Show All

Glacier Kayaking in Iceland: Fjallsárlón Lagoon Tour

Paddle Among Drifting Icebergs, No Experience Needed

Operated by our trusted partner

Save

Show All

About tour

Glacier kayaking on Fjallsárlón takes you across a small glacier lagoon on Iceland’s southeast coast, where icebergs break away from Fjallsjökull glacier and drift across the water. The lagoon lies near Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland’s larger and better-known iceberg lake, but Fjallsárlón feels more intimate and is usually much quieter.

Sitting low in the kayak, you’ll paddle between floating ice and hear it creak, crack, and shift around you. The ice originates as snow high on Öræfajökull volcano, home to Iceland’s highest peak, before flowing down the Fjallsjökull glacier and entering the lagoon. Groups are limited to six guests, and no previous kayaking experience is needed. Your guide teaches you the basics before leading you safely among the ice.

Small Group Experience

• More attention from your guide

Expert Guides

• Deep local knowledge

Highlights

Kayak among icebergs on Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon
Get within touching distance of smaller icebergs
Enjoy a quieter setting than Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon nearby
Learn basic kayaking skills from your guide
Choose a single or two-person kayak
Explore in a small group of up to 6 people

Included

Boat and paddle
Life jacket
Drysuit
Expert kayaking guide

What to bring

Warm layers to wear under your drysuit
Hat and gloves
Sunglasses
Camera

Tour Snapshot

Availability May-Sept

Duration 1.5 hours

Departs From Viewpoint of Fjallsjökull

Level Moderate

Minimum age 10 years

Ratio 1:6

Meet on Location Yes

Pickup No

Lowest price guarantee

• See a lower price? We’ll refund the difference

From

146

Per

Adult

No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment

From

146

Per Adult

Book Now

Itinerary

Fjallsárlón is a relatively young glacier lagoon. It began forming as Fjallsjökull glacier thinned and retreated, leaving a hollow where meltwater could collect. The glacier front still meets the lagoon, and many chunks of ice regularly break away in a process called calving. These newly formed icebergs drift across the water and slowly change shape as they melt, ranging from bright white to pale blue and streaked with volcanic ash.

You’ll meet your guide near the Fjallsjökull viewpoint and get fitted with a drysuit and life jacket. Depending on conditions and the group setup, you’ll paddle a single or tandem kayak. Before entering the water, your guide explains how to hold the paddle, steer, and stay balanced. You’ll then carry the lightweight kayak about 200 m (660 ft) to the lagoon shore.

Once on the water, the stable kayak places you low beside the floating ice. You can paddle among smaller icebergs and, when conditions allow, reach out and touch loose pieces of ice. Your guide chooses a safe route and keeps the group away from larger formations. The unhurried pace gives you time to watch the ice, take photos, and see the steep Fjallsjökull glacier from the water.

Please Note

This is an active tour in a wilderness setting. You’ll carry your own gear, including a 5 kg (11 lb) kayak, to and from the water and paddle for more than an hour. A reasonable level of fitness will make the experience more comfortable, but no previous kayaking experience is needed.

The tour requires some core strength, balance, and stamina. It may feel more demanding if you’re not used to regular physical activity, have limited mobility, or have a medical condition that affects movement or endurance. Consider your fitness and mobility before booking, and contact us in advance if you’re unsure whether the tour is suitable for you.

Important Information

Boat type: packraft, available as a single or double
Weight limit: 110 kg (240 lb) single, 180 kg (400 lb) double
Drysuit required and provided, sizes S to XXL, fitting heights from 140 cm (4 ft 6 in) to 198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
No restroom on site or during the tour, so plan to go beforehand

Meeting Point

You'll meet on location at the Viewpoint of Fjallsjökull, just off the Ring Road, a short drive west of Jökulsárlón. The location is easy to include in the same day as a visit to Jökulsárlón. Please arrive a little before the scheduled start time.

Take the turn onto a short gravel road off Route 1. Follow the signs for paid parking and look for the white Ford Transit van with a chimney. There's a fee at the parking lot, which the landowner uses to maintain the access road.

FAQ

What should I wear on our glacier trip in Iceland?

Iceland is known for its colorful weather. It can sometimes show you all 4 seasons in one day.

Dressing for this sort of weather can be a challenge so we always recommend dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended such as a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment, topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.

Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.

Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are best and then wind/waterproof pants over. We also recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy due to the high UV and sunlight reflecting off of the glacier.

You will need sturdy hiking boots with ankle support that fit crampons for the glacier hiking tours. If you do not own a pair then we rent out good hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers.

Do I need to bring a backpack on a glacier trip in Iceland?

We recommend bringing your own backpack on our full day or 1/2 day tours. It’s great to carry a small lunch and some extra clothing.

Can I bring my camera along on a glacier tour?

You can bring your camera along, and you should definitely bring one since the setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.

Do I need to bring a lunch with me on the glacier tours?

We do not provide lunch on any of our trips, so we recommend you bring your own lunch (for the longer trips), snacks and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip).

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

Why are there glaciers in Iceland?

When snow stays long enough in one place it turns to ice. Over long periods of time, the ice layers up becoming huge blocks called glaciers. As there is a lot of snow in Iceland, it forms to create ginormous glaciers that sweep across huge masses of land. Iceland is home to Europe’s largest glacier named Vatnajökull. This Glacier Guide will also tell you everything you may want to know about Glaciers.

What should I do if I'm having trouble with payment while booking my tour?

If you're having trouble booking your tour, please note that we accept payments in Canadian Dollars (CAD), American Dollars (USD), British Pounds (GBP), Euros (EUR), and Icelandic Króna (ISK). Start by checking with your credit card provider to ensure they allow payments in your selected currency.

Sometimes, your credit card company may need to pre-authorize the transaction before you can complete your booking online.

If you're still facing issues while trying to book through our website, please reach out to our Customer Care Team. We’re here to help you!

Can The Guide Advise if I am Eligible For Rescheduling the Tour and/or a Refund?

No, our guides are not able to provide information on these matters, but our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask that you reach out to our customer care team regarding any questions or concerns.

What are crampons?

Crampons are metal spikes that attach to the soles of your hiking boots, providing a secure grip on icy surfaces to prevent slipping. On all our glacier tours where you'll be walking on ice, we provide specialized glacier crampons—sturdier and designed for tougher conditions than regular ice spikes. Your guide will help you put crampons on properly before stepping onto the glacier, and they will be returned after the tour. You can learn more about crampons in this guide.