Adventure

Kayaking vs rafting

Sea or lagoon kayaking is calm paddling at your own pace; river rafting is a group in a big boat through moving water. Kayaking suits a quiet morning; rafting suits a group that wants a bit of noise. Neither needs experience.

The short version

  • Sea or lagoon kayaking is calm paddling at your own pace; river rafting is a group in a big boat through moving water.
  • Rafting is the dearer side: a typical fare of €245 against €210 for Kayaking, about 17% more.
  • Cheapest seats we sell: €95 (Kayaking) and €147 (Rafting), per person.
  • 14 bookable tours from 7 operators on one side, 12 from 5 on the other.

Side by side

 KayakingRafting
Cheapest per person€95€147
Typical (median) per person€210€245
Usual length3 h9 h
Tours we sell1412
Operators75
Days with a departure (next 360)204153

Per-person prices from our operators’ live listings. Private tours, per-vehicle prices, gear hire and multi-day packages are left out.

Pick Kayaking if…

  • You want calm water and quiet.
  • You like to set your own pace.

Pick Rafting if…

  • You are a group that wants some white water.
  • You would rather share the paddling.

The tours

Kayaking · 14 tours

Arctic Rafting

Kayak River Ride

from €228 per person4.90· 139 Google reviews of the operator

48% above the €153 typical for boat tours

Challenging · from age 18

3 h · from Reykjavík

  • Age 18+
  • Challenging
  • Gear included

River ride down the mighty Hvítá River in an inflatable kayak. This is the ultimate white water action, only for the brave.

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Arctic Rafting

Kayak River Ride - from Reykjavik

from €286 per person4.90· 139 Google reviews of the operator

87% above the €153 typical for boat tours

Challenging · from age 18

3 h · from Reykjavík

  • Age 18+
  • Challenging
  • Gear included

River ride down the mighty Hvítá River in an inflatable kayak. This is the ultimate white water action, only for the brave.

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Borea Adventures

Calm Water Kayaking

from €132 per person4.8· 43 reviews of this tour

14% below the €153 typical for boat tours

Anyone spending a day in Ísafjörður who wants to see the…

2 h 30 · from Ísafjörður

  • Age 12+
  • Book the night before
  • Meet at Borea Adventures outdoor…

Experience the majesty of our fjord from a unique angle.

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Rafting · 12 tours

Arctic Rafting

Family Fun Rafting

from €147 per person4.90· 139 Google reviews of the operator

29% below the €205 typical for family-friendly tours

from age 8 · meet at the start point

3 h · from Reykjavík

  • Age 8+
  • Gear included
  • Family friendly

Bring the whole family rafting. Here we welcome kids from age 8-10 to come and enjoy nature from a different perspective. All fun and play.

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Arctic Rafting

River Fun Rafting

from €169 per person4.90· 139 Google reviews of the operator

17% above the €144 typical for sightseeing day tours

Moderate · from age 11

3 h · from Selfoss

  • Age 11+
  • Gear included
  • Wi-fi on board

Come for the thrills and spills. Raft down a breathtakingly beautiful glacier river, a must do in Iceland.

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Elding Adventure at Sea

Whales & White Water Rafting

from €340 per person4.50· 2,419 Google reviews of the operator

144% above the €139 typical for whale watching tours

Moderate · from age 11 · pickup included

10 h · from Reykjavík

  • Age 11+
  • Wi-fi on board
  • Admission included

This tour combines two true adventures on the water. After exploring the wonders of the whales and birds it it is time to set your adrenaline free - rafting down the glacial river Hvítá admiring its stunningly beautiful landscape.

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Keep looking

Questions people ask

Which is better, Kayaking or Rafting?

Sea or lagoon kayaking is calm paddling at your own pace; river rafting is a group in a big boat through moving water. Kayaking suits a quiet morning; rafting suits a group that wants a bit of noise. Neither needs experience.

Which is cheaper, Kayaking or Rafting?

Across the tours we sell, the typical per-person fare is €210 for Kayaking and €245 for Rafting; the cheapest seats are €95 and €147. Private and per-vehicle tours are left out, because a car price is not comparable with a seat.

Is it cheaper to book direct with the operator?

No. We sell at the operator’s own price and are paid a commission by them, so the price is the same. Booking here puts both kinds of tour in one basket with one checkout.

  • One checkout, any number of operators

  • Rankings are not for sale

  • 203 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted

  • If it falls short, we fix it

prices and departures checked 21 Oct 2026