Kayaking Iceland’s Westfjords: A Journey of Isolation and Discovery

Seeking Solitude and Adventure: The Case for Kayaking Iceland in 2021

By the summer of 2021, after more than a year of not traveling and navigating the ups and downs of COVID isolations, we were more than ready to go somewhere. When considering vacation options, spending time in nature felt like the perfect choice. In nature, we could easily avoid crowds and enjoy some isolation. Iceland seemed like the ideal destination. With many countries still closed to travelers, Iceland was one of the few that remained open and, in fact, hadn’t been hit as hard by the pandemic. Plus, I had been eyeing Iceland’s Westfjords for a while. As the most remote region of the country, it felt like the perfect spot for our trip.

On top of that, Oren and I had been paddling regularly, enjoying the fact that sea activities were still unrestricted in Israel. A quick Google search led us to the perfect company—Borea Adventures—and the perfect expedition, aptly named Paddle in the Wild. It checked all the boxes: a stunning location in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Iceland’s most remote and untouched area; the right activity—kayaking; and the perfect challenge. The daily distances would be the longest we’d ever done, but not more than what we had recently tackled on a trip with our kayaking club in Israel.

Kayaking through double window rock formation at Hornstandir Nature Reserve in Iceland

Ruth kayaking among waterfalls at Hornstandir Nature Reserve in Iceland (Photo Mary Lee Krinsky)

Before the Paddle: Route, Gear, and Prep for an Iceland Expedition

A Homestead of History: Paddling from the Doctor's House in Læknihúsið

Into Tranquil Waters: Paddling the Fjords from the Borea Hut

Isolation Becomes Quarantine: Paddling into the Wild

From Fjords to Hotels: The Transition from Wilderness to Quarantine in Reykjavik

Paddling Forward: Iceland’s Westfjords Rekindled Our Love for Expedition Kayaking

Kayaking routes and distances

Resources