Vatnshellir Cave is a lava tube on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland, about 200 km from Reykjavik. It formed around 8,000 years ago, is roughly 200 metres long, and guided walks last about 45 minutes.
What Vatnshellir cave is
Vatnshellir is a lava tube cave on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. The lava tube is roughly 200 metres long.
How the 8,000-year-old lava tube formed
The cave formed in a volcanic eruption around 8,000 years ago. It was created when a river of molten lava cooled from the outside in, leaving a hollow passage.
Inside the cave: the descent and total darkness
Visitors enter and descend via spiral staircases into the cave. A spiral staircase passage descends about 32 metres below the entrance, and the cave reaches a deepest point of about 35 metres.
Rock colours inside come from minerals: red from iron, yellow from sulphur, green from copper. At the deepest point, visitors turn off their lights to experience total darkness.
Where Vatnshellir sits in Snaefellsjokull National Park
The cave lies within Snaefellsjokull National Park, near the tip of the peninsula. It sits near landmarks such as Londrangar on the peninsula's western side.
Planning your visit: location, access, and season
The cave is about 200 km from Reykjavik on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Tours operate year-round, with seasonal schedule changes. For live conditions, check safetravel.is and road.is.
Visiting Vatnshellir on a guided tour
Vatnshellir can only be entered on a guided tour. The guided walk lasts about 45 minutes. Helmets and flashlights are provided for the tour. For tour options, see Snaefellsnes tours.
Plan the journey
The Driving Distance Calculator can help you sequence Vatnshellir Cave: what to know before visiting with nearby sights without overfilling the day.
