Black Sand Beach Tour – Daily at 09:00 and 14:00
An Iconic Ride in South Iceland
Ride one of our Icelandic horses across rivers and open fields before reaching Reynisfjara, Iceland’s world-famous Black Sand Beach. Although we’re located near Hvolsvöllur, many guests join us as an easy day trip from Reykjavík, arriving early to make the most of the ride. This tour highlights the best of South Iceland’s dramatic coastline and horses well-suited to beach terrain.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls — a panorama that changes with every step of your horse. On clear days, we may even glimpse the Westman Islands offshore or catch sight of the mighty Skógafoss cascading in the distance. The combination of dramatic landscapes and the smooth tölt gait of the Icelandic horse makes this journey both comfortable and thrilling, whether you are a first-time rider or an experienced horse lover.
This is more than just a tour — it’s a true South Iceland adventure: authentic, unforgettable, and deeply connected to the land, the horses, and the people who call this place home.
Availability
All year round.
Please note: this tour depends on the water level in the Holtsós river. If the river is too high to cross safely, we will adjust the route to an equally scenic alternative.
Departure Times
Daily at 09:00 and 14:00 (9 AM / 2 PM).
Other times available upon request.
Meeting point: Mid-Grund, 861 Hvolsvöllur
What’s Included
Experienced English-speaking guide
All necessary riding and safety gear
Rain gear, gloves, and balaclavas
A short introduction tailored to your riding level, with clear instructions so everyone feels comfortable and confident
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes (sneakers or hiking boots are fine)
Extra shoes, as they may get wet
Warm clothes in layers — Icelandic weather changes quickly
Thin hat/buff & gloves
Sunglasses & sunscreen in summer
Extra warm socks, gloves, and a hat in winter or rainy days
Small waist bag for camera/phone (backpacks cannot be taken on horseback)
Highlights of the Ride
Horseback riding on Iceland’s famous Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara)
Views of Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers
Chance to spot the Westman Islands on clear days
Sweeping views of rivers, mountains, and the South Coast
Riding one of Iceland’s unique horses, known for their smooth tölt gait
Duration & Price
Duration: 3 hours of horseback riding (plus time for preparation and relaxation after the ride)
Price: 25.000 ISK / person (≈ 165 €)
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Also, Check Out Our Other Tours
– Ride beneath Eyjafjallajökull Glacier on the Eyjafjallajökull Glacier Tour
– Follow the river to the stunning Írafoss Waterfall on the Írafoss Waterfall Tour
– Enjoy a short and scenic family-friendly ride on the River Tour – Holtsós
– Combine mountains and coast on the Mountain & Ocean Tour
– Spend a full day in the saddle on the Full-day Nature Ride Tour
– Discover our Multi-Day Tours in South Iceland
⭐ What our guests say about the Black Sand Beach Tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“The Black Sand Beach ride was sooo great for my friend and I who are experienced riders! Got to let the horses stretch their legs 😉 and we all had great control over our four-legged friends. The horses are all well kept, healthy and well trained. Our guides were amazing and the scenery was definitely my favorite I’ve ever had on an Icelandic horse! They had some small items and Icelandic sweaters to buy at the farm. Martina truly loves what she does and has an amazing farm here. I can’t wait to go back there and ride again.”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I absolutely LOVED the Black Sand Beach tour. Martina and her assistant were so friendly and informative, making the ride feel relaxed for a novice rider like myself. The horses were so sweet and clearly trained well to handle new riders.
We got extremely lucky to have nice weather on the day of our tour, but it would’ve been worth it to go in any weather. Iceland is a special place, and getting to explore it on horseback with lovely guides made the experience unforgettable.
I hope to take another tour with my family the next time we visit Iceland! And I 100% recommend any of these tours for anyone who wants a new exciting experience in southern Iceland.”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“We did the advanced 3h beach ride and it was incredible! Their horses are well trained and go forward easily. It was great fun to tölt and canter on long stretches of the beach without the horses growing tired. Another highlight was riding through the lake (all while hoping you won't end up with your feet under water)!
It was great fun but make sure to bring a spare pair of socks and shoes to change into afterwards because you may get splashed a little bit.
Thank you for the great ride, I'd definitely visit again if I ever make my way back to Iceland.”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“We had a blast on the black beach tour. All the team members are very knowledgeable, take good care of horses and riders, and have a lot to share about the area and everyday life in the region.
Special thanks to Freya who did an outstanding job at guiding the tour. She's nothing shy of an expert and we loved spending time with her.”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Wonderful 3h slow and easy ride with Veronika, who was super nice and helpful. Black Sand River crossing, open landscapes and a waterfall! And she taught us how to tölt!”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“We had an amazing tour of the black beach. I am a less experienced rider and I got a beautiful tölt and canter from Freya. Martina is an amazing host and guide, and we very much enjoyed the small family farm and the more personal experience—just like being at home. If you love horses this is the place to be!”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It was a wonderful ride to Black Beach on wonderful Icelandic horses, which are very well cared for. Thanks to Martina, who lovingly runs her small riding stable, and thanks to Barbara, who rode with us. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Ragnar and Ole, the two Icelandic horses.”
— Guest reviewer
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“It was simply wonderful riding with Martina. She made you feel comfortable and safe. The ponies were super cute and very friendly. At the beginning, you have the chance to groom your pony and get to know her. The landscape you ride through was simply beautiful.
I highly recommend booking a trip there. It was worth every penny!
Edit: We also did the Beach Ride, and it was the best trip of our Iceland trip. Galloping across the black sand was simply indescribably beautiful ❤️”
— Guest reviewer
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“We had a wonderful time at Martina's! It's a very beautiful, family-run farm. Our spontaneous request was responded to immediately, and we were able to come riding the next day. During our ride on the Icelandic horses, we crossed a river and then rode along the black sand beach. We tölted and even got to canter.
It was an unforgettable experience and highly recommended.”
— Guest reviewer
Average rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 · Based on 9 tour reviews. See all our Google Reviews