Today’s blog on the best Helicopter tour Iceland is by Smriti Khanna.
Do you want to experience Iceland from a bird’s eye view? For the most spectacular landscapes, geothermal areas and glaciers, don’t skip a helicopter tour when visiting Iceland!
In this blog post, I’ll take you to through the Top-10 helicopter tours Iceland has to offer. Most of the incredible sightseeing is just a minute’s flight away from Reykjavik and you’ll be amazed by how much you can experience in just 30 minutes or a few hours. It’s perfect if you just have a weekend in Iceland.
1. Mountain Helicopter Tour with Summit Landing from Reykjavik
Duration: 30 to 45 minutes
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
On this Mountain Helicopter Tour with Summit Landing from Reykjavik you can enjoy the breathtaking aerial views of Iceland and it’s mountains. You can choose morning or afternoon flight for this tour. Feel the excitement and touch down on the flat summit of Mt. Esja or a nearby mountain, step out of your helicopter, and take photos of the panoramas that stretch down over Reykjavik, the Atlantic and the nearby peaks.
This helicopter tour takes off from and touchback down at the Reykjavik domestic airport itself.
2. Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour from Reykjavik
Duration: 110 to 140 minutes
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
This tour is completely once-in-a-lifetime experience. Rise above Iceland’s snowy glaciers and volcanoes and get an aerial view of the country’s beautiful rugged landscape. This helicopter tour covers glaciers and geothermal areas of Iceland. The tour covers Thingvellir National Park, where you can enjoy the geothermal areas where boiling mud and steaming springs are hidden in a remote, roadless valley. Take the trip back towards the coast with sweeping lines of sight from the helicopter’s viewing windows. You can Book the fire and Ice tour from Reykjavik here.
3. Best of South Iceland Helicopter Tour
Duration: 5 hours
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
Get a glimpse of Southern Iceland on a 5-hour helicopter tour from Reykjavik that explores lava fields, volcanoes, mountains, glaciers and lakes that comprise Iceland’s dramatic landscape. Fly around the stunning south of Iceland; conic springs, falls and canyons of the ‘golden circle’ along with packed lunch. Touch down at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to walk around the icebergs and see seals. You can choose two additional landing spots; spot a steamy geyser, take a walk over the craggy terrain or enjoy your picnic lunch on Fimmvorouhals Pass. The tour also overflies the Black Sand Beach of Vik. Book your Best of South Iceland Helicopter tour here.
4. Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
Duration: 6 hours, 30 minutes (approx.)
Departure Point: Reykjavík, Iceland
This Glacier Lagoon and diamond beach helicopter tour is one-of-a-kind that offers the guests a chance to explore Iceland’s highlands and glaciers. The tour covers mesmerizing spots like Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and much more. It also includes a possible boat ride on the Glacier Lagoon to explore the icebergs.
This tour includes the hotel pickup for prior bookings. Snacks are included and the trip requires good weather. Book the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach helicopter tour here.
5. The Highlands Heli Tour
Duration: 4 hours
Departure Point: Reykjavík, Iceland
If you’re going to do only one thing in Iceland, let it be this tour! The Highlands Helitour can help you experience so many things of your bucket list. The tour comprises of stopping at Landmannalaugar hot springs, fly by the most dramatic canyons in Iceland, step on Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano that stopped it all in 2010 and much more.
Hotel pickup is offered for this tour for prior bookings and a maximum of 11 travelers can attend the trip.
6. Thingvellir National Park and Thórisjökull Glacier
Duration: 2 hours
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
Enjoy sweeping aerial views of Reykjavik’s top attractions under this special tour, which covers the UNESCO Listed – Thingvellir National Park, Thórisjökull Glacier, volcanoes, peaks and some more glaciers. You will fly over a gaping crack that divides the American and European tectonic plates, then land on the slopes of the country’s second-largest glacier. Hover above a vast shield volcano that dominates the rugged skyline before flying back to Reykjavik’s domestic airport.
A minimum of 3 and limited to 12 people can attend to ensure a personalized experience. You can book the Thingvellir National Park and Thórisjökull Glacier helicopter tour here.
7. Reykjanes Peninsula and Volcanic Landscapes
Duration: 60 to 75 minutes
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
This helicopter tour of Reykjanes Peninsula and Volcanic Landscapes comprises of Iceland’s volcanic history over the magnificent, moon-like Reykjanes Peninsula. Fly over the bubbling mud baths and geothermal hot springs of Seltún, and see bright-green Lake Grænavatn, which fills an ancient volcanic crater. Discover Black Sand Beaches as well as Grænavatn and Kleifarvatn lakes. You can even sit right next to the pilot for a front-row view if you like. After your exhilarating flight, touch down back at the airport in Reykjavik and bid farewell to your pilot.
8. Akureyri Mountains and Glacier Landing via Heli
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Departure Point: Akureyri Airport, Urðargil 15, Akureyri, Iceland
This is an amazing Akureyri Mountains and Glacier Landing via Heli that allows you to experience the raw and untouched nature that is hard to reach. It offers a birds-eye view of hidden areas that only a few have seen. Traveler pickup and coffee/tea are included in this trip. The pickup is done at the Whale Watching Centre at the old Harbour Akureyri and returns to the original departure point. Hotel pickup is also available only if you do pre-booking. You can expect one of the top highlights i.e. the Hraundrangar Lava Peaks when flying the majestic Glerardalur Mountain Ring.
9. Romantic Helicopter Flight over Reykjavik
Duration: 45 minutes
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
Get a whole new perspective of on a romantic helicopter flight over Reykjavik and land on a mountain summit for gorgeous landscapes as you sip sparkling wine. Look down at attractions such as Hallgríms Church and the Harpa Concert Hall in the harbor. Then, fly across the bay area to see some of the many islands scattered throughout the coastline.
After that, go to the Soley Natura Spa for a nice swim in the pool. Relax in the steam bath and pamper yourselves with a massage or beauty treatments.
10. The Geothermal Tour
Duration: 50 to 60 minutes
Departure Point: Nauthólsvegur, Reykjavík, Iceland
With this Geothermal Tour by Helicopter you will spend quality time in the wilderness to enjoy the fantastic scenery of Iceland. This helicopter tour covers geothermal power plants and bubbling hot springs. Get a chance to learn more about Iceland’s geothermal activity from a knowledgeable pilot. Continue your journey to an area known for its lava fields and craters. Take the chance to peek into a crater from the helicopter and enjoy the views from above while sitting in warmth and comfort. Then land on a stunning spot near hot springs to take some breathtaking photos and capture a memory of a lifetime!
All these helicopter tours are perfect for those who want to combine sightseeing with the thrills of an unforgettable aerial adventure. I wish you all an unforgettable and safe journey!
What to Pack for Iceland
Iceland can get cold in winter, and so you definitely want to be thinking about investing in a thermal base layer and thermal socks. A good wind and waterproof mountain jacket and walking boots are essential purchases for Iceland in the winter.
Also remember to pack your hat, scarf and gloves. Regarding specialist equipment such as crampons and diving gear for Silfra, most tour operators supply these included in the price of your tour or for an extra supplement.
- Iceland Winter Tours – The best winter tours in Iceland to book online including snowmobile tours, glacier hikes and Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis Iceland).
- Iceland Waterfalls – The 10 best waterfalls in Iceland and how to see them.
- Whale watching Iceland – The best spots for Whale watching in Iceland, ethics of Whale watching and the best Iceland Whale watching tours.
- A weekend in Iceland – How to spend a long weekend in Iceland including Reykjavik, the Golden Circle tour and a Blue Lagoon tour Iceland.