The Best Glacier Kayak Tours
Kayaking among icebergs needs the right conditions — sheltered water, moderate wind, ice that has spread out enough to not bunch up against the calving face. Where those conditions are reliable, kayak tours are among the most magical glacier experiences anywhere.
1. Jokulsarlon, Iceland
Possibly the world's most accessible iceberg kayak. Operators run two-hour trips out of the lagoon, May to September, in dry suits.
2. Heinabergslon, Iceland
Smaller and quieter sister of Jokulsarlon, run by independent operators. Less crowded, more wildlife.
3. Tracy Arm / Sawyer Glacier, Alaska
Sea-kayak day trips out of Petersburg paddle to the foot of South Sawyer Glacier — possibly the most spectacular tidewater kayak in North America.
4. Aialik Bay, Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park. Water-taxi drop-off, kayak among icebergs from Aialik Glacier, return same day.
5. Lago Grey, Chile
Multi-day expedition kayak tours among the icebergs of Lago Grey, with camping along the shores of Torres del Paine.
6. Spencer Glacier, Alaska
Reached only by the Alaska Railroad whistle stop. Kayak among small icebergs on Spencer Lake.
7. Bear Lagoon, Alaska
Adjacent to Exit Glacier; less famous and less crowded than Aialik.
8. Brikdalsvatnet, Norway
Small lake at the foot of Briksdalsbreen. Calm-water kayak rentals in summer.
9. Lago Argentino, Argentina
Operators in El Calafate run guided kayak tours into the southern arm of the lake among smaller iceberg fields shed by Upsala and Spegazzini.
10. Lago Viedma, Argentina
Less paddled than Lago Argentino, but with the option of approaching the Viedma calving front under the lee of the ice cliff.
Safety
Glacier kayaking demands cold-water training. A capsize even in summer can be life-threatening. Only paddle with operators who provide dry suits and safety boats, and never approach calving faces closer than the guide allows. Ice fragments move under the water and can hit a kayak silently.
From reading to planning
Filter to "kayak" in the interactive map for the full list of glacier paddle routes with operator information and seasonal availability.