Vatnshellir Cave, Snaefellsbaer: Hours, Address, Vatnshellir Cave Reviews: 4.5/5
Vatnshellir Cave
Vatnshellir Cave
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 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 years old cave is located in Snaefellsjokull National Park, about 10 minute drive from Hellnar.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Vatnshellir Cave
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
8 within 6 miles
Londrangar Basalt Cliffs
234
1.6 miGeologic Formations
Djupalonssandur Beach
156
2.4 miBeaches
Gatklettur
128
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Geologic Formations
Snaefellsjokull National Park
11
1.3 miNational Parks
Gestastofa Visitor Center
8
1.4 miVisitor Centers
Malarrif Lighthouse
2
1.4 miLighthouses
Bárður Snæfellsás
68
Monuments & Statues • Scenic Walking Areas
Hellnar Church
52
Churches & Cathedrals
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
458 reviews
Excellent
282
Very good
135
Average
27
Poor
11
Terrible
3
Emily G
8 contributions
Family
My family of 5 (including 3 boys ages 13,11,8) all thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our guide was Yiannis and he was engaging and funny but made sure everyone was safe. He pointed out a lot of interesting things inside the cave and gave an informative explanation of how the cave and tubes formed. You are given a hardhat and flashlight to use. It’s chilly and damp so dress appropriately. Floor is very uneven and there are 2 spiral staircases you must ascend and descend. Left promptly at the appointed time and lasted around 45 minutes.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robbery
United States7 contributions
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 July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aleena Luisier
California73 contributions
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 October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nick N
Mumbai, India27 contributions
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 July 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beth M
15 contributions
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 June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael K
17 contributions
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 October 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel T
17 contributions
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 February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christopher Fowler
214 contributions
Great tour of lava tube and caves, with supplied helmet and torch. Successfully turned up at the venue for an on the spot booking and guess that during early May this was likely. Our underground tour guide was very informative.
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2skidivers
Silverthorne, CO364 contributions
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 August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nina K
Viborg, Denmark15 contributions
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 September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kendall
Oakland, CA1 contribution
Is this open in October? Thank you!
Malgorzata
11,263 contributions
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.
ziggystardust
Pewaukee, WI84 contributions
I know you descend a large spiral staircase down, do you also exit the same way up the staircase?
ziggystardust
Pewaukee, WI84 contributions
I know you descend a large spiral staircase down, do you also exit the same way up the staircase?
InAdliswil
Adliswil, Switzerland134 contributions
Yes, you do.
marielpereira
Buenos Aires, Argentina31 contributions
Hola! Nosotros vamos a ir mañana, querÃa hacer una pregunta, quizás es tonta pero como esta a dos horas y media de reikiavik, querÃa saber si hay algún baño en los alrededores? Vamos en auto. Gracias!
Lynn O
Oregon33 contributions
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?
sherylselivanoff
Adams, NE215 contributions
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.
FLGirl006
Tampa, FL4 contributions
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
Chiucheong
Singapore, Singapore83 contributions
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?
goulaisgirl
goulais river, on25 contributions
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
jonesemi
Houston, TX77 contributions
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.
Paola D
Chicago, IL
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!
Peter G
Chard, UK176 contributions
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.
ShannonLexington
Boston, MA135 contributions
Can you just show up at the cave/parking area, or do you have to reserve tours in advance?
Peter G
Chard, UK176 contributions
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.
silvia_battocchio
ginevra105 contributions
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
CerriAndrea
Noli, Italy121 contributions
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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Vatnshellir Cave
- Vatnshellir Cave is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
- We recommend booking Vatnshellir Cave tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 16 Vatnshellir Cave tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Vatnshellir Cave:
- 5-Day West Iceland, Ice Cave and Northern Lights Adventure from Reykjavik (From $1,187.04)
- 2-Day Northern Lights and Snaefellsnes Peninsula Adventure from Reykjavik (From $385.07)
- 7-Day Complete Iceland: South Coast, Golden Circle, Akureyri & Snaefellsnes (From $1,963.55)
- Snæfellsnes peninsula (From $1,423.91)
- Private Snæfellsnes Adventure (From $1,283.79)
- Hotels near Vatnshellir Cave:
- (5.02 mi) Fosshotel Hellnar
- (5.65 mi) Arnarstapi Hotel
- (5.65 mi) Arnarstapi Cottages
- (5.67 mi) Arnarstapi Guesthouse
- (4.20 mi) Beautiful House - Perfect Location, Hellnar, Snæfellsnes
- Restaurants near Vatnshellir Cave:
- (5.64 mi) Monsvagninn - Munch Wagon
- (5.11 mi) Fjoruhusid
- (4.90 mi) PrÃmus Kaffi
- (5.03 mi) Fosshotel Hellnar Restaurant
- (5.76 mi) Samkomuhusid in Arnarstapi