Kayak, Hike and Wild Camp Iceland's Westfjords

You do not need any previous kayaking experience. Your guide will give you full instructions and a safety briefing at the start in Ísafjörður before heading off on the water. You will need reasonable levels of fitness to handle the 40-50km of relaxed paddling over three days, plus the full day of hiking on day 4. It may benefit you to try out a day of kayaking somewhere local to get the hang of things before travelling to Iceland, however, this is not a necessity.

There are over 50 species of birds that come to breed in the Westfjords, including kittiwakes, guillemots, Arctic terns and puffins. Two species of seals are very common and 12 species of whales can be spotted off the coast of North Iceland, including blue, fin, minke, sperm and humpback whales. Pods of orca, porpoises and white-beaked dolphins are also in these waters. The most commonly seen whale species on this trip are humpback whales, who come here in big numbers to feed in the summer. While it's not 100% guaranteed that you will encounter one, the chances are quite high and it is a spectacular experience to kayak near these creatures.

Few land mammals can be found in Iceland but the beautiful Arctic fox can be spotted, as you are quite close to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve where the foxes are protected.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

17,000 Icelandic Krona per day - approx £10/$14USD/€11

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

The tap water is safe to drink in Iceland. While in the wilderness on the expedition, you can collect fresh water from the streams. Only at the first camp is limited water available, so your host will provide some. You should make sure you bring along a reusable water bottle to keep with you throughout the expedition.

Iceland's weather is famously fickle. As the renowned saying goes, "If you don't like the weather in Iceland, wait 10 minutes". Summers up in the Westfjords are usually mild and pleasant, with calm seas and relatively warm days, perfect for a camping adventure. On sunny days, the sun can shine for a lot longer than you are used to, on account of the latitude and the number of hours of sunlight during the summer months, so make sure to pack a good hat and sunscreen. On the flipside, Iceland gets its fair share of rain, so be sure to pack good waterproofs. Most importantly, pack a smile and a sense of adventure, whatever the weather might bring on your trip. Your experienced guide will ensure everyone's safety on the water in a variety of conditions.

A highlight of the trips in mid-June through to early July is the near 24-hour daylight, a surreal experience if you wander out of your tent in the middle of the night. On departures near the summer solstice, you'll be able to stay up for the midnight sun.

You can leave excess luggage at your host's lock-up in Ísafjörður on day 2 before heading off on the water.

For current advice about travelling in Iceland, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland/entry-requirements

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.