Iceland South Coast from Reykjavík: will you get there before dark?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: Seljalandsfoss at 10:45 (Classic South Coast tour): in daylight. Sun up 09:17–16:52.
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the black sand beach at Reynisfjara are 2 to 3 hours from Reykjavík. In December the sun is up for barely four hours, so tours that leave at 08:00 reach the first waterfall before sunrise.
Fri 6 November 2026
Key stops in daylight
Seljalandsfoss at 10:45 (Classic South Coast tour): in daylight. Sun up 09:17–16:52.
Classic South Coast tour ✓
Leaves Reykjavík about 08:30, back around 19:00. Find this tour
| Stop | Arrive | Light |
|---|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss (main stop) | 45 min | Sun up, but low Sunrise 09:17 · sunset 16:52 |
| Skógafoss (main stop) | 45 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:15 · sunset 16:51 |
| Reynisfjara black sand beach (main stop) | 60 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:12 · sunset 16:50 |
| Vík | 45 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:12 · sunset 16:49 |
Reynisfjara first, waterfalls on the way back ✓
Some operators drive straight to the beach and stop at the waterfalls on the return. Find this tour
| Stop | Arrive | Light |
|---|---|---|
| Reynisfjara black sand beach (main stop) | 60 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:12 · sunset 16:50 |
| Vík | 40 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:12 · sunset 16:49 |
| Skógafoss (main stop) | 40 min | Daylight the whole visit Sunrise 09:15 · sunset 16:51 |
| Seljalandsfoss (main stop) | 40 min | Sun up, but low Sunrise 09:17 · sunset 16:52 |
Arrival times are typical for these tours; change them to match your booking and the light updates.
Book the right version
Itineraries differ between operators and change with the season, so check the stop times on the booking page and enter them above.
Through the year (main stops)
| 15th of | Classic South Coast tour | Reynisfjara first, waterfalls on the way back |
|---|---|---|
| January | In daylight | In daylight |
| February | In daylight | In daylight |
| March | In daylight | In daylight |
| April | In daylight | In daylight |
| May | In daylight | In daylight |
| June | In daylight | In daylight |
| July | In daylight | In daylight |
| August | In daylight | In daylight |
| September | In daylight | In daylight |
| October | In daylight | In daylight |
| November | In daylight | In daylight |
| December | Partly in daylight | Partly in daylight |
Winter months
Questions
Will it be dark at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara black sand beach on the Iceland South Coast tour in December?
On 15 December 2026: Seljalandsfoss at 10:45 (Classic South Coast tour): sun rises 17 min after you arrive. Sun up 11:02–15:32.
In which months does the Iceland South Coast tour reach Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara black sand beach after dark?
With the usual "Classic South Coast tour" timing, December (checked on the 15th of each month). From spring to early autumn every stop is in daylight.
Which Iceland South Coast tour should I book in winter?
In December, "Classic South Coast tour" (partly in daylight at the main stops). Check the itinerary on the booking page and enter its times above.
How do you work out whether a stop is in daylight?
For each stop we calculate the sun's height above the horizon every 5 minutes of the visit, at that stop's own location and on your date. "In daylight" means the sun is up for the whole visit; twilight means the sun has set but the sky is still light. Mountains and cloud make it darker earlier than the calculation shows.
Sunrise and sunset are calculated for each stop's coordinates and are accurate to about 2 minutes. Arrival times are typical for these tours as listed in 2026; traffic, weather and the operator's own timetable decide the real ones. Times are local (Atlantic/Reykjavik).