Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [39]
Return to beginning of chapter
BOATING
Many of Iceland’s long, scenic fjords can be explored on scenic boat tours. While some local operators offer whale watching Click here or sea angling Click here, other trips simply involve enjoying the beautiful surrounds. Many tours also take in adorable offshore islands such as those in Breiðafjörður, or at Papey, Grímsey, Lundey and Flatey and Vigur. Figure between Ikr3000 and Ikr6500 for an afternoon boat ride.
Return to beginning of chapter
CAVING
Caving and potholing are relatively new sports in Iceland and only a couple of operators run tours. Lava caves dating back more than 10,000 years are the most common types of cave and can be toured with minimum caving gear and experience. Organised tours are operated by Ultima Thula (www.ute.is), Iceland Excursions (www.icelandexcursions.is) and Iceland Total (www.icelandtotal.com). Experienced cavers in search of something more challenging should contact regional tourism boards for assistance in organising a caving expedition and advice on which caves to visit. Iceland’s spectacular ice caves are extremely challenging and require professional equipment and knowledge. Iceland’s most famous ice caves are at Kverkfjöll.
* * *
Iceland’s ice caves were formed by geothermal run-off water.
* * *
Return to beginning of chapter
CYCLING
Iceland is a great place for cycling independently or as part of a group. Click here for more details.
* * *
For information on Iceland’s mountain-bike club, check out www.fjallahjolaklubburinn.is.
* * *
Return to beginning of chapter
DIVING
Little known but incredibly rewarding, diving in Iceland is becoming increasingly popular. The clear water (100m visibility!), great wildlife, spectacular lava ravines, wrecks and thermal chimneys make it a dive destination like no other. The best dive sites are Silfra at Þingvellir and the thermal cones in Eyjafjörður. There are only four local operators, but between them they offer day and multiday tours as well as training. For everything you need to know about diving in Iceland, check out Click here, or contact Dive.is ( 663 2858; www.dive.is; Keflavík), Strytan Divecenter ( 862 2949; www.strytan.is; Akureyri), IsDive ( 694 1006; www.isdive.is; Vestmannaeyjar), or Dive Iceland ( 699 3000; www.kafarinn.is; Hafnarfjörður). Iceland Excursions (www.icelandexcursions.is) can also organise day trips. Scuba virgins can enrol in a PADI course with Dive.is; everyone else should have 10 or more dives under their belt and understand the basics of diving with a drysuit.
* * *
Visit www.strytan.is for inspirational photos taken on local scuba trips.
* * *
Return to beginning of chapter
DOG SLEDDING
Dog sledding, where you’re pulled along behind Greenlandic huskies, is another typically Arctic experience organised for tourists on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on the southwest coast. A one-hour tour costs around Ikr15,000 with Dogsledding.is ( 487 7747; www.dogsledding.is). Longer expeditions can be arranged with sufficient numbers.
Return to beginning of chapter
HIKING
The opportunities for hiking in Iceland are virtually endless, from leisurely half-day walks to multiday wilderness treks. However, the unpredictable weather is always a consideration, and rain, fog and mist can turn an uplifting hike into a miserable trudge. Come prepared with good rain gear and strong boots, and if you’re planning anything other than a short hike, carry good maps, as many trails are unmarked. You’ll also need to ford rivers on many trails (Click here), and look out for fissures, which can be hundreds of metres deep.
* * *
Visit www.outdoors.is for good information on hiking in Iceland.
* * *
In the highlands the best months for walking are July and August, since late or early snow is a real possibility; in some places it never melts. May to September is a good time throughout the rest of the country, and popular hiking routes may be less crowded late or early in the season. Weather conditions can change in minutes at any time of