Family Rafting

The West Glacial River is home to gentle rapids, spectacular canyon scenery, and natural riverside hot springs, making it the perfect playground for vikings of all ages!

03:00 PM

Duration: 3.5 hours

Easy (II+)

Minimum age: 6

Kid's price (6-12)

14.490 ISK

Meal of the day

On request (4.500 ISK p.p.)

Drysuit

Provided in every single trip

Photographer

On request (7.500 ISK)

The Best Family Rafting Trip in North Iceland

West Glacial River | Ages 6+


There's a moment early in this trip that nobody expects. You're barely into the canyon and we pull over and you're drinking hot cocoa brewed from a natural geothermal spring right on the riverbank. In the middle of a glacial canyon. In Iceland. It sets the tone for everything that follows.


The Jökulsá Vestari flows through one of Iceland's most beautiful volcanic canyons with gentle Class 2-2+ rapids, stunning basalt walls, and enough splashing to keep everyone grinning without anyone feeling overwhelmed. Perfect for first-timers, families with young kids, and anyone who wants Iceland's raw landscape without the white-knuckle intensity. If you want that instead, our Whitewater Action trip is right there. And at the final stretch - a cliff jump. Our guides make the call on the day and we rarely skip it. If you can swim, you're in.


Like all our trips, every guest gets a full drysuit. Not a wetsuit. A drysuit. One of the very few rafting companies in the world doing this. The whole family stays warm, dry, and comfortable the entire way through.


What's included:


Class 2–2+ rapids, safe, fun, suitable for ages 6+

Stunning volcanic glacial canyon, only reachable by water

Geothermal hot cocoa stop 

Cliff jump 

Full drysuits for everyone

No experience needed

Daily departures from Hafgrímsstaðir, North Iceland (near Akureyri & Varmahlíð)


No experience needed. No cold. Just one of those days your family talks about for years.

WE PROVIDE:

All rafting equipment - drysuit, PFD, helmet, neoprene hat, booties & gloves

Qualified INTERNATIONAL RAFTING FEDERATION certified raft guides & safety kayakers

Transport between our base and the river

Riverside refreshments

Iceland's ultimate rafting experience!


YOU BRING:

Thermal underwear / base layers

Warm fleece top or wool sweater

Fleece pants or extra long johns

Thick wool or hiking socks (at least 1 pair)

Dry clothes to change into after the river

Any necessary medications (e.g. asthma inhalers)

The first thing you need to know about rafting in Iceland? You will probably get little wet. The second? This ain't the tropics. Even if you’re on summer holiday, Speedos are about as useful here as flip-flops in a blizzard.


Our rivers are fed by glaciers, meaning that water was ice some hours ago. While the experience is unforgettable, the environment can be cold, wet, and unpredictable. Overexposure can go from uncomfortable to dangerous real quick if you show up unprepared.


What should you wear? Think warmth. All clothing worn under your drysuit should keep its insulation when wet. We highly recommend fleece, wool, or synthetic layers. Absolutely NO cotton, that means leave your jeans and favorite hoodie at home. 


Safety first: All our trips are led by internationally certified guides, because when it comes to wild rivers, amateurs just don’t cut it.

This was already my second tour with Viking Rafting. This time, I came with my family and booked the Family Rafting Tour. Despite the “family” label, it was anything but boring – on the contrary, it was incredibly fun!

Today was the best day of our holiday!
We want to thank the whole team for this super fun experience and nice lunch:) Thank you

This was my first time and the team could not have been better! The dis an excellent job explaining and were experts in the river! They really made it fun and the dog riding along was a real treat. Can’t wait to go back!

Fantastic rafting experience! The whole operation is very professional, and the guides are highly skilled. The post river meal was delicious aswell, definitely worth it. This day of rafting was the highlight of our Iceland trip! Would 100% recommend!

Common Questions

  • Is it safe for kids?

    Absolutely. We run this trip with safety as our #1 priority. This trip is designed specifically for families and beginners, and is suitable for children aged 6 and up. We only use guides certified by the International Rafting Federation (IRF), the global standard for professional whitewater safety.


    Your kids will be in good hands with experienced pros who know how to keep things safe and fun. Plus, we provide top-quality drysuits and safety gear to keep everyone warm, dry, and protected while enjoying the river.

  • What should we wear?

    We’ll provide all the essential river gear, including:

    ✅ Premium DRYSUIT

    ✅ Neoprene mittens

    ✅ Neoprene river shoes

    ✅ Neoprene insulation for added warmth under a helmet

    ✅ PFD (personal flotation device)


    All you need to bring is:


    Wool or synthetic base layers (top and bottom, avoid cotton)

    Warm socks

    A towel and a change of clothes for after the trip

    And maybe an extra smile… It’s hard not to have fun out there 😄

  • How cold is the water?

    It’s glacier-fed, so... cold! But thanks to our high-end drysuits, you’ll stay warm and comfortable the whole way through.

  • Who is this trip suitable for?

    This trip is perfect for families, first-time rafters, and anyone 8 years or older who’s looking for a fun, safe, and scenic adventure in North Iceland. No prior rafting experience is needed, just a sense of adventure and a willingness to get (a little) splashed!

  • Where is your rafting base?

    The Viking Rafting base at Hafgrímsstaðir is located on Road #752, 15km from its junction with Hwy #1 at the west end of Varmahlíð. Simply follow Road #752 up the valley for about 10-15 minutes until you see us on the left-hand side of the road!


    FROM REYKJAVÍK:

    305km/190mi (4-hour drive). Follow Highway #1 (Ringroad) towards the North. Just after you descend a long hill into the Skagafjörður valley, Road #752 is on your RIGHT, about 500m before the center of Varmahlíð (where the Tourist Info & Olis fuel station are located).


    FROM AKUREYRI:

    110km/68mi (1.5-hour drive). Follow Highway #1 (Ringroad) towards the West. Continue along about 500m past the left turn in the center of Varmahlíð (where the Tourist Info & Olis fuel station are located) until you reach Road #752 on your LEFT.


    Please meet us 15 before your departure time!

  • What are your cancellation policies?

    In order for us to confirm your booking, we need your money, it's that simple! For all of our day trips, we require full payment at the time of booking, which is 90% refundable up until 48 hours prior to the departure of your trip should your plans change. Within the last 48 hours, we reserve the right to keep partial or full payment to cover the cost of last-minute cancellations. Our multi-day, private, and custom trips are 80% refundable up until 30 days prior to the trip, 50% refundable up until 15 days beforehand, and non-refundable after that.


    Having said all that, we're reasonable and understanding people, so if your whale-watching boat breaks down out at sea and you have to swim back to shore, or your horse refuses to take you back from your riding tour, (or you can impress us with an equally believable story), we'll do our very best to compromise. Above all, we want to make sure that everyone leaves with a smile. We kindly ask you to reciprocate our gesture and let us know if your plans change at the last minute so that we can keep things running as smoothly as possible for everyone else.

  • Can I bring a camera or phone?

    We recommend leaving phones behind, unless they’re waterproof and tightly secured. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with professional trip photos available for purchase, so you can focus on the fun and leave the camera work to us.

  • How long does the trip take?

    The whole experience takes about 3–3.5 hours, including gear-up, shuttle time, safety briefing, and rafting. Time on the water is typically 1.5 hours.

  • Is this the best family rafting tour in Iceland?

    Well… we think so. And judging by the reviews, most of our guests agree. 😉

  • What if someone in my group is nervous?

    That’s totally normal and exactly why this trip exists! Our guides are great at easing nerves, cracking jokes, and making everyone feel safe and confident on the river.

  • Can I go rafting if I am pregnant?

    As much as we would love to, we do not recommend any extreme activity during pregnancy.