ATV Tours in Iceland: Reykjavik, Vik and Heimaey
The best rated ATV tour in Iceland by rating and review count is the Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur, near Vik, from $217 with 4.95/5 across 717 reviews, about 2 hours. If you are based in Reykjavik, the 2.5 hour Twin Peaks ATV Adventure with pickup is the strongest pick, from $179 with 4.89/5 across 769 reviews. Expect to pay more than elsewhere: the 15 Iceland listings captured on October 3, 2026 have a median of $196, against $85 for ATV-only tours across the 18 countries we cover.
- Best rated overall: Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur near Vik, from $217, 4.95/5 from 717 reviews.
- Best from Reykjavik with pickup: 2.5 hour Twin Peaks ATV Adventure, from $179, 4.89/5 from 769 reviews.
- Cheapest: Volcano ATV Tour on Heimaey, from $135 for about 1 hour.
- The 15 Iceland listings captured on October 3, 2026 have a median of $196, against $85 for ATV-only tours across 18 countries.
- Drivers need a driving licence, and off-road driving outside recognised roads and tracks is illegal in Iceland.
Iceland is one of the few places where an ATV tour is less about speed and more about terrain you cannot reach on foot in a few hours: black lava sand on the south coast, lava fields and geothermal steam outside Reykjavik, and a young volcano on the Westman Islands. It is also one of the priciest countries for quad riding, so choosing the right base matters.
This guide compares the Iceland ATV tours with the best ratings and review counts, explains the difference between riding from Reykjavik and riding near Vik, and covers what each season changes, from the midnight sun in summer to northern lights departures in winter.
How we chose
We compared the 15 ATV and buggy listings in Iceland captured on October 3, 2026, ranking them by rating and number of reviews together, so a 4.9 with hundreds of reviews beats a 5.0 with a handful. Prices are per-person "from" prices taken from Viator listings in 2026 and can change. Details on pickup, inclusions and licence rules come from each operator's listing. Season and weather facts come from Visit Iceland and the Icelandic Met Office, linked in the text.
Reykjavik or Vik: where to ride an ATV in Iceland
From Reykjavik most ATV tours include hotel pickup and ride in the hills and lava fields close to the capital. Listings mention Hafravatn lake, Reykjavik Peak, the Úlfarsfell and Hafrafell mountains, the Hengill area and the steam of the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant. Total duration with transfers is usually 2.5 to 4.5 hours for 1 to 2.5 hours of riding. This is the easy choice if you have no car.
Near Vik (Mýrdalur) on the south coast, the draw is riding on black lava sand. The top listing here is the best rated ATV tour in the country, and it suits travelers already driving the south coast. See ATV tours in Vik.
Heimaey (Westman Islands) adds a third option: short rides around the Eldfell volcano, with a puffin route on one listing. See ATV tours on Heimaey.
The best ATV tours in Iceland
1. Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur
From $217, rated 4.95/5 from 717 reviews, about 2 hours. Black lava sand riding near Vik. The listing asks groups with an odd number of people to book one single ride, payable on location, and reminds you to bring enough participants holding a driving licence.
2. 2.5 hour Twin Peaks ATV Adventure with pickup from Reykjavik
From $179, rated 4.89/5 from 769 reviews, about 3.5 hours with pickup. Includes pickup and a briefing at the operator's base with bathrooms and free coffee. The route crosses the Hafravatn lake area and climbs Reykjavik Peak and Lava Fields Mountain, with views over Faxaflói bay, Esja and the Blue Mountains. Group maximum 20, zero tolerance for alcohol.
3. 1.5 hour ATV Mountain Peak adventure with pickup from Reykjavik
From $149, rated 4.91/5 from 376 reviews, about 2.5 hours with pickup. A shorter version from the same base: about 1 hour on the ATV up to Reykjavik Peak, with drop-off where you were picked up. Group maximum 20.
4. Volcano ATV Tour
From $135, rated 4.90/5 from 365 reviews, about 1 hour. The lowest price among the Iceland listings we track, on Heimaey. The route goes to Prestvík beach and into the Eldfell volcano area. ATVs are automatic two-seaters, the driver needs a licence and passengers must be 6 or older.
5. Midnight Sun ATV Adventure from Reykjavik
From $214, rated 4.93/5 from 122 reviews, about 4.5 hours with pickup. A summer evening departure riding between 8:30 pm and midnight, climbing Reykjavik Peak and Wolf Peak Mountain, with pickup and coffee at the base.
6. Volcanic Vistas and Puffin Paradise ATV Tour
From $205, rated 4.95/5 from 111 reviews, about 1 hour 45 minutes, on Heimaey. Adds Stórhöfði, a puffin viewing point, to the volcano route, plus the Elephant Rock. The puffin section is on road, the lava field section is off-road. Drivers need a licence.
7. Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik
From $199, rated 4.83/5 from 54 reviews, about 2 hours. A night ride with views of Reykjavík and Mosfellsbær, looking for the aurora if the weather allows. Pickup from Reykjavik hotels, or from tourist bus stops in the downtown no-pickup zones. The base is about 20 minutes from downtown.
For the full ranked list, see our best ATV tours in Iceland guide.
What an ATV tour in Iceland costs
The 15 Iceland ATV and buggy listings we track run from $135 (Volcano ATV Tour) to $575 (an ATV and helicopter combo). A buggy option, the 2.5 HR Off-Road Tour Buggy Lava Field Adventure from Reykjavik, starts at $314 with 4.99/5 from 82 reviews. Some Reykjavik tours price two people per ATV as standard, with a supplement to ride alone. The median of these 15 listings is $196. For context, ATV-only tours across the 18 countries we cover have a median of $85 (59 listings captured June to September 2026), so Iceland costs more than double.
Best season for quad riding in Iceland
Summer and the midnight sun. Visit Iceland notes that July has roughly 18 to 20 hours of daylight and that daylight falls from about 18 hours to about 14.5 hours across August (Visit Iceland, Iceland in summer). This is why evening departures like the Midnight Sun ATV Adventure ride until midnight in daylight.
Winter and the northern lights. According to Visit Iceland, the best time to see the aurora is between September and April, it is said to be most active around the September and March equinoxes, and there is no exact best hour (Visit Iceland, northern lights). The Icelandic Met Office explains that the aurora needs dark and partly clear skies and publishes a cloud cover forecast for it (Vedur.is aurora forecast). Check it on the day of a northern lights ATV tour.
Stay on the track. Iceland's Environment Agency states that driving off a recognised road or track is illegal, with fines or imprisonment (Environment Agency of Iceland). More in our guide to ATV rental vs guided tour.
Before you book
- Bring a driving licence if you plan to drive. Every Iceland listing that states a rule requires it for the driver.
- Check single or double ride. Odd-numbered groups on the Mýrdalur tour pay for one single ride on location.
- If you stay downtown in Reykjavik, expect pickup from a nearby tourist bus stop rather than your door.
- Count total time, not riding time. Reykjavik tours add one to two and a half hours for transfer and briefing.
- Dress for wind and cold. Read what to wear on an ATV tour and our ATV safety tips.
Related guides
- ATV tours in Iceland and ATV tours from Reykjavik
- Best ATV tours in Iceland
- Best countries for ATV tours
FAQ
How much does an ATV tour in Iceland cost?
The 15 Iceland ATV and buggy listings we track start from $135 and reach $575 for an ATV and helicopter combo. The most reviewed Reykjavik option, the Twin Peaks ATV Adventure, is from $179 per person.
Which is the best ATV tour in Iceland?
By rating and review count, the Quad Bike Tour on Black Lava Sands from Mýrdalur near Vik, from $217 with 4.95/5 from 717 reviews. From Reykjavik, the Twin Peaks ATV Adventure leads with 769 reviews.
Do you need a driving licence for an ATV tour in Iceland?
Yes for the driver. The Mýrdalur, Volcano and Puffin listings all state it. On the Volcano ATV Tour on Heimaey, passengers can ride from age 6.
Is an ATV tour from Reykjavik or from Vik better in Iceland?
From Reykjavik if you have no car, since pickup is included and rides last 1 to 2.5 hours. Near Vik if you are driving the south coast and want black lava sand, on the top rated tour at 4.95/5.
Can you see the northern lights on an ATV tour in Iceland?
Sometimes. The Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik (from $199, 2 hours) rides at night, with no guarantee. Visit Iceland gives the aurora season as September to April, and the Icelandic Met Office notes that the aurora needs dark and partly clear skies.
Can you ride an ATV in Iceland at midnight in summer?
Yes. The Midnight Sun ATV Adventure from Reykjavik rides between 8:30 pm and midnight, from $214. Visit Iceland puts July daylight at roughly 18 to 20 hours.
Can you rent an ATV and ride off-road on your own in Iceland?
No. Iceland's Environment Agency states that leaving a recognised road or track is illegal, with fines or imprisonment. Guided ATV tours ride on the operator's routes.
