Yes, for travelers who want glacier hikes, ice caves, waterfalls and hot water to soak in, and who can live with a cold, wet coast. Afternoons in Vík and Skógar reach 40°F (4°C).
Rain falls on 19 days of the month and nights drop to freezing. That shapes every day on the road, so the plan works best with outdoor stops and indoor or hot-water stops mixed together.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Vík: 40°F (4°C)
- Night low in Vík: 31°F (-0°C)
- Rainy days in Vík: 18.8
- Precipitation in Vík: 7 inches (167 mm)
- Sea near Vík: 46°F (8°C)
- Ice cave tours: year-round on Mýrdalsjökull
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in January?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 6.5 in (164 mm) | 18 | 46°F (8°C) |
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 6.6 in (167 mm) | 19 | 46°F (8°C) |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 6.3 in (159 mm) | 18 | 45°F (7°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
Cold and wet, but not deep-freeze cold. Vík and Skógar share the same January figures: an afternoon high of 40°F (4°C) and a night low of 31°F (0°C).
Rain falls on 19 days, with 7 inches (167 mm) in the month. Plan on a waterproof jacket and pants every day. Put the outdoor sights in the dry spells between showers and keep a pool, a museum or a restaurant stop ready for the rest. The sea sits at 46°F (8°C).
December is almost identical, with a 40°F (4°C) high and 18 rainy days. February gives the same 40°F (4°C) high and also 18 rainy days. Shifting a month either way changes very little on the thermometer or in the rain gauge.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in January
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and you can walk behind it. In a month with 19 rainy days, wear full waterproofs for that walk.
Skógar and Sólheimajökull
Skógar Folk Museum is less than a kilometer (0.6 miles) from the Skógar waterfall. Sólheimajökull Glacier lies 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) east of Skógafoss via Road 221. The museum makes an easy indoor stop between outdoor viewpoints.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
The canyon is about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long, and its depth is given as anywhere from 98 to 328 feet (30 to 100 meters). It is protected as a natural monument and it is extremely popular. There are no marked walking routes through the canyon itself, so keep to the authorized paths.
Dyrhólaey
Puffins nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so January is a visit for the coastal scenery.
South Coast Lighthouse Trail
The trail links three seaside villages: Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri. Most visitors drive it.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in January
Glacier hike or ice cave tour on Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes and ice cave explorations year-round. It also offers glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. Jökulsárlón, for floating icebergs, is another glacier stop on the list.
Both tours are guided, so book a slot ahead and dress in warm layers. With nights at freezing, cold is the norm out there.
Icelandic Lava Show and the Katla centre
The Icelandic Lava Show lets visitors safely see molten lava at 2012°F (1100°C). It suits a day when the rain keeps coming.
At the Katla centre there is a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. Pair it with the lava show for a full day of volcano stories.
Hot river, Secret Lagoon and the Stokkseyri pool
Geothermal bathing options include the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. A hot soak after a cold, wet walk is what January on this coast is for.
Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter (59 foot) outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. It’s a good stop for families.
Seafood along the coast
Each village on the Lighthouse Trail has restaurants serving local ingredients. Fresh Icelandic seafood is a highlight along the coast.
Eyrarbakki has a Merchants House built in 1765 and a church inaugurated in December 1890. Walk around both before lunch.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in January?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast. For dates close to peak season, book rooms early.
Vík has Hotel Vík í Mýrdal with 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 apartments. Hella has Stracta Hotel with 166 rooms and Hotel Kanslarinn with 21. Selfoss is a convenient hub about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport, and Black Sand Hotel has 70 rooms about 40 minutes from Reykjavík.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in January?
The sea near Vík averages 46°F (8°C) in January. December is also 46°F (8°C) and February is 45°F (7°C). That is cold water for a swim, so plan to get warm in a heated pool or a hot river.
Stokkseyri’s public pool has two hot tubs next to its outdoor pool.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in January
January asks for layers and waterproofs, and a swimsuit for the hot water.
- Warm base layers and a hat, since nights drop to 31°F (0°C)
- A waterproof jacket and rain pants, with 19 rainy days in the month
- Waterproof boots with good grip for waterfall walks and the paths at Fjaðrárgljúfur
- Warm socks and gloves for a guided glacier hike or ice cave tour
- A swimsuit and towel for the Reykjadalur hot river, the Secret Lagoon or the Stokkseyri pool
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in January
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, so stay on authorized roads, tracks and paths. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a protected natural monument, and Dyrhólaey is a protected nature reserve.
There are no marked walking routes through Fjaðrárgljúfur itself, and pedestrian traffic through it is not envisaged. Plan to look from the paths.
Is January a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, for travelers who want glacier and ice cave tours, waterfalls and hot-water soaks, and who accept a coast at 40°F (4°C) with frequent rain.
December and February match January closely: the same 40°F (4°C) afternoon high and one fewer rainy day, 18 against 19. Shifting four weeks either way changes the weather very little.
If you want ice caves or glaciers, January works, since tours run year-round on Mýrdalsjökull.
If puffins are the draw, plan for later. They nest in the Dyrhólaey cliffs from late April to mid-August.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/the-regions/the-south/), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/moya/page/the-south-coast-lighthouse-way), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/nature/beaches/the-coastline-between-stokkseyri-and-eyrarbakki), checked 2026-10-30
- nattura.is (https://www.nattura.is/svaedin/fjardrargljufur), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/travel-info/travel-blog/icelandair-stopover-south-iceland-itinerary), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30