Join Your Friend In Reykjavik on a private bespoke tour around the Reykjanes Peninsula!

Reykjanes offers many things and is an official UNESCO Global Geopark. In 2015, UNESCO recognized Reykjanes as an area of international geological significance. The whole site is managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.

There are 55 geosites on the peninsula, a young section of Iceland, and we will visit some of them on this tour.

Seltún

Seltún is a geothermal field in Krýsuvík and within the Krýsuvík volcanic system. The land is owned by Hafnafjörður town, and they tried many years ago to drill boreholes to utilize the geothermal water there. They managed to drill the holes, but the system exploded some years later.

The area contains mud pools, beautiful earth colors, and boiling water. The smell can be a bit smelly as it is a geothermal area, but it is worth seeing. Not far away from Seltún is Fúli-pollur, or Bad Smelling Puddle.

Brimketill

Brimketill is a small, naturally formed pool by the ocean. People used to go there to bathe, but it is much too dangerous due to the crashing waves. A view platform has been built nearby, which gives excellent views over the spectacular pool and its surroundings.

Eldey

Eldey is a small island about 20 km off the coast of Reykjanes Peninsula. It is about 3 hectares (7 acres) and 77 meters (253 ft) tall. The island is home to many bird species, but the largest northern gannet colony is on the island.

We will not go to the island, but you can see it from Valhnúkamöl sand, where we stop.

Reykjanes Lighthouse

The first lighthouse in Iceland was built on Valhnúkur in Reykjanes in 1878. However, a few years later, earthquakes and surf had damaged the lighthouse so much there was a risk it would fall into the sea. A new lighthouse was built a few meters inland on Bæjarfell.

Gunnuhver

Close to Reykjanes Lighthouse is the Gunnuhver area. The area is named after a female ghost named Gunna, who supposedly lies there. She had been causing quite a bit of havoc until a priest set a trap for her, and she fell into the spring. The area is full of mud pools and hot springs. The mud pools form where steam from boiling geothermal reservoir water emanates, condenses, and mixes with surface water. The biggest mud pool in Iceland is now in the Gunnuhver area. It is 20 meters wide across the rim and boils vigorously.

Bridge between continents

Iceland is the only place in the world where you can see the mid-Atlantic Ridge above ground and the Eurasian and North American Tectonic plates. The ridge rises above ground in Reykjanes, and the Bridge Between the Continents allows you to stand on a bridge between the continents.

The tectonic plates continuously drift apart, creating fissures that form due to stresses caused by the tension that builds up as the plates move from each other. The Bridge in Sandvík is over a significant crack which provides clear evidence of the presence of the plates drifting apart.

Garðskagaviti

Garðskagaviti has two lighthouses in the northernmost part of the peninsula. The area is a known migration route; birds flock there from the highlands, Greenland, and Canada. You might even see whales out in the ocean if you are lucky.

Kleifarvatn

Kleifarvatn Lake is the largest of the Reykjanes Peninsula and the third largest in southern Iceland. It is about 97 meters deep, making it one of Iceland’s deepest lakes. In the south of the lake, hot water runs into it from a hot spring, but otherwise, it is freezing. The surrounding area is stunning with lava and other rock formations, which makes this a perfect photo opportunity.

Hvalsneskirkja

Hvalsneskirkja is one of those beautiful and isolated Icelandic black churches. It is a popular spot during winter, especially when the Northern Lights are out.

Hópsnes Shipwreck

Close to the town of Grindavík is a small peninsula called Hópsnes. There you can find about 10 shipwrecks and old abandoned houses. Before the current harbor at Grindavík, it was sometimes tough to enter the town’s harbor due to the strong waves and surf.

The peninsula is two kilometers long and one kilometer wide. It was formed about 2800 years ago when lava flowed into the sea. Hópsnes was created in an eruption from a series of craters named after the Sundhnúkur and is located a short distance north of the village Grindavík. Harbor barriers in Grindavík are good because of this lava flow and the lagoon created at the headland when the sea began to erode the lava and move loose material. If Hópsnes did not exist, it would not be easy to imagine a settlement in Grindavík. 

When you go around the headland, you can see the wrecks of ships that ran aground there and nearby in the 20th century. Many of the wrecks have information boards on them. The first part of the 20th century was the heyday of settlement and shipping on the headland. Then many rowboats and later motorboats were made from Þórkátlustaðanes. Relics of the now-gone settlement can be seen in many places, such as entrance cairns, fish drying sheds, icehouses, fish processing houses, liver smelters, and salt huts. The fishing operation moved to what is now Grindavíkurhöfn Harbour in 1939. Hópsnesviti was built in 1928.

Extras that are possible to add on (for an additional fee):

The Blue Lagoon

One of Iceland’s “must-do” things is visiting the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon has a unique composition and consists of three active ingredients, Silica, Algae, and Minerals, all good for you, particularly your skin. The Blue Lagoon is surrounded by dark sandy mountains and fields of lava, creating a beautiful contradiction to the bright blue color of the lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon affects your hair. Depending on your hair type and sensitivity, you might want to use a shower cap or keep your head and hair out of the water. The Silica in the water is not harmful to your hair, but it can get stiff and difficult to manage. There is conditioning in the showers to help, but it might take a few washes. The Blue Lagoon has shampoo and conditioner dispensers for free use in their showers. They recommend slathering conditioner on your hair before entering the lagoon.

Fagradalsfjall (Meradalir) Eruption

Visiting the most popular eruption in Iceland’s history is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can include a guided tour of the eruption.

In 2021, an eruption began in Fagradalsfjall in the Reykjanes Peninsula. It was the first eruption in the peninsula since the 14th century, so it was big news. The eruption lasted a few months but stopped in the autumn. Almost a year later, another eruption began, close to the first. The new eruption is the most popular in Iceland’s history because of its easy access.

On this once-in-a-lifetime tour, you will hike with an experienced guide to the eruption site. The hike is about a 14 km round trip over various terrains, some more difficult than others. You will know everything about the eruption and the area’s history and get transportation to and from the site.

You will need warm clothes (layers, hat, gloves, scarf), sturdy and waterproof hiking boots, snacks, and water.

Cancelation policy
We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if the booking is canceled 1 day or less before the event.

Larger groups & Special Requests

Please reach out to us if you have a larger group than six people or if you have any special requests for us to work on for you = [email protected]