Yes, for travelers who come for waterfalls, glacier hikes and hot pools and don’t mind the cold: afternoons on the South Coast reach 42°F (6°C) in November.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 42°F (6°C)
- Night low: 34°F (1°C)
- Rainy days: 17
- Precipitation: 7 inches (175 mm)
- Sea temperature: 46°F (8°C)
- Glacier activities: guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in November?
| Month | Average high | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 6.6 in (169 mm) | 17 | 48°F (9°C) |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 6.9 in (175 mm) | 17 | 46°F (8°C) |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 6.5 in (164 mm) | 18 | 46°F (8°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
November is cold and wet on the South Coast. In Vík and Skógar the afternoon high is 42°F (6°C) and the night low is 34°F (1°C), so mornings sit just above freezing and a clear night can drop below it.
Rain falls on 17 days of the month, and the monthly total is 7 inches (175 mm). Plan on a wet day more often than a dry one. Put the outdoor sights in the first part of the day, keep a waterproof layer on you, and keep a pool or an indoor stop in reserve for the worst hours.
October is a little milder, with a high of 47°F (8°C) and a low of 38°F (3°C), and slightly fewer rainy days. December is colder again, with a high of 40°F (4°C), a low of 31°F (0°C) and 18 rainy days.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in November
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and it lies on the boundary between the farmland of Seljaland and Hamragarðar. You can walk behind it, a good reason to come in any month. Bring waterproofs for that walk.
Gljúfrabúi
Gljúfrabúi is about 131 feet (40 meters) high and stands on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar. That land was gifted to Skógræktarfélag Rangæinga in 1962.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
The canyon is about 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 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 the protected area covers about 0.15 square kilometers. Heavy traffic in such a small area strains the pathways, which is one more reason to stay on them in wet weather.
Dyrhólaey
Puffins nest in the cliffs from late April to mid-August, so November is the time for the cliffs and the coast, not for the birds.
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull Glacier is about 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Skógafoss via Road 221. For a guided walk on ice, see the glacier hikes below.
Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri
These seaside villages on the Lighthouse Trail sit along a coastline 15 miles (25 km) long 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 swimming pool, a good place to warm up after the coast.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in November
Walking behind Seljalandsfoss
Expect spray on the path, and wear a rain jacket and shoes with grip.
Go to the falls early and keep the museum for the afternoon.
Guided glacier hike or ice cave tour
Mýrdalsjökull glacier offers guided glacier hikes, ice cave explorations all year, glacier lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. Because the ice caves run year-round, a November trip does not have to skip them.
Go with a guide, since the glacier is not a place to walk alone. Book the tour first, then fit the waterfalls around it.
Reynisfjall Mountain
Visitors can hike up Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and the bird cliffs. The climb is a better choice on a day with a lower chance of rain, so check the forecast the evening before.
Wear warm layers at the top, where the coast is open to the wind. The night low in the area is 34°F (1°C), so dress warmly for the early morning.
The Lighthouse Trail
The South Coast Lighthouse Trail links three seaside villages, Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri, and takes its name from three lighthouses: Selvogsviti, Hafnarnesviti and Knarrarósviti. Knarrarósviti was built in 1938 and 1939 and was the first lighthouse in Iceland built of reinforced concrete. Along the trail you can go kayaking, horse riding, birdwatching or hiking, or relax in local swimming pools.
Most visitors drive the trail, though it can also be hiked or biked in two to four days. In November, driving is the easier choice with so many rainy days. Each village has restaurants serving local ingredients, with fresh Icelandic seafood a highlight along the coast.
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 there is a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in November?
Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast. The canyon at Fjaðrárgljúfur is extremely popular, and the heavy tourist traffic in such a small area puts a lot of pressure on the pathway system. If you travel when it is not peak season, you still want the key stops lined up early.
Rooms come in many sizes. Black Sand Hotel in South Iceland has 70 rooms and is about 40 minutes from Reykjavík. Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 self-catering apartments, and Stracta Hotel in Hella has 166 rooms.
For a stopover, Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur have hotels, guesthouses and cottages plus restaurants and services. Selfoss and surroundings make a convenient hub about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport, with hotels, guesthouses, apartments and countryside stays.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in November?
The sea near Vík averages 46°F (8°C) in November, a monthly average that gives little reason to get in. Treat the coast as something to look at, and keep your swimming for heated water.
The warm water is on land. Geothermal bathing options include the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter (59 foot) outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in November
November asks for warmth and water protection: a night low of 34°F (1°C) and rain on 17 days.
- A waterproof jacket and rain pants, for the spray at Seljalandsfoss and the 17 rainy days
- Warm layers for mornings near freezing, with a hat and gloves
- Sturdy shoes with grip, since you should stay on the paths at Fjaðrárgljúfur
- A swimsuit for the Reykjadalur hot river, the Secret Lagoon or the Stokkseyri pool
- A spare pair of socks, for the day the glacier or waterfalls get you wet
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in November
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, and you should always stay on authorized paths, tracks and roads. With so much rain on the coast, pull over only where the road allows.
At Fjaðrárgljúfur there are no marked walking routes through the canyon itself, and general pedestrian traffic through it is not envisaged. The canyon is a protected natural monument under regulation no. 555/2024, so view it from the paths provided.
Is November a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, for travelers who want waterfalls, glacier hikes, ice caves and hot pools, and who accept cold and rain. It is a month for dressing well and keeping plans flexible.
Shifting four weeks in either direction trades a few degrees of comfort for the same coast.
If you want to swim, plan on pools and hot rivers, since the sea is 46°F (8°C). If you want fewer crowds, choose the canyon and the waterfalls early in the day. With children, the Stokkseyri pool, the Lava Show and the free Katla exhibition give indoor and warm 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