In shortGuided kayak trips on Jökulsárlón run from May to September. The standard trip takes 1.5 hours, about an hour of it on the water, in groups of up to 8 or 9. You must be 14 or older and able to swim; a drysuit, life vest and boots are provided. Longer trips combine the kayak with a glacier hike.
May–Sepkayak season
≈1 hon the water, 1.5 h in all
14+minimum age
8–9people per group, max
Kayak, amphibian or Zodiac?
All three go out among the icebergs, but they suit different people. The kayak is the slowest and quietest, and the only one where you are low on the water yourself.
| Kayak | Amphibian | Zodiac |
|---|
| Time on the water | about 1 hour | 30–40 minutes | about 1 hour 15 minutes |
|---|
| Season | May–September | May–November | May–October |
|---|
| Minimum age | 14 | none | 10, or 130 cm |
|---|
| Group | up to 8–9 | large boat | small boat |
|---|
The two boats compared in detail →
What the paddle is like
The operators use stable sit-on-top kayaks, so first-timers manage fine. A guide leads the group between the icebergs and keeps you at a safe distance from them. On one operator's trips, children under 16 share a double kayak with an adult.
The drysuit keeps you dry if you end up in the water, but bring a change of clothes in case.
- Wear warm layers under the drysuit: fleece or thermal tops and bottoms, hiking trousers and wool socks.
- Bring gloves, a hat and sunglasses; the light off the ice is bright.
- You need basic swimming skills; the equipment fits people up to 120 kg.
Booking and meeting point
The kayak trips start from the main Jökulsárlón car park: look for the van marked IceGuide. Be there 20 minutes before departure, and on busy summer days allow 40–50 minutes to find a parking space. Parking is charged by the national park.
On the operators' own sites the trip is listed from 18,400 ISK (Glacier Guides) or from $147 (IceGuide); the IceGuide listing gives a full refund, minus a 3% card fee, if you cancel 24 hours ahead.
How the parking fee works →
Kayak with a glacier hike
If you want the ice from both sides, two combined tours add a hike to the paddle. The 6-hour combo keeps both parts at the lagoon, with a super jeep to Breiðamerkurjökull; the 5-hour version adds a hike on Falljökull near Skaftafell, so you drive between two meeting points.
Kayak and glacier hike combo at Jökulsárlón
Certified kayak and glacier guides with all gear; both parts start at the lagoon.
6 hours · ages 14–80 · ★ 4.9 (8 reviews)
Kayaking and a Falljökull glacier hike
Kayak on the lagoon and hike Falljökull near Skaftafell; two meeting points, so you need a car.
5 hours · ages 14–70 · ★ 3.5 (4 reviews)
How a kayak trip runs
- Arrive early
Be at the IceGuide van in the main car park 20 minutes before departure; in busy periods allow 40–50 minutes for parking. - Suit up
The guide hands out a drysuit, life vest and boots; you wear your warm layers underneath. - Safety briefing
How to paddle and how close you may go to the ice. - On the water
About an hour between the icebergs in a small group of up to 8–9. - Back on shore
Change out of the suit; a dry set of clothes in the car is useful.
Who should and should not go
- Minimum age 14, and children under 16 share a double kayak with an adult on one operator's trips.
- Basic swimming skills are required.
- Paddling skills are not required: the sit-on-top kayaks are stable.
- Weight limits: up to 120 kg in a single kayak, 180 kg combined in a double.
A quieter alternative: Heinabergslón
The same operator also paddles on Heinabergslón, a more remote glacier lagoon east of Jökulsárlón with far fewer visitors. Its season runs from 15 May to 15 October, a little longer than at Jökulsárlón, and the trip includes about an hour to an hour and a half on the water plus a short walk of around 20 minutes on a large iceberg.
If the weather turns
Weather can cancel kayak trips. If the operator cancels, it helps you rebook; if you cancel yourself 24 hours or more before departure, the IceGuide listing gives a full refund minus a 3% card fee.
Questions about kayaking
Do I need kayaking experience?
No. The operators use stable sit-on-top kayaks and give a safety briefing before you go out.
Can children kayak on the lagoon?
From age 14. On Glacier Guides' trips, under-16s share a double kayak with an adult.
Will I get wet?
The drysuit protects you, but bring a change of clothes in case.
Can I kayak in winter?
No: the kayak season is May to September. In winter the ice caves are the activity at the lagoon.
Kayak details from the IceGuide and Glacier Guides tour pages; combo tours from their Viator listings. Read on 4 October 2026.
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