June is a good month for the South Coast if you like cool, damp air and long days outdoors: afternoons reach 54°F (12°C), puffins are nesting on the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, and the waterfalls are open for walking.
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík, so book rooms early.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 54°F (12°C)
- Night low: 45°F (7°C)
- Rainy days: 11 in the month
- Sea near Vík: 49°F (10°C)
- Puffins at Dyrhólaey: nesting from late April to mid-August
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in June?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 40°F (4°C) | 4.0 in (102 mm) | 13 | 47°F (8°C) |
| 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) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
June is cool. Afternoons reach 54°F (12°C) in both Vík and Skógar, and nights drop to 45°F (7°C). A jacket stays on all day, even when the sun is out.
Rain falls on 11 days of the month, so expect a shower on roughly one day in three. Plan the waterfalls and cliffs for the drier hours and keep a museum, a pool or an exhibition in reserve for the wet ones. The sea near Vík averages 49°F (10°C).
May is a little colder and wetter, with highs near 50°F (10°C) and 13 rainy days. July is warmer, with highs near 57°F (14°C) and nights of 48°F (9°C). June sits between the two.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in June
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country and lies on the boundary between Seljaland and Hamragarðar. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 meters) high, stands on the land of the old Hamragarðar farm.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
The canyon is roughly 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 2 km) long and between 100 and 330 feet (30 to 100 meters) deep, depending on the measurement. It is extremely popular, so a visit early in the day makes sense.
Sólheimajökull
The glacier lies 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Skógafoss via Road 221. It makes an easy add-on to a day that already includes Skógafoss.
Eyrarbakki and the Lighthouse Trail
Eyrarbakki is one of three seaside villages on the South Coast Lighthouse Trail, with Þorlákshöfn and Stokkseyri. The Merchants House here dates from 1765. The village suits a slower stop on a day of waterfalls.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in June
Puffin watching at Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland, and the birds nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August. June falls well inside that window.
The reserve is protected for its birds, so stay on the authorized paths and keep your distance from the cliffs.
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss, which puts you close to the falling water. Expect spray, and wear a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip.
Keep the walk for a drier hour of the day if you can.
A glacier hike on Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes and year-round ice cave explorations. The glacier also has kayaking in its lagoon and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. Since the cave tours run year-round, a wet June day does not rule them out.
Book a guided tour in advance, because the glacier is not a place for walking alone.
Cycling or hiking the Lighthouse Trail
Most visitors drive the trail, but it can be hiked or biked in two to four days. Along the way you can go kayaking, horse riding or birdwatching, or relax in local swimming pools.
Each village has restaurants serving local ingredients, and fresh Icelandic seafood is a highlight along the coast. Plan your meals around the villages you pass through.
The Katla centre and the Icelandic Lava Show
At the Katla centre there is a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. The Icelandic Lava Show lets visitors safely see molten lava at 1100 degrees Celsius.
Both work well when the rain sets in, as indoor stops between the outdoor ones.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in June?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast. Arrive early in the day at the popular places.
Book rooms well ahead if you want to sleep in Vík. Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 self-catering apartments, and the Presthús Evening Sun Guesthouse is a small farm with a handful of rooms.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur has hotels, guesthouses and cottages. Hella has Stracta Hotel with 166 rooms and Hotel Kanslarinn with 21 rooms. Selfoss is about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in June?
It warms to 52°F (11°C) in July. These are monthly averages, so a given day can be cooler.
For warm water, the South has other choices. Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter (59 foot) outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. The Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir are geothermal options too.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in June
June asks for layers and rain protection. Afternoons stay near 54°F (12°C), nights fall to 45°F (7°C), and it rains on 11 days.
- A waterproof jacket, since showers come on about one day in three
- Warm layers for the 45°F (7°C) nights
- Waterproof shoes with grip for the spray at Seljalandsfoss
- Sturdy hiking footwear for Reynisfjall and the waterfall walks
- A swimsuit for the pools and the hot river
- Warm clothes for a guided glacier hike or ice cave tour
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in June
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, so stay on authorized roads, tracks and paths. At Fjaðrárgljúfur there are no marked walking routes through the canyon itself, and pedestrian traffic through it is not envisaged.
The canyon is protected as a natural monument under regulation no. 555/2024. Dyrhólaey has been a nature reserve since regulation no. 101/1978.
Is June a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, especially for travelers who want waterfalls, puffins and day hikes and who don’t mind cool air. June gives highs of 54°F (12°C) and 11 rainy days.
Compared with May, June is a few degrees warmer and a little drier. Shifting four weeks either way changes the temperature more than the scenery.
If you want to swim, plan on the pools and the hot river, since the sea stays cold. With children, the Stokkseyri pool has a slide, and the Katla centre exhibition is free.
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