Overview
Jökulsárlón is a lagoon of floating ice below the ice cap, and this is a guided paddle out onto it. You go among the icebergs, with the ice cap and the dome of ice above it in view. The boats are sit-on-top kayaks, stable and simple to handle, so no previous kayaking is needed. The operator rates the tour as easy.
You meet the guides at the Iceguide trailer in the main car park at Jökulsárlón, near the food trucks and the public toilets. Gear comes out of the van and you suit up there: a two-piece kayak suit, footwear, a safety vest and a paddle. Then you are on the water, paddling between the floating ice and watching for seals and birds. The tour is listed at one hour and thirty minutes.
There is no transport with this tour, so you drive yourself. The meeting point is 370 km from Reykjavík, around five hours in good road and weather conditions, and Iceguide advises against covering that distance on the same day you paddle. Departures run from 08:30 through to 19:30. Be at the trailer 20 minutes before your departure time, and allow another 20 to 30 minutes to park, as the area gets busy. There are toilets at the car park.
Bring warm layers to wear under the kayak suit — a fleece top and trousers or similar, good socks, gloves and headwear, plus sunglasses on a sunny day. Reasonable fitness is required. The suits run up to XXL and there is a weight limit of 120 kg. Minimum age is 14. Guiding is in English.
