Last updated: 17.10.23

Are you ready for some Iceland adventures? You have booked your flight ticket and are now looking for fun and unique activities to do in Iceland, then keep on reading! This post will hopefully inspire you regarding some real bucket list adventures in Iceland.

Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice. Why not take advantage of the ice element? I have been to 40+ countries but never a place like this with so many outdoor ice activities.

So if you’re ready I will highly recommend you to book a snowmobile tour on Europe’s second largest ice cap.
Also I will highly recommend a kayak trip in a glacier lagoon between huge icebergs.
Both of these experiences are so epic!

Through this post I will tell you more about these experiences and practical information about them.

Disclaimer: This post has been created in collaboration with Iceland Tours. Everything expressed in this article is based on my personal experiences and opinion.

2 unique things to do in Iceland

Iceland snowmobile tour:

On this tour you will be driving a snowmobile on Europe’s second largest ice cap. In winter wonderland you can enjoy views of a glacier while driving around in a group.

Our personal experience at the snowmobile tour:

We arrived at the Gullfoss parking lot and the truck couldn’t be overlooked, it is huge! We brought some water and snacks for the tour and got seated in the huge truck. The drive took around 45 minutes in dry Mars-like landscape before arriving at the base camp. At the base camp we used the toilets and the staff helped us to find the proper gear in the right sizes. We received a helmet, a balaclava, gloves and warm overalls. Now we were ready for our outdoor ice adventure.

We drove around 20 min more away from civilization and the landscape started to change to more ice.

We arrived at a place with many snowmobiles ready, where we first got a safety introduction and knowledge tips on how to drive the snowmobiles. It works pretty much like driving an ATV or something similar, so it’s super easy to drive a snowmobile.

Nicko and I shared one snowmobile. The first part he was driving and I was sitting behind him. Exciting to watch the beautiful ice covered landscape while gliding over the ice and feeling the fresh wind in our faces was incredible.

At the halfway point we stopped to enjoy the breathtaking views and to take pictures. So cool to be standing on Europe’s second largest ice cap. I was driving on the way back and it was so fun to try! Along the way you have scenic views of the majestic glacier.

The snowmobile ride stopped where we started and we got back in the huge truck. On the way back to Gullfoss parking lot we returned the borrowed gear to the base camp.

We really had an unforgettable tour! You quickly learn how to drive a snowmobile in this winter wonderland scenery. It’s the perfect adventure if you like a bit of speed. I definitely recommend you to add this to your bucket list.

Meeting point:

The meeting point is at Gullfoss parking lot – Super easy to find.

It’s easy to get to the meeting point by car and parking there is free. 

Extra bonus: This meeting point makes it easy to combine the trip with watching one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls “Gullfoss”, before or after your trip.

Duration:

The trip takes around 4 hours (this includes the driving in their huge off road truck to the ice cap where the snowmobile ride starts)

The first 45 minutes you drive in a super truck to a hut, where you have some time to get dressed in proper warm clothes and snowmobile gear. It’s also possible to use a toilet there.
After that you drive a bit further to reach the starting point of the snowmobile ride.

Availability:

It’s possible to do the trip all year round.

Minimum age:

The minimum age to join the trip is 6 year old. However to drive the snowmobiles you must have a valid drivers license. 

Included:

The trip includes necessary equipment like helmet, gloves, balaclava and warm overalls.

The transfer from Gullfoss parking lot to the glacier and return.

An English speaking guide who gives you instructions on how to operate the snowmobile.

Other:

You can bring your own water and snacks in the truck if you want to.

Iceland glacier kayaking tour:

On this tour you will be kayaking in a glacier lagoon between majestic icebergs with views of the glacier. The landscape was so different kayaking in Iceland compared to other countries we have done kayaking tours in.

Our personal experience at the kayaking tour:

We parked our car and met at Sólheimajökull Base Camp. Together with a guide and a small group of 6 other people we were going on this epic adventure. 

We started by receiving a free toilet voucher so we could use the toilet at the parking lot. (It is not uncommon to pay for toilets near the attractions in Iceland).
Then we walked into a small hut with all the gear. We received a dry suit to put over our own warm clothes. Furthermore we got gloves, shoes and lifejackets.

After we got dressed properly we walked a bit to reach the starting point at the lagoon. Before starting we got an introduction to the basic techniques needed as well as some safety instructions. Nicko and I shared a kayak with me in the front and him in the back. It was perfect to share so I had more time to enjoy the views and take pictures while he was paddling 😉

Kayaking in the calm water watching the icebergs and glacier up close feels like another world. The icebergs look so huge with the perspective from the water and knowing they are even bigger beneath the surface is mind blowing!

It was such a unique feeling kayaking surrounded by majestic icebergs, some with layers of ashes from ancient volcanic eruptions.

Meanwhile our guide was providing us with cool and fun facts about the place and its history. I definitely learned some new facts about icebergs and glaciers. Bonus: Our guide was funny too! 

I can’t get my arms down! This is definitely an unforgettable experience you have to try if you visit Iceland.

Meeting point:

The meeting point is at Sólheimajökull Base Camp.
It’s easy to reach the meeting point by car. However you have to pay for parking there.

Duration:

The kayak tour takes around 2,5 hours. This includes changing into proper clothes.
The active time in the kayak is around 1-1,5 hours.

Availability:

This trip is possible between May and September.

Minimum age:

The minimum age to join the trip is 14 year old.

Included:

A kayak (single or double), paddles and dry suit are included in the tour.

The tour includes an English speaking guide, who is experienced and qualified as a guide.

Furthermore you get a ticket to use the restroom at Sólheimajökull parking lot, so you don’t have to pay for it.

Other:

The group size is 2-8 people per guide.

The difficulty of the trip can be affected by the wind and other weather conditions, but usually the water in the lagoon is very calm.

If it’s cold, wear warm clothes under the dry suit (avoid bulky clothing). Extra socks after can be handy if your feet get wet.

Iceland Tours:

Thank you Iceland Tours for making these adventures possible.

If you have more days to do activities then it is possible to find so many different options on their website. Everything from crystal ice cave tours to watching the Northern Lights.

We had also planned a whale watching boat tour in Húsavík, which is known as the whale watching capital of Iceland. The tour is on board a traditional Icelandic oak boat, where you can enjoy the magnificent nature and hopefully spot some whales, dolphins and sea birds in their natural habitat.

Unfortunately our whale watching tour was cancelled due to bad weather – It was too windy. Such a shame! I guess we have to come back to Iceland one day to experience the whales.

Luckily we had the best time on the two tours we did!

An Iceland snowmobile tour and glacier lagoon kayaking are both activities I would highly recommend. Nicko and I did them together as a couple and really enjoyed creating unforgettable memories together and trying something unique adventures.