KAYAKING IN ICELAND: THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE GUIDE

Kayaking in Iceland is likely to appeal to you if you’re an adventurous traveller who loves the outdoors. In this guide, we’ll help you plan your trip no matter whether you’re an experienced kayaker or a complete novice. We’ll highlight the best locations for kayaking in Iceland and offer useful tips on when to arrange this activity and how to stay safe while you’re on the water in Iceland’s unique environments.

The terms canoeing and kayaking are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference between them. Canoes are wider; you’ll often kneel as you propel yourself along using a single-ended paddle. In comparison, kayaks are more slender, but you’ll sit inside as you use a double-ended paddle to slip through the water. In Iceland, you’re most likely to see kayaks if you look out onto the water.

Because of its northerly location and unpredictable weather, Iceland might not be your first choice for outdoor sports, particularly on the water. Yet stop a moment: with the country’s striking scenery as a backdrop, coupled with a good chance of finding somewhere peaceful, perhaps there’s no better place to try kayaking. Iceland offers some wonderful and unique spots for paddlers to discover.

Often, taking a kayak tour brings you closer to the country’s wildlife too, whether that be a pod of dolphins swimming alongside you or the sight of puffins, their colourful beaks brimming with silvery fish, returning to shore. As you’ll propel yourself – no need to use any fuel – and leave no trace, it’s a sustainable as well as fun, family-friendly option. If you’re keen to get out and explore the great outdoors, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

For argument’s sake, let’s assume you’ve never been kayaking before. If you’re thinking of booking a tour, you require no prior experience and it should be easily accessible to a novice so long as you enjoy a reasonable level of fitness. Although, if you paddle for any length of time you might find your shoulders and arms ache later on – you might consider it a case of “no pain, no gain” to have the opportunity to try something different in a breathtakingly gorgeous location.

Choose a tour where full training is given by certified instructors, so there’s no need to stress if you’re a complete beginner. One significant advantage of booking a kayaking excursion over simply renting the thing is that you’ll be on the water in the company of an expert guide. Under their guidance, you’ll soon master the basic technique and be able to manoeuvre the kayak where you want it. Our kayak tours feature sit-on-top kayaks which are easy to steer, so you’ll be feeling confident in next to no time, 

Kayaks can accommodate singles or pairs; typically, on the tours offered by Icelandia family members, the group will be split between the two types. If you have a particular preference, it’s a good idea to share that up front, as there’s a greater chance your request will be accommodated.

Some people will appreciate a companion to give them confidence, while others will find a solo craft more to their liking. Regardless, the guide and the rest of the group will be close by.

You won’t need to invest in any equipment. Just as you’ll be given a kayak and paddle to use, so too will you have the rest of the gear you require at your disposal. Before you set off, each member of the group will pull on dry suits to pull on over their own warm outdoor clothing and lifejackets to ensure they stay buoyant in the water.

In case of an unexpected dunking, it is wise to bring a change of clothing, though this rarely occurs! Remember, the group will also be given a thorough tutorial to equip them with the basic knowledge to join in, and that’s it – you’re ready to get onto the water.

Iceland kayaking can take place in various locations: on lakes and rivers, hugging the shoreline out to sea and, in Iceland’s case, in iceberg-strewn glacial lagoons. Low to the water, and without the distraction of noisy motors, you’ll really get the chance to be at one with nature.

Stand-up paddle boarding is also popular; try it on Lake Laugarvatn, close to the Fontana Spa, located in the heart of the Golden Circle. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, it’s not hard to see the appeal in a country like Iceland, which is well known for its remarkable landscapes and unspoilt views.

Sea Kayaking in Iceland

As an island nation, Iceland has plenty of opportunities for sea kayaking. It’s possible, for instance, to do so on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, an area with abundant seabirds and marine life such as seals. You might slip through tranquil Breiðafjörður Bay to visit islets and wrecks or paddle with a backdrop of Kirkjufell (Church Mountain).

Iceland’s sheltered fjords are also top spots for kayaking. In the Westfjords, tours depart from Ísafjörður; the nesting seabirds that favour the area’s vertiginous cliffs make this a popular choice in summer. More experienced kayakers can opt for a multi-day visit to Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a remote protected area where you might catch sight of an Arctic fox.

Kayaking tours also depart from North Iceland, sliding leisurely out of Húsavík, the whale-watching capital of Iceland, or Siglufjordur, which used to be a busy herring port. Over in East Iceland, Berufjordur Fjord is similarly picturesque. From the kayaks, you should see the unmistakable outline of Bulandstindur, a pyramid-shaped mountain that’s a local landmark.

The chance to slip close to floating icebergs in the shadow of a glacier is an extraordinary thing. It’s no wonder so many people are keen to go kayaking on a glacier lagoon in Iceland. Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon is the setting for one such tour and your guide will escort you as close to the end of the glacier and the icebergs as is considered safe.

It’s also possible to kayak on the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This scenic spot is popular with visitors and there are boat trips both in amphibious boats and smaller Zodiacs. Although some inexperienced kayakers might initially find this a little off-putting, the lagoon is more than big enough for everyone to share and you’ll wonder why you were worried.

River Kayaking in Iceland

If you’re already a skilled paddler, consider an exhilarating jaunt down the Hvítá River in an inflatable kayak. The icy glacial waters are turbulent in comparison to the calmness of the glacier lagoons, but if you’re keen to get your adrenaline thumping, then this is the kind of activity that’s definitely going to hit the spot. White water kayaking is certainly challenging but guaranteed to put a grin on your face.

Iceland’s changeable weather can make planning outdoor activities a challenge. It pays to be flexible about your itinerary for all such activities, whether that’s a whale-watching trip or a glacier hike. If possible, organise kayaking tours earlier in the trip just in case they have to be rescheduled.

However, one of the most important things to consider when it comes to the weather isn’t precipitation, it’s wind speed. Some locations are more sheltered than others, minimising the impact of a headwind if you are trying to make progress across the water. Icelandia’s kayaking tours take place during the summer to give you the best odds of fine weather and calm water.

The popular Adventure Bus option with visitors based in Reykjavik is to combine activities to maximise the potential for sightseeing and create a longer day trip. As you’ll be travelling along the south coast’s ring road on your way to the Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon, it makes sense to call in at a few places on the way.

Book our South Coast and Glacier Kayaking tour, and you’ll stop off at two of South Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, it’s possible to walk behind the curtain of water, while at nearby Skógafoss, you’ll often see a rainbow (sometimes even a double rainbow) over the cascading water. The journey continues eastwards to Sólheimajökull for the kayaking adventure that’s sure to be the highlight of everyone’s day.

If you’ve never tried kayaking before, why not make it happen next time you’re in Iceland?