June Iceland Itinerary (8 Days): Looking for Feedback. Too ambitious?

Hey everyone! I'm heading to Iceland in June with two friends, and we’d love to hear your feedback. Our accommodations are all booked, but we’re flexible and would appreciate some advice before booking our activities. Are we being wayyy to ambitious?!

Day 1: Sunday - Reykjavik 

  • Arrive 8:45am
  • Get rental car (planning to get 4x4/SUV and max coverage because we read about all the rock damage. Seems like Blue is a favorite, but if you have other suggestions LMK!)
  • Breakfast: Braud Co Cafe 
  • Activities to do until late check in:
    • Hallgrimskirkja 
    • Whales of Iceland Museum   
    • National Museum 
    • Open to other suggestions!
  • Lunch: Hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
  • Activity 2:  Sky Lagoon
  • Dinner back in Reykjavik: TBD 
  • Bar (The old bookshop)
  • Lodging: Oddson Hotel 

Day 2: Monday - Reykjavik / Golden Circle

  • Breakfast: TBD
  • Activity 1: Snorkel Tectonic Plates (is it better to do this in morning or evening or does it not matter because of the dry suits? Company recommendations?)
  • Lunch: TBD
  • Activity 2: Golden Circle
    • Þingvellir National Park 
      • Visit Almannagjá Gorge and the Oxararfoss waterfall.
    • Geysir Hot Springs Area
    • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Dinner: TBD
  • Drive back to Reykjavik
  • Lodging: Oddson Hotel

DAY 3: Tuesday - Reykjavik / Vik

  • Travel to Vik
  • Activity 1: Selfoss
    • Get snacks at the Kronan grocery store on the way to…
  • Activity 2: Seljalandsfoss
    • Bonus stop: Gljufrabui waterfall
  • Activity 3: Skogafoss
    • Bonus stop: Kvernufoss waterfall? 
  • Activity 4: Dyrholaey
    • On the way out to Dryholaey, check out Loftsalahellir Cave
  • Activity 5: Reynisfjara 
  • Activity 6: Vik
    • Vik i Myrdal Church
    • Black sand beach
    • Grab dinner at Smiðjan Brugghús or Black Crust pizza 
  • Lodging: Hotel Katla

DAY 4: Wednesday - Vik / Hofn

  • Breakfast: Free at hotel

  • Drive to Hofn

  • Activity 1: Fjadrargljufur Canyon - 2 mile hike

  • Activity 2: Svinafellsjokull

    • Bonus stop: Svartifoss waterfall 

  • Activity 3: Mulagljufur Canyon - 3 miles

  • Lunch: somewhere in the middle of these activities

  • Activity 4: Fjallsarlon, jokulsarlon, and diamond beach

  • Activity 5: Hofn

  • Dinner: Pakkhus?

  • Lodging: Apotek Guesthouse

DAY 5: Thursday - Hofn / Egilsstadir

  • Travel to Egilsstadir (3hrs)
    • (Seydisfjordur just to the east, visit on the way out or in?)
  • Activities:
    • Hengifoss
    • Fardagafoss
    • Hallormsstadur
    • (if you have other suggestions for this day please let us know)
  • Dinner: Nielsens?
  • Lodging: Hotel Edda Egilsstadir

DAY 6: Friday - Egilsstadir / Husavik

  • Breakfast: hotel
  • Travel to Husavik (3hrs)
  • Lunch: TBD
  • Activity 1: Whale watching
    • (North Sailing seems to be a fan favorite- is it worth doing the whale + puffin one?)
  • Activity 2: Geosea 
  • Dinner: Fish & Chips
  • Lodging: BnB in Husavik

DAY 7: Saturday - Husavik / Grundarfjordur

  • Travel to Grundarfjordur (6hrs)
  • Activity 1: Kirkjufell Waterfall
  • Activity 2: Snaefellsjokull National Park
  • [insert way more activity suggestions here]
  • Lodging: Kirkjufell Hotel

DAY 8: Sunday - Grundarfjordur / Reykjavik / Home 😭

  • Breakfast: TBD
  • [insert 1 or 2 activities here]
  • Travel to Reykjavik - 2.5hrs

  • [or insert activity here]

  • Flight Departure: 4:50pm 

Based on where we’re going/staying, where is the best place to see puffins? Or horses? Are we missing any “don't miss activities”? any and all recommendations are welcomed, especially food :)
(we did our best to stalk other itineraries on this thread - I fear we might be too ambitious and experiencing decision paralysis)

Thank you in advance!