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Husafell
Things to Do in Husafell
Surtshellir Lava Cave
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Surtshellir Lava Cave

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See all things to do
Surtshellir Lava Cave
4.5

Top ways to experience Surtshellir Lava Cave and nearby attractions

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1 within 6 miles
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1
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
70 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
19
Average
4
Poor
4
Terrible
1
856ulrikeh
New York City, NY11 contributions
Interesting Lave Cave Experience
Sep 2022
Our first real experience in Iceland and we all really enjoyed it. We went on a rainy day which was fine because it is in a cave. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and answered all the questions our kids had. We drove our rental car there - middle of nowhere and the tour was about 1.5 hours. We saw some cool rock formations, heard about the history of the island and my son's favorite was the complete darkness when we all turned off our headlamps. Dress warm - it is pretty cold in the cave.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dennis Snabilie
Oegstgeest, The Netherlands62 contributions
A tour nicely done
Nov 2019 • Couples
We went there with our rental car and were lucky enough to receive our private tour. The cave tour was really nice and the end of the cave was a truly unique experience. Our guide was knowledgeable to explain us the geological elemente in this cave. Should you be in the area, be sure to go there.
Written December 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donna Potter Phillips
Spokane24 contributions
Hike a Lava Tube Cave? YES!
Jun 2019 • Family
Never before experience; 50ish temps way deep down in ancient lava tube cave. Total darkness when lights went out!
Written July 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mafischl
Huntington, NY2,047 contributions
Great
Jul 2019 • Friends
This is an awesome lava cave. Extending for over a kilometer It is really interesting. Don't worry if you aren't a fan of tight places. The tour is very open. Even the place they call the squeeze is pretty wide. Our guide, Sophie, was terrific
Written July 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SmartMomfromSeattle
21 contributions
Yes! You can do this!
Jul 2019 • Couples
If you are physically able and looking for adventure, then you don't need to pay 6500 ISK to go to Vidgelmir where you are safely led on a constructed path with electric lights. Instead, you might choose to do Surtshellir! (I take no liability. You must know your own abilities.) Do bring a headlamp ( stop at a local hardware store to get one for about 2400 ISK) and gloves (garden gloves are fine) and sturdy hiking shoes or boots. The drive there is on a gravel road - just go slow. Once there, you'll see a surface trail which leads you across the lava fields and shows 3 of the openings (and numerous signs warning you about climbing on rocks). The 1st opening is most do-able. (Unless you brought some ropes and rappelling gear). Carefully climb down to the open area and turn right. (Left has a shear drop that is more challenging. ) Turn on your head lamp and please use your hands... you will be doing a rock scramble the entire way. It's beautiful and other worldly. Go with a buddy. Go slow. Use your hands like another set of feet. Enjoy this free adventure! I really loved it!
Written July 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ricoh
4 contributions
Unfortunately closed road
Apr 2019 • Couples
The only free lava cave in this area but unfortunately the road was closed ... Forced to go to the paying one ?
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
indesman
Orinda, CA18 contributions
A good side trip.
Aug 2018 • Family
You might not want to drive an hour off the ring road just for this unless you're really into caves. The caves themselves are more or less like any other cave you've been in. In my opinion the drive out is as fascinating as the caves themselves. The one really cool thing about being in the caves is that when you come to a new opening it's like being in a ruined fortress. The walls are made of angular stone framing a circle of sky...and you can't get out. (Unless you're a really confident rock climber.) We exited at the fourth opening and it took us about 30 minutes to get there from the parking lot. Bring a real flashlight (don't be stupid and think the light on your phone for a family of five with three little kids is sufficient) and dress warmly.
Written August 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jessica R
Amesbury, MA36 contributions
Self guided cave
Jul 2018 • Friends
We did this ourselves - it was quite an adventure - and perhaps should have been done with a guide. The caves are VERY dark - which seems like a "duh" observation - but you should not go down there without a strong flashlight and really good balance. The trail along the ground is well marked, but you are definitely on your own in the caves. Going through to connecting caves requires picking your way through large rocks in the pitch black. Definitely plan for more time than you originally think if you intend to go underground.
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Megan
9 contributions
Cool Cave
Jul 2018 • Family
Very informative guide, who explained everything well and had a great sense of humour. Safety rules were explained clearly. If going, wear good shoes with grip as the walkway through the cave was a bit slippy due to water dripping. And layer up! It's freezing (zero degrees in July). Lucky for us though, we got to see the ice crystals due to the colder-than-normal-temperatures (this was the worst summer they've had in a while). Really interesting, would highly recommend!
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John S
Saint Clair, MI503 contributions
Accessible Cave - Self Guided
Jun 2018 • Family
You can pay for a guided tour which would be a good idea...or you can go yourself.

We went ourselves. The trail along the ground is well marked and it takes you past a couple of openings into the tube. We simply walked up the trail to about the third opening and went in by ourselves. We took some flashlights and walked through the cave back to the second opening but that one was too high and steep to climb out so we returned back to our starting point and exited there. What a great time and adventure. I’m sure if you hire a guide, they’ll take you much deeper into the caves than we went, but it’s definitely do-able by yourself.

The road out to the trail head was easily covered by our rental car in early June.
Written July 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Surtshellir Lava Cave (Husafell) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Surtshellir Lava Cave
We recommend booking Surtshellir Lava 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 2 Surtshellir Lava Cave tours on Tripadvisor