There was an error with your log in
Trip options
Protection
How to pay
Checkout
Sea Kayaking in Iceland’s Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Date and group size

Add-ons

Equipment rentals

Sleeping bag and air mattress rentals are available for an additional fee. Price is per person and for the whole trip.

Select your adventure protection

Redpoint travel protection
Weather shifts, flights cancel. Core and Premium include Redpoint travel protection to cover you when they do. Standard follows 57hours' booking policy. See full coverage
Every booking, whichever you pick
Cancel within 48h of booking 100% refund
Cancel 60+ days before departure (Any or no reason) 70% refund
Full coverage details
Basic Standard terms Most popular Core protection Recommended Premium protection
Cancel within 48h of booking
100% refund 100% refund 100% refund
Cancel 60+ days before departure (Any or no reason)
70% refund 70% refund 75% refund
Cancel any time (Covered reason)
75% refund 100% refund
Cancel any time (Any or no reason)
75% refund
Cancel under 60 days (Any or no reason)
75% refund
Travel: canceled flights, lost baggage, delays
Up to $1,000 p.p. Up to $1,000 p.p.
Rescue, evacuation, and medical coverage
Up to $100,000 p.p. Up to $100,000 p.p.
Basic Standard terms
Cancel within 48h of booking
100% refund
Cancel 60+ days before departure (Any or no reason)
70% refund
Cancel any time (Covered reason)
Cancel any time (Any or no reason)
Cancel under 60 days (Any or no reason)
Travel: canceled flights, lost baggage, delays
Rescue, evacuation, and medical coverage
Most popular Core protection
Cancel within 48h of booking
100% refund
Cancel 60+ days before departure (Any or no reason)
70% refund
Cancel any time (Covered reason)
75% refund
Cancel any time (Any or no reason)
Cancel under 60 days (Any or no reason)
Travel: canceled flights, lost baggage, delays
Up to $1,000 p.p.
Rescue, evacuation, and medical coverage
Up to $100,000 p.p.
Recommended Premium protection
Cancel within 48h of booking
100% refund
Cancel 60+ days before departure (Any or no reason)
75% refund
Cancel any time (Covered reason)
100% refund
Cancel any time (Any or no reason)
75% refund
Cancel under 60 days (Any or no reason)
75% refund
Travel: canceled flights, lost baggage, delays
Up to $1,000 p.p.
Rescue, evacuation, and medical coverage
Up to $100,000 p.p.
Cancellation policy

The percentages in the table above are of the full trip price, not of what you’ve paid at the time of booking.

Cancellations made within 48 hours of booking receive a full refund on all plans, including booking fees and insurance. After the 48-hour window, your refund depends on your selected protection plan and when you cancel. Core and Premium plans extend your cancellation rights beyond the Standard policy:

  • With Core, a covered reason gets you 75% of your trip cost back — even the day before you go.
  • With Premium, a covered reason gets you 100% of your trip cost back — and any other reason gets you 75%, right up to the day you leave.
What counts as a covered reason
  • Sudden illness or injury — yours, a travel companion’s, or an immediate family member’s, confirmed by a doctor
  • Death of a traveler or an immediate family member
  • A natural disaster affecting your destination or your departure point
  • A government travel advisory against travel to your destination

Changing your mind isn’t a covered reason. Premium is the only plan that covers that. Documentation is required for all insurance claims.

Everything the travel insurance covers

Both plans include travel insurance through Redpoint Travel Protection. Core insures 75% of your trip cost; Premium insures 100%.

Maximum per person:

  • Trip cancellation — up to 100% of your trip cost
  • Cancel for any reason — up to 75% of your trip cost (Premium only)
  • Trip interruption — 150% of the trip cost limit
  • Trip delay — $200 a day, $1,000 max
  • Itinerary change — $250
  • Single occupancy supplement — up to 100% of trip cost
  • Missed connection — $1,000
  • Travel inconvenience — $250 each, $750 max
  • Pet return — $1,000 per pet
  • Baggage and personal effects — $2,500, max $300 an item
  • Baggage delay — $600, after 12 hours
  • Baggage delivery — $100 per trip
  • Emergency medical expenses — $100,000
  • Medical evacuation and repatriation — up to $1,000,000

These are maximums. What a claim actually pays depends on what you can document and on the policy’s exclusions — pre-existing conditions and undeclared activities among them. We’ll send the full policy wording with your confirmation.

Reserve deposit (30%) $0
Second Payment Amount: $0
Sea Kayaking in Iceland’s Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Itinerary
Sea Kayaking in Iceland’s Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
Date(s)
--
Number of travelers
1 Person
Cancel in the first 48h for free
Pay deposit now, the rest by
Travel and medical insurance available
Earn $0.00 Adventure credits
  • Explore Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in Iceland by paddling on the serene sea, allowing you to take in its grandeur. Nestled in the northwest corner of Iceland, this area is considered a top sea kayaking destination in the country—apart from dramatic landscapes, Hornstrandir also offers an unrivaled sense of remoteness and a thriving wildlife. This 6-day kayaking tour includes not only expert guidance showing you these best spots and hidden gems, but also accommodation (guest houses or tents), and all meals during the tour. There’s no better retreat and full body and mind reset than this wilderness tour.

    • Meet your guides for a short pre-departure briefing at 5 pm in Isafjordur, a day prior to the adventure. Meet them at their base Mavagardur C (the grey building), where they will answer any questions you might have and make final preparations.

      If you can’t meet them a day before the departure, let us know in time and we will send all the needed information.

    • Meet your guide and your group in Mavagardur in Isafjordur at 8 am. Board the Bjarmi ferry to Hesteyri, the biggest settlement in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Almost touching the Arctic Circle, you’ll feel peace and serenity as soon as you reach Hesteyri. Pack your boats and after a safety briefing, make a short paddle into the fjord along the coast to the old whaling station that was operated by Norwegian whalers in the late 18th century.

      After a short break, get going towards Kviar Lodge, where you’ll cross two fjords and encounter numerous waterfalls that cascade off the towering cliffs above you. Make some beach landings along the way to stretch and enjoy the scenery. Return to the Kviar Lodge, get settled, and get the sauna going to soothe sore muscles! This farmhouse is the only one in the valley and was built in 1921.

      Meals: Lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 11 miles / 18 km
      Accommodation: Kviar Lodge

      One house alone in Iceland
    • Day 2: Lonafjordur — the most beautiful fjord in Iceland
      After a hearty breakfast, go for a beautiful paddle into Lonafjordur fjord, which, according to many, is the most beautiful fjord in Iceland—it’s totally unspoiled with no signs of human presence. The fjord is a haven for birds and a huge seal colony that can be found in the small bay of Sopandi.

      Follow the whole coastline and enjoy a long day of paddling with relaxing breaks along the route. Head back to the farmhouse for a rewarding sauna and a delicious dinner.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 12.5 miles / 20 km
      Accommodation: Kviar Lodge

      Small kayaks against steep cliffs
    • After an easy morning and a good amount of coffee, you’ll get going across the bay to the west side of the fjord near Hofdi to get a good look at Leirufjordur fjord with the elegant Drangajokull glacier in the distance. The name Leirufjordur (Silty Fjord) comes from the clay and silt traveling down the glacier river, meaning that the water changes its color from deep blue to brown.

      You’ll have an option to land in the small cave of Kjos and go for a hike up to the nearby headland to get a better view of the glacier, or paddle into Leirufjordur and go for a hike towards the glacier. Paddle back to your cozy home in Kviar before dinnertime!

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 12 miles / 20 km
      Accommodation: Kviar Lodge

      Relaxing at a house after kayaking
    • Pack up and leave Kviar behind. Start your day by crossing the Jokulfirdir Bay and then head along the coastline towards Grunnavik Bay—and discover a striking rock arch that you can pass under at high tide. Keep your eye out for adorable porpoises, close relatives of dolphins! Maybe you’ll even have time to spare and go for a beautiful climb to the top of Mariuhorn (356 m), offering spectacular views over the whole fjord system.

      Once at Grunnavik, you’ll have free time to explore some summerhouses and a church. Set up camp at the beach and spend your night under the stars—your guide will introduce you to minimal impact camping in untouched places.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 12 miles / 20 km
      Accommodation: Camping

      Rock arch in Iceland and kayaks
    • Head out of Jokulfirdir Glacial Fjords and paddle into the big bay of Isafjardardjup. Along the way, discover off-the-beaten-path waterfalls—only accessible to a small number of visitors, as they’re inaccessible by foot. Spend the rest of the day exploring the scenic coast of Snjafjallasetur.

      You will either camp in a spectacular cove in Ytraskard (12 miles / 20 km for the starting point) or by the thunderous Mongufoss Waterfall (15 miles / 24 km from the starting point). Warm up next to the campfire and watch the sunset.

      Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
      Distance: 12-15 miles / 20-24 km
      Accommodation: Camping

      Camp on a kayak trip in Iceland
    • First stop of your last day is the island of Aedey. The island is inhabited by only one family during the summer months, and it’s a lovely place to stop, relax, and enjoy the views. The waters around the island are literally covered with puffins and other seabirds!

      Then prepare for a long crossing to Vigur, where the birdlife is just as spectacular as in Eider. Farmers of the island even raise special rock walls to help nesting eider ducks, but you’ll also spot puffins. Don’t forget to take pics of Vigur’s colorful houses before relaxing in a small cafe. The last leg of the trip has you kayaking to the village of Sudavik, where a car will pick you up. Arrive back in Isafjordur at 4 pm, just in time for the afternoon flight taking you to Reykjavik.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch
      Distance: 13 miles / 22 km

      Blue waters in Iceland and kayaks
    • What you get on this adventure:

        • An experienced, local kayaking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 6-day sea kayaking tour in Iceland
        • All meals during the tour
        • Accommodation
          • First three nights in Kviar Lodge
          • Last two nights in tents
        • Tents and camping equipment (but you need to bring a sleeping bag & mattress)
        • All kayaking gear (kayak, dry suit, spray skirt, life vest, paddling boots, paddling gloves, additional dry bags)
        • Ferry tickets to Hornstrandir and back

      If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know upon booking! Your guides will do their best to cater to your dietary needs.

      What’s not included:

        • Transportation to Isafjordur (the starting point in Iceland)
        • Sleeping bags and air mattress— available to rent at an additional fee
        • Accommodations prior to and after the tour
        • Guide gratuities — optional
    • This Iceland kayaking tour is best suited for experienced paddlers, as you will be going through areas which can be exposed to strong winds and a moderate swell. Add to that the fact that you’ll be covering around 20 km (12.5 miles) per day, 7-8 hours a day, six days in a row, and it’s clear that this tour really is reserved for experienced and fit kayaking enthusiasts.

      If you can’t roll a kayak, don’t despair! It’s very rare that people capsize on multi-day trips as the boats are loaded with gear and very stable. Still, it’s recommended that people take a weekend course to refresh their skills and learn simple self-rescue techniques. The more prepared you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the trip.

      If you’d like to see our other kayaking tours in Iceland, check out our 3 and 4-day kayaking tours in the Westfjords.

    • Your guides will provide you with plastic sea kayaks, either single or tandem. It’s highly recommended you use tandem kayaks on this trip as they’re faster, more stable, hold more gear, and a lot more social than the singles!

      Tandem kayaks are not only for beginners, in fact, experienced kayakers know that tandems are a better choice for longer trips. Still, if you’d really love to have your own kayak, your guides can definitely provide you with one.

    • The less you bring, the easier it is! There’s plenty of space in the kayaks if you pack wisely.

      Here’s a list of clothing you need to bring:

        • Thermal base layers — at least two sets of tops
        • Wool or fleece thermal mid layer
        • Hiking pants
        • Waterproof and breathable pants & jacket for hiking onshore — the lighter, the better
        • Wool/fleece hat
        • One pair of warm gloves for camp
        • 2-3 pairs of thick wool/synthetic socks
        • Spare clothes for layering

      Here’s a list of other personal items and gear you need to bring:

        • Sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C — down is best since it packs smaller than synthetic
        • Sleeping mattress — a thin, inflatable one is best
        • Light hiking shoes for strolls in and around camp
        • Sunglasses
        • Sunscreen and aftersun cream
        • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
        • Toiletries (hand sanitizer, toilet paper, etc.)
        • Personal medical kit (band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, sea-sickness tablets, personal medication)
        • Four dry bags — your guides can lend you some, but best to bring your own and make sure all your gear fits inside
        • Binoculars — nice to have for watching wildlife, but it’s optional
        • Camera — optional (but recommended)

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • Group sizes and prices:

        • For this Iceland kayaking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
        • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate, while the maximum is set at 8.
        • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

      Iceland kayaking tours 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.
        • Minors older than 16 may be permitted to join the tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

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

    • To get to Isafjordur, the starting point of your tour and the largest town in the Westfjords, first you have to get to Reykjavík. After flying into Keflavik Airport (KEF), you’ve got two choices on how to reach Isafjordur—either by car or by plane from Reykjavík.

      If you have enough time, driving from Reykjavík 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.

      Keep in mind that you should arrive in Isafjordur a day prior to the start of the tour. You’ll meet your guides at 5 pm at their base in Mavagardur C (grey building)

      Once there, you will meet your guides at their base in Mavagardur C at 8 am. As the first day of the tour is a full day and you have to be there at 8 am, make sure to arrange your flights and pre- or post-tour accommodation accordingly.

    • 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.

Saved to bucket list
Removed from bucket list

Choose a currency

  • USD - $
    US Dollar
  • EUR - €
    Euro
  • AUD - AU$
    Australian Dollar
  • CAD - CA$
    Canadian Dollar
  • GBP - £
    British Pound Sterling
  • CHF - CHF
    Swiss Franc
  • JPY - ¥
    Japanese Yen
  • SGD - S$
    Singapore Dollar
  • HKD - HK$
    Hong Kong Dollar
  • DKK - Dkr
    Danish Krone
  • NOK - Nkr
    Norwegian Krone
  • NZD - NZ$
    New Zealand Dollar