Katla Ice Cave Tour Review in 2026 – Is It Worth Visiting?

Katla Ice Cave Tour Review in 2026 – Is It Worth Visiting?

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Ever wondered what it feels like to walk inside a living glacier? The Katla ice cave tour lets you do just that… safely, easily, and all year round.

This ice cave is hiding inside a giant glacier, near one of the most known volcanoes in the country. And the experience in the cave is distinct from many of the other experiences found along the South Coast.

katla-ice-cave-tour-iceland

The good thing about this tour is it’s accessibility.

You don’t need any glacier or hiking experience. The pace is slow and tour is easy to complete. This makes it particularly suitable for first-time visitors and families who want a straightforward ice cave experience.

If you are considering to explore Katla ice cave, here’s everything you need to know.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Where is Katla Ice Cave?

Katla ice cave is located above the Katla volcano and beneath the Myrdalsjokull glacier in South Iceland. The tour begins at Vík, a small village located directly on the Ring Road.

Vík is one of the most visited towns in the country, and serves as a primary hub for fuel, food, and lodging for anyone exploring the South Coast.

black-beach-near-vik-iceland
The town is also well known for black sand beaches, strong ocean waves and theatric scenery with rocky cliffs.

How to Get to Katla Ice Cave?

Katla ice cave is accessible from Vík. The trip between Reykjavik and Vík is easy and picturesque. You just have to take Route 1, aka the Ring Road. The trip normally consumes 2.5 to 3 hours based on the weather and traffic.

On the way, you will pass:

  • Seljalandsfoss and Skogsafoss waterfalls
  • Wide open lava fields
  • Mountains and glaciers

Here’s the location on Google Maps

As outdoor guides working in Iceland, we can’t emphasize enough how unpredictable Icelandic Weather can be. Moreover, road conditions can also change quickly. So, before you drive yourself, make sure to check:

About Katla Ice Cave

Majority of ice caves in Iceland are accessible only during winter. This is not the case with the Katla ice cave that remains open throughout the year.

This is due to the Katla volcano, which is located under Myrdalsjokul Glacier. The ice is melted by the heat of the volcano at the bottom, and the meltwater forms tunnels and caves within the glacier.

glacier-melt-water-tunnel

Over time, the ice melts and refreezes. This causes changes in both the shape and colors of the cave, which keep shifting between blues, white, and grey.

Due to this natural process, the cave never appears the same, making every visit unique.

Katla Ice Cave Tour

There are several tour operators running this tour. While selecting one, we’d strongly recommend you opt for a Vakinn-Certified operator, as they adhere to Iceland’s environment and sustainability regulations.

In our case, we went with South Coast Adventures. Before we share our experience in detail, here’s a brief overview of the tour.

Overview

  • Meeting point: Ice Wear parking lot, Vík
  • Departure times: 10:00, 11:30, 13:45, 15:00
  • Duration: ~3 hours
  • Availability: Daily, year-round
  • Price: 29,990 ISK
  • Skill level: Easy (1/4)
  • Minimum age: 6 years
  • Group size: Minimum 1 participant

What to expect?

  • Super Jeep ride to the glacier
  • Short, easy walk to the ice cave
  • Possible short ladder climb to cave entrance (not demanding)
  • Views of Kötlujökull, an outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, formed above Katla volcano
  • Educational guiding covering glacier history, geology, and surroundings

What’s included?

  • English-speaking guide
  • Helmet and microspikes

What to bring?

  • Warm outdoor clothing
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Gloves and headwear
  • Snacks
  • Proper hiking boots/shoes (required)

For more tips, You Can Read Our Packing Guide.

Katla Ice Cave Tour Review

Exploring ice caves in Iceland isn’t something new to us. In recent years, Ola and I explored dozens of caves across various glaciers—some commercial, others wild, remote, and difficult to access.

remote-ice-cave-iceland

The Katla ice cave, however, always seemed to slip away, with no perfect moment for a visit. That changed in January 2026, when we finally found time for exploration.

Meeting Point

The tour starts off in Vik, where you join your guide in the car park at the back of Ice Wear store. Visitors are then given a brief intro about the tour.

katla-ice-cave-tour-meeting- point

The meeting point in Vik was easy to find, according to the instructions on the company’s webpage. The departure was on time, and the guides seemed to be really well organized.

Katla Ice Cave Gravel Travel

A big part of the adventure was the drive in a superjeep that takes around 45 minutes, before reaching the Katla parking lot.

katla-ice-cave-parking-lot

Most of that time was spent on gravel roads. We were really lucky with the conditions as we arrived just after the snowstorm.

Thanks to the snowy cover, the landscapes were full of contrast with beautiful views on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and the surrounding mountains.

mountains-myrdalsjokull-glacier

The whole experience was enhanced by low sun, which is typical for this time of the year, creating a “golden hour” like effect.

Safety Briefing & Equipment

Once we arrived at the location, we were given safety gear (microspikes and helmets) and were instructed by a guide on how to use them and how to behave on the tour while navigating to/from the cave.

gear-microspikes

Considering our professional guiding background, the safety on the glacier and in the cave itself couldn’t have been better.

Inside the Katla Ice Cave

Getting to the cave system took approximately 10 minutes uphill and was easy. Suitable for people of all abilities.

When it comes to the ice cave formation, there are two parts. First, we went into the approximately 100 meters long tunnel, finished by a small loop.

ice-cave-tunnel-entrance

After exploring this section, we took a short walk to explore the main natural cave chamber.

hike-katla-entrance
The chamber sits right in the center of the terminal face glacier, visible from the parking lot.

Guiding Experience

Our guide was Icelandic, which gave the experience more authenticity.

He was very friendly, full of insights into the history and geology of the place, and actively answered all our questions.

What We Didn’t Like

Although the overall experience from both sections was great and we truly enjoyed it, we were disappointed by the fact that half of the attraction was artificial.

woman-inside-ice-cave-tunnel
The tunnel was man-made, and to create such a feature, one needs to use machines that are not necessarily ideal for the environment. We just felt there is much more done for the business than for nature.
artificial-ice-cave-tunnel

Also, the guide didn’t focus on educating the visitors about global warming and climate change, which was a major turn-off for us.

Interesting Facts

  • Katla ice cave is accessible year-round, even in summer.
  • Katla volcano is active, with the glacier hiding the volcanic system beneath it. It last erupted in 1918.
  • Ash layers from past Katla eruptions are clearly visible as dark stripes inside the ice walls.
  • Katla ice caves are less vividly blue than Vatnajökull caves due to higher ash content in the ice.

Final Verdict

The flow of the tour was great, and thanks to the diverse landscapes the experience was truly unique. The superjeep drive was a nice addition to the tour.

There were no hidden costs, but the price was too high compared to other ice cave products available in Iceland.

The tunnel we visited was man-made rather than naturally formed, which raises concerns around environmental impact. In addition to that, our guide showed little engagement with topics like climate change.

The Katla ice cave can be a convenient and accessible introduction to ice caves in Iceland. However, visitors seeking a more natural and environmentally focused experience may find better value in the Jökulsárlón Ice Cave Tour.

We hope we’re able to answer all your question… if not, feel free to Drop a Comment Below.😉

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FAQ

Can I visit Katla ice cave on my own?
No, the cave can only be visited with a certified glacier guide due to safety and access restrictions. Guides assess conditions in real time to ensure a safe experience.
How long is the walk to Katla ice cave?
The walk is short, usually about 5 to 15 minutes from where the super jeeps park near the glacier.
What is the best time to visit Katla cave?
Katla cave is open year-round, and the best time depends on what you’re after. Summer offers easier access, but winter provides more dramatic ice and light conditions.
What gear do I need for Katla?
You’ll need warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots. Helmets and crampons/microspikes are provided on tours.
What does Katla mean in Icelandic?
“Katla” means “kettle” or “cauldron” in Icelandic. The word refers to the volcano beneath the glacier.
What is the danger of a Katla eruption?
A major risk would be sudden glacial floods and ash, but eruptions are closely monitored and would not happen without warning.
How long does the Katla ice cave tour take?
Most tours last around 3 to 4 hours, including transport and time inside the cave.
Can children join the Katla ice cave tour?
Many operators allow children aged 6 and up, depending on conditions and provider rules.

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