All You Need To Know About Kayaking in Iceland

Kayaking tours in Iceland fall into four broad categories. Glacier lagoons offer iceberg-filled scenery, sea kayaking explores fjords and coastal waters, river and inland routes include family-friendly options, and multi-day expeditions travel farther into remote areas.

Operating months vary by tour and may change with weather and water conditions.

Glacier Lagoons

Glacier lagoon kayaking means paddling among icebergs on a lake formed by glacial meltwater. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the best-known location. Tours also run at Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Solheimajokull Glacier Lagoon, and a remote lagoon near Flaajokull.

Because the water is extremely cold, operators provide flotation devices, protective paddling suits, and other safety equipment. Guides select routes and distances from the ice according to current conditions.

Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon lie close together in Southeast Iceland, but the paddling experiences differ. Jokulsarlon is larger and better known, while Fjallsarlon offers a quieter setting beneath its glacier tongue.

Farther west on the South Coast, Solheimajokull offers views of the glacier's front edge. Near Flaajokull in Southeast Iceland, reaching the water may form part of a longer journey through a more remote landscape.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking tours explore sheltered fjords, bays, and coastal waters around Iceland. Destinations include Kirkjufell within the wider Breidafjordur Bay area on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Onundarfjordur in the Westfjords, and Siglufjordur in North Iceland.

These routes offer views of mountains, islands, skerries, and coastal settlements. Depending on the location, kayakers may also see seabirds, seals, or other wildlife, but sightings are never guaranteed.

Routes around Kirkjufell and Siglufjordur can suit first-time paddlers, while longer routes near Flateyri may demand more stamina or previous experience. Some Westfjords tours offer transfers from Isafjordur Town, but meeting arrangements vary.

Rivers and Lake-to-Sea Routes

River and inland-waterway tours offer a different setting from glacier lagoons and coastal kayaking. The main locations include the coastal village of Stokkseyri in South Iceland and the Svarta River near Varmahlid Village in North Iceland.

Stokkseyri lies south of Selfoss Town and within easy reach of Reykjavik. Routes follow the shallow canals around Longudael Lake and may continue along the Hraunsa River toward the coast. On clear days, several glaciers may be visible in the distance.

The surroundings change as paddlers move between the lake, narrow canals, wetlands, and the coast. Offshore, Atlantic waves break over a submerged lava ridge formed by the Great Thjorsa lava flow.

North Iceland also offers river kayaking in the Skagafjordur Region, where routes pass through open countryside. The rural setting provides a contrast to Iceland's glacier lagoons and coastal waters.

Multi-Day Sea Kayaking Expeditions

Multi-day kayaking takes paddlers beyond the usual day-tour routes to remote fjords, islands, and stretches of coastline. These expeditions are concentrated in the Westfjords, where Isafjordur Town usually serves as the meeting and transfer point.

Camping expeditions carry tents and other equipment in the kayaks, while some routes use a remote farmhouse as a base. Destinations may include Isafjardardjup, Vigur Island, and Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, with possible views toward Drangajokull Glacier.

Daily routes depend on the weather, sea conditions, and the group's ability. Fitness and experience requirements vary, and these trips require more preparation than guided day tours.

When To Go Kayaking in Iceland

The kayaking season in Iceland generally falls between May and October, although no single operating period applies to every tour. Many sea and inland-water tours finish in September, while some glacier lagoon tours continue into October.

Outside their scheduled seasons, tours may be unavailable because weather and water conditions are less suitable for kayaking.

June and July bring Iceland's longest days. Gardar says late paddles near Kirkjufell can still feel like daytime, with soft golden light falling across the mountain and surrounding coastline.

This light is most pronounced during the weeks around midsummer. The midnight sun kayaking tour under Kirkjufell Mountain operates from May to September and generally lasts about three hours, including roughly two hours on the water.

If puffin watching is a priority, June and July generally offer the best opportunity because they fall within the main nesting season. Puffins usually return to Iceland's coasts from late April and depart during August, but sightings on kayaking tours are never guaranteed.

Cold Water and Kayaking Safety in Iceland

The sea and glacier lagoons around Iceland remain cold throughout the kayaking season. Operators manage the risks with protective clothing, flotation devices, safety briefings, and routes adapted to the weather and water conditions.

Gardar emphasizes that the sea around Grundarfjordur remains cold even in summer. He says capsizing is very unusual on his tours, but the guides still treat the cold-water risk seriously. He adds that only a handful of guests have entered the water during his eight years of guiding in Grundarfjordur Town.

Protective clothing depends on the tour and current operating practices. Glacier lagoon and coastal tours may provide drysuits, paddling suits, jackets, trousers, or other waterproof layers, along with flotation devices and essential safety equipment. Check the individual equipment list before booking.

Kayak designs also vary. Many beginner-friendly day tours use stable sit-on-top kayaks, which are easy to enter and handle. Longer coastal and expedition routes generally use enclosed sea kayaks in single or tandem designs, which offer greater speed and storage capacity.

What To Bring on a Kayaking Tour

You do not normally need to bring specialist kayaking equipment for a guided tour. The kayak, paddle, flotation device, guide, and essential safety equipment are included. Protective clothing and the personal items you need to pack vary by tour.

Avoid denim and cotton layers. They retain moisture, dry slowly, and can become cold and uncomfortable beneath protective clothing. Gloves, footwear, and waterproof phone cases are supplied on some tours but not others, so check the tour's inclusion and packing lists.

Multi-day expeditions have more extensive requirements, which may include sleeping bags, personal clothing, and equipment carried in the kayaks. Follow the operator's expedition-specific packing list.

For broader clothing advice, see our guide to what to wear in Iceland. You can also use this guide on how to pack for travel in Iceland when preparing for the rest of your trip.

Wildlife You Might See and How To Behave Around It

Kayaks move quietly and sit low on the water, allowing them to enter shallower coastal areas than larger boats. Depending on the route and season, paddlers may see seals, puffins, eider ducks, Arctic terns, and other seabirds. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

When wildlife appears, Gardar advises paddlers not to approach, surround, block, or chase it for a photograph. Stay with the group, follow the guide's instructions, and leave the animal space to move away. The most effective response is often to reduce your movement instead of trying to get closer.

Remaining still gives a curious animal the choice to approach or leave. As visitor numbers around Kirkjufell and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula have grown during his years of guiding, Gardar adds that keeping groups controlled and preventing people from chasing wildlife has become increasingly important.

Booking a Kayaking Tour in Iceland

Kayaking asks for relatively little preparation. Gardar says many of his guests are complete beginners rather than experienced kayakers or adventure athletes. The important requirements are being comfortable on the water, following instructions, and having reasonable general mobility.

There are many kayaking tours in Iceland, ranging from glacier lagoons in Southeast Iceland to remote fjords in the Westfjords. If you are planning a trip around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, booking accommodation in Snaefellsnes lets you stay near the water and make kayaking part of a longer visit.

Are you planning a kayaking tour in Iceland? Which type of water or destination interests you most? If you have already been kayaking in Iceland, where did you paddle, and did you encounter any wildlife? Tell us in the comments below.