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For the best kayaking in Iceland, venture to the country’s Western Fjords just below the Arctic Circle. Discover Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, where nature is majestic and crowds are nowhere to be found. See uninhabited fjordlands as far as the eye can see. Photograph waterfalls accessible only by boat. Witness wildlife in its natural habitat. If you’re up for something transformative, then this kayak tour in Iceland is for you.
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Meeting Point Info: This 3-day sea kayaking in Iceland tour departs from Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. The fastest way to reach Ísafjörður is to catch a plane from Reykjavik. There are direct flights from Reykjavik to Ísafjörður 2-3 times every day. The flight time is around 40 minutes. If you have extra time, you can easily reach Ísafjörður by car. Ísafjörður is about a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik. Along the way, you’ll pass beautiful fjords and mountain passes.
Drop-off Place: On the last day of the tour, we’ll drop you off in Ísafjörður around 4 p.m. (16:00), just in time for the afternoon flight for those flying back to Reykjavik.
Accommodation: On this tour, you’ll spend 2 nights camping on remote beaches. We provide comfortable tent accommodation. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag and pad (or rent them from us upon booking).
Please Note: The itinerary of this tour is just a guideline and is subject to change depending on weather conditions and the ability of the group.
Velkominn! Your kayaking trip begins! For a short briefing, meet us at our base in Mávagarður C (grey building) at 7 a.m. We’ll answer your questions, hobnob, and make final preparations. Then we depart from the harbour in Ísafjörður on our passenger ferry Bjarmi at 8 a.m. Our destination is Kvíar Farmhouse in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
Note that your guide may already be at Kvíar with another group. If this is the case, another member of our staff will brief you before handing you over to the ferry crew, who will safely take you to your guide at Kvíar.
Upon arrival at Kvíar, pack your kayak and start paddling through the remote Icelandic wilderness. Enjoy views of the Jökulfirðir Glacier Fjords. Get excited. Your first task is to kayak across the bay to get a good look at Leirufjörður Fjord with gigantic Drangajökull Glacier in the distance. Leirufjörður is also called Silty Fjord because silt travels here down a glacier river from the ice cap.
Then head along the shoreline towards Grunnavík Bay. Along the way, discover a prominent rock arch that you can pass under at high tide. As you kayak close to the shore, watch for cute porpoises, close relatives of dolphins. Porpoises are among the world’s smallest marine mammals!
Once you reach Grunnavík, it’s time for a well-deserved rest. Take your time to explore the area on foot. There you’ll find a few summerhouses and a lovely church. Later, enjoy dinner inspired by nature.
Tonight we set up a camp and sleep on the unspoiled beach.
Distance: 11 mi (18 km)
After breakfast, slip into your kayak and paddle into the big bay of Ísafjarðardjúp, perhaps the best place to kayak in Iceland. This vast fjord is just breathtaking. Kayaking here offers paddlers eye-popping views of flat-topped mountains. It’s also one of the few places to kayak and see whales at the same time.
Along the way, discover rarely seen waterfalls that will beg for your attention. Only a small number of people visit these off-the-beaten-path cascades as they are inaccessible by foot. You don’t want to forget your best camera!
Then continue along the coast of Snæfjallaströnd, the northeastern shore of Ísafjarðardjúp. Depending on weather conditions, we’ll camp either in the silent cove in Ytraskarð (12 mi/20 km from the starting point) or near the amazing Möngufoss Waterfall (15 mi/24 km from the starting point).
Distance: 12-15 mi (20-24 km)
After a hearty breakfast, kick off the last day of your sea kayaking tour in Iceland. Your first stop is the island of Æðey. Also known as Eider Island, it takes its name from the hundreds of eider ducks that nest on its shores. The waters around the island are also home to countless breeding puffins, Iceland’s most photographed birds.
Then do a long crossing (6mi/9km) to the island of Vigur. This is a place where you can enjoy incredible scenery and local birdlife. Spot arctic terns, eider ducks, puffins, and guillemots. In Vigur, you’ll also find Iceland’s only windmill, as well as the smallest post office in the country, where you can mail your postcard. An onsite coffee house is a great place to relax over a cup of coffee.
Next hop back into your kayak and paddle to the village of Súðavík, where a car will be waiting for you. A 20-minute drive will take you back to Ísafjörður. Arrive back in town around 4 p.m. (16:00). That’s the end of your epic kayaking in Iceland adventure!
Distance: 14 mi (22 km)
We recommend that participants wear warm outdoor clothing, for example, a fleece or wool sweater and pants. You should also bring a change of clothing and swimwear.
No prior kayaking experience is required for the tours as our professional guides will teach the technique on location.
Our kayaking tours are all listed at a level easy or moderate so most people should be able to do the tour. Just keep in mind that the activity is an outdoor nature activity so some physical strength is needed.
All our kayaking tours are operated by experienced and certified professional 4 star BCU sea kayak guides.
We use top of the line plastic sea kayaks.
Our kayaks are very stable and easy to use.
Yes, they can tip over, although they are very stable and it happens rarely. If they tip over the guide has the necessary equipment and ability to quickly tip them over again.
If the kayaks tip over participants don’t have to worry too much, all participants get life jackets and neoprene suits so they will stay warm even if they fall in.
Taking a waterproof camera is a great idea when going on a kayak tour. However, it is not recommended to take too much on this day tour as there is really no need for it.
Although you don’t need to “swim” while sea kayaking, we recommend that you can. People that can’t swim tend to panic when they are in the water. You have to be comfortable with floating in water.
