Highlights: Sea kayaking in the wilderness, close encounters with seals
and rich birdlife, walking, camping in beautiful fjords and coves
These sea kayaking trips are perfect for those looking for more self
reliance in their travel. The five day trip takes place in the
beautiful Isafjardardjup Bay and is good value since there is no speed
boat transportation needed. We´ll spend the days paddling across the
fjords, visiting the islands and enjoying the great birdlife. We begin
in Seyidisfjordur fjord and gradually make our way into the Bay. We´ll
try to visit all the main islands in the Bay and get a good look at
Kaldalon Lagoon where Drangajokull Glacier comes down to the valley. On
the second trip, we´ll be on our own in the total wilderness of the
Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, kayaking where we feel to and where nature
and the elements allow us. There are plenty of beautiful spots to make
camp in the evenings and light bonfire on the beach from driftwood and
maybe some barbeque. The trip begins in Hesteyri and we´ll steadily
make our way along the coast and end in Seydisfjordur. Sea kayaking is
truly a unique way to enjoy nature from a different angle; getting
closer to birds, whales and curious seals that would otherwise stay in
a safe distance.
Longer kayaking expeditions can be arranged for groups on request.
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Trip itinerary
5 day trip (8 day trip below)
Day 1
Departure from Isafjordur in the afternoon with a car to
the head of Seydisfjordur. There we´ll sort out our equipment and start
paddling. Our destination for the night is Folafotur (e. Horse´s Leg) a small
peninsula between Seydisfjordur and Hestfjordur fjords. Over hundred people
used to live there in the beginning of the 19th century. Now there
is nobody and hardly any ruins but lots of driftwood on the beach to make fire.
Today´s distance: 8 km.
Day 2
Kayak to Vigur Island in the morning. The birdlife in
the island is quite amazing and the farmers have raised special rock walls for
the eiders to nest and puffins are found all over the island. The beautiful and
colourful houses are very picturesque and a small coffee house is a great place
to stop by and relax. After about two hours on the island, we get going again
and paddle to Aedey Island (e. Eider Island) which is the biggest island in
Isafjardardjup Bay. We´ll spend good amount of time to explore the island and
finally camp for the night. If the weather is good, we might take a little
detour along the coast to the West before landing on the island.
Today´s distance: 16-20 km.
Day 3
Today we´ll paddle to Kaldalon (e. Cool Lagoon) where
Drangajokull Glacier meets the low plains of the wide valley. The coastline is
beautiful which seals and birds call their home. We´ll pass the lagoon and
head bit further before camping for the night.
Today´s distance: 17-20 km.
Day 4
Now we slide a bit further along the coast before
heading across the Bay. We´ll stop en route in Borgarey Island for some
lunch and check out the puffins. Then we keep on going all the way across to
Reykjanes Peninsula which is a great area to spot seals. They are always lying on
the rocks off the coast and kayaks are the best equipment to get pretty close
to them. There is a lot of geothermal heat in the area and a summer hotel with
a good campsite and the one of the biggest outdoor pool in Iceland. It´s old
and really suits the place well. We can relax in the pool after a good day out.
15-17 km.
Day 5
This is our last day of the trip. We´ll start paddling
out of the bay and stop where we want along the coast. Depending on the spirit
within the group and weather, we choose how far we want to paddle before
meeting the car. It will probably be in Ogurnes.
Today´s distance: Ca 20 km.
Difficulty: Challenging
8 day trip
Day 1
Departure from Bolungarvik in the morning
by a speed boat that will ferry us across the bay to Hesteyri. There
we´ll sort out our equipment and start paddling. First destination is
the old ruins of a whaling station in Hesteyrarfjordur a short distance
from Hesteyri. The small but now abandoned village of Hesteyri was he
biggest settlement in the Hornstrandir area. All the brightly coloured
houses are kept in original shape by the descendants and used regularly
in the summer. Then we paddle to Veidileysufjordur (e. Fjord with no
fish) and set up camp on the sandspit of Meleyri.
Today´s distance: 16 km
Day 2
In the morning we get ready to move
further into the fjord system and paddle across Veidileysufjordur,
keeping a good eye on birds and seals en route. First stop is by Kviar
for lunch and then we end the day by going to the head of Lonafjordur
(e. Lagoon Fjord), considered by many to be the most beautiful fjord in
the Jokulfirdir area. Its lush valleys and clear rivers with snow high
in the mountains, really catches your eyes and takes your breath away.
The camping spot is beautiful and you get the feeling you´re the first
person to ever step into the fjord since there are no signs of human
activity.
Today´s distance: 21 km
Day 3
Today you´re free to take a rest* or go
with the guide on a nice hike up to Rangalaskard Pass which offers a
great view over Hornvik Bay on the North side. Also an option for a
short kayak trip to Sopandi where many seals relax during the day.
There is also a good chance to catch some delicious Arctic char off the
beach. Camp for a second night in Lonafjordur.
*We might take a rest
on day 4 depending on conditions. If the weather is calm on day 3 we´ll
keep on and have a full day on shore next day and hike to the
Drangajokull Glacier.
Day 4
Back in the boats after a full day on
shore, we paddle to Leirufjordur (e. Silt Fjord). The name exlpains
itself when we start sliding through the murky waters of the fjords.
The reason is the clay and silt coming from the glacier river of
Drangajokull Glacier. It´s best to get into the fjord on high tide
since the best camping spot is far in the fjord and it´s quite hard to
get there on low tide. For those who still have some energy to spend,
it´s possible to drag the kayaks up the river and slide back down.
There is also a good chance to catch Arctic char in the fjord.
Today´s distance: 18 km
Day 5
Paddle to Grunnavik Bay. En route is
nice rock arch that we can pass under on high tide. There is also a
good chance to spot porpoises close to the coast, especially if the sea
is calm. In Grunnavik are few summer houses and a nice church that we
can take a look at.
Today´s distance: 21 km
Day 6
Today we head out of the Jokulfirdir fjord
system and into the big bay of Isafjardardjup. The plan is to go along
the coast of Snaefjallastrond and camp either on Sandeyri (18 km) or by
the beautiful Mongufoss waterfall (25 km), all depending on conditions.
Day 7
Our first stop on the last full day of
kayaking is the island of Aedey. The island is inhabited by one family
during the summer months and it´s nice to go ashore ad enjoy the
relaxed life in the island. The name of the island means Eider Island
and you´ll understand why when you set your foot on its shores. The
family collects eider down from the bird´s nests in the spring and
protects the eider ducks from birds of prey. The down is very valuable
and used in luxury duvets. After visiting the island, we cross the bay
and make landfall in Ogurvik. Every year for decades, the farmers in
Ogurvik have held a midsummer party in the community house close to the
farm. Nowadays when many of the farms are only summer homes, the
festival has become kind of a cult where young and old from all over
the place come together to have fun. A band plays and people dance
until the sun rises again. There is only a short break where everyone
get a taste of the delicious rhubarb soup with cream made by the
farmer´s daughters. Now you have the chance to experience it for
yourself. The party in Ogurvik is truly a place to meet Icelanders.
Much better than down town Reykjavik!
Today´s distance: 12 or 19 km depending on where we camped the day before
Day 8
After a lazy morning, we take a short
paddle to the island of Vigur. The birdlife in the island is quite
amazing and the farmers have raised special rock walls for the eiders
to nest and puffins are found all over the island. The beautiful and
colourful houses are very picturesque and a small coffee house is a
great place to stop by and relax. After about two hours on the island,
we get going again for the last leg of the trip. Depending on weather,
we´ll paddle about 6 km to Hvitanes where a car will pick us up. Drive
back to Isafjordur. We´ll arrive in Isafjordur in time for the
afternoon flight for those flying back to Reykjavik.
This description gives only a brief overview and might be changed by the guide, depending on weather and other conditions.
We
urge you to stay at least one night in Isafjordur and get to know this
old and beautiful town. There are many interesting sites and nice walks
in the mountains around the fjord that are definately worth it.
Difficulty: Challenging