Kayak tours and paddleboard

Gentle Giants is a family-run company which has been offering tours from Húsavík, the Whale Capital of Iceland, since 2002. We are proud of our strong roots in Skjálfandi Bay with more than 160 years of family history in the bay. Gentle Giants operates a fleet of traditional Icelandic oak boats, modern RIB speedboats, a fibreglass boat and sea kayaks. This gives us the unique opportunity to offer almost any kind of adventure at sea. Apart from the bestseller whale watching, other tours that we offer are e.g. sea angling, bird watching, kayak tours, yoga retreat, island visits with BBQ, and all kinds of high-end private and tailor-made adventures for individuals and groups of all sizes. The company’s aim is to create memorable experiences while raising awareness about the gentle giants of the ocean and their habitat. Whales are seen on up to 97-99% of our tours. Our staff consists of highly educated and fully qualified both local and international people with various backgrounds and experiences who all share a passion for the sea and work hard to make every passenger feel good. We can offer you: -Untamed and unpredictable nature -Bigger and smaller boats -More personal experience -Higher chances of finding whales -160 years of our family history in Skjálfandi Bay -Great respect to nature and minimum environmental impact -Good memories and natural happiness -Discounts for GG passengers by various local companies in Húsavík Welcome aboard!

Bakkaflöt is a family-owned company that started in 1987. We offer a variety of accommodations. We have a 22 room guesthouse that offers cozy cabin with en suite bathrooms, double or triple rooms with shared bathrooms. We also have two bigger cottages with cooking facilities.  We have a small heated swimming pool outside and two hot tubs. Other facilities include a TV lounge, terrace, restaurant and bar area.  Next to the river Svartá we have a beautiful campsite with good cooking facilities.  In 1994 we started the river rafting in East glacial river and West glacial river.  West glacial river, class 2. Family rafting:  Scenic ride down the majestic Glacial Canyon. We´ll make a stop for a delicious hot chocolate from a geothermal spring and another stop to jump off a cliff. Great experience for the whole family.  East glacial river, class 4. Extreme rafting:  East glacial river is by far one of the best 1-day rafting rivers in Europe. Enjoy a delicious traditional Icelandic meat soup after the tour. The Extrem rafting is a total bliss and we can guarantee you will get wet.  Sit on top kayak trip down the river Svartá is an enjoyable and scenic nature ride in the midnight sun.  On site: accommodation in cabins and our guesthouse, camping site, small swimming pool, hot tubs, restaurant and bar.   

Enjoy a fun day out suitable for all the family on one of our kayak tours.  Our sit-on-top kayaks can be rented by the hour for both guided and non-guided tours. Sit-on-top kayaks (single and double) are very stable, easy to get in and out of, and you will have no feeling of confinement making them ideal for all abilities.  Our kayak rental is operated from the picturesque village of Hjalteyri (20km from Akureyri, pick up available). This peaceful location is ideal as you can choose between kayaking on a lake, in a small harbour or out on the fjord depending on weather conditions and your own ability.  Feel at one with nature as you experience kayak fishing, whale spotting or just relax on your kayak. At the end of your kayak tour you can relax in the hot tub on the beach at Hjalteyri with views of the fjord and mountains.