting coastal culture. Why not take a look before you book?

What causes volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula?

Iceland has 33 volcanic systems in all and five of them can be found on the Reykjanes peninsula. While history has shown us that volcanic activity in this area can be dormant for extended periods, when eruptions do take place they tend to be effusive (as has been the case with recent activity) rather than explosive.

There are a few things that make the volcanic systems in this area unique when they’re compared to other regions. One is that there is no central cone-shaped volcano. If you’ve come in the hope of seeing a classic triangular shaped volcano then this isn’t the place to find it. Also, the peninsula has multiple volcanic systems; some of these can be connected and as a result have often had a tendency to kick off at much the same time.

Is it safe to visit?

Volcanoes are never completely safe places to visit but many tourists are happy to take a calculated risk if conditions permit to be able to witness something this extraordinary. Therefore it’s always essential, not only for your own safety but that of the emergency and SAR teams, to follow official advice about access.

No matter how black the surface looks, and how solid you think it might be, appearances can be deceptive. Stepping on a brittle crust of cooled lava is highly dangerous and can lead to death or serious injury. Nothing could make setting foot on such a surface worth this kind of risk. It’s vital, therefore, to view lava flows from a safe distance.

Depending on the presence of gases, eruptions like the ones taking place on the Reykjanes peninsula can sometimes be safer to observe than those that are throwing out massive boulders or are characterised by super-heated and exceptionally fast-moving pyroclastic flows. Nevertheless, where fissures occur can be hard if not impossible to predict. One minute the ground is intact, the next magma is flowing out and you absolutely don’t want to be on top of it when it does. Warning signs such as gas emissions, uplift of land and changes to the magma chamber are constantly being recorded, analysed and monitored by global experts in their field.

What Reykjanes Peninsula attractions and geological features can I expect to see on the Volcano Wonders tour?

It’s always been interesting to visit the Reykjanes peninsula to take a look at its raw and dramatic geology, which explains the popularity of our various volcano tours. For many years it’s been a popular tourist activity to stand on the Bridge Between Continents and look down at the trough beneath it which is caused by the two diverging plate boundaries inching slowly but steadily apart.

Within the Reykjanes Geopark, visitors have also long been captivated by the smells and sights of its geothermal areas, not least the iconic Blue Lagoon. Elsewhere, sulphurous gases waft on the wind smelling like rotten eggs while the mineral deposits leave colourful stains on the bare rock beside bubbling hot springs and plopping mud pools. In fact, Seltún Geothermal Area is the first stop on this tour as well.

But since 2021, there’s been something more to see: Mount Fagradalsfjall. In March of that year the volcano sprang to life for the first time in thousands of years. In fact, there hadn’t been a sniff of an eruption anywhere on the peninsula since the Reykjanes Fires around 800 years before. So this new eruption was a pretty big deal.

What is it like to watch a live eruption or see first-hand the long-term effects of one?

At Mount Fagradalsfjall, lava poured out from the ground for months, creating a sizeable cone and giving helicopter and airplane sightseers the opportunity to peer down into a crater full of molten rock. Even better, it was possible to hike along a ridge overlooking the flowing lava to view the magma as it formed rivers of lava that filled and redefined a valley.

As the lava cooled, it began to set. As this happens, a crust forms on top and also at the edges where typically the lava has travelled furthest or is thinner. As time goes by, the lava has continued to solidify and the scale of the charcoal black scar on the landscape can now be fully appreciated. This is where you’ll hike when you join our Volcanic Wonders tour.

How challenging is the hike to Fagradalsfjall Volcano?

To complete this hike you’ll need to be in reasonable physical shape. The trail is steep in places and loose gravel can make it harder to retain your grip. But this isn’t a technical climb and so long as you are fairly fit you’ll be able to complete the hike without too much trouble. In winter, when conditions are likely to be icy, we’d recommend you use crampons over the soles of your shoes to improve traction.

In all, you’ll walk about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) and tackle a moderate elevation gain. But when you reach the viewpoint, the scene that awaits you is a remarkable one, a tangible reminder of the awesome power of nature and how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things. Volcanic eruptions are extraordinary events and globally, such sites are often far less accessible.

The location of recent eruptions has been different

Today, the focus of this eruptive phase in the Reykjanes peninsula’s history has shifted to the Sundhnúkur crater row. To date – though the statistics might be different by the time you read this given how it’s a rapidly changing situation – there have been nine eruptions here.

Typically fissures have opened up in the ground causing broad lava flows. Sometimes, noxious gases have lingered; other times they’ve drifted harmlessly out to sea on the wind. But this current activity has been more unpredictable than the earlier stages of the eruption which were centred on Mount Fagradalsfjall.

One of the things that happened, in late 2023 and again in early 2024, was that large cracks opened up underneath the town of Grindavik. Thanks to ongoing monitoring and accurate predictions, the population were able to safely evacuate though several buildings were engulfed by lava.

Some residents will not be able to or want to return to their homes. Last time, the Reykjanes Fires lasted for decades; some predictions suggest this volcanic system’s eruptions could last for a similarly long time. However, there’s a common Icelandic expression “þetta reddast”, which means that it will all work out alright in the end.

A bit of background about Grindavik

As the eruption has moved on once more, we are able to make a Grindavik visit to take a look at what it’s like when a magma intrusion works its way underneath your town. People have lived on this part of the Icelandic coast since the 10th century when two Vikings made their home here in 934AD.

In centuries past, the population was small but those who did settle here were seafarers. The presence of a natural harbour, a rarity in this part of Iceland, was a bonus for those making their living out on the ocean. In fact, it actually owes its existence to a long-past volcanic eruption.

It was a tough life, however, with many hardships to contend with. In 1627 things got even worse when Barbary pirates made incursions here and elsewhere on Iceland’s south and east coasts. Though shipwrecks were heartbreakingly common, in general this was a flourishing area for those engaged in the fishing industry.

Is it safe to visit areas affected by recent volcanic activity?

What happened to Grindavik fishing village is a useful reminder that in real life, the impacts of a volcanic eruption last for far longer than the visits from the news crews. For travellers, it’s a unique chance to see what happens after the headline becomes old hat; the scars remain very visible, as does the infrastructure put in place to hold back or divert the lava flows.

Life in this once thriving port has changed immeasurably but the resilience and determination of its inhabitants hasn’t faltered. While some of its residents opted to start a new life elsewhere in Iceland, others have chosen to live there once more and certain businesses such as restaurants are open.

Current Grindavik visits are a far cry from when access was only permitted for emergency authorities, accredited journalists and scientists. In some respects things are back to normal though it’s a new normal where everyone watches the data carefully and is ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice should the need arise again.

How can you prepare for this tour?

First of all, we’d suggest you arrange this tour early in your Iceland trip. One of the maddening things about volcanoes is how quickly things can change. Numerous things can force the postponement of this tour including weather conditions (particularly in winter) and also changes in the location or nature of volcanic activity – even elsewhere in the Reykjanes peninsula if the wind direction might blow unpleasant gases in the wrong direction.

If the tour is running, you’ll still need to be prepared for changing weather conditions and dress accordingly. Even in summer, be sure to wear warm and waterproof clothing formed of layers that can be pulled on or taken off as conditions dictate. The Fagradalsfjall hike should only last about an hour and a half plus time to admire the view, but in Iceland that can be long enough for all sorts of weather to blow through.

For any of our volcano tours, you’ll need to wear good quality hiking boots, preferably with decent ankle support; this is not a hike that can be done in trainers. You’ll need a thick tread and help that along with the addition of crampons in wintry conditions. If it’s likely to be cold, then thermals, thick socks, hat, gloves and scarf are all essentials. Many travellers find that hiking poles are also really useful to help you stay upright on steep or loose stretches.

On the hike itself you may wish to bring snacks and definitely water. Though there are stops for food on this tour, the cost of what you eat and drink isn’t included in the tour price so ensure you factor this in. Finally you will need a camera or smartphone as this is one landscape you’ll definitely want to show your friends and family when you get home. This Reykjanes volcanic activity looks set to continue for a while yet, so if you are an adventure seeker or cultural enthusiast keen to experience how people cope with volcanic activity in their everyday lives, our Volcano Wonders tour with Grindavik Visit is a must-do. We’d recommend you lock it in now before the volcanic system calms again and activity subsides.