| Tour | Group size | Length | Rating and price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silfra snorkeling | At most 6 people | 3 hours | 4.9 from 3,417 reviews, from €126 |
| Katla ice cave and Super Jeep (meets in Vík) | Up to 14 | 3 to 12 hours depending on the start option | 4.6 from 2,650 reviews, from €166.50 |
| Northern lights, small group | Small group | 4 hours | 4.3 from 3,252 reviews |
| Premium whale watching (Elding, Reykjavik) | Maximum 12 passengers | 2 hours | Daily 1 April to 31 October |
| Premium puffin watching (Elding) | Small group | 1 hour | 20 April to 15 August |
| Snæfellsnes and Kirkjufell (Viator) | Small group | Day trip from Reykjavik | 4.8 from 478 reviews |
Ratings and prices from the 6 and 7 November 2026 listings; they change with the date.
When a small group is worth it
A small group changes the experience in four cases. The first is a tour with a hard limit for safety, such as snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, where the operator takes at most 6 people and you wear a dry suit; see Silfra snorkeling. The second is an ice cave: the Super Jeep tour from Vík carries up to 14 and supplies crampons and helmets; see ice cave tours and the Super Jeep page. The third is a night tour: small groups leave Reykjavik from September to mid-April for about 4 hours, stop where the forecast looks best that night, and are rated higher than the big buses, which are cheaper; see northern lights tours. The fourth is a wildlife tour on the water: Elding sells a Premium puffin trip (20 April to 15 August) and Premium whale watching in a certified RIB boat for a maximum of 12 passengers, daily from 1 April to 31 October; see Reykjavik Old Harbour and puffin tours.
When a big coach is fine
For the Golden Circle and the South Coast, the standard coach tours are the better value. The guided Golden Circle day tour is rated 4.7 from 27,992 reviews from about €70, and the South Coast tour 4.8 from 12,990 reviews from about €107. These run on a fixed schedule with 30 to 80 minutes at each stop, which suits a first visit. Choose a small group for these routes only if you want a lighter pace or a custom stop, and ask the operator what the group size is on your date.
Questions to ask before booking
- How many people at most? The listing sometimes states the number; if it says "small group" only, ask.
- Is pick-up included? The small-group northern lights tour includes pick-up from Reykjavik.
- What is the cancellation rule? Weather cancels departures; the listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so check yours.
- What is supplied? Dry suit for Silfra, crampons and helmets for the ice cave.
Where to base yourself
Most small-group tours leave from Reykjavik, so stay in the centre; see where to stay in Reykjavik. For a day tour outside the city, see Kirkjufell.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming "small group" means the same number everywhere: it ranges from 6 to 14 above.
- Booking the northern lights outside the season (September to mid-April).
- Booking a natural ice cave for children under about 8.
- Not checking cancellation terms in winter.
FAQ
What is a small group tour in Iceland?
It varies. The Silfra tour takes at most 6 people, the Katla ice cave tour up to 14, and Premium whale watching 12.
Are small group tours more expensive?
Often yes: the northern lights small group costs more than the big bus, which starts from €64.
Which tours are best in a small group?
Silfra, ice caves, the northern lights and boat trips benefit most.
Do small groups include pick-up?
Some do, such as the small-group northern lights tour.
The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
