Vatnshellir Cave
Vatnshellir Cave
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Follow the path of the lava flow, about 200 meters into the cave and 35 meters below the surface to see amazing colors and lava formations. The 8000 year old cave is located in Snaefellsjokull National Park, about 10 minute drive from Hellnar.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
504 reviews
Excellent
321
Very good
140
Average
27
Poor
12
Terrible
4
Nick N
Mumbai, India25 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
This review is for the company that does the tours. They have a monopoly on guiding people in the cave and suffer from all that entails. The guide was clearly bored with doing the same tour and lame jokes over and over again. Group size was 19 people with one guide single file through a cave. Basically zero safety discussion. Total zoo between tours with one group dropping off equipment and the other group gearing up. No office staff, just the guide trying to get everything done in the 15 minutes between tours. Cave itself was cool, but I would skip this if you have room in your itinerary to literally go to any other cave in Iceland instead.
Written 10 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robbery
United States7 contributions
Jul 2022
Truly and great experience. Very educational and fun to do but also a great respite from the Iceland cold and wind. Your tour time is VERY prompt and you need to be there 10 minutes early even if they don't tell you or tell you otherwise. The cave is amazingly intact with more mystery to it than other caves in Iceland. Some of it is still unexplored due to size constraints. The price is fair and it has a great location (even though it was planned by nature). If you're on the peninsula, go to this. Even if it's a day trip from Rek, it's worth it.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
29 contributions
Feb 2020
Went on a tour of the Lava Tube. My family of 4 and another couple went on the tour with the guide. I've never been in a lava tube before, so I'm glad we went and got to have the experience. The tour guide talked really slow and was long-winded with silly fictional stories. I enjoyed hearing the facts and would enjoy a bit of whimsy, but the fictional stories were really long and boring.
Written 22 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleena Luisier
California71 contributions
Sept 2021
A friend and I took a tour of Cave Vatnshellir with Summit Adventure Guides, and it was a fun way to spend some time on Snaefellsnes Peninsula! It was pretty cool to descend into a cave that has existed and been largely unchanged for 8,000 years.
Our guide told us about the creation of the cave and at one point had us turn off all our lights in the deepest section to experience the pure darkness underground. He had a great attitude and sense of humor.
When we were on Snaefellsnes we were experiencing some pretty awful weather and wind (it happened to be clear enough on the afternoon of our tour though so we were still able to make it). When we arrived at the tour, the first things the guides mentioned to us were the current weather advisories and road conditions. I'm so glad they brought it up and gave us advice; we ended up changing our plans to go north because of our chat with them and avoided a nasty blizzard and road closures. Hats off to them for looking out for visitors!
Our guide told us about the creation of the cave and at one point had us turn off all our lights in the deepest section to experience the pure darkness underground. He had a great attitude and sense of humor.
When we were on Snaefellsnes we were experiencing some pretty awful weather and wind (it happened to be clear enough on the afternoon of our tour though so we were still able to make it). When we arrived at the tour, the first things the guides mentioned to us were the current weather advisories and road conditions. I'm so glad they brought it up and gave us advice; we ended up changing our plans to go north because of our chat with them and avoided a nasty blizzard and road closures. Hats off to them for looking out for visitors!
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
17 contributions
Sept 2021
Very cool and informative tour with an amazing and humbling descent downwards into the cave. Check in process is very straightforward in a small reception area on site.
While not as vibrant in colorations inside the cave as some other lava caves / tunnels I had visited during my time in Iceland, the downwards descent, narrow pathways and barely illuminated surroundings with just our flashlights to guide us were an authentic experience if of itself.
While not as vibrant in colorations inside the cave as some other lava caves / tunnels I had visited during my time in Iceland, the downwards descent, narrow pathways and barely illuminated surroundings with just our flashlights to guide us were an authentic experience if of itself.
Written 6 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth M
52 contributions
Jun 2022
Office staff and guide were knowledgeable and friendly. Having never been in a lava cave before (as opposed to a limestone cave - totally different), I learned a lot and was glad to have invested an hour to do this. The supplied equipment was all in good shape.
It is cold in the cave regardless of the day's weather. The path is a bit rough so hiking shoes are important. There are no restrooms at the cave due to lack of available ground water, plan accordingly. Website informative and booking was smooth.
It is cold in the cave regardless of the day's weather. The path is a bit rough so hiking shoes are important. There are no restrooms at the cave due to lack of available ground water, plan accordingly. Website informative and booking was smooth.
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn_and_John_B
North Carolina485 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We did this tour on our recent visit to the Snaefellsnes Peninsular and really enjoyed it. We had a reservation for the two of us, but everyone else in our tour group of ten were just walk-ups. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and explores three levels of the lava tube. Our guide was thorough in explaining and describing the various features in the tube. We have done lava tubes in other locations (Hawaii and Sicily) but this was the most extensive we have seen. There are no lights in the tube and everyone carries a provided flashlight. The combined lights actually provide enough illumination for nice photos without the use of flash. However, flash is not prohibited if you feel the need. Be prepared for lots of stairs and wear good boots or hiking shoes because the floors are uneven.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nina K
Viborg, Denmark22 contributions
Sept 2020
This tour is a must if you come to this area. We went for the 45 min tour with a guide. Because of Covid-19 we did not book in advance (I think it is normally a popular tour, so booking in advance is recommended). We just met up at the cave. Tours two times a day: 13:00 and 14:00. It was a very informative and thrilling tour. Our guide was very good, telling stories about the cave. At one point we were asked to turn of all light and just stand in the cave and hear the dripping and experience the total darkness. Very cool!
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Digdap
Birmingham, UK389 contributions
Mar 2023
Amazing experience! Guide was very knowledgeable and really helped explain why the lave tube was formed, and all the different features. A fascinating trip. Helmet and torch suppled You need hiking boots for the uneven floor and there are quite a few stairs. View from ticket office is amazing too!
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2skidivers
Silverthorne, CO353 contributions
Aug 2021
Having been in many other caves, we were disappointed. The Lava Tube was relatively short and had practically no cave formations. Most of the 45 minute tour was spent going up and down the steel spiral stairways. There were no bathrooms at the site. It was not worth the cost of admission.
Written 17 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They are open all year. Opening hours may be shorter in October. You can buy tickets at the cave location, but if you want to guarantee a space you can book on their site ahead of time.
Written 5 April 2020
I know you descend a large spiral staircase down, do you also exit the same way up the staircase?
Written 7 February 2019
I know you descend a large spiral staircase down, do you also exit the same way up the staircase?
Written 7 February 2019
Hola! Nosotros vamos a ir mañana, quería hacer una pregunta, quizás es tonta pero como esta a dos horas y media de reikiavik, quería saber si hay algún baño en los alrededores? Vamos en auto. Gracias!
Written 15 August 2018
Is it necessary to schedule cave tour in advance? We arrive in Iceland June 17 for a 10 day stay and will be traveling by camper van....not quit sure what day we will be to peninsula and cave?
Written 22 May 2018
We didn’t schedule our tour in advance. We arrived later afternoon and drove to the tour location and they put us on the next tour. We waited about an hour for that tour. We were there beginning of August last year.
Written 29 May 2018
I am traveling to Snæfellsjökull later this month and read your review. Do you know how we may purchase tickets to the cave prior to our arrival. Our Airbnb host suggested this, but not how to get them.
Warm regards,
Sue
Written 7 February 2017
We actually did a walk-in, no hassle just pay and get your receipt and wait for the next tour to start. We went during winter time so I was wondering if the crowd would be different when you are there. I did find a number through Google though (sorry seems like i cant share contact details here), maybe you can try calling?
Written 8 February 2017
Hi, I was wondering if this tour is suitable for seniors with slight mobility issues? I also have asthma and am concerned with the climb back up.
Thanks
Written 15 May 2016
I would say no concern for asthma, but the stairs are steep and winding - it was a bit hard to get inside (we went when the entrance was covered with snow in January). We had to crawl a bit, but I think in the summer - you walk right in.
Written 16 May 2016
Paola D
Chicago, Illinois
Hello- has anyone taken a toddler to this Cave? We're visiting in June with a 2 year old (she will be exactly 2) and were concerned about safety.
Thanks!
Written 3 February 2016
Don['t take a two year old. There are tricky steps to negotiate, you need specialised footwear for climbing about on the ice and the cave is quite constricted in places. If you want to take your child into a lava tube go and visit Surtshellir. It is unguided but level and you can go as far as you want. Always wear a head torch. The passages are so enormous in Surtshellir you don't need a helmet. Stout shoes/boots are recommend when walking on lava.
Written 7 February 2016
Can you just show up at the cave/parking area, or do you have to reserve tours in advance?
Written 20 April 2015
You can probably book on line or as we did in Myvatn. Good luck if you want to find the cave! You would need a GPS stout walking shoes and it is several K. from a road. It is also locked! Even a 4 WD can only get within 400 metres of the entrance doline and then you have to walk.
Written 7 February 2016
Hi Christie!
We are going to Iceland end of February and would love to visit Cave Vatnshellir.
Di you go in winter? How did you find a guide?
Thank you!
Silvia
Written 25 January 2015
No, we went during the summer. You can only enter with the guide. At the access of the cave there is the ticket box and there you ask at what time start the tour. Usually the tour are in English and Icelandic. I don't know if during the winter the cave are open. To find the cave just follow the main road that goes around the Sneaffells.
If you need any others informations do not estate to ask!
Written 26 January 2015
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