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This 4-day tour is perfect for those who want to combine Iceland’s rugged and wild backcountry with a comfortable stay in abandoned farms and houses from the past. During the day we travel light and enjoy calm ocean waves. At night we immerse ourselves in Icelandic food, a hot sauna, and a cozy bed. On the tour, you’ll explore the rugged coast of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, spot an occasional seal popping its head out of the water, and maybe even meet an arctic fox.
From
Meeting Point Info
Drop-off Place: We’ll drop you off in Ísafjörður around 4 p.m. (16:00) on the last day, just in time for the afternoon flight for those flying back to Reykjavik.
Practical Info
What Do We Provide
We provide you with all the necessary kayaking equipment and clothing.
However, you’re welcome to bring your own paddling gear and clothing. We suggest bringing good dry pants and top with rubber cuffs or at least a 3mm neoprene wetsuit with a windproof top. For footwear, neoprene boots with ankle support and thick soles will work best. To keep your hands warm, bring neoprene gloves, mittens or pogies.
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.
The tour starts when we meet you at our base in Mávagarður C at 8 a.m. for last-minute gear checks. After that we catch the ferry and depart for Hesteyri. Hesteyri once was the biggest settlement in Hornstrandir, but after the fishing crisis at the beginning of the 20th century, the village was completely abandoned. The last person moved away in the 1950s, leaving only a doctor’s house, a school, and a small church bell behind.
Now most of the abandoned buildings are used as summer houses by travelers and locals alike. We will be staying at one of them, the doctor’s house. Once we reach the shores of Hesteyri, we drop off our belongings at the house and get ready to paddle along the fjords to the nearby Sletta Lighthouse.
We won’t paddle a lot. The first day of the tour is all about getting to know your kayak and refreshing paddling techniques while also exploring the Icelandic waters. After a quick paddle, we’ll have dinner at the doctor’s house and settle in for the night.
After a hearty breakfast at the doctor’s house, we set out on our paddling adventure. Today we will paddle around 9 mi (14 km) towards Kvíadalur Valley and farmhouse. Along the way, we’ll pass some of Iceland’s most beautiful scenery: Hesteyrarfjörður and Veiðileysufjörður Fjords. We’ll stop for brief breaks to take pictures without disembarking the kayak. There’s also a high chance to see whales and white-tailed eagles, both residents of the surrounding waters.
Our day’s voyage will end at the beach beneath the hill on which Kviar Farmhouse stands. The farmhouse was built in 1923 by a family that lived in the house up until 1948, right before Hornstrandir Nature Reserve was completely abandoned. The building of the farmhouse was a hard, difficult, and vigorous project, especially without the tools and appliances we have these days. It took two years to build it and after more than 20 years, the family was heartbroken when they had to leave the house.
The farmhouse was renovated in 2012 and now is ready to host travelers from all over the world. We will have a mouth-watering dinner and head to the sauna afterward.
On the third day of the tour, we’ll leave our belongings at the farmhouse and head out to explore fjords and wildlife. The farm is nestled not too far from Lónafjörður Fjord, said to be the most beautiful fjord in Iceland. As we paddle past it, incredible views of Hornstandir Nature Reserve open up from the ocean. As usual, we’ll stop to take some pictures.
Soon we approach Sopandi Bay, home to an abundance of birds, a seal colony and arctic foxes. We will paddle along the coast, meeting the wildlife and taking pictures of the scenery. The total distance for the day is12 mi (20 km).
At around 9 a.m. a passenger ferry will pick us up from Kvíar Lodge and take us back to Ísafjörður. On our way back to Isafjordur, you might not be accompanied by a guide as sometimes they have to stay back and get ready for the next adventure group. Worry not, as the crew on the ferry will take great care of you!
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.
