July suits travelers who come for waterfalls, glacier walks and nesting puffins and don’t mind dressing for cool, damp weather. The cliffs at Dyrhólaey are protected as a nature reserve, and the area’s protection value lies in its birdlife.
The month brings rain on 12 days, and the popular stops fill up quickly in peak season, especially around Vík.
At a glance
- July high: 57°F (14°C)
- July night low: 48°F (9°C)
- Rainy days in July: 12
- Rain in July: 4 inches (110 mm)
- Sea temperature in July: 52°F (11°C)
- Puffins: nesting in the Dyrhólaey cliffs from late April to mid-August
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in July?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 in (93 mm) | 11 | 49°F (10°C) |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in (110 mm) | 12 | 52°F (11°C) |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 5.5 in (140 mm) | 14 | 53°F (12°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
July is cool and damp on the South Coast. Afternoons reach 57°F (14°C) and nights drop to 48°F (9°C), so you’ll want a jacket in the middle of the day and a warm layer in the evening.
Rain falls on 12 days of the month, which means a wet day is likely at some point in a week-long trip. Plan the waterfalls and the cliff walks for the dry hours and keep a waterproof shell in the day bag. The sea sits at 52°F (11°C), cold enough that it’s a view, not a swim.
June runs a few degrees cooler, with a 54°F (12°C) high, a 45°F (7°C) low and 11 rainy days. August matches July on temperature, with a 57°F (14°C) high and a 48°F (9°C) low, but brings 14 rainy days. July sits between the two, a little warmer than June and a little drier than August.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in July
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country and lies on the boundary between the Seljaland and Hamragarðar lands. It is about 131 feet (40 meters) high. The two make an easy pairing for one stop.
Skógar and Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull Glacier lies about 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Skógafoss via Road 221. July’s 57°F afternoons are comfortable for the walk, though a rain jacket belongs in the bag.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
The canyon is roughly 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 2 km) long and between 98 and 328 feet (30 to 100 m) deep. It is protected as a natural monument, and the official description calls it extremely popular. Visit early in the day to share the paths with fewer people.
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve, protected above all for its birdlife. Puffins nest in its cliffs from late April to mid-August, so July falls inside the season. Bring binoculars, because the birds sit on the cliff faces.
Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri
These two villages sit on the South Coast Lighthouse Trail, along a 15-mile (25 km) stretch of coastline between the rivers Þjórsá and Ölfusá. Eyrarbakki has a Merchants House built in 1765 and a church inaugurated in December 1890. Stokkseyri has a public pool, which makes a warm stop on a cool July day.
Vík
Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur are the two bases named for a stopover on the coast. Both have hotels, guesthouses and cottages, plus restaurants and services. Vík also fits a visit to Reynisfjall and Dyrhólaey.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in July
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss, which is the best reason to stop there. In a month with 12 rainy days, the path around the falls will often be wet.
Wear waterproof layers and shoes with grip, and keep your phone and camera in a pouch.
Puffins at Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland. The birds nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, and July sits in the middle of that window.
The reserve is protected for its birdlife, so stay on the authorized paths. Mild afternoons of 57°F (14°C) still call for a windproof layer on the headland.
A glacier hike on Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes, glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near the Katla volcano. Ice cave explorations run year-round, so July doesn’t close that option.
Book a guided outing ahead, since the hikes are led by guides. On a wet day, the free exhibition at the Katla centre covers the volcano and the Geopark.
Reynisfjall views
Visitors can hike up Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and the bird cliffs.
Choose a drier hour for the climb, since the views depend on clear air.
The South Coast Lighthouse Trail
The trail links Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri and takes its name from three lighthouses: Selvogsviti, Hafnarnesviti and Knarrarósviti. Most visitors drive it, but it can also be hiked or biked in two to four days.
Along the way you can go kayaking, horse riding, birdwatching or hiking, or relax in local swimming pools. Each village has restaurants serving local ingredients, with fresh Icelandic seafood a highlight along the coast.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in July?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast. Fjaðrárgljúfur is described as extremely popular, and the heavy tourist traffic in such a small area puts a lot of pressure on its pathway system.
Rooms are the part to book ahead. Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 self-catering apartments. Black Sand Hotel in South Iceland has 70 rooms and sits about 40 minutes from Reykjavík.
Hella offers more choice, with 166 rooms at Stracta Hotel and 21 at the small Hotel Kanslarinn. Selfoss and its surroundings make a convenient hub, about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in July?
The sea near Vík averages 52°F (11°C) in July, and that’s a monthly average.
Warm water is easier to find inland. Geothermal bathing options include the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in July
July asks for layers and rain protection. Afternoons reach 57°F (14°C), nights fall to 48°F (9°C), and it rains on 12 days.
- A waterproof jacket and trousers, for the 12 rainy days and the walk behind Seljalandsfoss
- A warm mid-layer for evenings at 48°F (9°C)
- Shoes with grip, since paths near the waterfalls and canyon are often wet
- A swimsuit and towel for the Reykjadalur hot river, the Secret Lagoon or the Stokkseyri pool
- Binoculars for the puffins on the Dyrhólaey cliffs
- A small pouch for your phone and camera in the spray
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in July
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, and you should always stay on authorized paths, tracks and roads. Fjaðrárgljúfur is protected as a natural monument under regulation no. 555/2024. There are no marked walking routes through the canyon itself, and general pedestrian traffic through it is not envisaged.
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve under regulation no. 101/1978.
Is July a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, July is a good month for travelers who want waterfalls, glacier walks and puffins, and who accept cool weather. Afternoons of 57°F (14°C) allow long days outdoors with the right layers.
August has the same 57°F (14°C) high as July but 14 rainy days, and the sea is 53°F (12°C). Shifting four weeks either way changes the rain more than the temperature.
July still falls inside the puffin season at Dyrhólaey, which runs to mid-August.
If you want warm water, plan on the hot rivers, the Secret Lagoon or the Stokkseyri pool, since the sea stays cold. If you want fewer people at the canyon, go early in the day. With children, the pool at Stokkseyri, with its slide and hot tubs, and the short waterfall walks are the easy options.
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