Iceland’s South Coast in March suits travelers who want waterfalls, glacier hikes and ice caves more than warm weather. You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss, join a guided glacier hike or ice cave tour, and finish the day in a hot river or a village pool.
Days stay cold, with a high of 41°F (5°C), and rain falls on most of them. That shapes the plan: waterproof clothes matter more than anything else in the bag, and indoor stops are worth knowing about.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 41°F (5°C)
- Night low: 32°F (0°C)
- Rainy days: 18
- Precipitation: 6 inches (148 mm)
- Sea temperature: 45°F (7°C)
- Ice cave explorations: year-round on Mýrdalsjökull
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in March?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 6.3 in (159 mm) | 18 | 45°F (7°C) |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 5.8 in (148 mm) | 18 | 45°F (7°C) |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in (117 mm) | 15 | 46°F (8°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
March on the South Coast is cold and damp. Afternoons reach 41°F (5°C) in Vík and Skógar, and nights drop to 32°F (0°C), right at freezing.
Rain falls on 18 days of the month, so most days bring at least a shower. Plan on a waterproof jacket and pants, and keep the outdoor sights flexible. If a morning looks wet, use it for an indoor stop such as the Icelandic Lava Show or the free Katla exhibition, and save the waterfalls for a drier window.
February is almost the same: a high of 40°F (4°C), a low of 31°F (-1°C) and 18 rainy days. April is a clear step warmer, with a high of 45°F (7°C), a low of 35°F (2°C) and 15 rainy days. March sits with February on temperature and rain, so packing for one works for the other.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in March
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and you can walk behind it. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 meters) high, stands on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar, next to it.
With 18 rainy days in the month, the path behind the falls is wet even before the spray. Wear waterproof pants and boots with grip, and keep a camera in a dry bag.
Skógar and Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull Glacier lies about 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Skógafoss via Road 221.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
The canyon is roughly 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 2 kilometers) long and up to 330 feet (100 meters) deep. It has been a protected natural monument since 2024, and the protected area covers about 0.15 square kilometers.
The canyon is extremely popular, and heavy traffic in such a small area puts pressure on the paths. Stay on the authorized paths and leave extra time for parking.
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve, protected mainly for its birdlife, though the landscape is just as interesting. Puffins nest in the cliffs only from late April to mid-August, so March is a visit for the coastal views.
Bring a windproof layer for the headland.
The South Coast Lighthouse Trail
The trail links three seaside villages: Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri. It takes its name from three lighthouses: Selvogsviti, Hafnarnesviti and Knarrarósviti. The coastline between the rivers Þjórsá and Ölfusá runs 15 miles (25 km).
In Eyrarbakki, the Merchants House dates from 1765 and the church was inaugurated in December 1890. Knarrarósviti was built in 1938 and 1939 and was the first lighthouse in Iceland made of reinforced concrete.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in March
Ice cave tour or glacier hike on Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes and year-round ice cave explorations. Glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano are also on offer.
Ice caves run all year, so March is a regular month for them. Dress in warm layers, because the glacier is colder than the village.
Hot river and hot spring soaks
Geothermal bathing options include the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. Both are good ways to spend a freezing March evening.
Pack a swimsuit and a towel, and keep warm dry clothes in the car. Nights at 32°F (0°C) make the walk back to the car feel colder than the water you just left.
Icelandic Lava Show and the Katla exhibition
The Icelandic Lava Show lets visitors safely see molten lava at 1100 degrees Celsius (2012°F). At the Katla centre, a free exhibition covers Katla volcano and the Geopark.
These two stops are a good answer to a rainy March day. Neither depends on the weather, so they fit well between a waterfall and a glacier.
Stokkseyri pool and seafood on the coast
Stokkseyri has a public swimming pool with an 18 meter outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. The Lighthouse Trail also offers kayaking, horse riding, birdwatching and hiking.
Each village on the trail has restaurants serving local ingredients, and fresh Icelandic seafood is a highlight along the coast. Plan lunch in a village and the pool after, to warm up.
Reynisfjall Mountain
Visitors can hike up Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and bird cliffs. It sits beside Vík, so it fits easily into a day based there.
Choose a dry window, since the climb is exposed. Boots with grip and a windproof layer are the minimum.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in March?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast.
Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 self-catering apartments, and Presthús Evening Sun Guesthouse is a small farm at Presthús 2 in Vík. Black Sand Hotel has 70 rooms, about 40 minutes from Reykjavík.
Hella has options too: Stracta Hotel offers 166 rooms and Hotel Kanslarinn is a small hotel with 21 rooms by Ring Road 1. Selfoss is a convenient hub about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport, and for a stopover you can stay in or around Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in March?
The sea near Vík averages 45°F (7°C) in March, and that is a monthly average. It is too cold for a beach swim for most people.
Swimming in March means warm water on land. Local swimming pools are also part of the Lighthouse Trail.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in March
March asks for waterproof layers and warm clothes. Nights sit at freezing and 18 days bring rain.
- Waterproof jacket and pants, for 18 rainy days and the spray at Seljalandsfoss
- Warm layers, hat and gloves, for a night low of 32°F (0°C) and a day high of 41°F (5°C)
- Waterproof boots with good grip, for wet paths and the canyon at Fjaðrárgljúfur
- A swimsuit and towel, for Reykjadalur, the Secret Lagoon and the Stokkseyri pool
- Warm layers for a guided glacier hike or ice cave tour
- A dry bag for the camera and phone near waterfalls
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in March
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, so stay on authorized paths, tracks and roads. At Fjaðrárgljúfur there are no marked walking routes through the canyon itself, and general pedestrian traffic through it is not envisaged. The canyon is protected as a natural monument under regulation no. 555/2024.
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve under regulation no. 101/1978, and its protection value lies in the birdlife. Puffins nest there from late April, so March visitors come for the cliffs and the views.
Is March a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, March is a good time for travelers who want waterfalls, glacier hikes, ice caves and hot springs, and who accept cold, wet weather. It is a weaker choice if you want mild days or a swim in the sea.
February is close to March, with the same rain and nearly the same temperatures. Puffins only start nesting at Dyrhólaey in late April, so waiting a month matters for birdwatchers.
If you want swimming, plan on pools and hot springs: Stokkseyri’s outdoor pool, the Reykjadalur hot river or the Secret Lagoon. If you want ice, book a guided ice cave tour or glacier hike on Mýrdalsjökull. With children, the Stokkseyri pool and its slide, the Lava Show and the Skógar museum make good rainy-day stops.
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