Kayak in South Iceland
One of the things we like about this corner of Iceland is how different the paddling is depending on which way you drive from the cabin — adrenaline whitewater one direction, calm seal-spotting lagoons the other, and a quiet lake right on the doorstep. All three are within an hour, and below we'll help you pick.
Three very different paddles
When guests ask us about kayaking we always start by asking what kind of day they want, because from the cabin in Grímsnes you can reach three completely different experiences in under an hour — and they suit very different people:
Whitewater river
Glacial Hvítá river at Drumbó — Class 2 rapids, dramatic canyons, professionally guided in tandem inflatable kayaks. The adrenaline option.
Lagoon & sea
Stokkseyri's tidal lagoons, narrow canals, and out to the open ocean — calm sit-on-top kayaks, birdlife, and curious seals. Family-friendly.
Flatwater lake
Lake Laugarvatn — quiet, accessible, geothermally warm in places. A casual paddle when you don't want a full tour.
What to expect from each
We'll be straight with you about the guided river kayaking: it's a 3-hour trip on the Hvítá, you'll be kitted out with a wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, neoprene shoes and paddle, and guides shadow you in safety kayaks — but you will get wet and you'll probably tip over at least once. It's a genuine whitewater day, not a gentle paddle, so we only point active, up-for-it guests at this one.
The lagoon and sea kayaking at Stokkseyri is the one we recommend to families and anyone a little nervous. The "sit-on-top" kayaks are very stable and easy to climb back onto, tours run from a 1–2 hour guided paddle up to a 2.5-hour trip between the old fishing villages, and there's a real chance of seeing seabirds and seals — bring a camera.
And if you just want a quiet hour on the water without booking anything, our easy answer is Lake Laugarvatn just up the road. On a still, sunny afternoon it's one of our favourite low-effort outings, with mountains in every direction and the cabin only 15 minutes away. It pairs nicely with a hike on Laugarvatnsfjall the same day.
Glacial vs Ocean
Hvítá runs off the Langjökull glacier (cold and fast); Stokkseyri's lagoons are tidal and seafed (cool, calm, salty).
Beginner Friendly Options
You don't need experience for the sea-kayak tours at Stokkseyri or a Laugarvatn lake paddle. The Hvítá river tour does require reasonable fitness.
English Speaking Guides
All operators run their tours in English by default.
Season
Whitewater: May–September. Lagoon and sea: roughly April–October. Lake paddling: late spring through autumn.
Distances from the Cabin
Drumbó: ~30 min north. Stokkseyri: ~50 min south. Laugarvatn lake: ~15 min north.
Nearby Kayaking Operators
Hand-picked kayaking tours within an hour of Northern Lights Cabin, ordered by distance.
Arctic Rafting — River Ride WHITEWATER
The Hvítá river drains the Langjökull glacier and roars 7 km through the dramatic Brúarhlöð canyon. Arctic Rafting's River Ride puts you in a tandem inflatable kayak (1–2 people) with a double-bladed paddle, while certified guides accompany you in safety kayaks. Class 2 rapids — exciting but accessible.
Includes: wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, neoprene shoes, paddle, post-tour hot tubs & sauna at Drumbó River Base.
Duration: ~3 hours on the water; daily departures at 11:00 and 15:00.
Cost: from 30,990 ISK per adult (May 2026 pricing — check operator for current rates).
Best for: Adults wanting a real adventure. Minimum age 18.
Season: May–September.
Kajak.is — Kayakferðir FAMILY FRIENDLY
Operating since 1995, Kajak.is is the area's specialist for calm-water and ocean kayaking. They use only sit-on-top kayaks — the safest, most stable design — and work with the Icelandic Bird Protection Society so tours don't disturb wildlife. Routes paddle through narrow canals, across Lake Löngudæl, up the Hraunsá river, and out to skerries with curious seals and busy seabird colonies.
Tour types:
- Guided 1–2 hr lagoon tour
- 2.5 hr Stokkseyri–Eyrarbakki journey along the coast
- 1–3 hr self-guided "Robinson Crusoe" paddle
- Winter aurora paddle with headlamps
Best for: Families, beginners, photographers, anyone who wants a relaxed paddle and a chance to see seals.
Season: Year-round (winter tours weather-dependent).
Lake Laugarvatn — Casual Paddle DIY
Not a tour — but worth knowing about. Lake Laugarvatn is large, calm, and has geothermal hot-spots along the shore. Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can sometimes be rented seasonally near the village (ask at the campsite or Laugarvatn Fontana when you arrive). Paddle out to the middle of the lake on a still evening and you'll have one of the best views in the Golden Circle — Laugarvatnsfjall on one side, the mountains around Þingvellir on the other.
Best for: A short, low-cost outing close to the cabin. Perfect after a hike on Laugarvatnsfjall.
Season: Late May–September.
Which One Should You Pick?
For thrills — and to say you've kayaked a glacial canyon: Arctic Rafting's River Ride.
For families, beginners, or photographers — and a real chance of seeing seals from a kayak: Kajak.is at Stokkseyri.
For a quiet evening close to the cabin with no booking and no fee: a paddle on Lake Laugarvatn.
If you have a half-day, do Kajak.is in the morning, lunch in Eyrarbakki at the harbour, and drive back via the Selfoss bakery. If you have a full day, do Arctic Rafting River Ride and pair it with Geysir or Gullfoss — Drumbó is only 10 minutes from both.
Before You Paddle
A few practical notes to make the most of your day on the water.
What to Wear & Bring
- Swimwear under your clothes — easier than changing at the river base.
- Thermal base layers — even in July, water in Iceland is genuinely cold.
- A change of dry clothes for after, especially for the Hvítá tour where you will get wet.
- A towel and warm socks.
- Waterproof phone pouch if you want photos on the water — phones in your pocket without protection will get wet.
- Wetsuits, life jackets, helmets and footwear are all provided by the tour operators. You don't need to bring your own gear.
When to Go
- Summer (June–August): Best weather, all tours running, long evening light. Peak crowds — book a week or more ahead.
- Shoulder (May, September): Quieter and still beautiful. The Hvítá whitewater season usually closes end of September.
- Winter: Lagoon tours at Stokkseyri can still run, including dramatic aurora paddles by headlamp. River kayaking is closed.
- Tours can be cancelled if wind or wave conditions are unsafe. Build flexibility into your plans.
Booking & Practicalities
- Book ahead. Both operators offer online booking. Don't show up hoping for a slot in summer.
- Age limits. The Hvítá tour requires riders to be at least 18 years old. The Stokkseyri lagoon tours welcome children.
- Fitness. The river tour needs reasonable upper-body strength and a tolerance for cold-water immersion. Lagoon and lake paddles are easy.
- Drive yourself. Both operators offer Reykjavík pickup but you're already in Grímsnes — self-driving from the cabin is much faster and cheaper.
- Allergies / medical conditions. Tell the operator at booking. Cold-water tours are not advised if you have certain heart conditions.
- Cash isn't needed. Iceland is essentially cashless. All operators take card.
Combine With…
- An Arctic Rafting River Ride in the morning + Gullfoss and Geysir in the afternoon (Drumbó is 10 min from both)
- A Kajak.is Stokkseyri lagoon tour + lunch in Eyrarbakki + a stop at Selfoss on the drive back
- A casual Lake Laugarvatn paddle + a soak at Laugarvatn Fontana baths
- A Kajak.is winter aurora paddle when the forecast is clear — one of the more dramatic ways to see the Northern Lights