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, neoprene pants, a dry top, 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. We suggest bringing good dry pants and a top with rubber cuffs or at least a 3mm neoprene wetsuit with a windproof top. 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 dry suit, 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.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies, and deposits are no longer refundable. The remaining 70% of the amount is paid at the latest 3 months (90 days) prior to the departure.

  All cancellations must be made by e-mail. In conformity with business practices within the Icelandic travel industry:

  • • 90% of the price of the trip is refundable before the group is guaranteed
    • 50% of the tour price is refunded if canceled 30-59 days prior to departure
    • 0% of the tour price is refunded if canceled 16-29 days prior to departure

  All rates are based on current purchasing prices in Iceland. Your guides reserve the right to change prices without notice due to inflation, changes in prices, taxes, or any other cost increases that are outside the guide’s control. Your guides will absorb an amount equivalent to 5% of the price. Amounts that exceed 5% will be charged and clients will be entitled to cancel their booking with a full refund if the surcharge exceeds 10%. Eventual changes in rates will not be made with less than 4 weeks’ notice before departures or on already confirmed bookings.

  Your guides reserve the right to alter tours and itineraries due to weather or road conditions. All programs can be changed or canceled at any moment during the trip to assure the safety of the clients and staff. No responsibility is accepted for losses, or expenses due to delays, changes of flights, or other services or because of strikes, accidents, sickness, damage, negligence, weather, war, changes in schedules, or other similar causes.

• 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!