Vatnshellir is one of Iceland’s oldest lava tunnels. It lies in the western part of the island, on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, in the Purkholahraun lava field north of Malarrif. Vatnshellir was formed by an eruption about 8,000 years ago. It is around 200 meters (650 feet) long, and its deepest point is 35 meters (115 feet) below the entrance.
The distinctive feature of the cave is, first of all, that the lava here did not just flow horizontally (as usual), but poured over rock ledges, forming siphons and vertical passages. Hence, among other things, the cave’s famous spiral staircases. One of them is used to enter the cave and the other leads us from one tunnel, through a vertical siphon, to another tunnel a level below.
Another unique feature of the Vatnshellir cave is the lava stalactites. Not created by dripping water and minerals precipitating out of it, but by dripping more lava ‘blobs’… This may not be the most spectacular sight, it may even come across as repulsive, but – according to the guide – you won’t find this in any other cave (at least not in Iceland).
Some of the mineral crusts on the walls are unusual too, and the vivid colors of the rock add to the effect: reds are iron, yellows sulfur, greens copper.
Certainly the Vidgelmir is larger, and a visit there is surely more spectacular. The uniqueness of Vatnshellir, however, lies not only in its aesthetic or geological qualities: the cave sits at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, the volcano through which Jules Verne sent his travelers to the center of the Earth. So for all the Verne enthusiasts there is surely no other place like this one 🙂
Vatnshellir – tips and practical information
- Vatnshellir can be visited year-round, but only with a guide, and departure times change with the season: in December they run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in September from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (the booking calendar shows the exact times for any given day).
- Tours are guided in English and Icelandic. Book online in advance – departures do sell out; you can reschedule or cancel free of charge up to four hours before departure, and you should be at the cave 10 minutes before your tour.
- The parking lot for visitors is located slightly to the east (to the right looking at the ‘reception’) – do not try to drive through the chain at the reception building itself.
- Ticket prices (September 2026): adults: 5,900 ISK (~$50), students and seniors 65+: 4,600 ISK (~$40), teenagers 12-17 years old: 2,600 ISK (~$22); children 5-11 enter for free. Early departures of the day are 8% cheaper; get your tickets here: entry to Vatnshellir cave;
- The minimum age is 5 years, and every visitor has to walk unsupported on uneven ground and down two spiral staircases.
- During the guided tour you will not only see the cave, but also learn a lot of interesting information about its geology and… Icelandic folklore.
- Vatnshellir is equipped with stairs and appropriate landings, but much of the route runs directly along the bottom of the lava tunnel and is not illuminated (everyone gets their own small flashlight and helmet – your own headlamp is not allowed). Completely basic physical fitness is sufficient for a visit, but those who dislike small, dark, enclosed spaces may feel uncomfortable here.
- Inside the cave the temperature stays just above freezing all year round – warm clothes and gloves are worth taking, and hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers are required (flip-flops, flat-bottom shoes and high heels are not allowed).
- There are no toilets at the cave. The nearest ones are at the Malarrif visitor center, about a three-minute drive away.
- Vatnshellir is located within the Snæfellsjökull National Park. It is therefore a protected area.
| Vatnshellir Cave: details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Map: the route from Grundarfjordur to Vatnshellir cave, 60.8 km (38 miles), about 51 minutes – click to open the interactive map | |||
| location | Western Iceland, peninsula of Snaefellsnes, by road 574 north of Malarrif | ||
| GPS coordinates | 64.75503186534785, -23.81863642647397 | ||
| cave length | 200 m (about 650 feet) | ||
| depth | 35 m (about 115 feet) below the entrance | ||
| opening hours | all year; departures change with the season (December 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., September 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) | ||
| entry fees (2026) | adults: 5,900 ISK (~$50) students and seniors 65+: 4,600 ISK (~$40) teenagers 12-17 years old: 2,600 ISK (~$22) children 5-11: free (min. age: 5) | ||
| remarks | Guided tours only. Tour time: about 45 minutes. No toilets at the cave – the nearest are at Malarrif. | ||
| tickets | access to Vatnshellir Cave | ||
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