Whales & White Water Rafting

White Water Action Rafting in the morning and an afternoon Classic Whale Watching from Akureyri

Available: 1 May – 20 September
Duration: Full day or 9-10 hrs. total

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Departure at 7:20 includes pickup from Backpackers Hostel in Akureyri to rafting base camp
Departure at 09:00 is the self-drive option – arrive by 08:30 at rafting base camp

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Start the day bright and early at 7:20 with a pickup at Akureyri Backpackers Hostel organised by Viking Rafting (or if arriving by own car, follow instructions on your ticket to find your way to the base camp at Hafgrímsstaðir). The East Glacial River gorge is the setting for the most action-packed and exciting rafting day tour. With spectacular deep canyon scenery and relentless heart-pumping whitewater, the East has been consistently rated one of Europe’s best rafting rivers and topped popular guide books’ lists of "must-do's" in Iceland. One of the most remote single-day rafting trips on the planet, this whitewater adventure delivers an unforgettable journey into the untamed beauty of Iceland’s river wilderness and a dose of adrenaline strong enough to satisfy the most powerful of cravings. The river is rated 4/4+ which makes it sort of like your favourite Disney World ride, but without a seatbelt! And just like that ride, you don't need any previous rafting experience to discover for yourself why the East Glacial River has become Iceland's signature whitewater rafting trip. (If you're scared of getting wet and don't enjoy excitement, this is definitely not the trip for you – please contact us directly for other 'milder' rafting options)

Once you've had your fun on the river you will (make your own way or) be driven back to Akureyri Backpackers Hostel where it's only a short walk to our ticket office in the harbour and where your whale watching tour departs from at 17:00. Eyjafjord is home to many Humpback whales, that year after year return to the fjord for it's plentiful food. Our newly renovated and specially modified whale watching ship is capable of carrying 200 persons with spectacular views from our “cinema style” viewing platforms. Its speed guarantees availability of whale watching tours from Akureyri, where ever the whales might be located in the deepest fjord in Iceland. With ample indoor and outdoor seating, bar and cafeteria, you can be sure that the ride is comfortable and pleasant, even at speed. Our sighting success of Humpback whales in summer 2016 is 100% and among them there have been reports of Minke whales, Blue Whales and White-beaked dolphins.

*These tours are operated by Akureyri Whale Watching and its partner Viking Rafting*