Time to Giggle! An Off-Road Buggy Tour in Iceland with Kids

One of the best things about a vacation in Iceland with kids is that everything about it feels one-of-a-kind and unique, with endless opportunities to embark on thrilling activities as a family. We had an epic 7-day tour of Iceland that included an off-road buggy tour with Buggy Adventures, located just outside Reykjavik, where we drove open-air vehicles through the rugged landscape — including rivers! There were no dads on this trip, so the moms drove and at some point every passenger had a fit of giggles. Our Iceland buggy tour was immersive and just plain fun.

At Ciao Bambino’s in-house travel agency, we believe that the secret to successful family trips is to ensure there is something special for every age integrated into an itinerary, and a buggy tour provides this in spades for kids ages 6 and up.

Review of an Iceland Buggy Tour with Buggy Adventures

What is an Iceland Buggy Tour?

A buggy tour is an opportunity to drive a two-passenger off-road vehicle on dirty, bumpy trails as a way to explore Iceland’s unbelievable scenery. The tires are big and the engine is loud. You drive through rocky rivers, and adventurous drivers may try their hand at courses set up with extra bumps and turns. Our tour had a guide (recommended) who took us out to explore the area in a way that takes all the stress about safety out of the experience.

Despite what your teen tells you, you don’t have to go fast to have fun. I went at the pace that any paranoid parent would approve of and and my son and I still managed to have the giggle of the century together. If you do speed up a wee bit through the river, more water sprays up into the car and all over you. This is something your children will enjoy.

The fact is that this isn’t a cultural tour, yet it is still very much an Icelandic activity to the extent that this is a land of adventurous people who take full advantage of their natural and unspoiled landscape by exploring it in immersive ways … trekking, snowmobiling, hiking, biking. They do it all and this is one of the joys of Iceland.

Is a Buggy Tour Safe?

There are hundreds of ATV horror stories out there, but we felt as safe as we could be in this type of activity, given that we had a guide and we were thoroughly suited up in helmets that cover most of your face, a harness-style seat belt, full overalls (not an inch of skin was showing), special shoes and gloves. These vehicles have tops and roll bars. Otherwise, it has risk like any other similar activity … but with paranoid Mom at the wheel, we weren’t so worried.

This Iceland buggy tour is an add-on option in our Iceland 5-Day Explorer package, and we can also add it into all of our customized family itineraries. Connect with us from the CB! Family Advisor Team page for more information about our Family Travel Services.

Relevant Links:

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Natural hot springs and northern lights at Iceland’s Frost and Fire Hotel

A great 5-day itinerary in Iceland with kids

Editor’s Note: Ciao Bambino was given a media rate to experience this buggy tour in Iceland with kids. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Amie O’Shaughnessy.