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Laki Craters Helicopter Tour from Skaftafell

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Skaftafell, Iceland
Helicopter ToursSightseeing ToursNature ToursAdrenaline & ExtremeDay Trips & Excursions
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About this activity

Soar over Iceland's most dramatic volcanic landscape on this 75-minute helicopter tour from Skaftafell, combining aerial views of the 25 km Laki crater chain with a landing in the remote highlands. This is one of the few ways to experience the raw scale of Iceland's 1783–1784 eruption zone and moss-covered lava fields that stretch to the horizon.

Take off from Skaftafell Terminal on this up to 75-minute helicopter tour in Iceland and travel into Iceland’s remote highlands to explore the Laki crater chain. This experience combines a scenic flight over glaciers and volcanic terrain with a landing in the highlands near the crater system.

What to Expect

After departure, your pilot will guide the route based on weather and visibility, heading west across Vatnajökull’s southern outlet glaciers toward the highlands. As the landscape changes, you’ll fly over lava fields and volcanic formations shaped by past eruptions.

Approaching Lakagígar, the 25 km-long rows of craters become visible, stretching across the landscape. From the air, the scale of the eruption landscape becomes clear, with crater formations and moss-covered lava fields extending in all directions.

The tour includes landing at a carefully selected location in the highlands near the crater system. Here, you can step out, take photos, and experience the scale of the surroundings from the ground. The exact landing site varies depending on conditions, but each location is chosen for its views of the surrounding highland scenery.

You may see:

  • Lakagígar (Laki crater chain)
  • Moss-covered lava fields
  • Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers
  • Highland ridges and volcanic terrain

Why Choose This Tour

This tour offers a combination of aerial views and time on the ground in one of Iceland’s most remote volcanic regions. It’s ideal for those who want to explore the highlands beyond the coast and experience the scale of the Laki crater system from both the air and the ground.

Highlights

  • ✓Aerial views of Lakagígar's 25 km-long crater chain and surrounding volcanic terrain
  • ✓Flight over Vatnajökull's outlet glaciers and their transition to lava fields
  • ✓Ground landing in the highlands with time to explore and photograph
  • ✓Pilot-guided route adjusted for weather and visibility conditions
  • ✓Access to one of Iceland's most remote and least-visited geological features

Insider tips

  • ★Book early morning or late afternoon flights in summer for the clearest visibility and best light for photography of the crater formations.
  • ★Dress in warm, windproof layers even in summer—helicopters offer little insulation and the highlands are exposed and cold.
  • ★The landing site changes daily based on conditions; ask your pilot about what you'll see before takeoff so you know what to look for.
  • ★Bring a good camera with a wide-angle lens; the scale of the landscape is hard to capture from the air, but the ground landing gives you a closer perspective.

Good to know

  • •Tours depart from Skaftafell Terminal; arrive 30 minutes early for check-in and safety briefing.
  • •Weight and mobility restrictions may apply—helicopter seating is tight; confirm any accessibility concerns when booking.
  • •Weather can cancel or delay tours with short notice; flexible dates improve your chances of flying.
  • •Bring wind-resistant, warm clothing; the highlands are exposed and significantly colder than coastal areas.
  • •Tours are subject to pilot discretion on routing and landing; exact crater views depend on conditions.

Who it's for

Geology and volcanology enthusiasts wanting close-up views of Iceland's most active volcanic zonePhotographers seeking dramatic highland and crater landscapes from unique aerial and ground perspectivesAdventure travellers with higher budgets looking for premium, hard-to-access natural featuresVisitors with limited time who want to see remote highlands without multi-day trekking

Best time to visit

Late May through early September offers the longest daylight and most stable weather, with June–August providing near-24-hour daylight ideal for photography. Early morning or evening flights avoid afternoon cloud build-up and offer the sharpest crater visibility.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€674
per person