WHO WE ARE

North Tides is a small company specializing in kayak, packraft and glacier trips in Iceland. With a decade of experience guiding on the glaciers and lakes of southeast Iceland, our intimate knowledge of Vatnajökull National Park allows us to design the perfect trips and experiences to showcase Iceland’s stunning natural beauty.

Based in the small fishing village of Höfn in the southeast corner of Iceland, we have direct access to some of Iceland’s best terrain: mountains, canyons, glaciers, lakes and rivers all easily accessible and with the backdrop of the wild North Atlantic Ocean. The district of Hornafjörður is a paradise for outdoor lovers, with world class rock climbing, mountaineering, trail running, surfing, skiing, birdwatching and much more.  

WHAT WE STAND FOR

A person wearing a black jacket, gray pants, and a black hat, sitting on a brown wooden bench in a park area with trees and grass.

Leave No Trace

Take only photographs and leave only footsteps. The nature of Iceland is so powerful in large part due to the absence of human activity, and we want to keep it that way. All our trips adhere strictly to leave no trace principles, which is especially emphasised as we are often travelling over completely untouched terrain.  

Slow travel iceland

Slow Travel

Our adventures focus on human-powered activities. We may be slower than powerboats and snowmobiles, but what’s the rush? Our goal is an immersive experience in the purest nature, and we believe that hiking and kayaking are some of the best ways to achieve this.  

Black silhouette of a cat in a sitting position with tail curled around its body.

Safety First

1st objective: Come Home Safe 

2nd objective: Come Home as Friends 

Whether climbing mountains or sailing out to sea, these are the two objectives that we place above all else. The force of nature must always be respected, and we are never afraid to turn back early or call things off when the going gets rough. We’ve analysed all the risks and hazards so that you can focus on what you came to see: beautiful Icelandic nature. 

Icon of three people, representing a group or team.

Avoid the Crowds

All our trips are in small groups and designed with the aim of travelling off the beaten path. We believe that solitude enhances the power of nature, and we strive to find it during all of our excursions.

OUR QUALIFICATIONS

Logo of the Icelandic mountaineering club, featuring a stylized mountain inside a circle with the words 'FÉLAG FALLELÆ LeidSÖG UM ANNÁ' and 'AIMG' around it.
Wilderness Medicine logo featuring a caduceus symbol and a star of life in brown and white colors.
Logo of the Icelandic Tourist Board featuring a stylized mountain and lake in gray tones with the words 'Ferðamálastofa Icelandic Tourist Board' underneath.
Logo with stylized blue mountain and the word 'Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður' underneath.