How the Cave Formed
Vatnshellir is a lava tube, a type of cave formed when the outer surface of a lava flow cools and solidifies while molten rock continues to move beneath it. As the eruption that created Vatnshellir came to an end, the supply of molten lava from the Purkhólar craters ceased and the remaining liquid drained away through the tube, leaving the hardened shell intact. The result is a hollow underground passage whose walls, ceiling, and floor preserve the shapes formed by the moving lava as it cooled. Mineral deposits on the cave walls have produced a range of colours across the rock surface over the millennia since the eruption.
The cave sits around 500 metres from the Purkhólar craters that produced it, within the boundaries of Snæfellsjökull National Park. The national park also encompasses the Snæfellsjökull glacier and stratovolcano, which gained international recognition as the fictional entry point to the underground world in Jules Verne's novel A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. While Verne's characters descended through the glacier, Vatnshellir offers a genuine descent into the volcanic landscape that inspired the setting.
The Guided Tour
Tours are led by Summit Adventure Guides and last 45 minutes. All participants are provided with helmets and flashlights at the start of the tour. Personal headlamps are not permitted during the tour for safety reasons. The cave temperature stays just above freezing year-round regardless of the season outside, so warm layers and gloves are necessary even in summer. Sturdy footwear with grip is required. High heels, flat-soled shoes, and flip-flops are not permitted. The cave floor is uneven and the route includes two spiral staircases descending into the cave. Participants need to be able to walk unsupported on uneven surfaces and navigate the stairs.
Tours run year-round. Summer hours run from 10:00 to 18:00 and winter sessions are offered three times daily. Booking in advance is strongly recommended as tours fill quickly, particularly in summer. Cancellation and rescheduling are free up to four hours before departure.
Children under five are not admitted. The tour is otherwise suitable for most ages and fitness levels.
Admission and Practical Information
Admission is priced by age group. Adults pay 5,900 ISK. Seniors aged 65 and over and students pay 4,600 ISK. Teenagers aged 12 to 17 pay 2,600 ISK. Children aged 5 to 11 enter free. An early departure discount of 8% is available on the first tours of the day. All prices include VAT.
The cave is located at Gufuskálar on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The nearest restroom facilities are at the Malarrif Visitor Centre, a three-minute drive from the cave entrance. Arrive at least ten minutes before your scheduled tour time to check in and collect equipment.
Getting There
Vatnshellir is within Snæfellsjökull National Park on the western tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, accessible via Route 574. From Reykjavík the drive takes around two and a half to three hours via Route 1 and Route 54. The cave is signposted from the coastal road and there is parking at the site.
