1 / 5Family Rafting (West)
About this activity
This adventure tours is one of the standout things to do in Varmahlíð, Iceland. Rated 4.0/5 by 5 travellers, it combines the highlights below into a single, easy-to-book experience from €155 per person. 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!
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.
Good to know
- •Duration: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- •Confirmation is instant — your spot is secured the moment you book.
- •Offered in 6 languages.
- •A specific meeting point is provided — check the Meeting point section below for the exact location and map.
- •Confirm weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear before you go.
Who it's for
Best time to visit
Varmahlíð is rewarding year-round, but spring and early autumn typically bring the most comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds than peak summer. Morning departures tend to be quieter and cooler; booking ahead is recommended in high season as popular adventure tours slots in Varmahlíð sell out.
Frequently asked questions
More things to do in Varmahlíð
- Whitewater Action (East)
- Family Rafting (West)
- Whitewater Action (East)
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