Kayaking Tour in Iceland’s Westfjords

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local kayaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 3 or 4-day kayaking tour in the Westfjords, depending on the itinerary you choose
    • Accommodation
      • Tents for both 3-day tours
      • Houses for the 4-day tour
    • Food and cookware (as listed in the itinerary)
    • Kayaking gear — kayaks and paddles, dry suit, a spray skirt, a life vest, paddling boots, paddling gloves, and additional dry bags
    • Ferry and car transfer

  Note: You’re welcome to bring your own paddling gear and clothing. For footwear, neoprene boots wink ankle support and thick coles will work best. To keep your hands warm, bring neoprene gloves, mittens, or pogies.

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to the meeting point in Iceland
    • Personal equipment and clothing (option to rent a sleeping bag and sleeping pad at an additional cost)
    • Personal insurance
    • Some meals (as listed in the itinerary)
    • Transportation to the meeting point
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  While there aren’t challenging river rapids in the Westfjords, this kayaking tour in the sea is still strenuous. Depending on the chosen tour, you’ll paddle anywhere between 5 and 15 miles per day (8-24 km), so excellent fitness and good stamina is still required!

• What do I need to bring?

  The less you have with you when you’re kayaking, the easier it will be! If you pack wisely, you’ll have plenty of space in your kayak, so pack light.

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Thermal underwear
    • Thermal mid layer (wool or fleece)
    • Hiking pants (avoid cotton)
    • Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket (the lighter, the better)
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • A hat (wool or fleece)
    • A pair of warm gloves
    • 2-3 pairs of socks (wool or synthetic)
    • Light hiking shoes for walks onshore
    • A sleeping bag (at least 0°C, down is best) & sleeping pad (thin and inflatable ones are the best) — for both 3-day tours
    • Sunglasses
    • 1 L water bottle
    • Personal medical kit
    • Personal medication
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, toilet paper)
    • 2x dry bags to keep your gear dry — your guides have small selection of dry bags that you can use, but best bring at least two of your own and make sure everything fits beforehand)
    • Small binoculars for wildlife viewing — optional, but recommended
    • Camera — optional, but recommended
    • Swimsuit and towel for the sauna at Kvíar (for the 4-day tour)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For the 3-day kayaking tour in the Westfjords, the maximum group size is 8 and the client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
    • For the 4-day glacier kayaking tour in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and the 3-day kayaking tour in Isafjardardjup Bay, the maximum group size is 10 and the client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

  Kayaking in Iceland’s Westfjords can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  All kayaking tours depart from Isafjordur, the largest town in the Westfjords. Your guide will let you know the exact address on time. There are two ways to reach Isafjordur, either by car or by plane from Reykjavik.

  If you have enough time, driving from Reykjavik takes 5-6 hours and it is an incredibly scenic drive. You can also reach Isafjordur by plane—there are scheduled flights 2-3 times every day from Reykjavik to Isafjordur and it takes around 40 minutes. Once you get to Isafjordur, ferry and/or car transportation are included in the price of the trip.

  On the last day of the tour, your guides will drop you off in Isafjordur around 4 pm, just in time for the afternoon flight for those flying back to Reykjavik.

• Covid measures in Iceland

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s COVID-19 information.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• On recent volcanic activity in Iceland

  Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

  However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

  Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

  First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.

  Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

  And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

  In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
  https://safetravel.is/
  https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

  Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA3-BXYuYrw

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If canceled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If canceled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

   

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit).
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.