A Spontaneous Road Trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

Because Sometimes the Best Adventures Aren’t on the Itinerary

Today our plan was to drive up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and explore. There were a few things we’d read about that sounded amazing, but honestly—we were probably the least planned tourists in Iceland. And that’s kind of how I like to travel. My everyday life is scheduled down to the minute, so it’s refreshing to take a break from all the structure.

I think I had three separate hour-by-hour itineraries that my most organized friends sent me… and I promptly ignored them. ;)

A Quick Costco Run (Because, of Course)

First things first: gas and snacks. Before heading north, we detoured south to Costco Reykjavik—which turned out to be one of our better ideas. We lucked out—it was sample time, and the lines weren’t bad. We even got to try octopus!

We stocked up on road trip essentials (and a few unnecessary Costco-sized items): Italian meats, sourdough baguettes, an Icelandic cheese sampler, a container of mixed olives, apples, a massive tub of peanut butter, jalapeño hummus, and possibly the best crackers I’ve ever had.

Bonus points: the ingredient labels were refreshingly simple—none of the random additives we see so often in the U.S. We even grabbed an Icelandic hot dog on the way out (fried onions tucked inside the bun—genius).

Enter: The Tunnel That Never Ends

Once we finally got on the road, navigation was easy. There aren’t many routes in Iceland, and the clusters of white SUVs make it pretty obvious where the good stops are.

As we neared the peninsula, I saw what looked like a shortcut—perfect! Except... it wasn’t a bridge. It was a tunnel. Under the ocean. I figured I could handle it—until it just kept going. And going. And going.

I tried to distract myself by talking nonsense to Jon because thinking about driving underwater is not it for me. When we finally popped out the other side, the view was worth it—blue ocean, green grass, and white sheep everywhere.

Seal Watching at Ytri-Tunga Beach

Our first real stop was Ytri-Tunga Beach, famous for its seals and golden sand (a rare break from Iceland’s typical black beaches).

At first, it looked empty—no seals in sight. But then we noticed people climbing over the black rocks at the jetty. Naturally, we joined them. Sure enough, there they were—plenty of seals either splashing in the water or sunning themselves like total pros.

It was , so there was lots of action. Watching them stretch out in the sun, completely unbothered, made the chilly wind worth it.

Chasing Waterfalls (Without the Right Shoes)

Back in the car, we spotted a small waterfall with a nearby parking lot—a clear sign, according to Jon, that we had to stop. His version of “let’s just check it out” usually means “we’re climbing to the top.”

So we did. In completely inappropriate footwear.

My advice: always pack your hiking boots, even if you think you won’t need them. We hiked up the side of a very large hill (mountain?) and got close enough to feel the spray from the waterfall. When we turned around, the view was absolutely breathtaking. Totally worth it.

Exploring Snaefellsjökull National Park

Next up was Snaefellsjökull National Park, filled with rugged cliffs and volcanic rock formations. The views from the top were unreal—like something out of a movie (I half expected to see the Scottish Highlands appear in the distance).

The wind was wild, but the sunshine kept us warm. Iceland’s weather really does keep you guessing. Dressing in layers is key… in every photo from that day, it looks like I’m wearing a completely different outfit depending on the wind and sunshine.

Black Sand Beaches & The Cutest Chapel

We made our way to Djupalonssandur Beach, a rocky black-sand stretch where we couldn’t resist dipping our toes into the icy Atlantic. There were hardly any other people—just us, the waves, and the sound of the wind.

On the way back, we stopped at the iconic Black Church of Búðir (Búðakirkja). The contrast of the black wood against the blue sky and green grass is absolutely stunning.

While parking, Jon accidentally ran over a small leather case—inside were sunglasses labeled Dita. I looked them up—turns out, they retail for around $1,450! Despite the slightly bent frame, they looked almost new. We left them on a rock while we explored, then brought them into a nearby restaurant just in case someone came back for them. I like to think we added a little good karma to the trip.

The Tunnel Trouble (Round Two)

The drive home was peaceful—snacking on sourdough and Icelandic butter—until we approached that tunnel again. This time, traffic was backed up.

A quick Google search revealed why: road construction. The tunnel was scheduled to close at 8 p.m. for maintenance (and it was almost 9). Fantastic.

Just as we decided to take the long route, traffic started moving. We had no choice but to go through. Someone up ahead must’ve shared my “let’s just get this over with” energy—there was a loud screech and a fender-bender just a few cars ahead. Thankfully, Jon was paying attention. I just kept thinking: if I get stuck in this tunnel, I might actually lose it.

Later, I learned that the Icelandic government had already deemed the tunnel unsafe—poor lighting, limited turnaround areas, the works. Good to know… afterward.

Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Going Unplanned

Despite a few surprises (and one very long, anxiety-inducing tunnel), this day was everything I love about travel—unplanned, unpredictable, and unforgettable.

Sometimes the best moments happen when you toss the itinerary out the window and just see where the road takes you.

Here I am thinking we are taking a picture of the waterfall in the distance...

Annnd here we go....