February works well on the South Coast for travelers who want waterfalls, a guided glacier hike or an ice cave tour, and a soak in a hot spring afterward. Afternoons reach 40°F (4°C), so the days are cold but not harsh.
Rain falls on 18 days of the month, and nights sit right around freezing. Plan each outdoor stop around the weather, and keep indoor and hot-water options ready for the wet days.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 40°F (4°C)
- Night low: 31°F (-1°C)
- Rainy days: 18
- Precipitation: 6 inches (159 mm)
- Sea temperature near Vík: 45°F (7°C)
- Glacier activities: guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in February?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 5.8 in (148 mm) | 18 | 45°F (7°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
February is cold and damp on the coast. Afternoons reach 40°F (4°C) and nights drop to 31°F (-1°C), so the day stays above freezing only a little and the ground can be icy early and late.
Rain falls on 18 days, and the sea is 45°F (7°C). Wear a waterproof shell and waterproof pants for the waterfalls, and keep the viewpoints for the drier hours. Check the forecast each morning before choosing which sight comes first.
January is almost the same, with the same afternoon high, 19 rainy days and a little more rain. March is a touch warmer at 41°F (5°C), with 18 rainy days and slightly less rain. Shifting a month either way changes the weather very little.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in February
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and a path lets you walk behind it. In February that walk is a wet one, so wear the waterproof layers.
Skógar and Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull Glacier lies 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) east of Skógafoss via Road 221, so the two fit into one day.
Vík and Reynisfjall
Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur both have hotels, guesthouses and cottages plus restaurants, which makes them natural overnight stops. From Vík you can hike up Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and the bird cliffs. Pick a clearer hour for the climb.
Dyrhólaey
Birds nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so a February visit is about the coastal scenery.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
The canyon is up to 328 feet (100 meters) deep and roughly 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long. It is a protected natural monument, and no marked walking routes run through the canyon itself. Stay on the authorized paths.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in February
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
The path behind Seljalandsfoss lets you stand inside the curtain of water, and it lies on the boundary between Seljaland and Hamragarðar. In February the cold and the rain make it a short, wet outing.
Go in the waterproof layers and keep the camera dry.
Glacier hike or ice cave tour on Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes, year-round ice cave explorations, glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. The ice caves run all year, so February is a fair time to book one.
Jökulsárlón, for floating icebergs, is the other glacier stop on the list.
Hot springs and swimming pools
Geothermal bathing options include the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. With nights near freezing, a hot soak is a good way to end a day outdoors.
Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter (59 foot) outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. Local pools along the trail are an easy way to warm up between stops.
Lava Show and the Katla centre
The Katla centre has a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. Pair it with the lava show for a day spent mostly indoors.
South Coast Lighthouse Trail
The trail connects three seaside villages, Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri, and takes its name from the lighthouses Selvogsviti, Hafnarnesviti and Knarrarósviti. Most visitors drive it, though it can also be hiked or biked in two to four days.
Each village has restaurants serving local ingredients, with fresh Icelandic seafood a highlight. With a February forecast this wet, driving the trail and stopping for lunch is the easy way to do it.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in February?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast. Fjaðrárgljúfur is extremely popular, and the heavy tourist traffic in such a small area puts a lot of pressure on the pathway system. Stay on the paths so the visit does its part.
Rooms in some places are few. Presthús Evening Sun Guesthouse near Vík has a family room for 4 and three rooms for 2 or 3 people. Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms. In Hella, Kanslarinn has 21 rooms and Stracta Hotel has 166. Book Vík early, and think of Hella or Selfoss as a roomier option. Selfoss is about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in February?
The sea near Vík averages 45°F (7°C) in February. That is a monthly average, and it is cold water for anyone getting in.
Warmer options are easy to find. The Reykjadalur hot river, the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir and the Stokkseyri pool with its two hot tubs all give the swim without the Atlantic.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in February
February asks for waterproof layers and warm clothing, since rain falls on 18 days and nights sit near freezing.
- Waterproof jacket and pants for the waterfalls and the 18 rainy days
- Warm layers for nights of 31°F (-1°C)
- Sturdy shoes with grip for wet paths, since you should stay on authorized paths
- A swimsuit for the Reykjadalur hot river, the Secret Lagoon and the Stokkseyri hot tubs
- A change of dry clothes for after the walk behind Seljalandsfoss
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in February
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, so stay on authorized roads, paths and tracks. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a natural monument under regulation no.
Rooms in Vík and along the coast fill quickly in peak season, so book early. Skógar Folk Museum is within a short walk of the waterfall there, which helps on a wet day.
Is February a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, February suits travelers who want waterfalls, a glacier hike or ice cave tour, and hot springs, and who accept cold, wet days. Afternoons stay at 40°F (4°C), and the ice caves run all year.
January and March are close. Shifting four weeks gains or loses very little.
If you want to soak, the hot springs and pools are open to you, and the sea at 45°F (7°C) is not the way in. With children, Stokkseyri’s pool has a slide and a wading pool.
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