Kayaking Tour in Iceland’s Westfjords

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 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 the 3-day tour (2 nights) — bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping pad
      • Houses for the 4-day tour (3 nights)
    • All meals and cookware, as listed in the itinerary
    • Kayaking gear — kayaks and paddles, neoprene suit, a spray skirt, a life vest, paddling boots, paddling gloves, and additional dry bags (but feel free to bring your own if you prefer)
    • Ferry and car transfer

  Add-ons:

  • • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad — required for the 3-day tour, rental available at checkout
    • Dry suit — neoprene suit is included, dry suit upgrade available at checkout
    • Special dietary requirements (pescatarian and vegetarian free of charge) — vegan & gluten free diets available at an additional cost, add it at checkout

  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)
    • Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Transportation to the meeting point
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  These sea kayaking tours in the Westfjords are relatively strenuous. Depending on the chosen tour, you’ll paddle anywhere between 5 and 15 miles per day (8-24 km), so great fitness and good stamina is still required!

  These tours are open to those with little kayaking experience—as it’s not a very technical trip (no surf landings, big swells, strong currents), people with little experience but good physical shape can do very well. Still, your guides urge you to paddle as much as you can before the trip. Wind can be strong in Iceland in general, so be prepared to paddle in windy conditions.

  The 3-day tour is a bit easier than the 4-day tour.

• 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)

  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.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For the 4-Day Glacier Kayaking Tour in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, it takes a minimum of 4 people for the tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants. There will be 1 guide on the trip.
    • For the 3-Day Kayaking Tour in Ísafjarðardjúp Bay, it takes a minimum of 2 people for the tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 8 participants. There will be 1 or 2 guides on the trip.

  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.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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

  Flexible

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

  Super Flexible

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